OT: Be safe out there guys, I'm lucky to be alive.
05-30-2009, 05:40 PM
#32
Racer
05-30-2009, 05:47 PM
#33
Rennlist Member
This makes me grateful after 48 years, it's never happened to me. I'm sorry it happened to you and you'll probably have post traumatic stress disorder for a while over this, at least I would.
I feel invinceable, parking in bad areas some times, not really worrying about it, but after hearing your story, I'll be a little less casual about this. I realize your stick up was in a sleepy suburb, so in the end, no place is truly safe, even the wilderness. People get shot to death camping in the middle of freakin' nowhere!
I feel invinceable, parking in bad areas some times, not really worrying about it, but after hearing your story, I'll be a little less casual about this. I realize your stick up was in a sleepy suburb, so in the end, no place is truly safe, even the wilderness. People get shot to death camping in the middle of freakin' nowhere!
05-30-2009, 07:47 PM
#35
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Michael S., thanks for the gracious offer.
Techsis, that's some great advice, thanks! I had police at my home 15 minutes after the incident. I've reported all my credit cards and bank card stolen already as well. Good thing is there were no documents in my wallet that had my address, social security number, or any other pertinent info., even my driver's license didn't have my current address. But man, you got pistol whipped? Ouch, I'm glad you're still here as well.
It sounds like some of you guys have had even more traumatic experiences than mine. Both Cactus and Techsis had guns pointed to the back of their heads...man that's all kinds of crazy.
But hey guys, you know what I am happy about? The mugger never noticed my Panerai watch! If there was anything worth taking, it would have been my Panerai. I'm really surprised too since the polished steel case and bracelet is quite shiny. Sucker! But really, I love this watch, it's the first expensive thing I bought myself after finishing school. I'd have been angry beyond words if I lost my panerai as well.
I can't really even describe how I feel right now. I mean, I think I'm over it, but I can't seem to shake this weird feeling I have. It's not fear or insecurity or anger. It's just an overall bad feeling...maybe this is the feeling of being victimized? Oh well, life goes on (luckily).
It does help to be talking with you guys. Besides you guys, the only other person that knows about what happened is my girlfriend. For some reason, I don't want to tell my family or friends...I guess I don't want them to worry or I don't want their sympathy. Maybe I don't want to be seen as a victim in the eye's of people that matter to me most? Again, for some reason, I feel a little bit of shame in all this. Or maybe I just want to forget about it all.
In any case, again, thanks for all the support guys, it really does help make me feel more normal.
Techsis, that's some great advice, thanks! I had police at my home 15 minutes after the incident. I've reported all my credit cards and bank card stolen already as well. Good thing is there were no documents in my wallet that had my address, social security number, or any other pertinent info., even my driver's license didn't have my current address. But man, you got pistol whipped? Ouch, I'm glad you're still here as well.
It sounds like some of you guys have had even more traumatic experiences than mine. Both Cactus and Techsis had guns pointed to the back of their heads...man that's all kinds of crazy.
But hey guys, you know what I am happy about? The mugger never noticed my Panerai watch! If there was anything worth taking, it would have been my Panerai. I'm really surprised too since the polished steel case and bracelet is quite shiny. Sucker! But really, I love this watch, it's the first expensive thing I bought myself after finishing school. I'd have been angry beyond words if I lost my panerai as well.
I can't really even describe how I feel right now. I mean, I think I'm over it, but I can't seem to shake this weird feeling I have. It's not fear or insecurity or anger. It's just an overall bad feeling...maybe this is the feeling of being victimized? Oh well, life goes on (luckily).
It does help to be talking with you guys. Besides you guys, the only other person that knows about what happened is my girlfriend. For some reason, I don't want to tell my family or friends...I guess I don't want them to worry or I don't want their sympathy. Maybe I don't want to be seen as a victim in the eye's of people that matter to me most? Again, for some reason, I feel a little bit of shame in all this. Or maybe I just want to forget about it all.
In any case, again, thanks for all the support guys, it really does help make me feel more normal.
