PSA: keep your head on a swivel and your wits about you at west Va state parks

Engine4 · Jul 20, 2017

Also might want to let the West Va Citizens Defense League know as well, especially since a firearm saved your lives.

Gizmo98 · Jul 20, 2017

44man said:
I never saw their gun and l doubt they had one but I wasn't risking injury to my wife since I wasn't sure.

When they saw my gun they got quiet and didn't seem to want to look at me and that was fine with me

Legal question...Let's say you shot one or more of them based only on the fact one said he had a gun and there were three of them. I assume it would be pretty clear cut self defense using a disparity of force argument, especially considering your previously mentioned ailments. What do y'all think?
To be clear, I'm not saying you should have done anything differently, nor am I the kind who's looking for trouble. You read the situation and acted appropriately. I'm just looking for discussion and maybe some legal opinions.

MigraineMan · Jul 20, 2017

Engine4 said:
After you have more time to relax, write it all down so you won't forget anything. Maybe a call to the local media would be in order so others will know. And maybe the WVa lawmakers that voted for constitutional carry too. Heck, even try the NRA so it can be included in the Armed Citizen. Very glad it worked out good for you two.

Definitely.

Also, bring this story to Annapolis when you testify before the appropriate committees during the next legislative session. This is exactly the kind of personal experience that gets their attention. Senators and Delegates will squirm when you describe events that have actually taken place - they really can't argue with that.

Qbeam · Jul 20, 2017

So they walked away opposite the direction to your car, or did you leave them there extricating yourself and the mrs. from the pit?

Q

MigraineMan · Jul 20, 2017

Gizmo98 said:
Legal question...Let's say you shot one or more of them based only on the fact one said he had a gun and there were three of them. I assume it would be pretty clear cut self defense using a disparity of force argument, especially considering your previously mentioned ailments. What do y'all think?
To be clear, I'm not saying you should have done anything differently, nor am I the kind who's looking for trouble. You read the situation and acted appropriately. I'm just looking for discussion and maybe some legal opinions.

Seems to meet the "Four I's" I was taught in my Utah CC class ...
- bad actor had Intent
- threat was Immediate
- threat was Imminent
- 44man was Innocent

davsco · Jul 20, 2017

good (great) on you for being prepared and getting your family out of that situation unscathed. i played golf at twin falls state park last year with an ex-sheriff there and he said the area was a big meth problem.

K31 · Jul 20, 2017

Never forget the 3 C's

- You're gonna be tried in a local Court
- He's gonna be somebody's Cousin
- He was in his church Choir

BigSteve57 · Jul 20, 2017

It sounds like the park staff & rangers are all taking this very well! :sarcasm:

Thank goodness you're both safe.

KJackson · Jul 20, 2017

K31 said:
Never forget the 3 C's

- Your gonna tried in a local Court
- He's gonna be somebody's Cousin
- He was in his church Choir

You forgot the 4th "C":

- He was getting ready to start College in the fall.

I am glad that it all worked out okay.

chesapeakeIRON · Jul 20, 2017

Engine4 said:
Also might want to let the West Va Citizens Defense League know as well, especially since a firearm saved your lives.

I would agree with Engine4 - Its nice to see a good guy with a gun save the life of him and his wife. They would appreciate your story

Norton · Jul 20, 2017

MigraineMan said:
Seems to meet the "Four I's" I was taught in my Utah CC class ...
- bad actor had Intent
- threat was Immediate
- threat was Imminent
- 44man was Innocent

K31 said:
Never forget the 3 C's

- Your gonna tried in a local Court
- He's gonna be somebody's Cousin
- He was in his church Choir

When combined with the three S's, none of the above are relevant.

(sorry, just trying to inject some humor into an otherwise serious topic).

:spank:

fidelity · Jul 20, 2017

Half-cocked said:
...
As to your choice of carry piece, this really drives home the lesson that "a .380 in your pocket is better than the .45 you left back home". Or I guess, a .44 in your case.

Well put.

Thanks for sharing, 44man. Although the gun controllers deny these occur, you've demonstrated once again that defensive gun uses do happen and the firearm doesn't need to be fired. Because you had the foresight to carry in a free state, this story had a positive ending.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

HankR · Jul 20, 2017

44man said:
well heres some more info

...
its a shame shit like that happens but I am glad I was armed, at least to some extent, I just didn't feel any of my 44's were light enough to carry on longer hikes...

Is your bodyguard a snubby revolver or the new .380? Either way, much better than nothing and apparently "enough gun" for this particular encounter, and maybe a couple of more much larger bullets wouldn't have helped if you'd needed to shoot anyway. Can't beat the intimidation factor of a big bore, but you done good.

Glad it worked out,

K31 said:
Never forget the 3 C's

- Your gonna tried in a local Court
- He's gonna be somebody's Cousin
- He was in his church Choir

But in many parts of West Virginia "he needed killin' " is still a valid defense. Glad you didn't have to find out.

44man · Jul 20, 2017

Qbeam said:
So they walked away opposite the direction to your car, or did you leave them there extricating yourself and the mrs. from the pit?

Q

After going up the steps and walking maybe 50 he with my heD and torso twisted and looking back they ran up the steps and in the opposite direction. The problem then was getting back to my jeep before they decided to runthru the woods instead of on the path. Luckily we had no further contact with them

GuitarmanNick · Jul 20, 2017

Could have easily become the 4 D's

Three Dumb asses
Lying Dead on the ground
Because a Decent man
had Declined their demands

Glad you and the Mrs. are safe and did not have to endure the troubles these arseholes could have caused you if you needed to do more than threaten them.

lee2 · Jul 20, 2017

i'm glad things ended without any further confrontation. :thumbsup:

Qbeam · Jul 20, 2017

Thanks for the info. Glad you and the Mrs. made it back.

Q

44man · Jul 20, 2017

davsco said:
good (great) on you for being prepared and getting your family out of that situation unscathed. i played golf at twin falls state park last year with an ex-sheriff there and he said the area was a big meth problem.

Someone in town referred to the area as meth mountain. They don't advertise that part in the brochures.

Half-cocked · Jul 20, 2017

44man said:
Someone in town referred to the area as meth mountain. They don't advertise that part in the brochures.

You could always leave them a negative Yelp review!

https://www.yelp.com/biz/new-river-gorge-bridge-fayetteville

Inigoes · Jul 20, 2017

44man said:
Someone in town referred to the area as meth mountain. They don't advertise that part in the brochures.

I was thinking meth heads by the way you were describing the scenario. That stuff has ruined rural America.

Glad you both made it out unharmed, sometimes those nutjobs do things that do not make sense to rational people.

PSA: keep your head on a swivel and your wits about you at west Va state parks

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