[roff]

I was getting gas last night and I was thinking. What if while I was pumping gas or selecting which gas I want, someone snuck into my car (car door is unlocked and keys in ignition) and just drove off? I know I shouldnt leave my keys in the ignition, but my gas tank wont open unless all the doors are unlocked.

What would you guys do? Would you shoot or let them drive off with your car?

 

[chenemf]

Legally (since you are in Texas) you could probably get away with it. Personally, if no one (family) is in the car, I'd let it go and fight with the insurance company. No sense in sending rounds downrange to end up who knows where.

Lesson learned: don't leave your keys in the ignition.

 

[ECHOONE]

WOW,Shoot,that's what pops into your mind if somone jumps in your car and starts to drive away? Remind me not to move to Texas! There's no threat to you or your family,no ones in car right? Your going to let bullets fly down range at this guy!Why not use your cell phone and call 911 and let the cops pull him over and do there job!To many want to grab there pistol and start firing just because they have it on there hip!Common sense is going out the window!

 

[dukalmighty]

Don't leave your keys in the car,Car jacking usually requires you being forcefully removed by force,You really wanta go to court and have a prosecutor ask why did you leave the keys in the car?I see paople leave their cars running unlocked while they run into a store all the time,In some states if your car gets stolen you can be charged with a crime

 

[ccw9mm]

I know I shouldnt leave my keys in the ignition, but ...

First thing I'd not do is this: leaving the keys in the car, unattended. If the gas cap won't open without the doors being unlocked, then I'd have to unlock them to get gas, sure. But that doesn't seem to require leaving the keys out of my possession, sitting in the car 15ft around the other side of the car. Are you forced to leave the keys in the ignition??

My car's nice, in this way. I can unlock the gas cap; lock the doors; pump the gas; unlock just the driver's door when I get back in. Works very nicely, for situations like risky fueling stations.

As to whether I'd shoot a fleeing person who has taken my car while the keys are inside ... No, I wouldn't. Not unless being fired upon. I've got insurance to cover the loss; I know the license plate (and the police will, too, soon enough); my life isn't worth "pride" in knowing I stopped a fleeing car thief; and I can accept slings and arrows from folks who claim it's cowardly to decide to not risk my life over an insured car. All things considered, that works for me. YMMV, depending on your world view.

 

[ezenbrowntow]

The better solution to this problem lies in the prevention rather than the ramifications. Take the keys with you, and you eliminate the problem. I just can't see a car thief trying to hot wire a car while you're pumping gas into it.

This would be similar to "If I live a opened brief case in my drive way with $20,000 in it for the world to see, and someone walks by and tries to take it, should I shoot them?" Why not just take the money inside than worrying about shooting them. I think this is kind of similar to the car jack scenario. Worry about the keys, and you don't have to worry about shooting someone or not.

 

[wmhawth]

What would you guys do? Would you shoot or let them drive off with your car?

I assume you are licensed to carry your gun. I don't mean any disrespect but frankly, I find it a bit disturbing to think that a person who has supposedly completed the required training to obtain a concealed carry permit would even consider firing at a fleeing car thief as he is driving away in the car.

 

[BikerRN]

With questions like this one, is it any wonder that I am an advocate for more training before someone is licensed to carry a deadly weapon?

While we have been slowly gaining 2A rights, or getting them back, over the past twenty years, I forsee a huge backlash coming with all the "newbies" carrying guns. It is statistically likely that there will be an upswing in the improper use of defensive equipment with the resulting political solution of "more and better" laws to further restrict the law abiding.

What you are basically asking is: "Can I shoot to defend my property?"

I would ask you, what is your state law? Where is the lethal threat to you? Have you sat and pondered under what conditions you would fire a weapon in defense of self or others and what lines have to be crossed by the aggressor before you need to do so?

Biker

 

[sunrock3]

dial 911 and have trained professionals handle it.

 

[Gibbles]

I bought a locked gas cap for my truck, I have to take my keys with me.

 

[Gibbles]

Laws vary from state to state, but in general you don't want to pull your gun unless you have to.
Like life in danger... lets say the guy takes your car then turns around and trys to run you over, I think I would pull my gun at that point...

 

[goawayfarm]

When I fill up the keys are in my pocket.

If a jacker tries to get into it he's only going to get a face full of gasoline. I doubt he's going to stick around while I reach for my lighter!

 

[BikerRN]

When I fill up the keys are in my pocket.

If a jacker tries to get into it he's only going to get a face full of gasoline. I doubt he's going to stick around while I reach for my lighter!

An ingenious solution for a not so atypical problem. :hand10:

Biker

 

[mi2az]

I would of shot the person and slant the story in my favor.

Car is a neccessity in most communities. It could mean keeping or losing you job. Some peoples credit may not be good enough to get another car or income has changed where you can't afford a car payment.

So if some jerk steals your car, you may lose your job, home and the means of supporting yourself or less food on the table.

I would not do it if they are fleeing, but as soon as he opens the door to jump in, ourt come my gun ready to use it.

 

[NC Bullseye]

Call 911, call insurance, call home, ponder color for new vehicle.

Your choices are to:

A. Pay lots of money for auto theft insurance.

B. Pay lots and lots of money for legal defense for shooting. You will need legal advice innocent or not and it doesn't come free.

 

[stog]

you let the thief drive off, and call the police. That person is no threat to you driving away.

 

[searcher 45]

Being situational aware will help in this case.

Not paying attention to where your keys are or who is standing near or approaching is not being SA. Stay alert and just be ready.

When I pump gas I watch 360* by just scanning the area around me. If I sense something wrong I go on a higher alert. Someone might get past my noticing them, but they would have a hard time getting into my car and a hard time driving off with out the keys. If they demand the keys of me the keys come with a very high personal price..

 

[ccw9mm]

Being situational aware will help in this case.

Yes. Though, to be fair, in certain situations it's intensely difficult to do that given the structure of the facility, the number of people/vehicles there at the moment. It's not always possible to see inbound lanes at all times, to any distance that would matter in a snatch-and-grab type attack that sought one's keys or control over the car.

I, too, do the same thing. The head-on-swivel approach works well for me, if resulting in nothing more than showing I'm aware and not going to be taken lightly.

If they demand the keys of me the keys come with a very high personal price..

That's what I attempt to do. Make it apparent that going that far is going to likely involve more than they're prepared to attempt.

One thing about Oregon is that they don't actually allow citizens to pump their own gas. So, basically, you sit in the car while the employee does the pumping. Changes the mix a bit, but it can still be rough when there are many others around.

Whatever else is true, SA helps. As does keeping control of your keys, wallet, entry into the car, etc.

 

[PastorPack]

Being situational aware will help in this case.

Not paying attention to where your keys are or who is standing near or approaching is not being SA. Stay alert and just be ready.

When I pump gas I watch 360* by just scanning the area around me. If I sense something wrong I go on a higher alert. Someone might get past my noticing them, but they would have a hard time getting into my car and a hard time driving off with out the keys. If they demand the keys of me the keys come with a very high personal price..

+1!

Keys with you!

On another thread someone had a great suggestion for SA at the gas pump. Wash your windows. It gives you an excuse to watch 360 degrees both directly and through the reflection off your newly cleaned glass. Plus, you'll be a safer driver with clean windows.

 

[RETSUPT99]

Where I get my gas?
I let the car run...:blink:
I scan everywhere...:blink:
No one is getting within 10-15' of me without notice and/or a warning!:nono:

I'm not worried about a car-jacking where I get gas.:smoke23: