Good Guys with Guns Stop Bad Guy with Truck

Gun Watch ^ | 15 July, 2016 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

This picture of the truck used in the horrific Bastille day attack in Nice, France shows numerous bullet holes in the windshield.  Presumably, the bullet holes are from police, as it is nearly impossible for ordinary people to legally carry defensive firearms in France.  It appears to be a case of good guys with guns were required to stop a bad guy with a truck.  The latest reports show 73 dead, and scores, maybe hundreds, more injured.  The death toll is likely to rise. From reuters.com:

The paper published a photograph of a damaged, long-distance delivery truck, which it said was riddled with bullets and images of emergency services treating the injured. Social media carried images of those hit lying apparently lifeless in pools of blood, prompting police to ask people to stop such posts.

The driver was shot and killed by police.  He must have been in the truck when they arrived, or there would not have been any reason for the bullet holes in the truck windshield.

Early reports say that the driver also fired at the crowd, and that weapons and grenades were found in the truck.  There are reports of an accomplice.

The man had opened fire on the crowd, local government chief Christian Estrosi told BFM TV, and weapons and grenades were found inside the truck after he was killed.

Early reports are often wrong, but the heavy death toll and the truck riddled with bullet holes make the truck's role clear.

From the view of terrorists, this was a very effective and cheap attack.  It only required one jihadi and the ability to steal, buy, or rent a truck.  I expect copycat attacks in the rest of the world, including the United States.


  ©2016 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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[marktwain]

A couple of heroic French men attempted to stop the carnage, without weapons. One rode a motorcycle and did not succeed. The other managed to get in the cab and fight with the driver, delaying him for precious seconds and allowing the police time to come into action.

[Travis McGee]

I wish that both of them had Glocks.

[marktwain]

They would have saved lives.

[NorthMountain]

Shameless plug:

[red-dawg]

[archy]

A couple of heroic French men attempted to stop the carnage, without weapons. One rode a motorcycle and did not succeed. The other managed to get in the cab and fight with the driver, delaying him for precious seconds and allowing the police time to come into action.

But, but...What can one guy with a rifle do against such a BIG truck?

A: French APAV 40 and AC 58, with a French FAMAS rifle. Other nations' equipments, other flavours.

[archy]

I wish that both of them had Glocks.

A handgun against a truck is a bit of an overmatch. But it sure beats nothing at all.