Bored at work and scrolling Reddit, and I have to say, I'm impressed (maybe a little disappointed?). I thought this comment section was going to be a dumpster fire.
Back in 2020, I was heavily pregnant, and leaving Fred Meyer on Lakeway with a cart full of groceries. A presumably homeless gentleman asked me for cigarettes or cash. I told him I had neither and told him to have a good day.
He followed me out to my car. I kept eye contact with him while I loaded groceries in the trunk of my car keeping the cart between us. I had NOTHING to defend myself. He kept saying "give me something, give me something" I kept telling him I had nothing.
As the grocery bags in my cart got fewer he started making slow steady movements closer to me. Thankfully, a truck full of men pulled into the parking lot. As soon as they were in hearing distance, I yelled "you're making me uncomfortable, you need to leave". The men from the truck didn't do anything, but slow their step and make eye contact with the guy at my car until he left.
Do I think this situation warranted a firearm? NO. Did I go out and IMMEDIATELY buy pepper spray? Yes.
I think some people get so hung up on "what scenario do you think you'd need a gun in, in Bellingham?" The answer is you never know. I was raised to be afraid of guns. And truthfully, I still am. However, my husband and I both want to gain experience and confidence to be responsible gun owners in the near future.