Protester Run Over WWYD

[ajwakeboarder]

The second half of this story mentions a couple of protesters getting hit by a car. I have researched it a little bit and have learned that the protesters surrounded the Mercedes and were beating on the car and windows. In this situation, WWYD? If a hostile mob surrounded you vehicle, and where beating on it and climbing on it, can you legally pull in self defense? The police let the driver go, but when they did, the protesters went after him again and only the police kept them from chasing him down. So, how would yall handle this?


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[speedsix]

...I'd go wash my car...

...seriously, if a mob is around/on a motor vehicle, and you're afraid for your life...the gas pedal is much more effective than drawing a gun...and will get a lot better response...

[n5wd]

... So, how would yall handle this?

Most likely wouldn't be there in the first place, but if by chance I was... seems like it's the same question asked before: Would you shoot to protect property only? Until the point where it looks as if they're going to breach the windows, it's just a dented up car. When they've started pealing the safety glass, that's another story.

[ajwakeboarder]

Yeah, that would probably be my first reaction, but i drive a sports car that sits low to the ground. If anyone goes down in front of it, they wouldn't come out alive. At those protests they were using babies in a wagon to block a road. In that situation, a bullet might be more accurate. I don't know. I just pray to God i never get in that situation.

[cbunt1]

It's a tough one. But I remember Reginald Denny in Los Angeles too...being an ex-trucker, it's kinda near and dear to my heart...It always served me as a reminder of what COULD happen back in my days on the road.

I think in the quick sound-bite answer, my thought is that they wouldn't get to me...at whatever cost. Of course, the car is a more effective weapon, but less "precise" in that situation, but I'd rather NOT go deaf from firing inside my car either...

If you've never fired a handgun inside an "enclosed" space, like a car, be aware it's a deafening experience. My right ear still rings from an incident at an outdoor (covered) firing range with a .357...back when I was younger, 10-feet tall, and bullet proof. That was 20 years ago...and yes, it still rings. :)

At any rate, I think a beat up car is a small price to pay for getting out alive, although I can't say I'd be especially happy with it. As mentioned before, start on my glass, and I'm feeling "eminent danger"....

[tboesche]

cbunt1, your avatar is most appropriate for this thread.

[punkndisorderly]

I think this incident highlights the idea that concealed carry is only a part of a good self defense strategy. Driving through an anarchist protest against the rich in your Mercedes, Porsche, etc. Might not be the best idea. You have every right to be there, but that doesn't pay the deductible when you go to get the dents removed.

Two, make a habit of locking your car doors. Pretty sure Reginald Denny would agree.

Three, always leave yourself an "out" if possible. Don't pull up right to the car in front of you. Leave space to go around them to one side or the other.

Four, be aware of your surroundings. If you see what looks like it could be trouble ahead, take a detour if you can.

[flintknapper]

I think this incident highlights the idea that concealed carry is only a part of a good self defense strategy. Driving through an anarchist protest against the rich in your Mercedes, Porsche, etc. Might not be the best idea. You have every right to be there, but that doesn't pay the deductible when you go to get the dents removed.

Two, make a habit of locking your car doors. Pretty sure Reginald Denny would agree.

Three, always leave yourself an "out" if possible. Don't pull up right to the car in front of you. Leave space to go around them to one side or the other.

Four, be aware of your surroundings. If you see what looks like it could be trouble ahead, take a detour if you can.

You left out "tires", you'll want something with enough tread to maintain good traction!

Wouldn't want to get High Centered on some portly protester.

Oh.....there I go being Politically Incorrect again....

[gigag04]

I would like to see the looks that would garner as they have swarmed my 4x4 diesel truck, and I slowly but methodically call the police, don my ear pro, and press check my weapons...

I'm thinking Wild Bill ala Tombstone - your fellow tree huggers might get me in a rush but not before I turn your head into a canoe.

[AEA]

Changed my mind......
I would just hit the gas pedal HARD. They were attacking me and I felt I was in danger.

[PUCKER]

...I'd go wash my car...

...seriously, if a mob is around/on a motor vehicle, and you're afraid for your life...the gas pedal is much more effective than drawing a gun...and will get a lot better response...

I 2nd (or 3rd, 4th, etc.) this statement, best bet is to flee...if people get HURT/RUN OVER trying to HARM you and PREVENT you from exiting a bad situation that is THEIR problem. If I'm in my wife's Tahoe they're gonna be great hood/bumper ornaments...if I'm in my vette then they're all going to have broken shins...a car can be repaired/washed off.

As an aside...I had an altercation when I was a teenager...a kid hit me purposely in the side of the head with a volleyball at full force from a few feet away...ear ringing, rung my bell, etc. I chased him down and he RANNNNN to his little 1980 2-door Honda Civic (one of the itty bitty ones, a little over 2,000#). He got in the car, doors locked/windows up and fired it up to get out of there, I picked up the front end of the car...I was HOPPING MAD (and pretty strong at that time too, adrenaline didn't hurt either)....he had it in gear, wheels just spinning in the air, held it for a few minutes....until his dad came up there and tried to pick a fight with me, typical stupid dad that thinks their kid is always perfect, I educated him on his son's actions and he backed down and became civil (but hey, maybe I shouldn't have chased him? I figured he needed a lesson, those were my younger/dumber years )....OK, sorry for the detour...but the point was this - IF you CANNOT get out of an "angry mob around you car situation" quickly then your car can be flipped, picked up, disabled, windows broken, you pulled out, beaten, stomped, etc., well, you get the idea. In other words, *my* order of priority would be to flee FIRST then shoot SECOND.

[bayouhazard]

Honk and move. Keep honking and keep moving. If the rioters don't get out of the way, it's Darwin in action.

[The Annoyed Man]

I would like to see the looks that would garner as they have swarmed my 4x4 diesel truck, and I slowly but methodically call the police, don my ear pro, and press check my weapons...

This.

[TxSheepdog]

CS canister with remote release under the bumper?

[speedsix]

...trunk skunk...