QKShooter

Had this guy actually taken out his wallet ~ He would have been an instant robbery victim.

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joe/OH

He may have just wanted $10. His actions seemed intimidating enough that most folks may feel that they are being 'held up' and give him the $10 without a fight (that's what some folks tell us to do right? Not to resist?). In that case, the victim feels like they have just been robbed, but if no physical threat was made and the victim did not resist - the guy was merely pan handling.

Just a possibility. Something similar happened to a friend of mine here in Cincinnati. A guy forcibly entered her car and told her to give him a few hundred dollars. She gave him 20 and told him that was all she had (she was a college student at the time) - being scared out of her wits and afraid the guy might do something else. He just left.

She found the nearest Cinci police officer (no cell phone at the time) and explained what happened - she was visibly shaken and scared. The first questions the cop asked - Did he have a weapon? Well... no, not that I saw. Did he verbally threaten you in any way? Well... other than climbing into my car - no. Did you at anytime refuse? No... I was scared. Well 'mam - he was just panhandling then. A call to the police department and a sheriff's office confirmed the same thing.

That was several years ago. She now carries, is well trained, and I pity the guy who tries that stunt with her again.

Brian45

This was middle of the night. The guy "asking" for $10 is probably looking to rob the guy. This may be one of the situations where distance and cover with a weapon held low and ready could quickly diffuse the situation. The BG could easily have had a weapon just below the line of sight so cover is important. People need to trust there instinct. If someone looks like they are up to no good, then odds are they are up to no good. This was not a simple bum on the street looking for a hand out.

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NRA Life Member

"All That Later"

joe/OH

Brian - no way to know for sure - though I agree - this was not an ordinary bum.

At this point, the guy has not 'threatened' us - at least not in a way that would probably hold up in court. His actions seem suspicious and we believe that he 'may' have a weapon and may be trying to rob us - but this is pure speculation at this instance.

In Ohio, no legal way to draw your weapon unless you're first threatened and cannot retreat (duty to retreat). Again, in Ohio, if you drew your gun at this point, you'd be opening a big can of worms - because if an altercation did occur, you could possibly be seen as the aggressor. In either case - you would be breaking the law by brandishing when there was no evidence to be in 'fear of your life' and possibly escalating a non-lethal encounter.

I know state law varies - and I'm only familiar with Ohio/KY.

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My action would be to step back to put some distance between myself and the bum, being ready to duck behind the car and draw if things turn for the worse. Turn my body so that I can quickly draw from concealment if need be and put my hand forward and say in a loud voice 'I cannot help you sir. Please move away from my vehicle.' At the same time, being aware of surroundings behind me. There is a car behind me and there may be accomplices - don't want to have tunnel vision. If he does not comply, use left hand to retrieve cell phone to call 911 while repeating previous command. If at any time, he looks ready to pull a weapon, my first priority would be to get behind car (no point in trying to out draw the guy) and then draw weapon to defend myself from said cover.

After this is over - remind myself to be more aware.

Joe

Colin

Excuse me, someone climbs into a car and demands money and that's panhandling!

Those cops needed to staked to the beach at low tide, and then told don't worry about the incoming tide, because we call this "swimming"