Harpgirl, I was not suggesting, I was asking and you answered. You chose to submit to the required degradation. I have been attacked at gunpoint and with a gun to my head had no option but to do as I was told. Later, I shook my head in wonder at the Monday morning quarterbacks who had all sorts of advice as to what I should have done. It's easy to know when you don't have a fist over your mouth and a gun at your head.

A friend in a similar situation, after turning over his watch, wallet, wedding ring, etc. was severely beaten and left for dead by a gang of teenagers who thought the whole thing was funny. I guess I was lucky.

In my case, having a gun or knife would not have done me a bit of good. I had no opportunity to use it unless I chose to walk the streets with it at the ready. He might have been able to save himself.

My impression is that if you choose to carry a weapon, you had better know how to use it and be psychologically ready to use it or more than likely it will be used against you.

As to weapons at the Getaway - to my knowledge no one there carries without a valid Maryland permit. The only dangerous weapons at Ramblewood are the banjos and some lethal Swiss Army knives with bottle opener attachments.

My question re: meeting deadly force with deadly force would be - was it ever illegal to do it in Florida? Wasn't self defence permitted?