Posted on 09/21/2012 11:26:58 AM PDT by marktwain
Kentucky’s had a streak of bad luck with armed robbers lately. That might be enough to leave some folks shaking in their boots, but store clerks and business owners are taking matters (and guns) into their own hands.
Garry Thornsberry, the owner of Meta Mart in Pike County, Kentucky, was doing paperwork in the back of the store late one night. Meanwhile, two hooded would-be thieves walked into the mart, with at least one of them carrying a weapon. The clerk working at the front of the store immediately tipped Thornsberry off by saying his name in an odd voice. The robbers weren’t able to piece together that the clerk was calling for help, but of course robbers aren’t known to be the sharpest tools in the shed (but they are definitely tools).
Thornsberry looked at the surveillance feed, spotted the robbers, and immediately went into action. He grabbed his legally-owned firearm and went to the front of the store to confront the robbers. Thornsberry recalls, “I came out and pointed my gun at the one who had a gun. [The robber] raised the gun, and I shot my gun. I know I hit him in the shoulder.”
The robber probably thought that his luck ran out when he felt the bullet pierce his shoulder, but the fact of the matter is that things could have gone much, much worse. First of all, sharp shooter Garry Thornsberry could have easily landed a kill shot with his laser-guided revolver. The shot to the shoulder, as opposed to dead-center mass, probably saved the thief’s life.
It’s also worth mentioning that Thornsberry could have grabbed the rifle or the shotgun that he kept in the back of the store. If Thornsberry had shot the thief with either of those, then the bad guys probably would have left the store strapped to a gurney that night.
Thornsberry added, “I did not shoot to kill but to protect my store, my employees. And to protect myself.”
The thieves ought to write Thornsberry a thank-you note. “Dear Store Owner, I’m sorry for trying to rob you. Thank you for not shooting me with a shotgun. I really appreciate it.”
This story presents us with an interesting case study because the whole ordeal is almost like a multiple-choice quiz. Suppose that you were in Thornsberry’s shoes last night. You spot one hooded figure with a gun, but you can't tell if the other person is wielding a gun. Your employee is also standing a few feet away from the robbers. What would you have done?
First of all, what would you grab?
a) The rifle b) The shotgun c) The handgun d) None of the above e) All of the above, plus the AR-15 you keep for emergencies
And then what kind of shot would you make?
a) A non-lethal shot on the gun wielder b) A lethal shot on the gun wielder c) Any shot you can manage on the gun wielder d) Non-lethal shots on both robbers e) Lethal shots on both robbers f) Any shot you can manage on both robbers
Extra credit: In your own words, share with the class what you would have done differently. And don't forget to finish your homework assignment about gun safety!
A: "That's how many bullets the gun holds."
If it is bad enough to shoot, it is bad enough to shoot to kill.
Rifle. Two rounds each. Minute of bad guy (center of mass)
1. Double-tap, center of mass on the guy with the gun. He's armed and threatening my employee, he has to be instantly and completely incapacitated. Also, my 'target acquisition skills' aren't good enough to be sure of an arm or leg hit with the adrenaline pumping.
2. Swing and cover the second guy. If I can't see his hands and he moves in a threatening manner, I'm afraid he's going to receive a double-tap, center of mass as well. Otherwise he will be instructed to freeze and raise his hands slowly. But he shouldn't be out with the robbing crew if he doesn't want to get shot.
Shotgun. To take their hoods off, I don't like hoodies on in my store.
As for aimpoint - a dead Perp (and accomplice) won't commit the crime again ... won't be a burden on society in jail or the hospital, and, won't sue the store owner in court.
Just my thoughts.
I was once told by a lawyer (back during the Bernie Goetz trial) to always take a kill shot. That way there’s no injured perp to sue you for things like loss of quality of life (HIS) resulting from a wounding.
Shotgun wouldn't be good if there's patrons in the store. Rifle only if no other options.
Shoot to kill, not injure.
Center of mass. No apologies.
Article Sez.. “Perps still on the loose”
Point taken re: rifle over penetration. I should have been specific. I use a .45 ACP carbine for home defense. Probability of hit is much higher with a long gun. At least for me.
A wounded robber can still shoot back.
I would grab my shotgun if it was nearby - otherwise the handgun that is always on my hip. Same for me with shot placement - center of mass to account for all of the variables (motion, adrenalin, etc.).
Also, with two bad guys, and only wounding the one, now you STILL have two potential bad guys to worry about. I’m glad the other punk didn’t have a weapon he was willing to use.
I am dubious. Personally, I think it was just luck (the bad guy's) that he was hit in the shoulder. I highly doubt that in the heat of the moment, the store owner made a calculated decision to shoot him in the shoulder.
As far as making that decision, don't. It's too easy to miss; giving the bad guy a chance to shoot back, and it is a legal liability; the bad guy can sue you for maiming him. That's especially true if you announce to the world that you were trying to do it, like the store owner did.
I am not like him
Point a gun at me or my loved ones and it’s over...I’m not going to act all that compassionate because I don’t know what the actual will be if I am.
If I shoot to kill any harm that may befall me is ended...
Aim better- make sure there is only MY version of the story.
I haven’t seen any follow up on the robber with the wounded shoulder. In that this was three days ago, unless he sought medical help, around about now he might suddenly develop a high fever. If that is the case, he has about 48 hours left on this Earth, all else being equal.
And his odds of survival, with treatment, are fading fast.
Then again, he might be one of the lucky ones who does not get an infection.
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