Have you ever needed your firearm in a road-rage situation?

[JimmyS1985]

I watched this video over the weekend.

YouTube - Red Neck BMW Road Rage

I am not your stereotypical gun owner. I currently drive a miata, sometimes with the topdown, and sometimes people will bubblegum with me for it similar to what they did to this guy.

I use to have a really fast MR2 Turbo, and people would want to road rage with me because they could tell I liked my car and wasn't one of them country boys in the big truck or v8 muscle car etc. so Ive experienced road ragers on the same caliber as the one in the above video, and once thought I was in a situation where I needed a firearm and was at the mercy of the road-raging lunatic (who came up to my window with his fist pulled back like he was about to punch me in my face, since I responded to him raging at my car)

I currently have a pro-choice bumper sticker, I have a need to voice my support for womens reproductive rights and I realize this carrys a risk that people will want to yell at me and flip me off because they do not think women have a right over their own body, but as a timid 25 year old man, I am a little fearful that someday, anyday, I could run into a road-rager that wants to take it to the next level, like the guys in this video.

I generally do ignore them or tell them if they have a problem with me, my car, or whatever my bumper says, we can get the police involved to settle the matter, and that usually shuts them up, but what about those situations where there isn't a police officer, and your safety is in the hands of the road-rager who is angry with you?

Unfortunately, my parents are liberals and do not want me carrying a firearm in my car at all, and I can respect my parents anti-gun stance, but I do feel a need to carry some form of protection, because my worst run ins with the public have been while driving, since I don't hang out in dangerous neighborhoods but you can run into virtually anyone on the road, especially since they started issuing drivers licenses to people fresh out of prison in my state.

My need to protect myself carried over to my schooling when I chose to pursue an education in Criminal Justice and my dream is to become a probation officer. I always try to do whats right and stay on the correct side of the law now, so I may have a future in criminal justice, but until then, as an ordinary citizen, what means should I take to protect myself like in the situation in the video above?

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[duginsky]

I am pretty sure that video was found to be entirely staged.

 

[drew]

The only time I wanted one I was 18. A couple cars boxed me in on the road because I drove too close to their pickups. If the car doesn't belong to your parents, I'd carry a gun. They won't always approve what you do.

 

[fromotoc]

First off, if you are legally allowed to carry a firearm, carry it.

It sounds like you are second guessing yourself. I don't really know what you are asking, you elude to carrying a gun, then question if it's the right thing, then ask us what you should do? About what? If someone displays road rage, do not respond in kind, or at all. Avoid a confrontation at all times. You as a gun owner and carrier have a responsibility to know the laws of lethal force and to apply them stringently. If someone flips you off, and you confront them, you are now liable if you use your weapon. You escalated the situation, and are no longer the victim, meaning you'll probably go to jail if you use your weapon. Also, keeping a low profile is always a good idea. If a bumper sticker is causing you this many problems, either learn to ignore other people or get rid of the bumper sticker.

 

[Cougfan2]

I am pretty sure that video was found to be entirely staged.

I had heard that too, although I don't remember the source. That video has been out for quite some time.

 

[JimmyS1985]

The last 2 road rage incidents I was in, I stayed on the correct side of the law, I did not raise my voice or offer hand gestures towards the other driver. One I told them I was going to call the police, the other one, I listened to her spiel that women should be forced to birth unwanted children, but flatly told her what my bumper-stick said "Its a Choice Not a Child" and I was completely unemotional about it too.

The main problem I have is these people may view the life of an embryo or fetus as valuable but not a fully-grown human being, and they do tend to use intimidation tactics to get their point across to those that do not agree with them. I am sticking up for what I think is right and I am not going to lose the bumper sticker. I am not going to violate the law to stick up for what I think is right, but at the same time I just worry about them putting my safety at risk because some of these pro-forced childbirth people don't come to logical conclusions.

Anyways I would like to carry a firearm in my car, I do not want to lose my bumper sticker, but my parents would have deep reservations about me possessing a firearm any time Im driving since in my younger days when I was immature, I would respond to the road-rager rather than ignore it. Im trying a new strategy at handling road rage, ignore or tell them that I will call the police to settle the matter, but don't do anything to make the road rage situation worse than it already is.

Oh and as a CRJ major, I am well educated on my own states laws for when deadly-force is necessary and acceptable, moreso than your average gun owner who doesn't have a criminal justice background.

