Would you draw your weapon?

[Ziggy2525]

Some bozo showed up at a local convenience store dressed in an orange jumpsuit marked inmate on the front and state penitentiary on the back, wearing jail flip-flops, and hand-cuffs, pretending to be an escaped inmate. He was hassling people for a ride. It ended up being a stupid YouTube stunt.

A unarmed customer was concerned for the safety of his 8 year old son. The customer put his son behind the counter in the store, went out bladed the bozo, put his hand on his hip like he had a gun (dangerous) and ordered him to the ground. The bozo complied. Others called 911.

Besides the bozo being lucky he didn't get shot or tazed, what's your opinion? If you were there as a civilian CHP, would you draw your weapon to hold someone that appeared to be an escaped convict?

Man's attempt at "YouTube stardom" falls flat

 

[Targets Guy]

I would hope I would not have.

 

[oneounceload]

The population would be better off without those folks from the shallow end of the gene pool being allowed out in public without a leash or muzzle.

 

[richardw]

In PA drawing on a person who is not presenting a deadly weapon is a crime. The actor was hand cuffed. It would be hard to explain why you had to draw on a handcuffed man. So, no I would not draw in that situation. However, I would make sure he knew I had a gun because the psychological stop is better than shooting a person.

 

[Old cop]

What a bone head stunt! I doubt I'd get involved beyond calling 911 and keeping an eye on him.

 

[Lostaro]

Wouldn't draw unless I thought he was an immediate threat to me or mine.

I'd definitely get space between me and him and get my kids behind me...moving away from the stupidity.

Calling the pros is the only answer here, I'm not trained, willing or paid to hold convicts at gunpoint until their ride home gets there.

 

[Vulcannut]

I would not of drawn my gun unless a threatening gesture was made at me or my family like trying to grab one of us or brandish any sort or weapon. Words alone are not enough. My first inclination would be to exit the store and call police and let them deal with the idiot.

If the customer felt threatened you would hope the convenience store employee would of either called the police or hit the panic button.

Some people are just stupid. It's that simple.

 

[Cal44]

I'd just leave the store. And call 911. I pocket carry and one of the advantages of that mode of carry is you can put your hand in your pocket and grip the gun without drawing and exposing it.

But if he didn't have a weapon and didn't act like a threat, then all I'd do is leave. ASAP.

 

[Highhawk1948]

Call 911, observe, be ready to respond if necessary.

 

[JH1951]

Someone being a bone-head is not legally reason enough (in my area) to draw a weapon on them. Now, if the bone-head presents a threat to life or limb, the scales balance differently.

 

[oneounceload]

Maybe a group could have had him do some "bobbing for french fries" in the deep fryer.................
Ya can't fix stupid.............

 

[Smoke]

I would have left

 

[Kiwi cop]

There are so many "what if's" to this scenario it is scary. What are the legal constraints on citizens arrest in the jurisdiction? In this country it is only for offences punishable by 2 years or more prison time by day(5am-9pm) and for any offence punishable by prison by night.
(The remaining 8 hours of the day).

What fears for his own or others safety did the member of public have? As said in the report not long ago an escaped inmate from the nearby prison killed a guard in his escape.

Handcuffs in front are a potential weapon. Handcuffs behind the back not so much.

Our department recently enacted an official policy. If there is no threat to life it is better for an off duty officer to stand back, watch, if possible take some notes, and report instead of intervening. It came after several off duty incidents usually where alcohol had been consumed that resulted in public embarrassment to the department (off duty cop who had been drinking pulled a cyclist running a red light during a pedestrian phase off his bike causing a fracture. Another off duty cop in a sole charge station had been at the 19th hole of the golf club for several hours on a day off when told of a vehicle crash on a notorious stretch of highway. Because he carried first responders kit, including oxygen, in his patrol car he attended and ended up being breath tested and found over alcohol limits etc).

But at the end of the day people will continue to be stupid and not think of the consequences.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I would elbow him across the jaw, and then sue YouTube for the rights. People need to relax . . .

Some bozo showed up at a local convenience store dressed in an orange jumpsuit marked inmate on the front and state penitentiary on the back, wearing jail flip-flops, and hand-cuffs, pretending to be an escaped inmate. He was hassling people for a ride. It ended up being a stupid YouTube stunt.

A unarmed customer was concerned for the safety of his 8 year old son. The customer put his son behind the counter in the store, went out bladed the bozo, put his hand on his hip like he had a gun (dangerous) and ordered him to the ground. The bozo complied. Others called 911.

Besides the bozo being lucky he didn't get shot or tazed, what's your opinion? If you were there as a civilian CHP, would you draw your weapon to hold someone that appeared to be an escaped convict?

Man's attempt at "YouTube stardom" falls flat

 

[nachogrande]

FROM THE ARMCHAIR NO!

However if a can of soup or the like had "mysteriously" jumped off the shelf & beaned the idiot & his photographer, BONUS. Too bad Nolan Ryan wasn't in the store.

 

[Ray1970]

No. I'm not in the business of apprehending fugitives. Also, there aren't really any unarmed people that make me fear serious bodily injury or death. But, if he had invaded my personal space in a threatening manner he might have gotten knocked out.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I Would have done like Elvis -
I would have left the building.

 

[Protected One]

I would have left, while maintain distance from him. Had he been foolish enough to invade my space despite my best efforts, that would have been a game changer.

Curious as to what law enforcement did when they arrived.

 

[Ziggy2525]

I would have left, while maintain distance from him. Had he been foolish enough to invade my space despite my best efforts, that would have been a game changer.

Curious as to what law enforcement did when they arrived.

Figured out who he was and what he was doing, ticketed him for disturbing the peace, and turned him lose.

 

[oneounceload]

The folks in the C-store should sue him and photog for "mental anguish", etc., etc. - Hit them where it hurts - in the wallet!