Mmmm... I really think I will pick up a can of OC Spray right after collecting my rental car in Houston in September. Will need to check legality of possession through Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas and Missouri first.
The new "victim zone"?
- Thread starter LoboGunLeather
- Start date
In the state's you named if you stayed out of the big cities you could mount a Ma Duce out your sun roof and no one would say anything, other than ask to shoot it!
Would only do this if you were in imminent fear, and need to distract them briefly.
Am elderly, gray haired (what little is left, mostly beard), weak walker and still no one ever approaches me asking for money.
Am very careful about moving away, as these people operate with others, and the first one can be a distracter or "herder"
Realistically assess the risks. You're using the handicapped spot and walking inside with a cane for a reason, adding distance and/or ditching a stabilizing device (cane, walker, etc.) if you're experiencing mobility issues is adding a lot of risk for a common negative outcome (older adult experiencing a fall or cardiac issue) to minimally reduce the risk of an uncommon negative outcome (older adult being murdered).
I'd also note that I shop a fair bit at some of the seedier Walmarts in our fine state, and it's not any better outside of the handicapped area. Use the handicapped spots, you earned them and that's what they're there for.
I'd also note that I shop a fair bit at some of the seedier Walmarts in our fine state, and it's not any better outside of the handicapped area. Use the handicapped spots, you earned them and that's what they're there for.
The Last Standing Knight
Member
I've written on some of the things like this that have happened to me on this forum.
It is getting worse and the reason is many of the panhandlers know the system will not deal with them or is hesitant to do so.
I put up with them every day and it doesn't matter where you go or what you look like. At this point, they just want the money and don't care how they get it. I've heard most every story there is from them. In many cases, these panhandlers make more money in a week than I do in a month.
Years back, I'd chauffuer my mom around. The second we would park, they had to have come out of holes in the ground...they were everywhere and all in a beeline toward my 80+ year old mother. One occassion several would not back down until I made it clear I had something else in my possession. Nowadays, they don't care.
It is getting worse and the reason is many of the panhandlers know the system will not deal with them or is hesitant to do so.
I put up with them every day and it doesn't matter where you go or what you look like. At this point, they just want the money and don't care how they get it. I've heard most every story there is from them. In many cases, these panhandlers make more money in a week than I do in a month.
Years back, I'd chauffuer my mom around. The second we would park, they had to have come out of holes in the ground...they were everywhere and all in a beeline toward my 80+ year old mother. One occassion several would not back down until I made it clear I had something else in my possession. Nowadays, they don't care.
Ain't anywhere safe these days. Not completely safe anyway.
My business is mostly conducted at night pressure washing shopping malls and convenience stores.
In the last two years I have had crews who have had a gun pulled on them, crazy people screaming and acting threatening and the ever present drunks and drug heads.
I don't allow my employees to carry at work because none have any formal training and most of the companies we do work for have a no weapons policy for employees and vendors.
They all have pepper spray and one carries a taser. I am constantly reminding them to keep their eyes moving around the perimeter and to watch every pedestrian and vehicle that enters the area. Know where everyone is headed and verify they are going to the store and not toward you.
So far nobody has been hurt. We have filed a half dozen police reports from interactions over the last two years. Five years ago we never gave it any thought. Boise has changed a lot in 5 years and not all of it is good.
My business is mostly conducted at night pressure washing shopping malls and convenience stores.
In the last two years I have had crews who have had a gun pulled on them, crazy people screaming and acting threatening and the ever present drunks and drug heads.
I don't allow my employees to carry at work because none have any formal training and most of the companies we do work for have a no weapons policy for employees and vendors.
They all have pepper spray and one carries a taser. I am constantly reminding them to keep their eyes moving around the perimeter and to watch every pedestrian and vehicle that enters the area. Know where everyone is headed and verify they are going to the store and not toward you.
So far nobody has been hurt. We have filed a half dozen police reports from interactions over the last two years. Five years ago we never gave it any thought. Boise has changed a lot in 5 years and not all of it is good.
I wouldn't worry about it. Even in states they have restrictions the repercussions of using it in a self defense situation are far less than not being able to defend one's self IMO.
I feel much more comfortable with a non lethal defense weapon for numerous reasons. I would be more likely to use it if I feel I needed as in a situation as described by the original post. In my opinion the threat most of us face on a daily basis does not rise to the level of deadly force and pepper spray is a great alternative to getting mugged. With that said having my LCP Max as a next step is handy.
I think a pressure washer aimed properly might also be a deterrent especially if cleaning solution is being used at the time..
7shooter
Member
There was a study a few years ago that found that people with a cane were significantly less likely to be mugged.
Did the study give reasons for that? It sounds counter-intuitive.
coltle6920
Member
A beggar in a Walmart parking lot? Should've asked him if he was new at panhandling.
