Gas Station Self Defense

nomad636 · August 31, 2016, 05:25 PM

As I was pumping fuel this morning the thought jumped into my head... my pistol is in the center console at the moment. If someone approached me and I wasn't able to reach for my pistol... what recourse would I have?

I think about the knife in my Right front pocket, the tactical pen in my left front pocket... and then I realize that I'm holding the fuel pump with my right hand. What are your thoughts about spraying and praying an attacker with the fuel pump? Think that soaking them in gasoline would be a decent strategy for the first offensive move?

I'm sure that this post will either be ignored by most, or receive lots of comments. Please share your thoughts.

It really reminded me of Zoolander and the Fuel Fight scene. https://youtu.be/_SSbFjK_gnY?t=1m45s

FITASC · August 31, 2016, 05:53 PM

Don't buy gas at 2AM; do it when it's crowded like after work

peggysue · August 31, 2016, 05:55 PM

So nothing happened? No Zombie attacks? How can that be.

K_Mac · August 31, 2016, 06:14 PM

My thought is have your pistol on you, and set the gas nozzle so it doesn't require being held. Most gas stations, especially during low traffic hours, are higher risk for a violent encounter. I am not sure spraying an attacker with gas will stop the attack. It might, but I don't want to be standing in a pool of gasoline while grappling with an idiot. Wear your gun, and pay attention is my advice.

Old Bill Dibble · August 31, 2016, 06:48 PM

Reach in the car pull out an AK pistol and go to work?

Ton · August 31, 2016, 10:24 PM

Quote:

What are your thoughts about spraying and praying an attacker with the fuel pump? Think that soaking them in gasoline would be a decent strategy for the first offensive move?

No. I've been sprayed in the face with gas before while trying to siphon it from our old boat. It's not pleasant, but it's far from incapacitating.

As has already been mentioned, gas stations in certain areas and during certain times of the day pose a higher risk for a violent encounter. The best defense would be to aware of your surroundings, and to have your gun on your person.

I know carrying a gun in the car can be unpleasant if you carry IWB or OWB. During long trips, I leave my Galco King Tuck in my belt but take the gun out and put it in a cheap nylon holster in the door. That way I don't have to sit with it in my back for hours but if I need to stop I can just slide it into my carry holster in a few seconds before I get out.

stephen426 · August 31, 2016, 10:49 PM

I've thought about this same thing before. K_Mac already gave the best advice, which is to have your gun on you. I'm not sure what kind of car you drive, but there have been reports that thieves have been opening the door and stealing stuff practically under the driver's nose. Situational awareness is crucial.

Spraying gas on an attacker may not be a bad last ditch effort since his firing a shot may cause him to catch on fire as well. Somehow, I believe getting shot will incapacitate you faster than the gas would incapacitate your attacker, unless he really goes up in flames.

BigMikey76 · September 1, 2016, 01:18 AM

It seems to me that spraying gas around puts everyone in the vicinity at a fairly high risk of serious injury, or even death, not just the BG. Following the same logic as being legally responsible for every round fired from a gun, I would think the potential liability that would spring from spraying gas around would be astronomical. If the gas gets ignited, how many people will be injured or even killed as a result? What if the result is a major explosion of the tanks? How much liability are you willing to take on?

Lee6113 · September 1, 2016, 02:43 AM

I would re-evaluate either how you carry or when you refuel.

TimW77 · September 1, 2016, 02:45 AM

Years ago when I was living in Memphis, I actually had to soak a pair of thugs down!!!

Was not very late or in a very bad area...

A face full and their bodies sprayed down really changed their mood and the situation...

Being blinded by the fuel they didn't get far before the MPD arrived and it was very hard trying to convince anyone it was not them...

T.

zincwarrior · September 1, 2016, 07:41 AM

tactical...pen...

Thats what concealed carry is for.

Rancid · September 1, 2016, 07:45 AM

Spray 'em down and holler "I got a lighter in my hand you SOB'S!"

g.willikers · September 1, 2016, 10:12 AM

Gasoline does not play nice.
We don't think about it, but it's dangerous enough just filling your tank, as anyone involved in a gasoline fire can testify.
There's a reason why Indy cars run on alcohol.

skywag · September 1, 2016, 10:42 AM

You can't spray gas with the new EPA nozzles.

Maybe if you used both hands.

TimSr · September 1, 2016, 11:50 AM

The gas nozzle in one hand coupled with a Bic Lighter in the other would stop most attackers, even zombies.

