Posted on 03/10/2012 7:15:04 AM PST by marktwain
The other day, as I was leaving the office, someone asked me if I was going to go blow up more stuff. Before that, I was invited to take six of my female coworkers shooting. I don’t know the first thing about teaching noobs to shoot. I leave that to professionals. And my parents are constantly asking what cool guns I’ll be reviewing next. In short, people have started to pigeonhole me as a gun guy. That makes me uncomfortable, for two reasons. First, I do other things. I’m a food guy, a motorcycle guy, a beard guy, an airplane guy, and an outdoors guy. Second, I consider the gun guy thing a liability . . .
I hope and pray each day that my guns never get used to do anything but ping steel, shred paper and put meat on the table. I hope you feel the same. However, we all know that guy at the gun shop or range who proudly proclaims that he’d be the first to kill somebody if they tried to harm him. He pats his side and dares anybody to mug him. By God, he’s got shotguns in every room of his house. Just try to break in!
One day, that guy might end up actually getting his wish. And once the shock wears off, he can STFU all he wants with the cops post shooting, but he’s going to get crucified in a civil case with the perp’s family.
Mom will get up and cry and talk about how her baby boy was an angel. The perp’s PO will talk about how he was really turning things around. And the final nail in the coffin will be the gun guy’s coworkers and associates. They will take the stand and talk about what a deranged psycho that guy was. How he was basically just waiting to shoot somebody.
True or not, that’s the picture that is going to get painted.
Some of you will think I’m paranoid. Fair enough. Advice is like a penny at the gas station. Take it or leave it. So here’s mine: be a gun guy. But also be an other things guy. Guns are fun, and you can spend your entire life dedicated to being involved with guns and never scratch the surface. But it is easy to get a bit myopic. Pick up another habit for no other reason than to keep up the appearance of not being a crazy gun guy. Even if you are.
Do not make comments on freerepublic, such as "I would shoot the guy on the ground to make sure he was dead."
OR "Make sure your kill him so that there is only one side of the story."
Those sort of comments, if you are ever involved in a real shooting, could come back to cause you serious problems in court.
Absolutely correct.
Gunner
Don’t go looking for an opportunity to shoot someone. Should someone force you to shoot them, shoot them properly.
It can get worse. A neighbor saw me carrying a shotgun case (containing an antique, I hardly go shooting anymore) from my car to my condo.
Guess what, I’m now a `prepper’, by reputation!
Guns always bring out the Wacko's who talk with their emotional quotient rather than intellecticulal quotient, and its always blah, blah, blah, something akin to us being Nazi's.
I love the Constitution of the United Stated; did you ever notice when you say "us, as in a group" you are reference a freedom of association and as such the letters of the Country, e.g., US is just a little "us". Repeat us vs. them, those instead of saying "I" or "we". Have fun with libtards.
We make the mistake OF thinking the Miranda Rights should only be used by the guilty, and that if we are innocent we should just blab away, telling the officer everything we recall - being a good and cooperative witness. That way of thinking is dead wrong, and has put many innocent people in jail, trapped by the legal system.
As much as I respect those in Law Enforcement, (And I do highly), if question by the Police exercise your Miranda Rights even if your as 100% innocent.
Every gun owner needs to watch this video...
DON'T TALK TO THE POLICE
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2855768/posts
Self-Defense Tip: The Three Rules of a 911 Call
This series has long argued that there are two parts to armed self-defense. Defending yourself against a lethal threat and defending yourself against prosecution for defending yourself against a lethal threat. Just as the first rule of a gunfight is have a gun, the first rule for staying out of jail and/or losing everything you own due to defensive gun use is STFU (Shut The F Up). That rule starts from the moment you call the cavalry. Here’s the 411 on 911 . . .
1. Make the call as short as possible
911 operators are trained to keep the caller on the line as long as they can, until the first responders make the scene. You are under no legal obligation to remain in contact with the operator.
By the same token, the 911 operators are trained to extract as much information from the caller as possible. You are under no legal obligation to answer any of the operator’s questions.
Never forget that anything you say on a 911 call can and will be used against you in a court of law. Anything. And the way you say it.
Communicate the basic information necessary: the situation (there’s an intruder in my house/there’s been a shooting), your address, a description of yourself and the medical condition of a wounded friendly (if applicable). After that? Nada. What else do the cops need to know? Nothing. Not a damn thing.
2. Either hang up or put the phone down as soon as possible
Once you’ve shared the key info, either hang up or put the phone down. The former is the best strategy if the DGU is done. The latter is the best option if the situation is in progress.
If you throw the phone down—an excellent idea from a strategic/situational awareness point of view—remember that you’re being recorded.
Use that to your advantage. If it’s safe to do so, yell a warning to the intruder. “The police are on their way. I’ve got a gun. Don’t make me me shoot you.” Over-zealous prosecutors hate that stuff. Juries love it.
Again, it’s not just what you say, but how you say it. If you start swearing, laughing (even nervously) or go for some Clint Eastwood-like line before pulling the trigger, that will NOT work out well for you.
3. Do not discuss the 911 call with the cops
Police/detectives arriving on scene will try to extract as much information from you as possible. The cops may try and use information from the 911 call to get you to talk before you lawyer up. Lawyer up. Tell them “My life was in danger” and “I will answer all your questions after I speak with my attorney.” And . . . that’s it. Nothing else.
Don’t be fooled by 911 operators’ good intentions (which are beyond doubt). They are not trying to get you into trouble. But by God they can.
I know it’s difficult not to tell a helpful stranger anything they want to know in a time of grave danger. But give them the basics and STFU. Don’t give law enforcement and the perp’s lawyer the ammunition they need to turn you from an armed self-defender into a victim of the legal system.
It only takes one liberal jury and judge to seal one’s fate.
It only takes one liberal jury and judge to seal one’s fate.
As has been said before, “Shoot until the target is horizontal!”
Anyone who’s watched a Freddie or Jason movie knows that is absolutely necessary.
Oh, wait! I never talk about them.
Nevermind.
Goodbye.
So will store clerks ......
None of what he said means they have guns. It would be true for someone who doesn't have guns, also.
If someone asks me if I have a gun, I say, "If I had one, I wouldn't tell anyone." Same kind of answer for asking if I know how to shoot.
No, they are NOT becoming in favor of guns.
They are for not being painted as being anti-gun.
They are not in favor of being painted as anti self-defense.
They are not in favor of being painted as gun control nazis.
Too many people from all walks of life are realizing guns in the hands of law abiding people aren’t the problem, they are the solution. Crime data backs it up. Anecdotal stories back it up. To go against such mounting evidence is not in their best interest at keeping power.
They are still rabidly anti-gun and still only believe they and their bodyguards (and criminals) should have guns, not the average lawful citizen.
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