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I walk to and from the university everyday so I have to put up with beggars all the time. Because it is a university, and because I don't have a vehicle to leave the gun in, my CHL is effectively neutralized.

I'm usually walking alongside a busy street in broad daylight so I figure the worst the beggars can do is offend my delicate nasal passages. Just to be safe, I started carrying the biggest fixed blade knife I could find, that doesn't clash with PC §46.01.6. I'm glad now that I did.

Last winter, I took a night class, so I was on campus after dark every night with almost no one around. One night, at the center of campus, a beggar stepped out from behind a fountain and tried to strike up a conversation with me. There was no one else in sight. He did the usual song and dance, trying to establish familiarity with me before he asked for money. He smelled bad in a way that you don't get just from not bathing. I assume drugs and cheap alcohol were the cause. Finally he asks for money, "for the bus." This is Arlington. There is no bus. A fact I often lament. If there were a bus, I wouldn't be walking everywhere. This outrageous lie tells me I'm not just dealing with a decent guy who is down on his luck. At this point I assume he is a scoundrel. Also, he was standing too close. My hand immediately went under my coat, as I tell him I have no money for him. He couldn't see me grabbing the handle of my knife, but he understood the motion. He did an about face and left quickly. I watched his back until he was around a corner, and then I went to class.

Gearheart wrote:Because it is a university, and because I don't have a vehicle to leave the gun in, my CHL is effectively neutralized.

We've got a lovely Ford Tempo, though you'd have to mount a lockbox somewhere since the doors don't lock. No A/C, no stereo, beat up enough that only the dumbest crooks (see example) will try to steal anything from it. Needs inspection, so call it $150 and I'll throw in the half-plus tank of gas that's in it.

Gearheart, you are the textbook example of why we need campus carry in this state.

BTW, that's a nice offer on the Tempo too.

next time a bum asks you for money ,
tell them " sure ,can you make change for a hundred ? "

speaking of bums, junkies, and beggars...

So, I'm walking out of the AT&T store (gawd, that was helpful ), and this chick walks up to me and asks me what cologne I wear.
this ain't my first rodeo, so I wave a dismissive hand at her and reply, "Eh."
She responds, "We don't have 'Eh.'"
so I returned with a more stern, "Get away from me."
which gained a "Fine, you don't have to be an (expletive) about it."

this didn't make me feel bad in the least. only people who try to sell you crap in the parking lot of (enter your store here), are typically junkies or people who can't get real jobs. gee, wonder why.
anyway, this hoo- uh, person, gets into a car with three other people. so i called the Fuzz, gave'em the plates, make, model, color, and personal descriptions of all parties involved.
sure, they weren't breaking the law, unless you consider harassing people in a parking lot "disturbing the peace."

I slept fine last night...

DoubleJ wrote:So, I'm walking out of the AT&T store (gawd, that was helpful ), and this chick walks up to me and asks me what cologne I wear.
<SNIP>
sure, they weren't breaking the law, unless you consider harassing people in a parking lot "disturbing the peace."

Depends on where it was; some cities require permits for off-premise solicitation. I'd also bet their tax paperwork wasn't in order.

My first thought about "...this chick walks up to me and asks me what cologne I wear..." is that is was an interview for a robbery, especially with a car full of other people.

Either that, or she was selling stolen or bogus cologne, both of which are crimes.

- Jim

I agree with both of your assesments, as soon as the initial interview commenced I tried to look around and check my 6, so to speak.
if it was going to go south, it coulda gone there quick, that's for sure. Their car was about 30 feet away, and fortunately, they were just selling crap-cologne.
I ain't heard nothin', and they vacated the premises shortly after my run-in. hopefully won't see'em again.

USA1 wrote:next time a bum asks you for money ,
tell them " sure ,can you make change for a hundred ? "

Depending on the mental stability of the bum in question, this could lead to an assault or attempted robbery (or both). Remember, many bums are also unbalanced and off their meds. Not saying you shouldn't do it, just be aware that it isn't a risk-free approach.


I believe Houston has an ordinance about panhandling that requires them to leave you alone when told to do so. If they continue to pester you, taking out a cell phone and telling them you're calling the cops shuts the majority of them down and sends them on their way...

Mithras61 wrote:

USA1 wrote:next time a bum asks you for money ,
tell them " sure ,can you make change for a hundred ? "

Depending on the mental stability of the bum in question, this could lead to an assault or attempted robbery (or both).

you are absolutely correct .

i always make sure the light turns green before making such a statement .

there's a lady bum who hangs around my area stores and intersections .
shes as nice as can be , until you tell her you don't have any money .
then she turns into the devil .

USA1 wrote: you are absolutely correct .

i always make sure the light turns green before making such a statement .

there's a lady bum who hangs around my area stores and intersections .
shes as nice as can be , until you tell her you don't have any money .
then she turns into the devil .

I've met a few like that as well. It can be a scary feeling, being stuck at a red light with some nut pounding on your hood...

Mithras61 wrote:

USA1 wrote: you are absolutely correct .

i always make sure the light turns green before making such a statement .

there's a lady bum who hangs around my area stores and intersections .
shes as nice as can be , until you tell her you don't have any money .
then she turns into the devil .

I've met a few like that as well. It can be a scary feeling, being stuck at a red light with some nut pounding on your hood...

my wife gets that way sometimes

USA1 wrote:

Mithras61 wrote:

USA1 wrote: you are absolutely correct .

i always make sure the light turns green before making such a statement .

there's a lady bum who hangs around my area stores and intersections .
shes as nice as can be , until you tell her you don't have any money .
then she turns into the devil .

I've met a few like that as well. It can be a scary feeling, being stuck at a red light with some nut pounding on your hood...

my wife gets that way sometimes

Yours too? Mine did that and then refused to let go of the hood when I took off down the street with her on it.

I really appreciate the offer on the Tempo, but car insurance doesn't figure into my financial plans for the fall semester.