You’re caught in this situation....

[CZU]

OP, I see your from Texas..here ya go

Texas passed a Castle Doctrine law, removing the duty to retreat in one's home, in 1995. ... Under the law, a person's use of deadly force will be presumed reasonable if someone enters, or attempts to enter, that person's occupied home, vehicle or workplace "unlawfully and with force."

More reading

https://www.uslawshield.com/caught-in-a-demonstration-know-what-to-do-ahead-of-time/

 

[Mainsail]

Nice M1009! Is it still 24 volt?

The starter is still 24volt, the glow plugs were converted to 12v. Some aircraft landing lights were added up front and those are 24v as well. 450 watts each, they're a bit too bright for street use.

While the V8 Detroit Diesel isn't fast, it's got the torque to keep going even with angry protesters jammed up in the wheel wells.

 

[Chief Wiggums]

Serious quest for the gang:

How does your vehicle respond, once "airbags" have been triggered and deployed?

I would think that the on-board intelligence (computer) would create a shut down command to the vehicle.. ???

Many cars have the "turn off airbag" option for the passenger portion of the vehicle, is this available for the entire car?

If one is in the described situation , and the need to immediately vacate arises, your vehicle no longer is drivable ??

 

[Maddog 521]

I always leave myself room in all directions around my vehicle. I know sometimes that's difficult but it is possible if one is alert to what's going on around you. I have mentioned this to my wife and my daughters several times and I think they understand. If it looks questionable, don't go in there. If it looks like there is no escape, don't go in there. Do not think you can explain or negotiate with them. If necessary do whatever you have to do to protect yourself.
Be safe out there--------

 

[Tenn2]

When I come to a stop I always leave at least a 1/2 car length from the car in front of me. That is just enough to get out of the jam. Have done this for years after a driver safety course.

 

[murphydog]

As others mentioned earlier, justified use of potentially deadly force is still use of deadly force. so the threat level still has to be taken into account.

In the OP's specific scenario, I would be inclined to move backward - slowly. You can presume you are being recorded on video; if you are obviously giving the "peaceful protesters" the opportunity to get out your way it will be obvious; and a car moving 5 mph is just as difficult for a few people to stop than one going 30 mph. If there is a pile-on to the back of the car you can do a friendly tail-wag with the steering to discourage hangers-on.

 

[pawngal]

I haven't been anywhere with a population over 11,000 since late February and no plans to do so in the future. I was relieved when a Nashville concert was rescheduled so won't be going there.

IF, I was caught in the described situation hopefully I would be driving my Tundra not the Mini. Although the maneuverability of the Mini could be an advantage, quick 3 point turn.
Reverse would be my choice, slow and steady. Would not display a firearm, but it is easily accessible

 

[Mainsail]

There's some video out there of the last pre-election protests/riots (and I hope everyone knows that's what this is all about) where some guy in a car is trying to get out of dodge, the rioters kept a wide berth because his left hand was hanging out the driver's side window clutching a pistol. Not the greatest idea, but it worked for him.

 

[Rastoff]

As suggested earlier, a round or two into the ground might buy enough time to get away.

Warning shots are always a bad idea.

It is not all that uncommon here in the SSRNJ to see prosecutors build a case of premeditation against someone that had something at hand in the event of a threat against your person.

I would like to read one of those common cases. I would like to see how the prosecution turned preparation into premeditation. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it hasn't happened. I just want to understand so preparation isn't misconstrued as premeditation. They are two completely different things.

Serious quest for the gang:

How does your vehicle respond, once "airbags" have been triggered and deployed?

I would think that the on-board intelligence (computer) would create a shut down command to the vehicle.. ???

The car may have an auto shut down if the bags are deployed. However, if you hit something hard enough to set off the air bags, you probably can't drive the car anymore anyway. Air bags don't work in reality like they do in the movies.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Regarding airbags:

Air Bags | NHTSA

Scrolling down to the FAQs:

What is meant by a "moderate to severe" crash?

Frontal air bags are generally designed to deploy in "moderate to severe" frontal or near-frontal crashes, which are defined as crashes that are equivalent to hitting a solid, fixed barrier at 8 to 14 mph or higher. (This would be equivalent to striking a parked car of similar size at about 16 to 28 mph or higher.)

 

[steveno]

I agree with leaving some space between you and the car ahead of you. however that assumes that you have another lane to get into. a going over a low curb would probably disable a lot of cars today because of how low they sit

 

[Rastoff]

It's not a Kobiyashi Maru, my friend, and you don't need a full tank of gas.

