Reply #171: You may have absolutely no reason to consider yourself a target ...

[spin]

and still end up as a victim of a predator.

I lived in a somewhat dangerous neighborhood. We had home break ins during the day, one drive by shooting two houses down, gang activity, rapes and a couple of store robberies that ended up with dead clerks. Several times I witnessed cops with guns drawn chasing bad guys on foot on my street or within walking distance of my home. Muggings were not uncommon.

When I originally bought my home the neighborhood was considered a safe quiet area but over the 36 years I owned my home, the area went downhill. I could have sold my house but to move to a better neighborhood would have meant that I had to take on a much larger mortgage. I planned to move when I retired and I did to a much smaller town 150 miles north.

I did take appropriate steps to avoid being a target. Some steps were as simple as practicing situational awareness on the street, which simply means being observant and not walking on the sidewalk with a cell phone glued to your ear. I also attended a class on jujitsu which was primarily oriented to learning how to survive a street fight or to disarm an individual who was attacking with a club, knife or gun. Eventually I obtained a concealed carry permit and after a few years, I started carrying on a regular basis.

You accuse me of creating fantasy scenarios. That's fine. Your opinion of what I post is just your personal judgement. I just truthfully state my experiences and you can believe them or not. It's your choice. My feelings will not be hurt and I will not be insulted by anything you chose to say. Why should I be?

Why do you think that I would ever brandish a weapon "at some young guys with big muscles who eyed your tools." I would never brandish a weapon. If absolutely necessary to defend my heath or life, I might draw my handgun from concealment. If I did, I would have the intention of firing it. Threatening people with a firearm is foolish and can get you in a world of trouble with law enforcement.

Use of Deadly Force for Lawful Self-Defense

***snip***

Q. When can I use my handgun to protect myself?

A. Florida law justifies use of deadly force when you are:

Trying to protect yourself or another person from death or serious bodily harm;
Trying to prevent a forcible felony, such as rape, robbery, burglary or kidnapping.

Using or displaying a handgun in any other circumstances could result in your conviction for crimes such as improper exhibition of a firearm, manslaughter, or worse.

***snip***

Q. What if someone uses threatening language to me so that I am afraid for my life or safety?

A. Verbal threats are not enough to justify the use of deadly force. There must be an overt act by the person which indicates that he immediately intends to carry out the threat. The person threatened must reasonably believe that he will be killed or suffer serious bodily harm if he does not immediately take the life of his adversary.

***snip***

Q. What if I point my handgun at someone but don't use it?

A. Never display a handgun to gain "leverage" in an argument. Threatening someone verbally while possessing a handgun, even licensed, will land you in jail for three years. Even if the gun is broken or you don't have bullets, you will receive the mandatory three-year sentence if convicted. The law does not allow any possibility of getting out of jail early.
http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/weapons/self_defense.html

I wonder if you are not spending far too much time fantasizing about what people who legally carry firearms fantasize about.