BarryLee · September 1, 2016, 12:43 PM

Sorry if I’m missing something here, but why not simply remove your handgun from the console and place it in your pocket before exiting the car. Then just remember to keep you head on a swivel and don’t focus so much on one task that you lose sight of your surroundings.

JERRYS. · September 1, 2016, 12:57 PM

don't gas up late at night.

like anything else, you pick the times that you do things, based on convenience, necessity, and safety yes?

Glenn E. Meyer · September 1, 2016, 04:23 PM

There is no reason in TX not to have a CHL and use it to carry. The car gun concept is rather foolish IMHO.

One reason we had the CHL legislation passed in TX is because Dr. Gratia-Hupp had a gun in the car while she was in Luby's and watched her family die.

Also, alertness and attitude when pumping gas is useful. Not looking like a clueless victim is a good thing.

armedleo · September 1, 2016, 05:17 PM

Standing next to your car while pumping gas late at night is likely the most dangerous activity there is for a regular law-abiding citizen. The only thing that equals it is then going into the convenience store at the gas station.

You must really avoid doing this activity at night. There are, of course, certain sections of town that I'd advise never to gas up at, day or night.

But, if you are just in a jam and far away from home and its late at night and you must stop for gas, get back in your car and lock the doors while the pump does its job. Either way, you should have your gun on you when you exit the car.

peggysue · September 1, 2016, 08:18 PM

Glad i live in the midwest...aint no such crime. Sorry everyone.

kilimanjaro · September 1, 2016, 08:26 PM

Pocket your pistol, pull car keys. Get out and lock car door. Pump gas, pay, and leave.

James K · September 1, 2016, 08:38 PM

Simple answer. Remove the gun from the car and keep it on you while you are pumping gas (or doing anything else). In most states if you have a legal gun in the car, you also have the right to carry it on your person. You don't have to display it to the world and his brother, but have it on your person, not in the console or glove box (or at home in a drawer someplace under your clean undies!).

In fact, why not have it on you at all times? It won't be any use in a glove box or a console. You should practice doing things (like fueling) with your off hand so your strong hand will always be ready to reach for the gun.

Jim

K_Mac · September 1, 2016, 08:53 PM

Quote:

You should practice doing things (like fueling) with your off hand so your strong hand will always be ready to reach for the gun.

That is a great tip. It does take practice. It also reminds me to stay alert.

Peggysue you must live in a better part of the Midwest than I do...

kraigwy · September 2, 2016, 10:34 AM

Be ready and non-threatening:

You cant always pick when and where you get gas. You can increase your odds somewhat by refueling when you get to 1/2 tank, then you may have options on where.

But not always. Last summer I was on a road trip with a time table where I had to drive at night and I had to get gas in East St Louis at 2 AM.

I wasn't happen about some people hanging around the lot eyeballing my wife's Caddy SUV (its right near the top of the most popular to steal).

But I don't leave the keys in my car when getting gas. Nor do I leave my handgun.

Its in my pocket. One reason I like pocket carry is I can have my hand on my gun and I just look like a dude with his hands in his pocket. Not threatening to anyone, yet ready.

If I carried on my belt, I would look silly and threatening when my hand resting on my gun. Plus for me its slower to get in action if needed.

If some one approaches you while getting gas, you have no idea if its a bandit wanting your car, or it its an employing servicing the gas island, checking numbers on the pump, or what ever.

You certainly cant pull your gun to be ready or stand around looking like a old west gun fighter ready to draw. That will probably buy you more trouble then you need.

But nothing looks more innocent then some old dude with his hand in his pocket leaning against his own car waiting for it to fill.

Not sure I want to risk poring gas on a gas station attendant either.

The same goes for withdrawing money from an ATM. You don't know if the dude behind you is waiting for his turn or is waiting for your money.

But you can be ready and non-threatening at the same time, standing there with your hand in your pocket.

I'm not a fan of avoiding places I have a right and reason to be. I make a lot of road trips and I like to drive at night when you have less traffic. That means I have to get gas at night.

Even if that wasn't my habit. Sometimes you just have to make a night trip.

I'm a Patriot Guard Rider. Several years ago I received a short notice they were needed to escort a Fallen SEAL. I had to drive all night to get to Kansas City in time. I ride a Harley Sportster that's only good for 80 miles between fill ups. I didn't have a lot of choice where I fueled up. But I do have a choice how to carry.

