Re: [Az-Geocaching] Caching in Tucson Last Night

----- Original Message -----
From: Steven Stringham
Sent: Sunday, January 11, 2004 12:39 AM

Subject: Re: [Az-Geocaching] Caching in Tucson Last Night

RandMan,
I want to thank you for your reply. It was measured, and well thought out,
and good advice.

A firearm is not what I will be getting. Although, I would like a firearm,
I am not a hunter, and I have no real use for one (?). That, and my wife
hates the thought of one in the house. And, since I like my wife a lot
more than I like shooting, for now she wins.
I respect and understand your wifes desire not to have firearms in the house. Everyone has their own levels of conscience and fears when it comes to having weapons in a home. My ex and I enjoyed target shooting (we were not hunters). We belonged to the NRA and were members of the shooting range out at South Mountain. My daughters were raised around guns, frequently shot them and have a deep respect for them. Of course, even though I trusted my children around firearms, I made sure that the weapons and ammo were secure. In our home we felt comfortable around guns.

I was probably being stupid in that part of town at that time of night.
But, maybe not. My wife, really appreciated your comment "You have a
family to consider!". That I do. And I love them dearly. I am surely glad
that he did not have a gun (although he kept muttering about how he wished
he had one).
Steven, you said you are "not a hunter, and I have no real use for one (?)."  Guns are not for everyone!  There are a lot of gun owners that have no business carrying one.  Without the proper training a gun can get you in a lot of trouble.  There are too many hotheads who pull guns out for the wrong reasons.  It's a good thing that the nut you encountered didn't have a gun (you may not be here today had he had one!).  Even though he threatened you with his bike lock, you must have come across to him as someone who was confident and wasn't going to back off from him.  Had he had a gun though, the situation may have turned out differently!  Then you would have had a "real use for one."  
With my situation at 'The Lost Dutchmans Gold!" cache, there was no question in my mind that the two young men were about to rob me.  Because of my actions as they approached, it was enough to put the thought in their minds that I had a gun.               

As for reporting it to the police. I kinda wish I did have a picture of
the guy. Just for that purpose. After all, by raising his bike lock over
his head as if to strike, could he be charged with attempted assault with
a deadly weapon? I don't know. There was a police car that stopped by my
car as I was taking notes about the cache just afterwords. I could have
stopped him and discussed it with him. Instead I just waved, and he went
on. If I did report him, and charges are brought to court, then I would
need to get involved again. Would that make him seek revenge afterwords?
Not a pleasant thought. But, the other side of that is if I don't stand
up, then will the next guy, or the next? For that evening, I am OK, so I
am leaving well enough alone and thanking the Lord for my safety.
I understand your concern about getting "involved" and the "revenge" factor. You're right! if we as citizens don't get involved when we experience a crime then we allow the criminal free reign.

As for being nice to him. I don't know how to utter profanities. They just
don't work out of my mouth. So, by being polite, I was staying strong, "No
sir, I will not!", but still not making him more angry. At least that was
my goal.
Evidently, whatever you said and the way you carried yourself was enough to put doubt in the guys mind.  It worked!  :D    
Rand (RandMan)

Thanks
Steven Stringham
StringCachers
*******************************************************************
Original message (in part) from RandMan. Sent Jan 09, 2004 at 11:45 P.M.
> Steven,
>
> "Penguins In Sonora" must have been quite a rush for you! I'm sure the
> issue with the guy on the bike wasn't about you snapping a photo of him ..
> it was about whether he could intimidate you into giving up your camera
> and running off.
>
> I don't think I would have been as nice as you were to him. Criminals
> like him feed on intimidation and the weakness of their victims. You
> stood your ground and that was enough to dissuade him. Evidently he
> wasn't looking for a confrontation - if he were he would have attacked
> you.
>
> You asked: "with nighttime caching, do I need to reconsider where and how
> I cache?" I think you are the only one who can answer that! How
> uncomfortable did the experience make you feel? Do you have enough
> confidence in yourself to handle someone who may want to get physical?
> Evidently you stood your ground against someone who tried to intimidate
> you; but are you willing to take a chance against someone who may pull a
> weapon? You have a family to consider! If you do decide to do nighttime
> caching alone, you may want to consider carrying a gun for protection.
>
> The individual you encountered may have a history of robbing people in the
> area. I would have notified the police of the situation.
>
> I do want to congratulate you on standing your ground. You did good!
>
> Take care,
>
> Rand (RandMan)
>