Carrying Gun, Do you fight ?

[leadpot]

Just curious as to what a person who carries would do if confronted by a bully. Be it at a store like Wal-mart, be it in a grocery market or just walking to your vehicle after work to go home. Your
carrying a gun. Do you run and avoid the hassel because you do have a gun and know what kind of hassel it might turn out to be. What would a body do in a situation like that. Remember..the guy
who wants to beat you up doesn't know you are carrying. What is the course to take here in Texas
should it ever happen to you in your opinion ? I don't carry a gun or knife.

[Dcav]

Interesting question. I don't know the legalities involved as I am new to the state. I assume(but do not know) 2 things, a force on force law is probaly on the books (ie cannot shoot someone over a yelling or shoving match), and the most dangerous thing about carrying a firearm is the possibility of someone taking it from you and using it on you. I carry a knife everywhere, never without one or more, but I also have moderate or better hand to hand/self defense skills. I think it is a you would have to be there to know how you would react scenario for me. Should be a interesting discussion though.

[leadpot]

Well, like you.. interesting question. You just never know when a situation like that could happen to anyone. whether your carrying or not. I'm not into carrying a gun or knife so I try not to offend anyone
anywhere, but a body never knows when a situation like that could happen to anyone. But I would defend myself if needed to. Just interested to know what someone who does carry would do in a situation like that .

[BlueNinjaGo]

I'm not a lawyer, expert, or LEO.

When carrying a firearm, you should avoid any confrontation. If someone begins a verbal argument, simply leave if possible. If you're in a situation where you cannot leave, inform them that you will be calling the police. If they continue to harass you, then call the police.

When carrying a gun, it is your responsibility to avoid confrontation. Texas is good about your rights to defend yourself. You're not required to flee and we have the castle doctrine. You're immune to civil lawsuits if your justified in your shooting. Even if you're justified, you can be facing legal fee's.

But I'll restate an important quote:

There are no winners in a gunfight. Only survivors.

[BlueNinjaGo]

and the most dangerous thing about carrying a firearm is the possibility of someone taking it from you and using it on you.

IMO, this is a myth created by the anti-gun movement. It's been discussed on other gun forums and a lot of sources point to it being a lie or misrepresentation of facts.

[Dcav]

Surviving Disarming Attempts - Handguns | Guns Magazine | Find Articles at BNET

Here is a pretty good article.

[thorkyl]

The only reason to draw is to stop the violence.
I would prefer to avoid the confrontation if at all possible.

Texas is not a "flight required" State. We are a Castle Doctrine State

Where you are is your Castle, you can defend your Castle.
Now that does not prevent you from spending lots of money and time, just ask Joe Horn from Pasadena

[TxEMTP69]

Didn't Joe Horn shoot someone stealing from someone else's house? I don't remember the story.

[BlueNinjaGo]

Texas is not a "flight required" State. We are a Castle Doctrine State.

Yes, very true. I should have clarified my post. If I'm out in public, say the grocery store or playing with my son at the park, I will avoid a confrontation. It's just not worth it. My ego is not worth that much. Now if someone wants to get physical, I'm not interested in a fist fight. If they attempt to attack me, I will defend myself with a firearm.

Now if I'm at my house or car, then it's a whole different ball game. But regardless, pulling and/or using a firearm is only going to cause a headaches and problems. It's only to defend yourself if you feel your life is threatened.

[BlueNinjaGo]

Didn't Joe Horn shoot someone stealing from someone else's house? I don't remember the story.

It was (IIRC) two illegals robbing his neighbor's house. But his neighbor left town and left Joe in charge of it, thus Joe was allowed to defend it as his own property.