How to defend one's self from drive-by robbers? [serious]

[pete6032]

In my neighborhood there have been a few cases of robbers driving up to people, jumping out of a van and pointing a gun at a victim and demanding their wallet/valuables. How would you defend yourself against this happening to you? This has happened to people right in the middle of the evening, 6, 7 PM sometimes. This is happening on residential streets in fairly busy areas in terms of foot traffic. I realize if someone jumped out of a van and pointed a gun at me I'd probably do whatever they say. What about other situations where the robber has a knife but is 10-15 feet away, what is the best way to protect myself there, mace, taser?

 

[TwiceOver]

From a distance of that far I'd like to say I'd run from a knife. The further you take your attacker away from the safe haven of the car, the more likely he is to turn and flee themselves. A gun, give them everything you have including your underwear if need be.

Or I'd move the fuck away from whatever shithole that is.

 

[lxskllr]

I'd pull my knife, and charge them, but that's cause I don't give a shit. YMMV

 

[smackababy]

Besides thinking an epidemic of drive by robbings being total bullshit, like you could just get their plate number right after, the best defense is a good offense. Be aware and of a van stops along side you and someone jumps out, pull out your gun and squeeze off a few into their center mass. Worst case scenario, they weren't robbers, but the real ones stop anyway for fear of getting shot.

Mace and taser guns are awful ideas. They work, at best, once against a single target. And one doesn't actually incapacitate the target. If someone who has never been maced sprays an attacker that has, one is going to panic and stop, and it won't be the attacker.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Don't carry anything that's worth dying over. Few people carry much cash these days, hand over the wallet, get the plate number, call police, cancel credit cards, replace ID. It's a major inconvenience, but it beats getting shot.

Even if you have a gun, taser, mace or other weapon on you the other guy has his out and ready to use already. Can you draw whatever you're carrying and 100% sure incapacitate him before he pulls the trigger? I'm betting you can't.

 

[Skel]

If 80s video games have taught me anything, it's in these situations you always "Dive roll"! It's the only way to duck out of the way and not take damage.

 

[MixMasterTang]

A common thing in Brazil is to carry "mug money" in a different pocket, with a 5 or 10 on the outside of a couple of singles. So if someone wants to rob you just toss down the money and walk the other way.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Gas pedal?

 

[Imp]

A common thing in Brazil is to carry "mug money" in a different pocket, with a 5 or 10 on the outside of a couple of singles. So if someone wants to rob you just toss down the money and walk the other way.

I was forced to "donate" to someone's "basketball team" in New York City a few years ago. That was also my conclusion! Carry a couple $1 bills, throw em and haul ass if the person doesn't have a gun.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Don't go outside?

A common thing in Brazil is to carry "mug money" in a different pocket, with a 5 or 10 on the outside of a couple of singles. So if someone wants to rob you just toss down the money and walk the other way.

I know a guy who works in downtown Los Angeles. He carries a throw away wallet just for that purpose.

 

[DaveSimmons]

a) Talk to the local police department, the city council, the mayor and the media about why they are not doing their jobs.
b) Move to someplace that isn't Little Somalia.

 

[MrSquished]

If someone is pointing a gun at you and asking for your wallet, you give them your wallet. Even if you are concealed carrying unless the robber is inept or really not ready to actually shoot, you need to make a quick decision and gamble on that. So it becomes a gamble. With the prize being your life.

 

[Rifter]

Can you CCW where you are? if so that is the answer if you dont want to give into these guys. Get a small easy to conceal pistol take a few classes make sure you are comfortable with the gun and accurate enough.

Otherwise the "mug Money" option is probably the best idea.

 

[brianmanahan]

i avoid your neighborhood

 

[highland145]

i avoid your neighborhood

Unless you're looking for an extra few bucks, right?

 

[Ns1]

I don't think you guys understand how this works - it doesn't matter where you move because they fucking come to you. Oh you live in a 6 figure median income neighborhood? That means you must have cash and/or jewelry!

 

[DaveSimmons]

I don't think you guys understand how this works - it doesn't matter where you move because they fucking come to you. Oh you live in a 6 figure median income neighborhood? That means you must have cash and/or jewelry!

Nope. I live in yuppietown. If muggers tried it here the cops would be out in force doing whatever it took, be it visible patrols or bait walkers. They'd probably add rooftop snipers or ED-209s if that failed

https://youtu.be/A9l9wxGFl4k

 

[Mayne]

I did not read one reply to op. Is this actually a thing in America?

 

[Red Squirrel]

Have decoy wallets, phones, cash etc you can just hand over. Hopefully they'll quickly grab it and be on their way.

Bonus points if you can have it explode when they drive off.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Have decoy wallets, phones, cash etc you can just hand over. Hopefully they'll quickly grab it and be on their way.

Bonus points if you can have it explode when they drive off.

Heh, Samsung! Dial the phone, ring! ring! *** BOOOM! ****

 

[Ns1]

Nope. I live in yuppietown. If muggers tried it here the cops would be out in force doing whatever it took, be it visible patrols or bait walkers. They'd probably add rooftop snipers or ED-209s if that failed

https://youtu.be/A9l9wxGFl4k

so that happens after this?

http://nbc4i.com/2016/11/10/video-woman-violently-robbed-in-front-of-her-own-home-caught-on-camera/

 

[highland145]

I did not read one reply to op. Is this actually a thing in America?

Yep and why you need to carry a gun.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

If someone is pointing a gun at you and asking for your wallet, you give them your wallet. Even if you are concealed carrying unless the robber is inept or really not ready to actually shoot, you need to make a quick decision and gamble on that. So it becomes a gamble. With the prize being your life.

So what if you hand them your wallet and they start to run away. Shouldn't you have a right to shoot them after the fact since... A) They stole your property, identification, cash, etc... B) You DID feel threatened, and the threat is not necessarily assumed to be over.

 

[highland145]

Nope. Did feel doesn't count.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Nope. Did feel doesn't count.

They're coming right for us!

No but seriously, let's say in your state you have the right to defend your property - in the scenario I described wouldn't it be justified?

Defence against theft of movable items
You, and anyone who assists you, are justified in using reasonable force in order to prevent someone taking an item of your property, or in order to retake it. You are justified even if the person attempting to take the item thought he or she had the right to do so.

If an item is not yours, and you are not acting under the authority of its owner, then you are not protected from criminal liability in using reasonable force to defend it.

http://www.howtolaw.co/legally-defend-your-property-392240