You may not need a full tank of gas, but this is exactly the Kobiyashi Maru.

For those not nerdy enough, the Kobiyashi Maru is a fictional test given to officers during training on the television show Star Trek. It's supposed to be a fighting scenario where the leader has to decide between two terrible choices; send a single crewman to his death or let the whole ship go down. The "no win" scenario.

Some people misinterpret the concept of a "no win" scenario to say that it isn't realistic because you can win. Not only can you win, but you should be working as hard as you can to win. That's the only acceptable outcome of a self-defense situation.

The thing is, every time someone has to fight, it's a no win for all involved. Many will disagree with me, but all self-defense fights are a no win. Why? Because the best you can hope for in the outcome is to get back to your regular life.

In most self-defense situations where a gun is involved, there are legal issues that must be dealt with. That will cost you time and money. Result - your life is changed, not for the better.

Then there's the emotional repercussions. Only a psychopath is not affected by causing the death of another person. It will affect everyone to different degrees, but it will affect you. A lot of people say on the internet, "I'll kill that MF and dance a jig while doing it." Yeah, that's not how reality works. Result - your life it changed, not for the better.


There are many different ways to live through the scenario in the OP. All of them involve life changing actions. In this situation, the best you can hope for is to get out without killing anyone, but you'll probably need a new car. The worst would be you have to shoot your way out, take a few people down and then see yourself on the news and youtube doing it. The liberal media and public will paint you not as a victim saving their life, but rather as a terrorist killing innocent protestors.

Yes, this is a no win scenario. If you're not prepared to deal with the backlash, why are you carrying a gun?

 

[flagman1776]

In this hypothetical situation, one should stop when one first notices what is going on in front of you. Situational awareness friends! It's more likely it will expand towards you than give room to let you pass. The longer you wait, the more congested with people and vehicles around you. You turn immediately, back up slowly to get room if you must. Don't deliberately hit or run over anybody... avoid them if you can... but your life is in danger and least use of force is to exit the danger zone. If they try to block you, that is a hostile act... run over them if necessary. We are used to being law abiding... drive the wrong way on a divided street if you must. You can correctly say you were trying to avoid having to employ deadly force (your pistol). Under extreme circumstances one might consider shooting a rioter off your hood through the windshield.

 

[old tanker]

Nice M1009! Is it still 24 volt?

An oxymoron if there ever was one.

I was a First Sergeant when we were issued these in Germany in 1985. I popped into one of the classes our drivers were getting from GM. As with all military vehicles, the CUCV came equipped with receptcles "slave cables" used for "jump starting."

After a long discussion (with charts, slides and diagrams) of the basic 12 volt vehicle system, cobbled together with relays and such to meet a 24 volt military requirement the instructor explained that you couldn't use the slave cables to jump your vehicle if the battery was dead.

I was gratified by one of my young PFC's who asked, "Why the @##@ would you want to jump the vehicle if the battery wasn't dead?"

Not long after we had to remove the tow pintles as actually towing a trailer pulled the mounting bolts through the bumper.

 

[PatriotX]

Many who instruct on "pp" driving suggest leaving the vehicle as a last resort.

You'd be surprised where your car can go, if you don't care about paint or exhaust damage.

https://www.fourwheeler.com/news/1601-crown-vic-handles-red-rocks-of-moab-video/

 

[JJEH]

That's why I have a savings account just for this!

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j0eJ0xB7LU[/ame]

 

[loknload]

Don't plan on getting caught in that fashion but I'll do whatever I have to at the time to hopefully get out alive.
I try never to allow myself to be boxed in and always have room to maneuver.
Ill try backing my way out, if vehicle comes under attack and windows start to be broken, well then self preservation and personal defense takes over!

 

[SMSgt]

Florida law says I can use deadly force under that scenario.

 

[sigp220.45]

"Leaving enough room" is great until the panicky Pete behind you pulls up and the guy in front backs up to your bumper.

Were I to be completely blocked in I would put on some on easy listening and shoot people who try to pull me out of the car. No need to overthink it.

 

[Xfuzz]

"Leaving enough room" is great until the panicky Pete behind you pulls up and the guy in front backs up to your bumper.

Were I to be completely blocked in I would put on some on easy listening and shoot people who try to pull me out of the car. No need to overthink it.

If this had been a quiz....which it was in a way.
You win.