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Minor Bar Incident

protector84

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
624
Location
Arizona, U.S.
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Recently I was at a nightclub in Scottsdale, AZ which does not have any signage prohibiting firearms. This club tends to have a bit more upscale people and doesn't seem to be a place that has problems. Unfortunately, there are always some idiots out there, people who just can't handle alcohol, or others who simply don't "belong" there.

This man and girl who apparently were a couple were dancing for awhile and then sat at the bar next to me. The girl seemed somewhat friendly as she smiled and said "Hi" but I never really wanted to get into deep conversation since she was there with a date. Anyway, after awhile when it was getting towards bar closing, she can't find hercell phone. She is looking all around for it and I stood up to see if it had fallen. I got the impression that they were getting drunk and they started looking at me funny as if I took it. So I simply started to ignore them. I later go to the restroom and use one of the stalls. Next thing I know the guy is beating onthe stall door threatening me if I don't give back her phone. I told him I don't have it and that I'll be happy to talk about it "in just a moment." Looking through the door crack, the moment he was a few feet back, I bee-lined out of there and went straight to the bouncer who was already arguing with the girl who was threatening to "call the sheriff."

Both of them insisted on having the bouncer search me. This worried me as I was carrying a firearm and although legal I didn't want the embarrassment or the violation of my privacy (i.e. it was concealed). Since I was a regular there and these people were wasted, the management clearly took my side and said "He doesn't have your phone. Leave the bar now." These idiots wouldn't leave and continued arguing with the bouncer. I asked one of the bartenders to escort me to the car which he did. As he was doing so, the guy broke free from the bouncer and started pulling on my shirt and arm to which I spun around and pushed him back and yelled "Don't touch me." He then started fighting with the bouncers and the guy who walked me to the car advised me to leave as quickly as possible because "the police are coming."

Needless to say, I was unhurt, nothing was stolen, and I left without any trouble. The reason I am posting this here is because sometimes the best defense is avoidance. I could have beaten the living crap out of him in the bathroom and I could have even pulled the gun on him in there as nobody else was there to witness it. I didn't really necessarily need the bouncer nor someone escorting me to the car but I wanted to come across as clearly being the "good guy" to the establishment and any law enforcement that may have gotten involved. The guy could have easily ended up in the hospital if I wasn't so friendly or if he had tried this on someone else who wasn't so reserved about "handling it." Just because I carry a firearm for self-defense does not mean I necessarily want to instantly use it or brandish it. It did seem like the establishment handled it properly as well which is what better-class clubs usually do. I could have beaten him up, pulled a gun on him, and everything else but I doubt I would have been let back in the club and it may have been seen as an overreaction by the police had they have gotten there in time.

That aside, I would have not allowed them to search me. I even said, if you think I have your girlfriend's phone, call the police, let the police get a warrant, and then search me. Until then, nobody touches me. Now if Arizona allowed open carry in bars, I doubt this would have ever happened because despite the guy being drunk, usually people aren't so drunk they don't know not to mess with people carrying guns. Now, if the idiot had pulled a knife or picked up a chair, bottle, or other deadly weapon, the gun would have come out and he probably would have been turned into raw meat quickly. Enough said.
 

AIC869

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2010
Messages
105
Location
Prince William Co, Virginia, USA
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Concur. :)

Well played, sir. When facing a threat of force, unless imminent bodily harm or worse is likely, extricating yourself from the situation is always a better choice. It's not a case of "turn tail and run." You already know you have overwhelming force at your disposal, but the force ought to be proportional to meet the threat if it's going to be used.

Besides, if you're a regular, I'm sure the owner would rather keep your business as well as that of the other patrons vs. an incident that would turn a lot of patrons off permanently. Good call on going to the bouncer and having one of the staff escort you. Armed usually beats stupid. Armed AND smart equals a slamdunk. :)
 

Pace

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Joined
Jun 2, 2009
Messages
1,140
Location
Las Vegas, NV
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After leaving NYC, I haven't been to any bar that has bouncers. The best is to avoid those type of bars, but I know that its harder done than said!
 

protector84

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
624
Location
Arizona, U.S.
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I called them "bouncers" but they really are more like "doormen." They are well dressed, stay out of your way and business, and are mainly there just to check IDs and collect the cover charges. They sometimes double as "bar backs" where they will help you find a seat or table to sit down at, find a waiter to come to your table, and occasionally pick up glasses. There are no "heavy handed" bouncer types at all at this place. Again, it is more of an upscale venue.
 

Sonora Rebel

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2008
Messages
3,956
Location
Gone
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Pace wrote:
After leaving NYC, I haven't been to any bar that has bouncers. The best is to avoid those type of bars, but I know that its harder done than said!

Back in my 'yoot'... (heh) 'used to frequent some joints where ya had to show yer razor 'n puke twice 'fore they'd let you in. The kind'a places Charlie Danielsillustratedwiththe Dew Drop Inn scenarioin 'Uneasy Rider'. Deep south... 'swamp country. Always backed into the parkin' spot on those gravel lots... so I'd be nose out to the road just in case. OMG.... it's a wonderI ain't been dead a long time ago.Iiiiieeeeee!

'Betcha XTOW knows what I'm talkin' about.:uhoh:
 
Joined
Aug 20, 2008
Messages
200
Location
Prescott Valley, AZ
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Sonora Rebel wrote:
Pace wrote:
After leaving NYC, I haven't been to any bar that has bouncers. The best is to avoid those type of bars, but I know that its harder done than said!

Back in my 'yoot'... (heh) 'used to frequent some joints where ya had to show yer razor 'n puke twice 'fore they'd let you in. The kind'a places Charlie Danielsillustratedwiththe Dew Drop Inn scenarioin 'Uneasy Rider'. Deep south... 'swamp country. Always backed into the parkin' spot on those gravel lots... so I'd be nose out to the road just in case. OMG.... it's a wonderI ain't been dead a long time ago.Iiiiieeeeee!

'Betcha XTOW knows what I'm talkin' about.:uhoh:
I may be a bit younger than you, old timer, but I got a pretty good idea myself...

Seriously, I've been working with a gentleman locally writing an article about such things -- and one of the points we are trying to hammer into people is that, if it is at all possible, retreat is the best option. Period.

Of course, that's not always possible. But you get the point...
 
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