[Guest]

This experience defined my limit, or the point of no return, as in showing my weapon.

My wife and I were on 36th street in Ogden, and were coming down to Wall Ave. My wife was driving our truck, and I was in the passenger side. As we approached the intersection in the right turning lane, we could tell something wasn't right. We could see this man running into the street and shouting at the cars. The cars would swerve out of his way, and he would scream at them and try to run in front of them.

My wife's intuition is better than mine, and she reached over and locked my door. We came to a stop, and were surrounded by cars. To our surprise, the wacko came up on my side of the truck, and actually tried to open my door, but my wife had just locked it seconds prior. This is odd, because I'm a pretty big and scary looking guy.

So he tries to open the door, but fails. At this time, I decide to get my handgun "accessible", and during the process, he begins hitting the side window as if to shatter it. I'd had enough, and figured it was time to end this complication. I pulled my gun out, and at this time, he had his face on my window. I made it very visible that I was loading the chamber, and I put the barrel right on the glass, 1/8 inch from his forehead.

He saw this, and his expression turned from anger to pure fright. He turned and ran away so fast that he tripped and fell on the curb.

I began to get out of the truck so I could chase him down, but I was so excited, I had my seatbelt on, and the door was still locked. I didn't get to chase him down.

Fortunately, the police had already been called, about 10 minutes prior, and were already showing up. They got him into custody, and I was able to tell them my experience.

I would not think that I brandished the weapon, but they say if you show it, you should be prepared to shoot it. This is a concept I find hard to accept.

I actually think we would have been better off if I could have shown him my gun before he got to our vehicle. This would have ended the conflict a lot sooner.

BTW, his name is Ryan Yazzie. Probably about 21 years old now.

 

[tapehoser]

Yikes! That's wild, man. Just wild!

 

[Jeff Johnson]

It's true that they say don't show it unless you are justified in using it. However, it is important to understand that once you show it, if the threat removes itself, the time has come to put it away. There's no such thing as an obligation to actually fire once drawn.

Be glad that your seatbelt kept you in place in the excitement of the moment. Chasing the guy down might not have been a good thing to do.

I applaud your willingness to be prepared to defend yourself and your wife. I'm glad that this particular situation ended the way it did.

BTW, welcome to the forum !!

 

[blackpuma]

... they say if you show it, you should be prepared to shoot it. This is a concept I find hard to accept.

I think you may misunderstand that statement. Nobody says that you must pull the trigger. Others feel free to correct me, but I believe that the statement refers to having the psychological capability to remain cool and make the decision to pull the trigger when it's the only choice that will save life or limb.

Like in your situation, most of the time presenting a weapon brings the confrontation to an end. The situation becomes that of picking up an angry porcupine :shock: --- he can continue to try to "pick you up," but it's going to cost him dearly in the attempt. Most criminals have just enough self-preservation instinct to decide, "No, not today."

After the threat has removed itself, then simply stand down and give thanks that no shots were necessary.

If presenting a weapon doesn't terminate the confrontation, or it's an assualt with no opportunity to let the weapon's presense settle in (e.g. the maniac is actively coming at you like a freight train), then one has to be capable of pulling the trigger to save life or limb.

In hot confrontation, the average person in our soft society is not prepared, collapses mentally, and the aggressor wins by default. :sad: From what I understand, this is the ideal situation that criminals seek out; a "soft" target that can be manipulated psychologically or can be subdued easily with minimal physical force --- and no real risk to the aggressor. :twisted:

If you draw your weapon with never intending to pull the trigger (i.e. you're not prepared to actually do it if you must), then it's a bluff --- and a very dangerous one if the aggressor "calls" your bluff by not retreating. IMHO one should take some combat-oriented training to get past that personal mental block.

Now, don't misunderstand me and think I'm saying that's what you're doing. I didn't say that. I was just giving my two bit interpretation of the dictum "if you draw, be prepared to shoot."

 

[Guest]

yes be prepared but I also am glad your seat belt held you back as he retreated youwould have pursued in the eyes of the law you would have become the aggressor
now you would have been legaly liable for any damages or deaths?
I am very proud of you for showing the intent to stopp him dead
I have had many instances where I belive just the presence of a gun has frightened away a would be problem or at least they went somewhere else to comit a crime I was taught and belive in using a gun to defend self and home and yes I have had similar experiences where a weapon has been pulled on me (guns and knives)but when you pull a gun like puma said you aint easy pickens no more you called there bluff they vacate or ya gotta do what ya gotta do when they keep a comin
be careful protect ur wife and self but never pursue cause ya dont know whats around the corner or if he gets the courage back its best to be headed away yourself

 

[UTOC-45-44]

It's true that they say don't show it unless you are justified in using it. However, it is important to understand that once you show it, if the threat removes itself, the time has come to put it away. There's no such thing as an obligation to actually fire once drawn.

Be glad that your seatbelt kept you in place in the excitement of the moment. Chasing the guy down might not have been a good thing to do.

I applaud your willingness to be prepared to defend yourself and your wife. I'm glad that this particular situation ended the way it did.

BTW, welcome to the forum !!

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I agree