Starting Trouble w/ a Ticking Time Bomb. (firearms incl!)

MikeM53082

Let me lay the out the scene for you. I'm about ready to eat lunch at this quick Mexican restaurant and decided to get some extra salsa for my burrito. I arrive at the salsa bar at nearly the same time as this other woman (older, pants suit, professional type).

I instinctively let her go ahead of me and she made the comment "You better let me go ahead of you, you nearly cut me off in line." I just smiled, brushed it off, rolled my eyes, and simply said "OK". Then she said "Don't you dare get an attitude with me." I walked away at that point and enjoyed the rest of my lunch.

Now, I'm a very cool collective person who wouldn't do anything brash. Unless I feel my life is seriously threatened (knife attack or something like that), I always walk away. However, I do have a conceal carry permit and always have my sub-compact Glock 36 on me when I'm legally able to (can't take it to the bar, federal buildings, voting stations, etc etc).

Then I just thought to myself.. the State of Florida recently issued their 1 millionth conceal carry permit. That means there are a ton of people packing heat 24/7. What if that woman at the Mexican restaurant pulled that act with a guy who just got laid off this morning, found out his wife was cheating on him, and has major mental issues. He's liable to blow her brains out of her head and right into the Chili Verde.

So my question to all of you.. if you are a trouble maker, are you ever worried someone is going to go to extremes to get back at you?

For the reasonable people, how would you have handled that situations like the one I described? Would you have done the right thing by brushing it off and walking away?

coliema

The right thing would probably be to brush it off and walk away. I, however, am a little louder than that and I would have given it right back to her. But that is just me, I don't believe in that "respect your elders" stuff....it's more along the lines of "respect those who respect you".

But very true, if it was someone else that was having a bad day or week or a psycho, she could have had her brains blown out of her head.

clydethecat

when i was in my twenties it never occurred to me that i might get hurt doing the asinine things i did back then. i had serious road rage and would do crazy things to cars and people i thought "wronged" me.

when we were first dating i was driving with my husband thru oakland. some kid cut me off and i did my normal lay on the horn, flip them off and try to cut around them. well when i was driving past the kid, he pulled out a gun and pressed it against the window. i slammed on my brakes and got into the slow lane and let him get some distance.

my husband became unglued at me. he said i had to stop being a road rager or we couldnt be together. the incident and his ultimatum cured me very quickly of being a road rager . i dont think i've ever been so scared.

when a stupid person cuts me off now, i just slow down and let them have their way. its really no worth getting killed. i'm glad i finally learned the lesson.

Twisted_Wrister

What would I do? Avoid the chili verde! :laugh:

Seriously, walk away, (watch my 6 in case she's the psycho with the concealed carry permit). My H&K USP .40 is like an American Express Card...I don't leave home without it!

Because I basically carry 24/7 I always have to be mindful of my actions. Escalating a situation like that can have unintentional, (fatal), consequences.

Walking away was the right course of action IMO.

trackstack

Meh, there are dbags everywhere, why let it mess with your burrito fest. On the other hand, if I accidentally offend somebody, and they snap with a gun, they better be fast on the pull and pop, because they're about to be effing honey badgered.

n0ob

on a mere mortal I'd just hit them with a ghostball followed by a swift kick to the crotch, or just pull them through a dimensional portal and close it once they were halfway through. Gets 'em every time. (posted in character for those wondering WTF?)

juliecat1

You get respect by being respectful. I wouldn't have rolled my eyes. Just smiled and politely stepped back. I rarely have confrontations because I live by that rule.

Now... What if she had been crazy and packing heat and your eye roll had set her off? That's how my brain works most if the time. I

bushidowoman

I would have smiled at her, told her that I didn't realize I had cut her off in line and if that was the case, then I apologize (I'm never *intentionally* rude, but often distracted.) I would have told her sincerely that I hoped the rest of her day goes smoothly.
No telling what *she* was dealing with that day.

HisChild2011

You did the right thing. Too many crazy, offended, angry, mental people walking around - many carrying guns. Don't wanna lose my life to an idiot. I will allow those who need to strut to be tuff.

EatClean_WashUrNuts

Seriously? You are pretty paranoid, arent you?

Just because someone has a CCW doesnt mean they are out to kill you. a CCW is carried by those that feel a need for protection from the wackos on the planet, not because they might lose their job. Who cares if Florida has twice as many permits than Texas, which has a ratio of 12-1 firearms-popluation...Texas allows open carry.

Asshats are found everywhere. The CCW allows you to be prepared for those morons.

Briko3

What would I do? Avoid the chili verde! :laugh:

Seriously, walk away, (watch my 6 in case she's the psycho with the concealed carry permit). My H&K USP .40 is like an American Express Card...I don't leave home without it!

Because I basically carry 24/7 I always have to be mindful of my actions. Escalating a situation like that can have unintentional, (fatal), consequences.

Walking away was the right course of action IMO.

I've got that same gun (only the compact version). How is your accuracy with that thing?

HMD7703

I have my CCDW as well but you have to remember, someone else might have it and if you pull it on her, someone might in turn be holding a gun to the back of your head.

You blew it off (sort of, seeing how you are still venting). That is the good part. Yes the lady was being a *B*, but you have no idea what was going through her mind. Maybe she honestly thought you cut her off? Bad day at work? Husband left her for the hot admin? Who knows. Having a CCDW should not make you think about pulling your weapon on someone with a bad attitude. Like you said, it is for self defense; not offense.

drmerc

I'm more worried about someone in close quarters with a knife than a gun

Twisted_Wrister

What would I do? Avoid the chili verde! :laugh:

Seriously, walk away, (watch my 6 in case she's the psycho with the concealed carry permit). My H&K USP .40 is like an American Express Card...I don't leave home without it!

