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Flash mobs in an armed populace ? (Vanity)
Self | 8/11/11 | Celerity

Posted on 08/11/2011 1:48:27 PM PDT by Celerity

Thank you for taking the time to read my Vanity post.

A lot of people here, and in my face-to-face world, have mentioned that the mobs, riots and looting that is occuring around the world would take a different path here in the US, in areas where people are allowed to carry firearms, and use them in accordance with both laws and sensibility.

And it's the Sensibility portion of that I would like to discuss.

Everytime I measure and imagine (Simulations!) my response to violent flash mobs or rioters, I come up snake eyes. Here are two of such scenarios that I play out in my mind:

#1 I'm in my local convenience store, buying .. i dunno.. Porn mags and stale cigarettes and gasoline. Suddenly the front door swings open and the place is rushed by 10 or more teens who are screaming, destroying the store and running out with items.

#2 I'm dropping off some things at the post office to mail out. Say, I dunno.. Porn mags and stale cigarettes. An orchestrated attacks begins throughout my downtown area. 50, 100, 200 people start throwing rocks through windows, molotov cocktails, bricks, porn mags or stale cigarettes through store windows, setting fires or what-have-you.

We have heard around these parts how the outcome would be different were an armed populace involved. Well, "Here I am" . Now what ?

At what point in these events will it be both legal, and importantly: Prudent to present a firearm ? In the convenience store example, I have seen as few as 3 people cause so much ruckus that a knife was drawn and a kid was stabbed almost instantly. The kid didn't even know he was stabbed in the chaos. In the riot situation, Hiding or just leaving is the important decision, but are there scenarios that change that play ?

I see innocent people being hurt in riots all the time. But when is it time to draw a firearm and use it? I don't see the immediate danger to myself (Unless I'm the target of the protest, such as at a Union rally).

Help me connect some dots and make a correct decision.

Thanks !

-> Steve


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: 2ndamendment; banglist; flashmob; flashmobs; guns; selfdefense
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To: Ellendra

How true. Most of these “flash mob” fools both FEAR and RESPECT anyone who has a CCW.


81 posted on 08/11/2011 2:58:57 PM PDT by Biggirl ("Jesus talked to us as individuals"-Jim Vicevich/Thanks JimV!)
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To: BwanaNdege
Think through the consequences LONG BEFORE you ever carry a weapon.

Best answer so far! Couldn't have said it better.

Regards,
GtG

82 posted on 08/11/2011 3:00:20 PM PDT by Gandalf_The_Gray (I live in my own little world, I like it 'cuz they know me here.)
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To: Osage Orange
"Maybe it is"?

I would probably make the call that is is, and maybe so would you.
But I have no idea what the actual situation will be.
It may be much less than clear cut.
I may not have a clear shot.
It may be a gang of 10 year olds.
It may be 5 grown armed men with 45's already drawn against my little popper.
There is a DECISION to make, I will make mine but I can't make yours.
I can only pray that I will have enough information and courage to take the correct action when the time comes.

83 posted on 08/11/2011 3:02:38 PM PDT by BitWielder1 (Corporate Profits are better than Government Waste)
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To: call meVeronica
One last thing...........

I tell my girls this....

"Be professional, and be polite. But have a plan to kill everyone you meet."

Now that is sort of funny to them....but it makes them think.

84 posted on 08/11/2011 3:02:44 PM PDT by Osage Orange (HE HATE ME)
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To: BooBoo1000

Tell the 911 operator that you have already shot a perp and see what the response time is.


85 posted on 08/11/2011 3:05:32 PM PDT by dangerdoc (see post #6)
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To: absolootezer0
i believe that if i potentially need more bullets than what are loaded in my gun, i’m in a situation that i should not draw it.

You definitely need bigger magazines!

Regards,
GtG

86 posted on 08/11/2011 3:05:36 PM PDT by Gandalf_The_Gray (I live in my own little world, I like it 'cuz they know me here.)
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To: BitWielder1
Here's what you said..."To save the life of another, maybe it is."

And that's what I answered to.....

87 posted on 08/11/2011 3:10:03 PM PDT by Osage Orange (HE HATE ME)
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To: All

Freeper: “A riot will be different in the US”

Celerity: “Why?”

FR:”Because we are an armed population.”

C:”How? How will being armed affect the outcome?”

FR:”No one would escalate violence when they are surrounded by sensible gun owners!”

C:”How would a sensible gun owner deploy their weapon in any of these violent situations? How, when all appropriate tactics point to ‘run and hide’ or ‘don’t shoot vandals and shoplifters’ will sensible gun owners deter riots or flash mobs?”

Chris Matthews: “A day of legal, constitutional protest was cut down by the crack of gunfire when a tea-party terrorist opened fire on several children today. Children; he thought, were somehow going to kill him. This tea party must be disbanded, arrested and tried in Guatanamo!”

The general, ignorant public as directed by the media: “YEAH! KILL RIGHTY!”

You can see by this back-and-forth, I am looking for a roadmap (of sorts) to see how we can win, before the SHTF. Either way I see it, this is a critical moment in the history of the United States. A turning point.

A righteous shot can’t be attained when the righteous answer to play it cool, and keep to the fundamentals of fight or flight.


88 posted on 08/11/2011 3:12:30 PM PDT by Celerity
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To: Celerity

As they say, you want to create space. Anyone inside that space should be considered there to do you harm. From that point on it’s tactical not legal.


