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Gunner4640 wrote:Let me add some things I didn't in the first post. The guy was following me from the time I came out of the door. He could have approached me then but he didn't he went around to the back of my car. I was in the end of the parking lot no other cars close to me. He never said a word but I guess I never gave him a chance to say one.
Someone pacing me and going to back of my car instead of coming to the front. I am not going to take any chances. He was not the type of person to have a cell phone either, so him making a call I doubt it

Jumping Frog wrote:Before you reached the point of reaching for the grip, I have held my hand out, palm forward, in a "Stop" gesture and said loudly and firmly, "Stop right there, do NOT come any closer."

Then, if they continue approaching I am better able to articulate a threat as I next grip my handgun.

SewTexas wrote:I would suggest (for the future) the best way to do this type of move, and what I've done, is to not "show" the gun, but to let the stalker "know" that you have it.

Basically, when I was in the same situation you were, (it was dark-ish and in a WM parking lot, so it was reasonably well lit) I was able to shift my bags to the same hand as my purse and put my hand under the hem of my shirt, he saw what I did, I did it very deliberately and with my eyes on him. There was no mistaking what I had my hand on, but I had not displayed anything, so no one not involved could possibly be nervous.



meanwhile remember, the law was changed about failing to conceal, you're ok. and we don't have a brandishing law. I think you're ok.

VMI77 wrote:

SewTexas wrote:I would suggest (for the future) the best way to do this type of move, and what I've done, is to not "show" the gun, but to let the stalker "know" that you have it.

Basically, when I was in the same situation you were, (it was dark-ish and in a WM parking lot, so it was reasonably well lit) I was able to shift my bags to the same hand as my purse and put my hand under the hem of my shirt, he saw what I did, I did it very deliberately and with my eyes on him. There was no mistaking what I had my hand on, but I had not displayed anything, so no one not involved could possibly be nervous.



meanwhile remember, the law was changed about failing to conceal, you're ok. and we don't have a brandishing law. I think you're ok.

I think this is the best approach in an ambiguous situation where you haven't made a clear decision to draw. I read about an incident at a gas station in Austin where a couple of guys were "interviewing" a woman for attack. She did what you did, and he asked "do you have a gun?" Her response was "that's for me to know and you to find out." Him and his buddy jumped into their car and drove off.

I like her more guarded approach. She didn't say she had a gun and didn't display a gun.

SewTexas wrote:
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I'm sorry, but an unknown man approaching me, a not quite 50 year old woman, in a WM parking lot in the dark, when I have a load of groceries...is not coming up to ask me how the weather is. during the day, eh, I might possibly, wait a beat, depends on the feeling I get, but not at night, nope.

Abraham wrote:Gunner4640,

My opinion: I would've done what you did.

I wouldn't worry about some questionable person calling the law on me. The type of character that approached you isn't likely to want the law scrutinizing his behavior in a parking lot. This sort of worry can lead to inaction that could be deadly - for you.

You have a CHL and carry to defend yourself if need be.