Would you have said something?

[feralmerril]

Today I took my truck to the car wash. A guy was sitting in the lobby along with about another 6 of us, more comeing and going. He evidently took his revolver in a holster out of his vehicle and laid it on the bench he was sitting on. Once he got up to talk to someone a few yards away and left the gun. Another time he stepped to a rack to buy something off it maybe 10 feet away. The gun was a s&w 640. I carry a old model 40 myself. I wasnt real sure if he was a plainscloths officer or not, but he did look a lot like a local businessman I had a unpleasant experiance with a few years ago. I bit my tounge and kind of watched the gun ready to pouce on someone if they dove for it. He probley stayed in a 8ft to 10ft range of it and "acted" noncelance the entire time. I was real close to chideing him for his stupidity even if he was a moron but about that time they told him his car was done. Personnaly, I think he was either showing off or trying to "impress".
He seemed to know the manager who called him "Steve". I came home and asked my wife what was that guys first name I had such and such incident with a couple years ago? She said "steve". I really now feel I should have chewed him out. What would you guys have done?

 

[storeyteller]

Probably exactly what you did, except take my truck to the wash

 

[35Rem]

An armed society is a polite society?

Maybe write him a letter?

I don't think a confrontation would have been good, especially since you have a history with him.

 

[GKC]

I wouldn't have said anything, either...especially if I had already an unpleasant encounter with him in the past. Were you carrying? If so, and if the two of you ended up in an altercation, it could have some unpleasant consequences for you.

While not the same, I was at the post office mailing Father's Day cards for my wife's stepfather and my dad. I had gotten some money from the ATM on the way in, and was addressing the cards and putting the money in them while I was in line. The lady behind me tapped me on the shoulder and said, "You aren't supposed to put money in cards." I'm like, "What?" She said it wasn't safe, and that I shouldn't do it...so, I found myself explaining that our parents were elderly, didn't like gift cards, didn't like checks they had to take to the bank, and really enjoyed cash that they could use where they wanted. All the time I was explaining, I was really thinking, "Why don't you mind your own business?"

I think that is the problem today....to many people ready to mind someone else's business when they shouldn't, and too reluctant to help when it is really needed. (No criticism of the OP intended.)

 

[vytoland]

leave your baggage at the corner and walk on

 

[captorquewrench]

I would have discreetly, maybe even at a later time, let the manager know. Or the owner directly, seeing how it looked like the manager knows the guy.

Nobody needs to leave their business or belongings in public view or reach. Especially when their belongings or business could be harmful in the wrong hands.

 

[guy22]

Today I took my truck to the car wash. A guy was sitting in the lobby along with about another 6 of us, more comeing and going. He evidently took his revolver in a holster out of his vehicle and laid it on the bench he was sitting on. Once he got up to talk to someone a few yards away and left the gun. Another time he stepped to a rack to buy something off it maybe 10 feet away. The gun was a s&w 640. I carry a old model 40 myself. I wasnt real sure if he was a plainscloths officer or not, but he did look a lot like a local businessman I had a unpleasant experiance with a few years ago. I bit my tounge and kind of watched the gun ready to pouce on someone if they dove for it. He probley stayed in a 8ft to 10ft range of it and "acted" noncelance the entire time. I was real close to chideing him for his stupidity even if he was a moron but about that time they told him his car was done. Personnaly, I think he was either showing off or trying to "impress".
He seemed to know the manager who called him "Steve". I came home and asked my wife what was that guys first name I had such and such incident with a couple years ago? She said "steve". I really now feel I should have chewed him out. What would you guys have done?

I have found over the years, keep your mouth shut, and ears open works for me.

Guy22

 

[jag312]

I would have done a lot more than say something. I don't think I need to go into detail, but let's just say he probably would have went home without the gun and calling me a lot of obscene names.

 

[guy22]

The only times I have got in trouble, was with running my mouth.
So I just say nothing to stupid stuff.
I do/will speak up if it effects me.
Grin and bear it!!!

I am at a bad age right now. I am a white male soon to be 57 years old. In pretty good shape, Six one 210 pounds.

If I hit someone it will hurt me, and if I shoot someone I may go to jail, and it would cost a lot of money.

So I just ****! Who needs any more drama in life???

Guy22

 

[longranger]

We have become a nation of timid sheep.Keep accepting what's not in the interest of the citizens of your community you encourage more of the same.

 

[KJM]

....................................

 

[PH-2]

That's IT! No guns for anybody named "Steve". I'd watch all the "Stephens" pretty closely, too.

Mike

 

[DeathGrip]

feral, You remembered him, What are the odds he would remember you?

I don't think he was trying to impress you but intimidate you.

You did good keeping your mouth shut. I hope you kept your gun concealed and handy.

 

[Rule3]

The moral of the story is: Just never go to a car wash.

I would have got in trouble. "Hey stupid, you left your gun on the seat"

Maybe it's different out West

I wash my own cars at home.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I'd have picked it up, said "Gee, I always wanted one of these!"

 

[dirty gary]

The manager would have taken care of it after I informed him of it. If not, I'd leave and find a different carwash.

 

[DeathGrip]

I'd have picked it up, said "Gee, I always wanted one of these!"

Game on.

 

[smithnframe]

Sounds like he suffers from bigshotism! I would have said something about leaving a loaded gun lying around.

 

[McBear]

We have become a nation of timid sheep.Keep accepting what's not in the interest of the citizens of your community you encourage more of the same.

Exactly. Had an eight year old picked it up, put it to his head jokingly, and blown his brains out in front of mommy, I'd like to see how many people would be chastising the OP for "doing nothing"..........

There is a difference between "not confronting" and "doing nothing". From the original post: "I bit my tounge and kind of watched the gun ready to pouce on someone if they dove for it." That covered all the bases. No confrontation, weapon watched for errant eight year olds. Perfect compromise in a real world situation.

 

[feralmerril]

The manager and him acted like friends. At the time I was maybe only 60% sure of him being who I thought. It was confirmed for me later. The incident I was referring to didnt wasnt dramatic, but several years ago I was going to put a floor in the house. He came out, measured the floor and gave me a estimate that was about 45% over the sq ft and I knew it. I called him on it, made him measure it again in front of me. He acted insulted measured and then started giveing many wishy excuses. I used someone else, never pushed the mistake with him and saved about 3 or 4 thousand dollars from his first estimate. In fact I belive I wrote about it here at the time.