Because I basically carry 24/7 I always have to be mindful of my actions. Escalating a situation like that can have unintentional, (fatal), consequences.

Walking away was the right course of action IMO.

I've got that same gun (only the compact version). How is your accuracy with that thing?

Mine is the compact as well

Accuracy is great, (I've owned it since '01 or '02)

Growtinymusclesgrow

How does one go from some chick getting mouthy and you walking away to being about you walking around with à weapon? Back in in the day, i had some crazy person pull à gun on me. I m able to handle myself pretty well, but when you have à gun in your face, the last thing going through your mind is pulling out your gun and shooting them. The problem with the average civilian carryingis most don't have the proprer training required. All you are going to do is wind up in prison for not handling the situation correctly...

dodihere

You did the right thing. Walk away - because she only wants attention. She either doesn't get enough at home or she is paying her ex husband alimony.

wolverine66

what if she's packing too?


maybe that's why she was so bold.

cmcollins001

While we don't have nearly has many conceal carry holders as your state, we do have a few. The thing that made me realize it could be anyone was when I went to buy another gun. The different type of people, both male and female, flashing their CHCL's (concealed handgun carry license for those who may not know) was an absolute shock to me. I was looking at this girl who was apparently 21 but looked like she was 18 at most, but I would have guessed 16 first, trying to decide between a G26 and an M&P. The pink stripped bleach blonde hair and gun knowledge threw me a little. It was at that moment that I decided to treat everyone as though they were carrying.

FabMrFox

Be more unexpected. after her first comment you should have asked if she is flirting with you. at the very least it would have confused her.

melsmith612

I have to confess, I have anger issues. If I encountered your salsa station woman, I'd probably have been arrested or at minimum banned from that restaurant for giving her a piece of my mind. When it comes to conflict I am NEVER the bigger person, I go straight into survival mode. :explode:

katamus

I probably would have called her out for being a tool and went back in front of her.

But I'm a chick. I wouldn't have offered for her to go first anyway.

If you cut me off in line then offered for me to go first, I would just say "thank you" and leave it at that. No need for snappy remarks. Maybe she was just hungry. Or had sand in certain places.

Don't get me wrong, I've definitely said some rude things to people when it was deserved. But not over salsa.

yoovie

For the reasonable people, how would you have handled that situations like the one I described? Would you have done the right thing by brushing it off and walking away?

Id have apologised and went about my day and never thought of it again. Cause saying Im sorry is more about the other person needing to hear it than you actually being required to say it. Saying 'oops' would have avoided all of this.

Railr0aderTony

. He's liable to blow her brains out of her head and right into the Chili Verde.

iluvprettyshoes

I would've handed her some midol.

avir8

jcstanton

Let me lay the out the scene for you. I'm about ready to eat lunch at this quick Mexican restaurant and decided to get some extra salsa for my burrito. I arrive at the salsa bar at nearly the same time as this other woman (older, pants suit, professional type).

I instinctively let her go ahead of me and she made the comment "You better let me go ahead of you, you nearly cut me off in line." I just smiled, brushed it off, rolled my eyes, and simply said "OK". Then she said "Don't you dare get an attitude with me." I walked away at that point and enjoyed the rest of my lunch.

Now, I'm a very cool collective person who wouldn't do anything brash. Unless I feel my life is seriously threatened (knife attack or something like that), I always walk away. However, I do have a conceal carry permit and always have my sub-compact Glock 36 on me when I'm legally able to (can't take it to the bar, federal buildings, voting stations, etc etc).

Then I just thought to myself.. the State of Florida recently issued their 1 millionth conceal carry permit. That means there are a ton of people packing heat 24/7. What if that woman at the Mexican restaurant pulled that act with a guy who just got laid off this morning, found out his wife was cheating on him, and has major mental issues. He's liable to blow her brains out of her head and right into the Chili Verde.

So my question to all of you.. if you are a trouble maker, are you ever worried someone is going to go to extremes to get back at you?

For the reasonable people, how would you have handled that situations like the one I described? Would you have done the right thing by brushing it off and walking away?

I would have had to say, "With all due respect, ma'am, I'm not the one with the attitude problem." THEN I would've walked away.

sullus

1. I would have let her in front of me, but kept up the attitude. She's gonna walk away, not me. I truly enjoy trying to make people like that uncomfortable.

2. I love the phrase "with all due respect" .. because to me it means there's no respect coming in this next comment, because you're due none. It's right up there with "not to offend, but ... "

nikinyx6

I have to confess, I have anger issues. If I encountered your salsa station woman, I'd probably have been arrested or at minimum banned from that restaurant for giving her a piece of my mind. When it comes to conflict I am NEVER the bigger person, I go straight into survival mode. :explode:

This, I'm bad with conflict resolution. I may have actually throat punched her if it was a bad day...on a good day, I'd call her out, and probably curse a lot...

tashjs21

I usually brush it off and walk away because I am afraid of the scenario you laid out. People are crazy and you never know what will set someone off. :ohwell:

jcstanton

2. I love the phrase "with all due respect" .. because to me it means there's no respect coming in this next comment, because you're due none. It's right up there with "not to offend, but ... "

I know. I usually stress the word "due" to bring that point home. LOL :laugh:

mikes99mail

regular people with concealed weapons is why I'm happy to live in the UK.

yes, if you get mugged by a guy with a gun you're f*cked, but the chances of that have got to be smaller than getting shot by a regular dude having a bad day.