You handled it well. I would have demanded a polkic epresence just in case it ever escalated or if it happens again.During a gun show while I was behind my tables talking to a door guy a customer approaced one of my tables and picked up one of my fisxed blades and was looking it at in a weird way and also making strage looking faces at the same time. This caught my attention as with the door guy and we both kind of gave each other a look like what is wrong with this guy? The customer then walked over to one of the other tables and picked up another knife and had that same weird look and then asked me this weird question " What would I do if a psycho cmae in and stuck me with this knife" I said "what'? He said what woul you do if I stuck you with this knife? I was stunned thinking did I hear this guy right, is this in his right mind, man this guy sure is wierd , why would this guy ask me that? All of this is running through my head. Then he puts that knife down and walks around to where now he is right in fornt of me and only 2 to 3 feet away. He pikcs up one of my kabars and and asks me again wwhat would I do if he was to stick me ? The door guy then back away from the table a little which made me even more scared. I am thinking man if this man is scared I should take this nut seriously. I knew my gun was in my purse at my feet on the floor. I backed up just a little and pulled my gun out and held it by my side in my hand. He laid the knife down and told me to draw and told me he would stick me before my gun would go off. I never pointed the gun at him at any time. I just wanted him to kow I had a weapon. All I could think of was I need my gun I need to protect myself wagainst this psycho. The promoter came and the guy said he was jsut joking and I and Brad who by then had showed back up at the tables told him that was not funny and you dont joke around any kind of weapons at all. The guy was not asked to leave and was not banned from future shows at this location even though I had a witness that was an employee of the promoters. The door guy said that the customer threatende me with my knife and I felt the need to pull my gun out. Just to let you know it was not so much what he waysing to me but also the look this guy was getting on his face. He went to 2 of my tables and every knife he picked asked me what would I do if he was to stick me with that knife? Why would any man come to a gun show and ask questions like that? I dont find it normal or funny at all. When I saw the reaction fromt eh door guy I felt like I need to respond and quickly and I woudl ahve to defend my self alone to this guy. I carry a gun for self protection and I felt the fear of my life and that is why I pulled my gun out. I would do again. ANytime I fear for my life or that it is threatend in any way form anyone I will pull my gun for protection.
Did I over react? Remember this guy is within 2 to 3 feet of me and with a knife in his hand. He could ahve easily lunged over the table at me and stabbed me. I knew this but I just wanted my gun. I was afraid of this psycho looking guy. I hope this never happens to me again. I also will not tell which show this happened at because it was not the promoters fault and I dont want the show to suffer from any bad publicity at all so please dont ask.
What say you?
Ok...I guess I better give my input on the situation. Unfortunately I was on the other side of the room talking with another dealer when this all went down...I feel a little guilty that I was not there. In my opinion the promoter was wrong in not calling the police and not escorting the guy out and not banning him from future shows. After sleeping on this last night, I had a talk with the promoter this morning. I told him I felt that he did not handle the situation correctly. I told him that the police should have been called and a report should have been made. His response was, "I live here and I know the local police, they wouldn't have done anything". My thought on this was, he was either lazy or didn't want any bad publicity for his show. I then told him I felt he should have made it very clear to the guy that he was banned from any future shows. His response. " I'll just play that one by ear, if he shows up acting crazy then I might not let him in". I'm thinking WTF. So my conclusion is this: Knife Lady and I will no longer be setting up at the TIPTON GUN & KNIFE SHOW!!!!
One thing I will add: I'm very proud of Knife Lady for holding her ground and doing what was necessary to protect herself and I'm thankful that the situation did not esculate into anything worse.
Aren't there police at the show?