Ton · September 2, 2016, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Glad i live in the midwest...aint no such crime. Sorry everyone

http://www.whio.com/news/crime--law/...LWwhutMoaqyXP/

http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/ohio-...en-gas-station

http://www.klkntv.com/story/32389763...-at-14th-adams

http://www.kmbc.com/news/kck-police-...rkway/32921290

http://abc7chicago.com/news/gas-stat...manor/1426462/

http://www.kmov.com/story/30467170/w...ation-shooting

http://fox59.com/2016/08/31/2-men-ki...tings-in-indy/

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/08/...t-gas-station/

Different midwest perhaps? The list goes on and on and on. The OP poses a legitimate question. The mindset that "it won't happen to me" is not a progressive one when it comes to personal safety.

August 31, 2016, 05:25 PM	#1
nomad636 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2015 Location: Arlington Texas Posts: 126	Gas Station Self Defense As I was pumping fuel this morning the thought jumped into my head... my pistol is in the center console at the moment. If someone approached me and I wasn't able to reach for my pistol... what recourse would I have? I think about the knife in my Right front pocket, the tactical pen in my left front pocket... and then I realize that I'm holding the fuel pump with my right hand. What are your thoughts about spraying and praying an attacker with the fuel pump? Think that soaking them in gasoline would be a decent strategy for the first offensive move? I'm sure that this post will either be ignored by most, or receive lots of comments. Please share your thoughts. It really reminded me of Zoolander and the Fuel Fight scene. https://youtu.be/_SSbFjK_gnY?t=1m45s

August 31, 2016, 05:53 PM	#2
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,655	Don't buy gas at 2AM; do it when it's crowded like after work __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

August 31, 2016, 10:49 PM	#7
stephen426 Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2005 Posts: 3,879	I've thought about this same thing before. K_Mac already gave the best advice, which is to have your gun on you. I'm not sure what kind of car you drive, but there have been reports that thieves have been opening the door and stealing stuff practically under the driver's nose. Situational awareness is crucial. Spraying gas on an attacker may not be a bad last ditch effort since his firing a shot may cause him to catch on fire as well. Somehow, I believe getting shot will incapacitate you faster than the gas would incapacitate your attacker, unless he really goes up in flames. __________________ The ATF should be a convenience store instead of a government agency!

September 1, 2016, 02:45 AM	#10
TimW77 Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2008 Posts: 485	It really reminded me of... ...and the Fuel Fight scene. Years ago when I was living in Memphis, I actually had to soak a pair of thugs down!!! Was not very late or in a very bad area... A face full and their bodies sprayed down really changed their mood and the situation... Being blinded by the fuel they didn't get far before the MPD arrived and it was very hard trying to convince anyone it was not them... T.

September 1, 2016, 12:43 PM	#16
BarryLee Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2010 Location: The ATL (OTP) Posts: 3,965	Sorry if I’m missing something here, but why not simply remove your handgun from the console and place it in your pocket before exiting the car. Then just remember to keep you head on a swivel and don’t focus so much on one task that you lose sight of your surroundings. __________________ A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman

August 31, 2016, 05:55 PM	#3
peggysue Junior member Join Date: May 20, 2014 Posts: 1,835	So nothing happened? No Zombie attacks? How can that be.

August 31, 2016, 06:14 PM	#4
K_Mac Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2010 Posts: 1,850	My thought is have your pistol on you, and set the gas nozzle so it doesn't require being held. Most gas stations, especially during low traffic hours, are higher risk for a violent encounter. I am not sure spraying an attacker with gas will stop the attack. It might, but I don't want to be standing in a pool of gasoline while grappling with an idiot. Wear your gun, and pay attention is my advice.

August 31, 2016, 06:48 PM	#5
Old Bill Dibble Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2016 Posts: 802	Reach in the car pull out an AK pistol and go to work?

September 1, 2016, 01:18 AM	#8
BigMikey76 Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2011 Location: Bellevue, NE Posts: 981	It seems to me that spraying gas around puts everyone in the vicinity at a fairly high risk of serious injury, or even death, not just the BG. Following the same logic as being legally responsible for every round fired from a gun, I would think the potential liability that would spring from spraying gas around would be astronomical. If the gas gets ignited, how many people will be injured or even killed as a result? What if the result is a major explosion of the tanks? How much liability are you willing to take on?

September 1, 2016, 02:43 AM	#9
Lee6113 Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2015 Location: Washington State Posts: 248	I would re-evaluate either how you carry or when you refuel.

September 1, 2016, 07:41 AM	#11
zincwarrior Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2011 Location: Texas, land of Tex-Mex Posts: 2,261	tactical...pen... Thats what concealed carry is for.

September 1, 2016, 07:45 AM	#12
Rancid Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2015 Posts: 185	Spray 'em down and holler "I got a lighter in my hand you SOB'S!"

