Sometimes they just know

[mkm]

Over Labor Day weekend, my family and I took a trip out of town.  We stayed at a less-than-ideal motel in a medium part of town.  Probably should have done a little more research, but we were in a hurry and it was cheap.  It also seemed better on the computer.  We weren't planning on doing much there besides sleeping anyway.

The first night, my brother and I got back to the motel before my folks.  While he backed the truck into the space, another car passed very slowly.  My brother got out before me, and the car turned around and stopped in front of us.  He called my brother over, and my brother, unfortunately, went closer than I would've liked him to.  He was paying attention and being careful though.  I proceeded to sereptiously draw my pistol and light and crack open the door for a quick exit.  I sat there and stared at the guy with a pistol and light buried in my lap.  A minute or so later, he told my brother to tell me not to shoot him that he was just trying to sale a bracelet.  Without even seeing a gun, he knew he had one essentially pointed at him.  He finished his sales pitch and drove off.  I told my brother he shouldn't have gone so close, but he said he was trying to make sure he could see the guys hands and enough of the car to spot any weapons.  He also knew I had him covered.

I don't know if the guy had any intentions other than to make a sale of a questionable bracelet, but he knew from my appearance and behavior that trying something would be a bad idea.  Just another reminder that appearing to be a hard target makes for a better defense.

[tombogan03884]

Over Labor Day weekend, my family and I took a trip out of town.  We stayed at a less-than-ideal motel in a medium part of town.  Probably should have done a little more research, but we were in a hurry and it was cheap.  It also seemed better on the computer.  We weren't planning on doing much there besides sleeping anyway.

The first night, my brother and I got back to the motel before my folks.  While he backed the truck into the space, another car passed very slowly.  My brother got out before me, and the car turned around and stopped in front of us.  He called my brother over, and my brother, unfortunately, went closer than I would've liked him to.  He was paying attention and being careful though.  I proceeded to sereptiously draw my pistol and light and crack open the door for a quick exit.  I sat there and stared at the guy with a pistol and light buried in my lap. A minute or so later, he told my brother to tell me not to shoot him that he was just trying to sale a bracelet.  Without even seeing a gun, he knew he had one essentially pointed at him. He finished his sales pitch and drove off.  I told my brother he shouldn't have gone so close, but he said he was trying to make sure he could see the guys hands and enough of the car to spot any weapons.  He also knew I had him covered.

I don't know if the guy had any intentions other than to make a sale of a questionable bracelet, but he knew from my appearance and behavior that trying something would be a bad idea.  Just another reminder that appearing to be a hard target makes for a better defense.

Professional criminals, even crackheads, are just as good at reading behavior as any cop for the same reason.
Their life depends on it.

[fightingquaker13]

Yup. Am honest innoncent person wouldn't have picked that up. There are three types that would. LEOS, criminals and those that have some sort of training. The point being, that you see the world in a very different way then most folks. You've made a decision not to be a victim, just like the cops and criminals, and you look for threats.  Kudos on subtely presenting yourself as a threat . The guy was probably just hawking jewelry. But if he'd been planning a carjacking, problem averted.
FQ13 

[r_w]

Professional criminals, even crackheads, are just as good at reading behavior as any cop for the same reason.
Their life depends on it.

Better than the average LEO.  The street is a hard teacher. 

[jaybet]

Per MB's most recent pod cast...it's part of his job description to know when there is a gun pointed at him. You have to think more like they do to have a chance at staying safe.

[Sponsor]

[kmitch200]

Per MB's most recent pod cast...it's part of his job description to know when there is a gun pointed at him.
You have to think more like they do to have a chance at staying safe.

That's the hardest part - getting it through peoples heads NOT to project your values onto someone else 'cause they don't mean squat to the bad guy.

Nice job mkm on defusing the situation!   

[Magoo541]

That's the hardest part - getting it through peoples heads NOT to project your values onto someone else 'cause they don't mean squat to the bad guy.

Nice job mkm on defusing the situation!   

I covered this in my response to MB's latest Podcast.  Until you understand the depths men will sink to it can be difficult to grasp just what they are capable of to get what they want.

[tombogan03884]

Everyone should live in a really crappy neighbor hood for a while.
I've had 1 neighbor murdered, (he earned it) 2 neighbors (a couple ) convicted of attempted murder, and a grab bag of  spouse beaters, thieves and drug dealers.
Got some good stories I can't tell, but never had much trouble myself.

[Rastus]

Everyone should live in a really crappy neighbor hood for a while.
I've had 1 neighbor murdered, (he earned it) 2 neighbors (a couple ) convicted of attempted murder, and a grab bag of  spouse beaters, thieves and drug dealers.
Got some good stories I can't tell, but never had much trouble myself.

Being prickly has it's advantages?  Eh?

[tombogan03884]

It's not that I'm "prickly" so much as I manage to keep a straight face  unbelievable situations. 
That and the little trouble I did have got talked about.