05-30-2009, 07:50 PM
#36
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
You know I read in the news about something like this. Something about many criminals are going to be release due to budget. That is really nuts.
05-30-2009, 08:17 PM
#38
Three Wheelin'
In an ideal world where everybody was allowed to carry, a lowlife like that would think ten times before approaching you.
05-30-2009, 08:27 PM
#39
Race Car
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Miamah, La Florida
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I shudder somewhat when I read posts thinking that the victim having a gun would automatically make things better. I can tell you from experience that in that case it's very possible that the victim brandishing and attempting to use his/her firearm greatly raises the outcome of a fatality for the victim.
I love spaghetti westerns and Dirty Harry movies too, but you are dreaming if you think you have an advantage in a gunfight when a mugger already has a gun out, cocked, and pointed at you and you do not.
In most cases, you are better off just calmly giving the mugger what he wants and letting him scamper off into the night.
I'm not trying to start an argument, but it's much easier to think of oneself as a fearless gunslinger on the Internet. Most of you however, when confronted unawares, wouldn't even have time to find your gun, raise it and fire it. You'd probably be too caught off guard and scared, rightfully so.
I'm glad in this case, the victim drove away without any bodily harm. If he clumsily attempted to pull a gun on the assailant, there is a good chance he would've been shot.
I love spaghetti westerns and Dirty Harry movies too, but you are dreaming if you think you have an advantage in a gunfight when a mugger already has a gun out, cocked, and pointed at you and you do not.
In most cases, you are better off just calmly giving the mugger what he wants and letting him scamper off into the night.
I'm not trying to start an argument, but it's much easier to think of oneself as a fearless gunslinger on the Internet. Most of you however, when confronted unawares, wouldn't even have time to find your gun, raise it and fire it. You'd probably be too caught off guard and scared, rightfully so.
I'm glad in this case, the victim drove away without any bodily harm. If he clumsily attempted to pull a gun on the assailant, there is a good chance he would've been shot.
Last edited by JDHertz11; 05-30-2009 at 09:33 PM.
05-30-2009, 09:05 PM
#40
Please understand that I carry a gun for self defense. I am by no means out there with a Dirty Harry complex. I have a license to carry a concealed weapon and I have decided to do just that. I have many "real" guns that I take to the range when I feel like target practice. I also think that things are much different from Coast to Coast. Not to knock California but you do seem to have your fair share of violent crimes even with a lot more gun restrictions than most states. I think that guns vs. no guns is a pissing match that none hear want to debate. I respect your opinion, and you mine. I love my Porsche and so do you!!!!
This is not about gun vs. no gun.
What it is, is recognizing carrying a concealed weapon on you is one thing. But winning a gunfight against an adversary who may have the advantage over you is another. In this particular scenario, the mugger had not only surprise on his side, but he already has the gun raised and pointed and cocked.
You may be a crack shot at the firing range, but I suspect that in the time it would take you to pull your gun out, raise it, unlatch the safety, point it at the mugger and fire it accurately, the mugger would've had time to react and shoot you many times.
So it's not about whether we should own a gun or not. To each his own. But it is about knowing that if you pull the gun when you are not the odds on favorite of winning the gunfight, that's a Dirty Harry mentality that could easily get you shot, if not killed.
05-30-2009, 10:01 PM
#45
Three Wheelin'
Jimmy:
Glad you (and your watch) are okay!
Here's a thought. I have heard that carrying a 'dummy' wallet might work- put in a bunch of those blank credit cards that show up in the mail, along with a bunch of singles and some paper to make it feel 'real'.
If the perp realises he's been had and comes back for your real wallet, you'll be ready with the .357...
Cheers,
Paul.
Glad you (and your watch) are okay!
Here's a thought. I have heard that carrying a 'dummy' wallet might work- put in a bunch of those blank credit cards that show up in the mail, along with a bunch of singles and some paper to make it feel 'real'.
If the perp realises he's been had and comes back for your real wallet, you'll be ready with the .357...
Cheers,
Paul.