WALMART and Safety personal experience

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Recently while driving back to FL from Salisbury, MA because of a family emergency we had the dreaded knock on the door at 2 in the morning. Only it wasn't a knock it was a pounding. We were at the MGM Casino at National Harbor MD. He was a big guy standing all alone. I do have a pistol, but normally wouldn't bring it out unless there was an emergency (lucky decision on my part my DW and I both have concealed carry permits from FL and they are not recognized in MD). A moment later a MD state trooper stepped into view. The big guy was casino security (no uniform) telling me we couldn't overnight there. I explained we had permission from another security guard at 9 pm and we had been playing and drinking in the casino. He called the hotel and verified that information and left us alone and I could hear him pounding on door of the 18 wheeler near us. First time in four years that we ever had a problem dry camping anywhere.
 
Bill N said:
  I would not open the door but may display the pistol in the window next to the door.

I'm a firm believer that if the pistol comes out, it won't be for show. If the situation has progressed that far, someone will be getting a double tap. That's just me though, other's may have a different opinion. Displaying the pistol in a window next to the door won't help much if the other person is armed. The doors and walls of an RV will slow down a bullet from them, but I wouldn't depend on it stopping the bullet.
 
kdbgoat said:
I'm a firm believer that if the pistol comes out, it won't be for show. If the situation has progressed that far, someone will be getting a double tap. That's just me though, other's may have a different opinion. Displaying the pistol in a window next to the door won't help much if the other person is armed. The doors and walls of an RV will slow down a bullet from them, but I wouldn't depend on it stopping the bullet.

X2

In the CCWP class, they kept Stressing..

Do Not Display Your Weapon Unless You Have Been Committed To Use, Or Fire It.

I once pulled an embedded BB out of our Fiberglass Boat (shot to low at a Crow), so I don't think an RV wall would stop anything, either.
 
I have pepper spray over the door, one item of concern is my door window is frosted can't see in or out, thinking of changing it, Thoughts? Have not had a problem to date.
 
I guess I'm just gonna die since we don't carry a gun or pepper spray. Must be something I could use as a weapon. Be my luck the intruder would close the assist handle and we would be stuck in the RV until help came.
 
Oldgator73 said:
Be my luck the intruder would close the assist handle and we would be stuck in the RV until help came.

I almost did that to Deb one morning when I left for work. I'm sure you figured out enough about her, that you know that wouldn't have gone over very well. ::)
 
kdbgoat said:
I almost did that to Deb one morning when I left for work. I'm sure you figured out enough about her, that you know that wouldn't have gone over very well. ::)
I was just looking at Pinterest and there was a pin there that showed how to fix that problem. Maybe I should post that here.
 
JFN said:
I have pepper spray over the door, one item of concern is my door window is frosted can't see in or out, thinking of changing it, Thoughts? Have not had a problem to date.

JFN
In 2005 I ordered a pane of tinted tempered glass to match the windows in my coach and replaced the frosted glass in my entry door...(but not because I had a problem).
 
TonyDtorch said:
around here,.... the 24 hour Walmarts have become magnets for homeless people living in their cars out in the busy parking lots.

They often stand out in front with small children and panhandle money,  They eat at the McDonald's and use the restrooms to take "Bird baths" in.

It hurts me to see children and families living like this ...  and for that reason I don't patronize Walmart. 
200mb

Those people are probably Wally's  employees.
RichH
 
aguablanco said:
200mb

Those people are probably Wally's  employees.
RichH

You and Tony DTorch seem to have a pretty broad brush you got there buddy.  I have over 11 Walmarts within 25 miles of my home and never seen any like you describe.  Their security people are pretty good about keeping that stuff minimized. Plus you seem pretty quick saying that Walmart employees are the ones being described.  Easy to criticize.  Must be one of those RV owners who think they are better than the working man.
 
there is a big difference in Walmarts here in Ca...

the Walmart I went to in Laguna Hills,  was different than the Walmart I saw in Inglewood.

and you can't boon-dock in the Laguna Hills one.
 
TonyDtorch said:
there is a big difference in Walmarts here in Ca...

the Walmart I went to in Laguna Hills,  was different than the Walmart I saw in Inglewood.

and you can't boon-dock in the Laguna Hills one.

Agreed.

Most all of the Big Box stores and Shopping Centers here in the I-5/SR99 North/South corridor.. No Problem with Overnighters.

