"When the Threat Is Real, A Carjacking in Baltimore"

"An Armed Citizen's Account of a Near-Fatal Encounter — And the Legal Lessons You Can’t Afford to Miss"

Facing two armed carjackers on a dim Baltimore street, I drew — but never fired. Discover how situational awareness, calm training, and clear knowledge of Maryland’s self‑defense laws turned a deadly threat into a clean escape. Learn the real lessons every concealed carrier must practice before danger strikes for real.

The Story

Baltimore’s got a pulse you can feel through the concrete. I’ve lived here most of my life, and I know which blocks to drive through with one eye on the rearview. But that night, I got too comfortable. I’d just left my cousin’s place after watching the game — good food, a couple of laughs, nothing out of the ordinary, until I got to my car.

It was parked under a flickering streetlight off Erdman Avenue, the kind of light that makes shadows jump. I unlocked the door, slid into the driver’s seat, and had my hand on the key when two figures appeared — one on my left, one on my right. Fast. Coordinated.

The first guy tapped the driver’s window with what looked like the barrel of a gun, wrapped in a hoodie sleeve. The second one hovered near the passenger door, hand in his waistband.

“Get out of the car. Now!”

My heart was pounding, but I didn’t freeze. That’s because I carry legally, and I train regularly — not just how to shoot, but when not to. And this… this was that rare moment where hesitation could get you killed.

Lesson One: Always have a plan for safely retrieving your firearm. Mine was holstered in the center console, within easy reach but not visible to the naked eye. I didn’t fumble. I didn’t reach fast. I moved like I meant it — calm, controlled, deliberate.

I drew my pistol and raised it just enough to clear the console, keeping it low but firmly aimed at the threat outside my window.

“I’m armed,” I said. “Back away. Right now.”

I didn’t point it out unless necessary. I didn’t threaten. I didn’t scream. That part’s important. In Maryland and most states, you can only present your weapon if you’re facing an imminent threat of serious bodily harm. Two men, one possibly armed, attempting to remove me from my vehicle? That qualifies.

The one at my window froze. The other guy started backing off, still clutching his waistband but unsure of what to do. No shots were fired — because I didn’t need to. Displaying the firearm stopped the threat. That’s the goal.

They retreated quickly, but not at a full run. I didn’t chase, didn’t follow. I locked my doors, pulled away, and drove straight to the Eastern District police station.

Lesson Two: If you draw your weapon — even if you don’t fire — report it immediately. In Maryland, brandishing can land you in court if you don’t justify it adequately. I wanted my side of the story on record before someone else tried to flip the narrative.

The officers took my statement. They asked for my carry permit, which was valid and up to date. They even pulled up recent reports of similar carjacking attempts in that area. Turns out, I wasn’t the first. But I was one of the lucky ones who got away without being harmed or harming someone else.

That night taught me something I now tell every person who asks why I carry:

Your firearm is not a magic wand. It’s your last resort.
You need awareness. You need training. And you need to understand the law in your state.

If I hadn’t practiced accessing my weapon under pressure, I could’ve been disarmed. If I’d drawn it too soon or too late, I might be in jail — or worse. And if I hadn’t understood what the law says about immediate threat, proportional force, and duty to retreat, I could’ve made a legal mess out of a clean defensive encounter.

I still think about that night every time I drive through that neighborhood. I still train. And I still carry — not because I’m looking for a fight, but because I know what it takes to survive one legally and morally intact.

The Lesson: Know the Law and Train for all events

I live in Maryland, where self-defense laws are strict and the legal line between protection and prosecution can be razor-thin. If you carry a firearm, understand this: you are responsible not just for what you do, but for what the law says about what you do.

In Maryland, you can only use — or even display — a firearm when facing an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm. There’s no Stand Your Ground law here. If there’s a safe way to retreat, the law expects you to take it.

That’s why training is not optional. It’s not enough to own a gun or have a permit. You must be prepared mentally, physically, and legally. Practice drawing under pressure. Know your surroundings. And most importantly, know your state’s laws before the moment of truth arrives.

Because when it does, there’s no time to guess — and no room for mistakes.