Broad CCW would end this phenomenon in short order.
If these punks and little cowards knew they could pay for their “flash mob” with their lives they wouldn’t take the chance.
***** “Broad CCW would end this phenomenon in short order.” *****
Open Carry in combination ... Prevention and Solution
TT
An AK with a drum magazine would probably be sufficient to disperse most “flash mobs”. The store clerks could also just step outside, toss in a poud or two of Zyklon B crystals and then lock the doors. That would also take care of the rodent problems prevalent at some locations.
It has been some time since I looked up the stats ...
IIRC, in "shall-issue" CCW states, between 5% and 10% of the eligible population (non criminals over the age of 21) actually bother to obtain the CCW permit. Of those who bother to obtain the permit, roughly half actually carry on a regular basis. There is, of course, regional variability but on average less than 2% of the population in a shall-issue state is actually carrying at any given time and place.
Those numbers need to increase. I don't look forward to being the lone armed citizen in the face of one of these "flash-mob" crimes.
Respectfully, I disagree. The “punks and little cowards” have been around firearms all their lives, many having been on the receiving end of them or knew someone that did. Most urban kids past the age of fourteen don’t see any future for themselves, especially the males, who are absolutely not afraid to fight and die.
If you could get everyone in an urban junior/high school together and ask them them the following questions:
Do you know someone that has shot someone or been shot?
Have you ever been shot at?
Have you been hit yourself?
The answers would alarm and dismay you.
You are talking about a culture where gunfire on the street is regular occurrence, where punishment for offenses is often being shot in the leg, taking the last hamburger or eating all the dark turkey at Thanksgiving will get you shot.
The first flashmob dispersed by gunfire is not the worry, its the second wave and those jokers will be armed. These “youths” are never more than a phone call or text from hard core gang members with “choppahs” (semiauto rifles). These gang members have proven they have no problem firing indiscriminately at anything that offends them. Throw in a racial component and it will get really ugly. Also CCW folk would be well advised that there is always at least one gun in those flashmobs. Many times it’s in the backpack of one of the actors.
My experience? 15 years as LEO in one of the most violent metro areas in the US. I carry two firearms daily, one open, one concealed and I am never more than 50 feet away from a rifle and a shotgun. They are not afraid of me and they aren’t afraid of any white people carrying guns either.
This is only to warn people of who they would be dealing with.
What's also needed is explicit legal recognition that a group of violent people, even if not armed with weapons, constitute a deadly threat which may be met by deadly force.