poweraddict
Marksman
So I work third shift right now and I've been frequenting a restaurant once a week on the way home that's in a not so great neighborhood. I open carry because I'm rebuilding my collection after selling my firearms while I was off work for back surgery and my gun is not the best for concealed carry(an urban gray p09).
Well I was there with a coworker and the place wasn't very busy. There were only 2 servers working and a female cook. Well a group of 8 individuals walked in being loud, obnoxious, and very rude to the servers. Our server came up to us and asked if one of us was security because she was afraid to be there by themselves(I felt bad, but I told her if she felt uneasy she should call the police). Well then one of the thugs went walking in the kitchen yelling. Working security for 8 years I knew that once certain barriers of societal norms get broken the offender usually becomes emboldened and things can quickly escalate. I instinctively said "Hey bro can you get back from there." He came over and got in my face. I didn't back down, but he saw that I was carrying and went over to his buddy and got a gun off him(tucked it in his waist and was threatening to shoot). My friend was scared and I knew there was no good ending to the situation even if I drew first. I kept my calm and ignored him while keeping him in my side view and my hand free to shoot. I paid at the counter and we walked out while he was yelling racist hate speach and threatening me. Well in all the commotion I was focused on him and the gun and I left my keys on the table... Well the servers came outside with us scared and they then told me that one of the thugs grabbed my keys off the table. Trying to do everything to avoid a shootout I ended up calling the police. They were there fairly quickly and several officer's showed up. As soon as the police showed up the thugs threw the keys to the ground. The individuals weren't arrested, but I am glad that the scenario didn't escalate to where I had to use my firearm and I am thankful for the quick response of IMPD.
I did learn several lessons that night, be more aware of my surroundings and avoid places that things like this are more likely to occur, be mindful of who I'm with(my friend does not carry and it was unfair for me to potentially put him in harm's way), I need to buy a conceal carry, and also to remove the retension strap on my open carry holster.
I will be doing research on defensive pistol classes and I will be more vigilant on range time.
Well I was there with a coworker and the place wasn't very busy. There were only 2 servers working and a female cook. Well a group of 8 individuals walked in being loud, obnoxious, and very rude to the servers. Our server came up to us and asked if one of us was security because she was afraid to be there by themselves(I felt bad, but I told her if she felt uneasy she should call the police). Well then one of the thugs went walking in the kitchen yelling. Working security for 8 years I knew that once certain barriers of societal norms get broken the offender usually becomes emboldened and things can quickly escalate. I instinctively said "Hey bro can you get back from there." He came over and got in my face. I didn't back down, but he saw that I was carrying and went over to his buddy and got a gun off him(tucked it in his waist and was threatening to shoot). My friend was scared and I knew there was no good ending to the situation even if I drew first. I kept my calm and ignored him while keeping him in my side view and my hand free to shoot. I paid at the counter and we walked out while he was yelling racist hate speach and threatening me. Well in all the commotion I was focused on him and the gun and I left my keys on the table... Well the servers came outside with us scared and they then told me that one of the thugs grabbed my keys off the table. Trying to do everything to avoid a shootout I ended up calling the police. They were there fairly quickly and several officer's showed up. As soon as the police showed up the thugs threw the keys to the ground. The individuals weren't arrested, but I am glad that the scenario didn't escalate to where I had to use my firearm and I am thankful for the quick response of IMPD.
I did learn several lessons that night, be more aware of my surroundings and avoid places that things like this are more likely to occur, be mindful of who I'm with(my friend does not carry and it was unfair for me to potentially put him in harm's way), I need to buy a conceal carry, and also to remove the retension strap on my open carry holster.
I will be doing research on defensive pistol classes and I will be more vigilant on range time.