I Will NEVER go ANYWHERE Unarmed Again

[greenlead]

I went to the local university fitness center to work-out. I decided to go unarmed.

I was there for less than five minutes when I encountered a former Explorer who I knew to have some rather serious warrants (weapons dealing, distribution, or similar). He asked me about the program and whether I was a cop yet. I asked him where the sanitizing rags were for the equipment and walked outside.

Through a long series of phone calls, I determined that he had been served within the past couple of days.

I went back inside to retrieve my ID card and drove straight home.

I will never go unarmed anywhere again.

[retdetsgt]

Were you afraid he was going to kill you? Were you planning on killing him? Are you afraid of him?

[manahmanah]

Did you ever figure out where the sanitizing rags were?

[basher52]

What in the heck are sanitizing rags???????????????????????:confused:

[Coastie 585]

Were you afraid he was going to kill you? Were you planning on killing him? Are you afraid of him?

Same thing I was wondering.

And to basher, sanitizing rags are like handi wipes, they are used to clean workout machines.

[greenlead]

Sanitizing rags are required by the super health-conscious university to keep the exercise equipment free of germs. Being that this was my first time there, I didn't know where they were.

Now that I've had some time to think about it, I don't feel as strongly about it. It is just that running into him drove home the realization that I could encounter someone who wants to hurt me at the most inopportune time.

Yes, at some level I was afraid of him. Since he now probably knows that I am a student at the university, he could easily cause issues for me.

His warrant was, from my understanding, some pretty high-level stuff. I guess since he is now back on the street, it must not have been so bad. I didn't know his warrant status for sure at the time, only that I had been instructed to call in if I ever saw him.

No, I certainly didn't want to get into a confrontation with him, but you can never quite know what the bad guy is thinking or what he intends to do.

[retdetsgt]

I don't think a gun would be of all that much value unless you think he's out to kill you. Sometimes guns get people into more trouble than it gets them out of. You'd look kind of funny wearing a gun in workout gear anyway.

Unless you've personally done something to this guy, I doubt he's going to be out to hurt you, especially in a public place like a gym. People tend to give guys like him more credit than they deserve.

In fact, a couple of weeks ago I ran into a guy I know professionally that just got out of the joint. Bear in mind, I'm 63 and he's late 30's, early 40's. When he first saw me he did a little huffing and puffing, trying to intimidate me. I just smiled at him and dismissed him with body language. He ended up looking like an idiot. And no, I wasn't carrying a gun.

The LAST thing you want to do is let somebody like that think you're afraid or intimidated. And unfortunately, I suspect the way you left the gym, that guy won that round and knows it.

[greg72982]

I'm not real sure why you would need to be armed in this situation. I agree with previous posts that a gun would only get you in trouble.

One thing I haven't liked since I left PA and have been working in detention down here is the fact that I have ran into several released inmates at local grocery stores. So far they have been positive encounters but I know some day I may meet someone and it wont be. I guess I could apply for a concealed weapons permit but damn i miss being a cop :(

[mpd145]

He was going to pull a norm and stop a robbery....

That had to have been VERY awkward being an ex-explorer with him having a ton of warrants. At least you got out of there with out having to give him an instant can of whoop a$$! lol

[Norm357]

I never go anywhere unarmed now. :cool:

[retdetsgt]

One thing I haven't liked since I left PA and have been working in detention down here is the fact that I have ran into several released inmates at local grocery stores. So far they have been positive encounters but I know some day I may meet someone and it wont be. I guess I could apply for a concealed weapons permit but damn i miss being a cop :(

I've run into a number of "clients" when I was working. Usually, they were a lot more afraid of me than I was of them. Some tried to just leave hoping I wouldn't notice, some came up to me and said hello. A couple tried to stare me down and I just laughed at them. It's hard to play a game when the other person doesn't participate.

I learned fairly early on that you're only as intimidated as you're willing to be.

Once I was taking a guy to jail and he asked me "hypothetically" what would I do if I ran into him off duty. I told him I thought it would be great. If I was off duty, I wouldn't be restricted by dept. policy as to the amount of force I could use.....:D He changed the subject.

[GrahamX05]

Sanitizing rags are required by the super health-conscious university to keep the exercise equipment free of germs. Being that this was my first time there, I didn't know where they were.

Now that I've had some time to think about it, I don't feel as strongly about it. It is just that running into him drove home the realization that I could encounter someone who wants to hurt me at the most inopportune time.

Yes, at some level I was afraid of him. Since he now probably knows that I am a student at the university, he could easily cause issues for me.

His warrant was, from my understanding, some pretty high-level stuff. I guess since he is now back on the street, it must not have been so bad. I didn't know his warrant status for sure at the time, only that I had been instructed to call in if I ever saw him.

No, I certainly didn't want to get into a confrontation with him, but you can never quite know what the bad guy is thinking or what he intends to do.

Are you allowed to carry on university property?:confused:

[Cris1102]

but damn i miss being a cop :(

aww you'll be there before you know it

[greenlead]

Are you allowed to carry on university property?:confused:

Is it forbidden by Indiana law? No.

[Stormrage]

I was about to ask the same question, it is illegal to do so in colleges here in NY.