No one likes to watch a domestic dispute in public, but intervening when it is only a verbal argument could be the switch that sets off one partner or the other. Physical altercation is different of course.
Another example is a gas station hold up. Douchebag has a gun pointed at the clerk demanding money, at what point do you intervene? Or do you?
In both of those situations, it helps to already have gamed it in your head and decided where you draw the line. Couple arguing verbally in a restaurant/bar? Keep an eye on it, but stay out of it unless you see signs of it getting physical. At a bar, my first thought would be to get the staff involved. Bouncers are there for a reason. I know most don’t get paid much, but it is his job not yours.
Gas station robbery: clerk is complying, stuffing the drawer cash in a bag and the perp seems happy with that, cool. Let him go. If he wasn’t paying attention to me/hasn’t noticed me, I’d seek concealment and or cover and quietly draw, but stay in overwatch mode. He takes the money and runs, well. Bye. That’s what the store pays insurance for. Looks like he’s going to shoot the clerk just because, now it’s time to do some work.
Point being, game some possible situations in your head or with a friend/coworker/partner/spouse to get their thoughts on the situation and talk through to a best course of action for you as the bystander. Anything less than gross bodily harm or loss of life gets a pass in my mind. I’m not a cop, and I’m not here to save the world. Like the guy who got killed chasing a robber when the police were on site: respect the intent, probably should have pumped the brakes a little.
My #2 problem besides violent drunks were the (also usually drunk) customers who wanted to get involved.
Luckily this was almost always after the violence subsided, when dudes seem more inclined to get involved. That I didn’t mind as much. It was sometimes helpful and almost always amusing. Thanks for jumping in and saving the day pal.
Customers getting involved during the lead up to violence is almost always unhelpful. I’ve thrown people out for escalating things like this.
If I’m not working security I have the same general mindset you do.
Edit: As an aside I only made $15 an hour when I started but within a year I asked them for $25 and they took it. The other upscale bar I occasionally worked at paid me $30 from day 1.
Reputation matters, especially when many bouncers have terrible ones.
Funny to hear. I wonder if the dog views the sandbag as a representation of yourself, and that you intend that as a territory marker. So it pissed on it to claim the other side as its territory.
As I stated, I don’t know much about dogs, but, just guessing, I think he wanted to play. If he wanted to do me any damage, he could have just jumped the fence and came after me.
I had a gsd that had a very strong sense of propriety, as many dogs do. They don’t like other dogs, people, or things acting strange or out of line. If things buzzed, made noise, etc. she would make them quiet. If people got loud or moved aggressively, same.
So someone carrying a big anything over their shoulder and whatnot will definitely warrant at least a sniff (in the dogs mind).
Double posted in ‘Coronavirus - What happened’ in PWI.
Gun retailers are considered an essential service in the US. One former ATF officer who is now a consultant has the concern that an increase in new gun owners will increase the incompetence level in how they are used. The concern is that just because people have (a) gun(s) doesn’t mean they are already instructed in their use and storage.
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Double posted in ‘The Tactical Life’ in Combat.
I am a little torn on this. I believe the right to own firearms is something to be protected. However, just buying a gun and thinking you are safe is talking one class in a martial art and thinking you can fight. It’s like you learned just enough to get your ass kicked.
Maybe, and this is just something I’m throwing out there, training should be emphasized more than limiting ownership and restricting gun rights. Because just like martial arts, weapon skills are perishable. Instead of demonizing them encourage people to join clubs and spend time at the range. Not to get too political, but imagine if a democrat was asked about gun control and he said he would prefer that people get regular training and learned how to be responsible gun owners instead of just taking them away from everyone.
I think he means that having a credible threat makes it necessary to prepare properly to meet that threat, when it comes. Not many people prepare at all for anything, so hopefully they’ll learn to prepare when nothing is coming, or better yet, learn that something is always coming.
Apologies if my interpretation was off, @twojarslave.
@flappinit Yeah that’s the gist of it. Very little is necessary, including having a gun. It is, however, an option.
Guns are not particularly difficult to figure out or point at someone. I think a lot of people are seeing the value in availing themselves of that option right now. Things are very uncertain, after all.
It is an advantage, and right now people are looking for advantages.
Let me clarify a bit, before anyone reads it in an apocalyptic tone that wasn’t intended.
Most people want to be left alone. People are increasingly worried that they won’t be left alone. Guns seem like the best or at least the most expedient way to convince someone who doesn’t want to leave you alone to leave you alone.
I think that explains most people’s general concerns right now. You can tack on food supply as well.