ALL the ones along any part of the Central Coast (SR 1 & 101).. anywhere near the Beaches.. are ALL posted: No Overnight Camping, or No Camping. Rightly So (?).. their parking lots would be FULL of campers skipping any camping fee's ? City revenue's too ?

On Edit: Anywhere NEAR a Beach area (say 10 miles).. even a Wide Spot in a road will have a sign saying: No Camping. 
 
TonyDtorch said:
there is a big difference in Walmarts here in Ca...

the Walmart I went to in Laguna Hills,  was different than the Walmart I saw in Inglewood.

and you can't boon-dock in the Laguna Hills one.

Correct me if I am wrong Tony, as I remember it, you can not get a big rig into the Laguna Hills parking lot! Entrance too steep and twisty!
 
RebelWithoutAClue said:
  But spoiled suburban kids...they just want to see the world burn because that's how bored and narcissistic they are.

Off topic but this reminds me...

In the mid 1990's I had an old 1976 class C that I took my kids camping in regularly. I managed and resided at a very high end apartment complex in a very well to do town. I had a great storage spot for my rig by our garages.

It was New Years Eve, 1999. I rung in the New Year with my kiddies and we all went to sleep. Shortly thereafter I heard a loud knock on my apartment door. It was the fire department notifying me that a vehicle was burning on my property. I threw on my carhart coverall, ran outside and discovered it was my beloved motorhome burning.

Unfortunately the fire department put it out and did not let it burn to the ground. No one would tow it to scrap in its maimed condition. I had to personally demo the thing down to a flatbed truck to dispose of it. Some of the most distasteful distressful work I have ever done (and I have done alot of dirty jobs!)

Upon investigation, a side window was broken out and an incendiary device tossed into my rig. Local spoiled rotten kids attempting to entertain themselves on New Years Eve.
 
NewmanRacing said:
Correct me if I am wrong Tony, as I remember it, you can not get a big rig into the Laguna Hills parking lot! Entrance too steep and twisty!
Not really, I just take the 405 fwy to Alicia parkway and it's a 4 lane road all the way to the entrance of the Walmart parking lot. 
 
Here is what I think I can do,,
1. Since I have a small Class C, just get in the driver seat and pull away
or
2. Dont respond and see what happens
or
3. Respond and give them a small amount of money like $5.00, explaining that I am poor and don't have cash.
or
4. dial 911

1. If necessary, and that option is always on the table.
2. This too, although it may not always work.
3. NEVER!!!!!!
4. Also if necessary, but realize it may take them a while to arrive, and you may need to exercise option 1.
5. Tell them "not interested" no matter what they ask or say, even if it's off-topic. If they persist, bluntly tell them "go away." Never explain your reasoning, or pretend to have an ounce of interest in their story. That guy was doing a hustle, and because he got $10 (regardless of whether his story convinced you) means he won the hustle.
6. Consider having some defensive options available.
6a. For guns, a handgun is most concealable, storable, and maneuverable. A "pistol" length AR15 is also a good option, but a little less maneuverable, and perhaps more difficult to store. Gun laws vary from state-to-state too. Ideally, you never "pull" a gun on someone, it's just your backup plan.
6b. You may also consider having some "gel" pepper-spray, so it doesn't blow back in your RV. The pepper-spray is by far the cheapest, and perhaps having a few in areas you can easily reach, such as if someone breaks in while you're sleeping.
 
To the OP that is long gone. DUMB move for sure.
I had a gangsta try to steal a bike off the back of my camper at night. I told him to leave before I did something I would go to jail for. I had to put bike inside as he cut the cable (never use braided cables = worthless), but then I went back to sleep.
Dogs will poop in the yard, its what they do, but then they mosey on away. Its the same with gangstas but they are the poo I guess in this example, so not sure who the dog is. Metaphors only go so far.
You don't need weapons. No police. No being scared. Just say "go away" and that is that. If they were going to rob you they would not knock.. They are the same people at the gas stations or the city corner who are asking for money, or the gangsta at the theater concert parking area trying to get you to pay them for the free parking "I'll look abber yo car fo ya".
Just say, "no thanks".
They are there to scam you and make you willingly give your money to them, not to steal in the vast majority of cases.
Best to just not answer.
This was not in a walmark lot. I have never had issues in walmark lot, but then my big 4wd truck is scary enough to make them move to the next sucker.
 

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