September 1, 2016, 10:12 AM	#13
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Gasoline does not play nice. We don't think about it, but it's dangerous enough just filling your tank, as anyone involved in a gasoline fire can testify. There's a reason why Indy cars run on alcohol.

September 1, 2016, 10:42 AM	#14
skywag Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2011 Posts: 256	You can't spray gas with the new EPA nozzles. Maybe if you used both hands.

September 1, 2016, 11:50 AM	#15
TimSr Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2013 Location: Rittman, Ohio Posts: 2,074	The gas nozzle in one hand coupled with a Bic Lighter in the other would stop most attackers, even zombies.

September 1, 2016, 12:57 PM	#17
JERRYS. Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2013 Location: Georgia Posts: 2,985	don't gas up late at night. like anything else, you pick the times that you do things, based on convenience, necessity, and safety yes?

September 1, 2016, 04:23 PM	#18
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,061	There is no reason in TX not to have a CHL and use it to carry. The car gun concept is rather foolish IMHO. One reason we had the CHL legislation passed in TX is because Dr. Gratia-Hupp had a gun in the car while she was in Luby's and watched her family die. Also, alertness and attitude when pumping gas is useful. Not looking like a clueless victim is a good thing. __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

September 1, 2016, 05:17 PM	#19
armedleo Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2015 Posts: 265	Standing next to your car while pumping gas late at night is likely the most dangerous activity there is for a regular law-abiding citizen. The only thing that equals it is then going into the convenience store at the gas station. You must really avoid doing this activity at night. There are, of course, certain sections of town that I'd advise never to gas up at, day or night. But, if you are just in a jam and far away from home and its late at night and you must stop for gas, get back in your car and lock the doors while the pump does its job. Either way, you should have your gun on you when you exit the car.

September 1, 2016, 08:18 PM	#20
peggysue Junior member Join Date: May 20, 2014 Posts: 1,835	Glad i live in the midwest...aint no such crime. Sorry everyone.

September 1, 2016, 08:26 PM	#21
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	Pocket your pistol, pull car keys. Get out and lock car door. Pump gas, pay, and leave.

September 1, 2016, 08:38 PM	#22
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Simple answer. Remove the gun from the car and keep it on you while you are pumping gas (or doing anything else). In most states if you have a legal gun in the car, you also have the right to carry it on your person. You don't have to display it to the world and his brother, but have it on your person, not in the console or glove box (or at home in a drawer someplace under your clean undies!). In fact, why not have it on you at all times? It won't be any use in a glove box or a console. You should practice doing things (like fueling) with your off hand so your strong hand will always be ready to reach for the gun. Jim

September 2, 2016, 10:34 AM	#24
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,060	Be ready and non-threatening: You cant always pick when and where you get gas. You can increase your odds somewhat by refueling when you get to 1/2 tank, then you may have options on where. But not always. Last summer I was on a road trip with a time table where I had to drive at night and I had to get gas in East St Louis at 2 AM. I wasn't happen about some people hanging around the lot eyeballing my wife's Caddy SUV (its right near the top of the most popular to steal). But I don't leave the keys in my car when getting gas. Nor do I leave my handgun. Its in my pocket. One reason I like pocket carry is I can have my hand on my gun and I just look like a dude with his hands in his pocket. Not threatening to anyone, yet ready. If I carried on my belt, I would look silly and threatening when my hand resting on my gun. Plus for me its slower to get in action if needed. If some one approaches you while getting gas, you have no idea if its a bandit wanting your car, or it its an employing servicing the gas island, checking numbers on the pump, or what ever. You certainly cant pull your gun to be ready or stand around looking like a old west gun fighter ready to draw. That will probably buy you more trouble then you need. But nothing looks more innocent then some old dude with his hand in his pocket leaning against his own car waiting for it to fill. Not sure I want to risk poring gas on a gas station attendant either. The same goes for withdrawing money from an ATM. You don't know if the dude behind you is waiting for his turn or is waiting for your money. But you can be ready and non-threatening at the same time, standing there with your hand in your pocket. I'm not a fan of avoiding places I have a right and reason to be. I make a lot of road trips and I like to drive at night when you have less traffic. That means I have to get gas at night. Even if that wasn't my habit. Sometimes you just have to make a night trip. I'm a Patriot Guard Rider. Several years ago I received a short notice they were needed to escort a Fallen SEAL. I had to drive all night to get to Kansas City in time. I ride a Harley Sportster that's only good for 80 miles between fill ups. I didn't have a lot of choice where I fueled up. But I do have a choice how to carry.