 

[f3rr37]

The last 2 road rage incidents I was in, I stayed on the correct side of the law, I did not raise my voice or offer hand gestures towards the other driver. One I told them I was going to call the police, the other one, I listened to her spiel that women should be forced to birth unwanted children, but flatly told her what my bumper-stick said "Its a Choice Not a Child" and I was completely unemotional about it too.

The main problem I have is these people may view the life of an embryo or fetus as valuable but not a fully-grown human being, and they do tend to use intimidation tactics to get their point across to those that do not agree with them. I am sticking up for what I think is right and I am not going to lose the bumper sticker. I am not going to violate the law to stick up for what I think is right, but at the same time I just worry about them putting my safety at risk because some of these pro-forced childbirth people don't come to logical conclusions.

Anyways I would like to carry a firearm in my car, I do not want to lose my bumper sticker, but my parents would have deep reservations about me possessing a firearm any time Im driving since in my younger days when I was immature, I would respond to the road-rager rather than ignore it. Im trying a new strategy at handling road rage, ignore or tell them that I will call the police to settle the matter, but don't do anything to make the road rage situation worse than it already is.

Oh and as a CRJ major, I am well educated on my own states laws for when deadly-force is necessary and acceptable, moreso than your average gun owner who doesn't have a criminal justice background.

Wonderful... you really do just go to random gun forums and troll don't you SuperJew?

Will a mod or admin please PM me.

 

[Misterbill]

first, that video has been around a long time and it's staged.

Second, it wouldn't be very smart to talk about something like that on a public forum.

 

[fromotoc]

Sounds like you aren't prone to acting crazy, which is good. Your decision to arm yourself is just that, yours. Not your parents. Damn, you're 25 and still concerned about what your parents think? Do you live with them?

Expressing yourself is fine. So is arming yourself. Doing both safely, smartly and prudently is what will keep you out of trouble. Although it sounds like you are asking for trouble, in a way. If I lived where there were a ton of redneck right wing crazies I would expect plenty of confrontations with them if I had something visible that was known to offend them.

All in all, I think you need to realize you can't change anybodys ideas. Everyone feels as strongly as you do about what they believe in. I have had plenty of intelligent conversations/debates with a wide array of people, and I have never changed anyones views on an idea. It sounds like you care Alot about what others think, which keeps you civil, but Alot of people just want to argue. All confronting an angry person over your abortion beliefs is going to do is frustrate you. Learning to become nonreactionary Towards others gives you the freedom to focus on yourself, and takes alot of stress out of your life. Part of growing up is becoming your own person, and that can't happen easily while caring what other people think of you. Thats why, for most people, high school was a nightmare- mostly everybody was worried about what everybody thought of them. Realizing you can't change much while your in a road rage scenario is probably a good start.

 

[The B]

The last 2 road rage incidents I was in, I stayed on the correct side of the law, I did not raise my voice or offer hand gestures towards the other driver. One I told them I was going to call the police, the other one, I listened to her spiel that women should be forced to birth unwanted children, but flatly told her what my bumper-stick said "Its a Choice Not a Child" and I was completely unemotional about it too.

The main problem I have is these people may view the life of an embryo or fetus as valuable but not a fully-grown human being, and they do tend to use intimidation tactics to get their point across to those that do not agree with them. I am sticking up for what I think is right and I am not going to lose the bumper sticker. I am not going to violate the law to stick up for what I think is right, but at the same time I just worry about them putting my safety at risk because some of these pro-forced childbirth people don't come to logical conclusions.

Anyways I would like to carry a firearm in my car, I do not want to lose my bumper sticker, but my parents would have deep reservations about me possessing a firearm any time Im driving since in my younger days when I was immature, I would respond to the road-rager rather than ignore it. Im trying a new strategy at handling road rage, ignore or tell them that I will call the police to settle the matter, but don't do anything to make the road rage situation worse than it already is.

Oh and as a CRJ major, I am well educated on my own states laws for when deadly-force is necessary and acceptable, moreso than your average gun owner who doesn't have a criminal justice background.

one of the top-10 stupidest posts i've ever seen on an internet gun forum.

