I have to tell you that I get sick and tired of anti-gunners prattling on how people don’t need to carry firearms and that only police need to carry firearms. And, if their thinking were true, then we could have a conversation about the best way to reduce gun violence.
But a recent story from the gun control capital of the United States (in other words, Chicago), shows that, often, police can’t stop the crime because they aren’t there until after the crime is over. No, a person with a gun who is willing to use it in a moral manner is the person who stops the crime. Dan Zimmerman gives us details of this Chicago story:
As the Sun-Times reports, a 17-year-old tried to draw down (yes, that’s illegal) on a man in the city’s Cragin neighborhood on Wednesday
At 8:30 a.m., the 17-year-old boy and 42-year-old man were arguing in the 4900 block of West Fullerton, according to Chicago police. The boy got out of his vehicle and made threats at the man while trying to yank a handgun from the waistband of his pants, witnesses told police.
The 42-year-old, who has a concealed carry gun license, grabbed his handgun and shot the 17-year-old, according to police.
Just another crime prevented by a law-abiding citizen with a firearm. Something that happens at least 1.1 million times a year in this country.
AdvertisementThe boy was charged with a felony count of unauthorized use of a weapon and a misdemeanor count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to police.
Yet another instance where a law-abiding gun owner, legally carrying his firearm, prevented a violent crime from happening. Yet, you didn’t hear about this in the mainstream media news, did you? No, and you probably won’t because it doesn’t fit their anti-gun narrative.
But that doesn’t change the fact that legally carrying a firearm is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones. Yes, even in Chicago.
It’s ONLY common sense, that’s NOT taught in schools, but learned in real life!!
As a CCW holder in the state of Idaho I do not go anywhere without my handgun just for this kind of problem. It may have been better not to get in the argument in the first place.
While not uncommon, if the bad guy is armed he has the advantage of the element of surprise. Let’s not forget that.
I only have one gripe with the story – the gun did NOT commit any crimes, the 17 year old punk did. The anti-gun crowd loves for us to use their terms – it minimizes the personal responsibility and accountability of the crook and places it on an inanimate object.
The man needs target practice if the ratbag kid lived.
A very refreshing story where the Attacker was charged with crime instead of the Defender. And in Chicago, no less! I was very pleasantly surprised.
Unfortunately, i have read story after story about where it was the Defender, not the Attacker, who was charged with crime.
Don’t fire any warning shots. One Defender was charged with Felony Endangerment and had to give up his guns.
Another Defender used Bear Spray to disable an Attacker and was accused of some felony. $8000 in lawyer fees later, the charges were finally dropped.
These are only two of the more recent horror stories where the Defenders where charged with crime, often worse than any charges against any Attacker.
I guess it is best to be armed with a good lawyer, no matter how U defend yourself, or a loved one, or even innocent people who are under attack. And i don’t trust district attorneys either.
When I was on the Sheriifs Department, I would tell the citizens I could not be everywhere. Once in a while I would get lucky and actually be somewhere where I could prevent a crime, most of the time I arrived after the fact. The bottom line is you need to be prepared to defend yourself, as an LEO I did the best I could!! However at times I was at least 30 minutes out, and that was running hard with lights and siren.
I like the fact at the “Mature” “Legal” “Concealed Carry” didn’t over react and kill the kid, just took the legs out from under him.
The news media couldn’t find wrong doings, though I bet they tried. They have a lot to answer for, for it was stated ” Thou shalt not Lie, and condemn the innocent”.
Jonathan, What you said is sad but true… One help is available, if you are an NRA member, they now offer extremely reasonable CCW insurance to offset what can be unbelievable costs following lawfully using a weapon. (as a side note: If one owns any type of weapon, one should belong to the NRA, the oldest civil rights organization in America)
Kenaijohn, NRA since 14 years old and BSA camp!
It is always good to see the good guys win. The defender who used bear spray in the above scenario would have had his legal battles fought for him by a lawyer provided by the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) if he had been a member. I have carried concealed for over 40 years, but it is only since I joined the USCCA a few years ago, that I carry pretty much worry free. Unlike another popular legal program, which will protect you if you use a firearm to defend yourself, the USCCA will represent you no matter what legal weapon you use for your defense.
BTW, as a retired city police officer, and retired air force cop, I firmly believe in the concept of escalation/de-escalation in the use of force. That is why when I am out and about, I always carry a sturdy walking stick. Nice folks see a 71 year-old, gray-haired gent with a cane. Thugs give me that knowing look of “better not mess with this guy”, not even knowing what I have concealed under my shirt. I highly recommend the “Walkabout Walking Stick” from “Cold Steel”. Heft it once and you will be a believer.
As a disclaimer, I receive no compensation from the USCCA or Cold Steel. However when I believe in something I like to share with other like-minded people.
Howard’s recommendation of a “walking stick” is very good, providing of course that the implement is sturdy enough to represent a visible threat. My “walking stick” has a metal handle and a metal, pointed tip both ends of which have their specific purposes. This proved to be of considerable assistance on a subway one night when two of NYC’s worst, decided that an elderly gentleman who was sitting by himself would be an easy target. One went home with broken teeth and the other with a hole in his instep. An appropriate “walking stick” avoids all of the unnecessary police paperwork and possible legal fees that go with the use of firearms. On the other hand, if the situation escalates, a “walking stick” that has a built in .38 is even better.
It is more serious to have the firearm (felony) than it is to assault another person (Misdemeanor). I see some of the problems with the violence problem in Chicago. It is too bad the licensed carrier was not using enough caliber to end this felon’s career permanently.
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