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Atticus

(15,124 posts)
Mon Jun 22, 2020, 06:57 PM Jun 2020

Seriously, if someone points a real but not loaded pistol at you---or even a realistic "toy"

pistol---, that constitutes an assault and you are legally entitled to defend yourself against the perceived threat.

So, now imagine that this same person---without a mask of any kind--- confronts mask-wearing you in a checkout line and repeatedly crowds you in violation of social distancing. Then, when you ask them to back up, they refuse, ridicule you for wearing a mask and start intentionally coughing at you.

I'm sure there are several ways to handle that situation.

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Seriously, if someone points a real but not loaded pistol at you---or even a realistic "toy" (Original Post) Atticus Jun 2020 OP
One word, MACE Ferrets are Cool Jun 2020 #1
I believe one would be justified. sop Jun 2020 #3
Chain mace? n/t Harker Jun 2020 #4
The best way to handle it that I can think of The Velveteen Ocelot Jun 2020 #2
I returned some equipment at a UPS Store today... Buckeye_Democrat Jun 2020 #5
Point your pistol at him and tell him to back off? malthaussen Jun 2020 #6

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,278 posts)
2. The best way to handle it that I can think of
Mon Jun 22, 2020, 07:06 PM
Jun 2020

is to run away as soon and as fast as possible; anything else is likely to involve prolonged contact with the person.

Buckeye_Democrat

(14,847 posts)
5. I returned some equipment at a UPS Store today...
Mon Jun 22, 2020, 08:00 PM
Jun 2020

... while wearing my N100-rated elastomeric mask, with a large cloth mask on top of it to help block the mask's exhalation valve.

Another customer, an angry-looking white guy, stared at me the entire time with contempt on his face. We were at different counters across from each other.

He never said a word, though. It seemed like he was on the verge of ridiculing me, opening his mouth for a second before closing it again, but he realized that I was much bigger than him.

By the way, here's a NYT article about the elastomeric masks that many hospitals don't even use despite their effectiveness:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/27/us/coronavirus-masks-elastomeric-respirators.html

malthaussen

(17,066 posts)
6. Point your pistol at him and tell him to back off?
Tue Jun 23, 2020, 01:12 PM
Jun 2020

Sounds like a clear and present danger to me. Why should the other guys get to have all the fun?

-- Mal

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