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i've had a small handful of situations where i was deliberately aware of my weapon, but havent ever reached. i have been in jump-out-the-truck situations, and i've even been the first one out. hiding in your safety bubble just isn't my style, and while i understand how these things go south sometimes, it just strikes me as wholly cowardly to just sit there when other people are putting you and/or others in danger with their stupidity. would you just stand there quietly if somebody stepped in front of you in line at the bank, or harassed you as you walked down the street? i dont understand why being in a vehicle makes it any different- its your duty as a card-carrying man to address injustice, reckless negligence, or even malicious insult.

and yes- that video is confirmed staged... pops up on gun forums from time to time, and it's illegitimacy has been well established.

 

[Redcap]

 

[fromotoc]

It's not your duty to address injustice, reckless negligence or malicious insult if you have a gun on you. That's the police and court systems job. Trying to address these things while carrying a gun is a cocktail for jailtime and regret.

 

[JimmyS1985]

Wonderful... you really do just go to random gun forums and troll don't you SuperJew?

Will a mod or admin please PM me.

Our problem stems from me being a democrat, which is rare on your gun forum, and most of your members being conservative.

I think your admins on your forum have a god complex, they act so arrogantly they may as well be god, because they don't like having someone who loves his president on his forum. I have seen members of your forum state that they like to believe in that birther non-sense simply because they hate the president. Members like that on your forum are not exactly welcoming to me.

I am sorry that the gun issue has been politicized to the point that democrats can't be a member on a gun forum without being harassed by the likes of you ferret. You should be happy that there are people who both love their president and are interested in guns, and that they aren't simply enjoyed by conservatives. I didn't much care for a certain gun owner gunning down my parents congressional representative, but I still enjoy the hobby of owning and shooting firearms.

As for a stupid post, thats your opinion and all I can say is Im a timid person, I just try to abide by the law when I can and if I do run into people who are acting out of line, its usually a road-rager. Most people don't step infront of me in line, or I might tell a person to check their tone when addressing me, but I generally do not have to respond in such a way that leads to an altercation.

Im looking forward to a career in criminal justice and I act within the legal boundaries of an ordinary citizen.

 

[gallogiro]

one of the top-10 stupidest posts i've ever seen on an internet gun forum.

Plus, Im wondering how that would work out; "I want to be in law enforcement but my parents don't let me carry a gun?"

 

[JimmyS1985]

well on 20k a year and soon to be losing my job that Ive worked for 5 years, I cant afford to put a roof over my head for the time being. So they pull out, their house, their rules argument if I even attempted to bring it up. They didn't want me purchasing a firearm in the first place to be honest, that took some negotiating on my part just to get that far.

And since Im looking into probation and parole as my first try at the criminal justice field, in this state, the pay is so measly, I would probably have to live in section 8 housing which is not something I want to do.

 

[civilian75]

Listen to fromotoc. That is good advice.

I would add, regardless of what your decision is about carrying or not, you also need to decide what kind of activist you are going to be. Even if you pass legal muster, if you are involved in a shootout for what you believe, a headline like "Anti-abortionist shot by pro-choice activist in road-rage incident" will not bode well for your cause.

My advise, either suck it up, or take that sticker off. If you cannot take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

 

[The B]

It's not your duty to address injustice, reckless negligence or malicious insult if you have a gun on you. That's the police and court systems job. Trying to address these things while carrying a gun is a cocktail for jailtime and regret.

how much did you get for your man-card?

 

[mjbskwim]

Why isn't this thread locked? It's political and not really even about carrying and road rage.
This guy deserves to have people mad at him.

 

[JimmyS1985]

Actually to be honest, my life long dream has been to be one of those law enforcement volunteers who escorts abortion doctors to their cars and to the clinic. The bumper-sticker may be a cheap show of support that warrants criticism for making my views public and gets me into random altercations with people who disagree, but its simply because I feel so strongly on the matter and my side is underrepresented in the battle of the abortion bumper stickers. If Ive seen a Pro-Choice bumper sticker, and mine is a modified Pro-Forced Childbirth sticker, then its been more than 10 years.

 

[The B]

Actually to be honest, my life long dream has been to be one of those law enforcement volunteers who escorts abortion doctors to their cars and to the clinic. The bumper-sticker may be a cheap show of support that warrants criticism for making my views public and gets me into random altercations with people who disagree, but its simply because I feel so strongly on the matter and my side is underrepresented in the battle of the abortion bumper stickers. If Ive seen a Pro-Choice bumper sticker, and mine is a modified Pro-Forced Childbirth sticker, then its been more than 10 years.

like the man above said, this isn't your platform. keep the abortion crap out of gun threads.