The incident
A few weeks ago, the Mrs. was at a local shopping center (with Junior ) loading some stuff into the car. A nice elderly gentleman offered to help her load stuff. She thanked him and he helped, while Junior played in the buggy. He then asked if he could hold Junior. The Mrs. said something to the effect of I don’t know you well enough, so, no, you cannot hold my baby. He insisted that he had no ill-intent and just missed his grandchildren. He then placed his hands on Junior as if to pick her up. The Mrs. then snatched Junior up and told the man No again and put Junior in the car. She watched as the old man walked to a car and got in the passenger’s side and was driven off by someone else.
Odds are, the guy really did have no nefarious intent and that he really did like kids. But who wants to take the chance that he would pick her up, hop in a car, and off they go? The same reasoning for why you shouldn’t pick up hitchhikers, sure most just need a ride but who wants to take a chance that the person is an ax murderer.
The Mrs. was understandably distraught for a few reasons: that the baby was almost potentially abducted and that she was not prepared to deal with that situation in terms of how to stop it if it happened; and that she may have just offended some older guy who really just misses his grand kids. She wondered if she would scream, give chase, yell, hit, or whatever else in the event someone was actually trying to run off with the baby.
I had recommended to the Mrs. before that she get a concealed carry permit and she never liked the idea. After this incident, her attitude about that changed a bit and she’s sort of warmed up to the idea (though she hasn’t committed). Amazing what motherhood can do. As big a gun nut as I am, the Mrs. has only been with me to the range a couple of times. I think it’s time I get her back out there.
May 6th, 2005 at 10:36 am
There’s a very good reason I keep my carry permit (and several out-of-state non-resident permits as well) up-to-date. Not to mention spending multiple hundreds of dollars on a suitable carry weapon. And countless hundreds on ammo and range time.
Well, there’s two very good reasons, actually…
Glad to hear nothing came of it. Also glad to hear Mrs. Unc is considering becoming a pistol-packin’ mama… S&W has expanded their LadySmith line, BTW…
May 6th, 2005 at 10:56 am
May I make a suggestion here as my wife has had her permit and tons of range time to determine the best carry weapon for her personally. We ended up with the Bersa .380 due to the light weight, perfect fit for a small hand, and the overall punch. She held my Ruger P89 custom and she just as well been trying to hold an anvil in front of her. Also after reading reviews and the fact that there are a ton of US law enforcemnt officers carrying the Bersa as their back-up weapon it was noted that it has a 89% first shot stop ratio. I feel safer knowing that she is protected and has the ability and confidence to protect herself and the kids if the need should arise. Good luck Uncle, and tell the misses not to feel bad about the old timer, better safe than sorry.
May 6th, 2005 at 1:37 pm
I live in a big city and have no small children. But I do shop a lot, and I have rarely offered to help someone load items into their car (only at Home Depot). And I’ve never seen an elderly person offer to help someone in that regard.
But groceries (assumed from shopping center)? An elderly man? No.
That’s wrong. If he misses his grandkids he should buy a plane ticket to wherever they are.
I’m trying to think what she could have done with a CW if he had just pushed her and grabbed your child. She might not have shot at him if he had was holding junior. Perhaps she would have been able to use it to threaten him to stop. A larger weapon would be more likely to prevent her from firing out of fear of hitting the child via penetration. So a smaller weapon would be more likely to be used.
I am not charitable in situations like that, I assume nefarious intent. I would have reported the license plate and descriptions to the local police.
May 6th, 2005 at 3:49 pm
It sounds to me like she handled it just fine.
May 6th, 2005 at 3:50 pm
It also sounds to me like the old man was up to no good.
May 6th, 2005 at 9:09 pm
Uncle, one approach Mrs. Earthling and I have taken with the little Earthling is, if an odd person comes up, we just say “He’s been sick and we’d hate for you to get anything.” That often gives enough pause that you can assess the situation.
95% of people are totally harmless, about 4.95% of people are idiots, and might cause some harm to the baby with no ill intent, and 0.05% justify a gun.
May 6th, 2005 at 10:46 pm
Did you contact the police? If this guy was up to no good, there’s a good chance he might try again with someone else.