What Would You Have Done?

[Hummina]

I bet statistically an assault victim is at greater risk of physical harm if they have a gun at the time.

 

[Hummina]

don’t know where you live and the laws there but sounds threatening.

9 Things You Should Know About Brandishing A Firearm - PC 417

Learn About The Laws For Brandishing A Firearm Or Weapon Under California Penal Code 417, Including The Penalties.

aizmanlaw.com

Says mandatory 30 days jail in Cali and you posted all the evidence needed to convict.


Looking back through the thread I see you know this already.

(Typical, I get into the highest drama convo on my first day here)

 

[Jason Knight]

At the time of the incident I was acting on gut reaction didn't think about it.

This is something 2nd amendment "advocates" never take into account. Emotion and adrenaline can cause anyone -- ANY OF US -- to lose our heads and escalate a situation. You have to have been there in that type of moment to understand that rational thought can get tossed out the window.

And as the old joke goes, hindsight is 20/20.

Panic and fear also work much the same -- look at the OP's reaction to a guy practicing chop-fit. Pure fight or flight response, when they guy was probably just doing an upper-body workout. Possibly with a workout weight that just LOOKS like an axe. 30-40 years ago in New England there would be nothing out of the ordinary about it!

Overcoming these mental shortcomings and panic reactions takes training, discipline, understanding, and sometimes even sympathy. Things in painfully short supply in our current society.

I mean maybe those guys were just compensating for being hung like a gerbil; like the nutters who feel the need to carry their AR-15 with four mags just 'cause they're going into Walmart. Like my neighbor who feels the need to walk around the yard in open carry with an array of penis extensions every time a black friend of mine comes over to visit, as his wife runs inside and locks all the doors.

And that comes from someone who carries (.357 snub DAO revolver) on longer trail rides just because I live in bear and wolf territory. I do not carry if I'm going downtown for groceries or take-out.

I'm one of the most hated types of gun owners in 'Murica since I'm in favor of gun control. There's a difference between legitimate use / personal defense, and a paranoid fear-driven midlife crisis.

Like my father who's midlife crisis by all reports started around age 16.

 

[6zfshdb]

This is something 2nd amendment "advocates" never take into account. Emotion and adrenaline can cause anyone -- ANY OF US -- to lose our heads and escalate a situation. You have to have been there in that type of moment to understand that rational thought can get tossed out the window.

And as the old joke goes, hindsight is 20/20.

Panic and fear also work much the same -- look at the OP's reaction to a guy practicing chop-fit. Pure fight or flight response, when they guy was probably just doing an upper-body workout. Possibly with a workout weight that just LOOKS like an axe. 30-40 years ago in New England there would be nothing out of the ordinary about it!

Overcoming these mental shortcomings and panic reactions takes training, discipline, understanding, and sometimes even sympathy. Things in painfully short supply in our current society.

I mean maybe those guys were just compensating for being hung like a gerbil; like the nutters who feel the need to carry their AR-15 with four mags just 'cause they're going into Walmart. Like my neighbor who feels the need to walk around the yard in open carry with an array of penis extensions every time a black friend of mine comes over to visit, as his wife runs inside and locks all the doors.

And that comes from someone who carries (.357 snub DAO revolver) on longer trail rides just because I live in bear and wolf territory. I do not carry if I'm going downtown for groceries or take-out.

I'm one of the most hated types of gun owners in 'Murica since I'm in favor of gun control. There's a difference between legitimate use / personal defense, and a paranoid fear-driven midlife crisis.

Like my father who's midlife crisis by all reports started around age 16.

As the OP of the thread, I agree with MOST of what you say but please don't associate my experience with any of the gun related incidents which followed later in the thread.

In my case, there was no fear or panic, nor was I carrying any form of weapon. I was simply relating an incident which required a level of concern. I seriously doubt the guy I encountered was doing chop fit with a sharpened, double bladed hatchet on a deserted trail, miles from a house or road.

At no point did I wish I had been carrying my handgun, nor would I have considered pulling it if I had. These recent handgun posts are totally unrelated to my experience.