Post by wtrfwlr on Dec 13, 2012 19:19:43 GMT -7
Like anywhere USA during this time of year our area has seen a spike in violent crimes, hold-ups, muggings, car-jackings ATM hold ups, purse snatching....you get the idea. More folks out with cash shopping for the holidays is a catalyst.
Here is my scenario.
I'm in my brothers truck, a nice looking 4x4, 4 door black and shiny with chrome, much the opposite from my huntin buggy!
I stopped at a station to put in some gas to replace what I had used on some errands I needed it for. I noticed right off when I pulled in there was a not so desirable looking fella hanging around and watching all the comings and goings at the fuel station. My guard instantly goes up and I don't take my eyes off this fella who is hovering around the dumpster corral.
I proceeded to pump the fuel into the truck as he watched me watching him, not a stare from me mind you just keeping him in my peripheral. As expected he begins his shuffle across the lot in my direction, my glances go to a full on stare with no welcoming expression on my face but his advance continues albeit at a slow and somewhat wandering pace. This is not going to be a friendly exchange.
I do not carry a handgun. I do however have a couple knives on me one being my Browning skinning knife. My one hand in my pocket on my knife the other is holding the fuel nozzle. He continues towards me and I let him get to about 10' from the front of the truck and I shake my head and loudly tell him "That's close enough Hoss!" He stopped and started into some sort of jibberish BS about this and that and about how he was a good guy or something along those lines as he took a couple more steps. Now he was near the front fender, not good, not good at all. As he continued with his spiel I pulled the fuel nozzle out of the truck and pointed it right at his face, that stopped him!
He then started in on the "whoa whoa whoa" deal and I took step his way and squared off to him with my "pistol" still pointed at this piece of garbage and loudly informed him that "I'm not a very friendly man!" At this point his were eyes wide open and his lower jaw or lower lip one, I couldn't tell, was quivering out of control. I took another rather quick step in his direction and sorta yelled/growled a line of words that are not suitable for huntin camp much less here! The next thing was his shuffle broke into a really lame slow trot and he watched me pull away from the pump peering out from behind the dumpster corral.
The point of sharing this thankfully non-event is to, as most already know stay aware, but realize pumping gas is seen by thugs as an opportunity. You are somewhat captive and many times off guard and out of the safety of your vehicle. That fuel nozzle can be a very effective weapon of sorts. A face full of gasoline will take an attacker to the ground blinded! If you prepay for your gas leave some in the pump so the pump stays on. Park in such a way that the fill is next to the pump not on the other side so that you will have enough hose that you can hold the nozzle until you are in your vehicle (the pump still on) and then just before you close the door lay the fuel filler on the ground, lock your doors and drive away.
Just one more option to keep in mind if you may be in a compromising position.
Here is my scenario.
I'm in my brothers truck, a nice looking 4x4, 4 door black and shiny with chrome, much the opposite from my huntin buggy!
I stopped at a station to put in some gas to replace what I had used on some errands I needed it for. I noticed right off when I pulled in there was a not so desirable looking fella hanging around and watching all the comings and goings at the fuel station. My guard instantly goes up and I don't take my eyes off this fella who is hovering around the dumpster corral.
I proceeded to pump the fuel into the truck as he watched me watching him, not a stare from me mind you just keeping him in my peripheral. As expected he begins his shuffle across the lot in my direction, my glances go to a full on stare with no welcoming expression on my face but his advance continues albeit at a slow and somewhat wandering pace. This is not going to be a friendly exchange.
I do not carry a handgun. I do however have a couple knives on me one being my Browning skinning knife. My one hand in my pocket on my knife the other is holding the fuel nozzle. He continues towards me and I let him get to about 10' from the front of the truck and I shake my head and loudly tell him "That's close enough Hoss!" He stopped and started into some sort of jibberish BS about this and that and about how he was a good guy or something along those lines as he took a couple more steps. Now he was near the front fender, not good, not good at all. As he continued with his spiel I pulled the fuel nozzle out of the truck and pointed it right at his face, that stopped him!
He then started in on the "whoa whoa whoa" deal and I took step his way and squared off to him with my "pistol" still pointed at this piece of garbage and loudly informed him that "I'm not a very friendly man!" At this point his were eyes wide open and his lower jaw or lower lip one, I couldn't tell, was quivering out of control. I took another rather quick step in his direction and sorta yelled/growled a line of words that are not suitable for huntin camp much less here! The next thing was his shuffle broke into a really lame slow trot and he watched me pull away from the pump peering out from behind the dumpster corral.
The point of sharing this thankfully non-event is to, as most already know stay aware, but realize pumping gas is seen by thugs as an opportunity. You are somewhat captive and many times off guard and out of the safety of your vehicle. That fuel nozzle can be a very effective weapon of sorts. A face full of gasoline will take an attacker to the ground blinded! If you prepay for your gas leave some in the pump so the pump stays on. Park in such a way that the fill is next to the pump not on the other side so that you will have enough hose that you can hold the nozzle until you are in your vehicle (the pump still on) and then just before you close the door lay the fuel filler on the ground, lock your doors and drive away.
Just one more option to keep in mind if you may be in a compromising position.