I'm sure if I was needy that's where I would look for a handout. Everyone knows that's where the wealthy people shop.
I'm sure if I was needy that's where I would look for a handout. Everyone knows that's where the wealthy people shop.
7shooter
Member
I don't recall if it did . I assumed that the criminals feared the cane could be used as a defensive weapon.
I have had classes in " canefu" and can easily believe that . My older brother has serious balance issues and uses a cane. I am certain his Marine Corp training would kick in if he needed to use his cane to defend himself.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Your original question was should you avoid the handy cap parking spot, heck no. I don't agree with giving them anything either.
You did well, your cane is a good weapon. My suggestion is to find a local martial arts instructor who can teach you how to best use that cane, the bad guy won't have a chance.
You did well, your cane is a good weapon. My suggestion is to find a local martial arts instructor who can teach you how to best use that cane, the bad guy won't have a chance.
forindooruseonly
Member
Had an elderly friend, in his late 70s, be followed home from a casino and attacked for his cash. Culprits were a young man in his 20s and his girlfriend who distracted my friend so the other could blindside him. Gave him two black eyes, lucky nothing worse. They followed him nearly 40 miles from the casino to his house, pulled into the drive and she started asking directions to a nearby area. He circled to side and when my friend was giving directions, he swung on him and beat him while she went through his clothes and vehicle.
Nothing ever came of it. The casino is in a different county, and since my friend is in a rural area it fell to the sheriff's department. You would think that with a casino's video security, they'd have ID'd the culprits quickly, since they came from the casino. Anyways, I'm just glad he survived.
Yes, people will go after anyone the see as vulnerable, especially if they smell easy money.
Nothing ever came of it. The casino is in a different county, and since my friend is in a rural area it fell to the sheriff's department. You would think that with a casino's video security, they'd have ID'd the culprits quickly, since they came from the casino. Anyways, I'm just glad he survived.
Yes, people will go after anyone the see as vulnerable, especially if they smell easy money.
AMEN!
I had thought of this method before getting to your post.
Anybody close enough to have problem from a pressure washing was too close.
Bekeart
I had thought of this method before getting to your post.
Anybody close enough to have problem from a pressure washing was too close.
Bekeart
Lobo, really well done! It would be good to let Walmart know. They are serious about security and those store greeters are supposed to be keeping an eye out for that behavior
Telecaster
Member
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2015
- Messages
- 2,788
- Reaction score
- 5,040
It's not the cane or the handicapped parking spot. Same thing happened to me recently at a shopping center and I was with my 11 year old daughter walking to the car. A scruffy looking "child of God" about 50 feet away shouted something like hey mister, and I glanced his way and ignored him. He proceeded to use ungodly utterances to tell me what he thought of me.
The car horn is a very good way to de-escalate a situation, as it draws unwanted attention and is non-violent, and gives you a second or two to prep for the next step.
The car horn is a very good way to de-escalate a situation, as it draws unwanted attention and is non-violent, and gives you a second or two to prep for the next step.
Telecaster
Member
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2015
- Messages
- 2,788
- Reaction score
- 5,040
We've been doing a lot of shopping by delivery or curbside since it became a thing, and I don't miss walking through parking lots one bit.
Sounds like it's trending toward A Clockwork Orange out there.
Sounds like it's trending toward A Clockwork Orange out there.
I parked in Walmart handicap spot yesterday.
It takes me a few minutes to straighten up
after I get out of car. By the time I was ready
To walk a middle aged man ask if I could
Spare some gas money. Told him No
but he was in luck Walmart and every
Fast food place around it is hiring.
Instead of thanking me for the information
he cussed me. I reported him to door
watcher and he was nowhere to
be seen when I left.
It takes me a few minutes to straighten up
after I get out of car. By the time I was ready
To walk a middle aged man ask if I could
Spare some gas money. Told him No
but he was in luck Walmart and every
Fast food place around it is hiring.
Instead of thanking me for the information
he cussed me. I reported him to door
watcher and he was nowhere to
be seen when I left.
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
Never hurts to be alert. You handled it well, and I bet that cane would adjust his attitude, if required.
Been lucky so far, and never felt threatened at the Handicapped spot or anywhere, though I rarely go out in retirement without my very large hubby, who is very protective.
Only saw him react once, in Rome about 10 years ago, when a man on the sidewalk made the mistake of groping our daughter-in-law. Problem ended very quickly.
Sent from my motorola one 5G using Tapatalk
Been lucky so far, and never felt threatened at the Handicapped spot or anywhere, though I rarely go out in retirement without my very large hubby, who is very protective.
Only saw him react once, in Rome about 10 years ago, when a man on the sidewalk made the mistake of groping our daughter-in-law. Problem ended very quickly.
Sent from my motorola one 5G using Tapatalk
Similar threads