89 posted on 08/11/2011 3:13:11 PM PDT by Recon Dad ("Don't shoot fast, unless you also shoot good..")
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To: Hot Tabasco
I understand and agree the first thing to use is your head.

I see a lot of people that say property can be replace, and it can.

But there are plenty of people that loosing a truck is more than in inconvenience. It would mean loosing their only transportation, then their job, then their means of putting food on the table...

I view someone willing to throw a molotov cocktail throw someone’s truck or home window already decided for themselves their life was worth less than that property.

It doesn't mean they have to lose their life for that, but they might.

90 posted on 08/11/2011 3:17:11 PM PDT by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer)
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To: Celerity
Situational awareness -- continuous scanning is key.

Learn to use reflecting surfaces to monitor what's around you. Know potential hostiles are heading for the door BEFORE they come in.

Identify defensible points in a building when you walk in. Corners, secondary exits/escape routes.

Stay out of windows.

No heroes -- if the mob is flowing past, let it flow. If the looters are looking for merchandise, don't stand in their way. If someone just wants a wallet, they can have it.

One chance -- "Please leave me alone." There. I asked nice. Warning shots are what the SECOND person to go down hears -- just before he goes down.

No "brandishing" or "showing" with a mob. A hostile should see the gun less than a second before it sees the muzzle flash.

That being said, if you are smart enough to get in a defensible position -- have the weapon out but down. You can't outdraw someone charging or pointing a weapon at you.

Once you've pulled the trigger, it's carved in stone. Anyone else reacts by moving TOWARD you is a threat.

Never stop with an empty mag. Even if the threat seems to be over -- reload.

91 posted on 08/11/2011 3:17:42 PM PDT by Quiller (When you're fighting to survive, there is no "try" -- there is only do, or do not.)
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To: Hot Tabasco
I understand and agree the first thing to use is your head.

I see a lot of people that say property can be replace, and it can.

But there are plenty of people that loosing a truck is more than an inconvenience. It would mean loosing their only transportation, then their job, then their means of putting food on the table...

I view someone willing to throw a molotov cocktail throw someone’s truck or home window already decided for themselves their life was worth less than that property.

It doesn't mean they have to lose their life for that, but they might.

92 posted on 08/11/2011 3:17:42 PM PDT by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer)
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To: Celerity

I think the simple answer is that an armed society will not stop the troublemakers from burning down their neighborhoods, it will probably stop them from doing the same in less urbanized areas.

There are areas that I just cannot see a reason to visit and I don’t roam around late at night, I have not seen a reason to employ a firearm since I was young which happened to be when I roamed around in bad areas late at night.


93 posted on 08/11/2011 3:17:51 PM PDT by dangerdoc (see post #6)
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To: LibLieSlayer

I like the way this puts it....

And, on giving warnings before engaging someone, “What are you trying to do? Turn it into a sporting event?”
Ever come across someone you shouldn’t of fucked with, well that’s me

Clint Eastwood Gran Torino


94 posted on 08/11/2011 3:22:33 PM PDT by Recon Dad ("Don't shoot fast, unless you also shoot good..")
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To: GonzoGOP

If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck.


95 posted on 08/11/2011 3:25:14 PM PDT by Recon Dad ("Don't shoot fast, unless you also shoot good..")
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To: Celerity

Let them try that crap in Texas.

“One riot, on Ranger.”

But it won’t be the Rangers that they will have to worry about. CCL adds just the right level of uncertainty to a criminal’s limited thinking - “do I feel lucky?”


96 posted on 08/11/2011 3:27:22 PM PDT by anymouse (God didn't write this sitcom we call life, he's just the critic.)
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To: Celerity; thackney
I live in Texas, and I think it's interesting that only one poster - who lives in Texas - bothered to look at what the statutes say. Ultimately, your opinion or mine on what is 'right' or 'reasonable' or 'justified' is secondary to what the jury might decide, and they are likely to be guided by what the statute says.

So my first advice is: Learn what the laws are in your area and act accordingly. In many jurisdictions (England is *all* this way), there is no such thing as self-defense. Logic, 'fairness', and so on don't matter.

The other thing I tell people at concealed handgun classes is that even if you have a totally justified shooting - by whatever standards apply - you will go to jail. You may get out fairly soon, but you can plan on consuming your entire life's savings on lawyers even if you do get out. It might not happen that way, but you should expect it.

So, to get back to your scenario. Step one: Don't go there. If riots are at all likely just stay away. Go hungry for a day and drink tap water.

If you've been caught by surprise and Step One is not available to you, then escape as best you can, defending yourself or innocent others only if you must . . . and plan on going to jail.

There is no Step Three where you 'help' someone who is not in imminent danger. You are not the police.

But if they come down the street toward my home - some of them with Molotov Cocktails or what I think might be the makings of fire bombs, I'll be barricaded behind my vehicle with my shotguns and pistols, and my wife will be on the reverse slope of our roof with my AR. And I won't be shooting to wound (the shotgun is because I'll have a better chance of hitting a thrown bottle out of the air).

I'll still expect that - if I have to shoot someone - I'll go to jail and lose my life's savings. But there is a line that I won't tolerate others crossing. I'm not a sheep.
97 posted on 08/11/2011 3:28:57 PM PDT by Phlyer
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To: Celerity

“You can’t shoot people for trashing a store and shoplifting. You can’t shoot people for being caught in mob mentality, or for vandalizing property.”

Only recently true, as the commies were able to pass their “hope bag “ of laws.

Have your legislators pass Florida style laws immediately.

As for what America once had on record as per the Founders, “If ever property were not considered semi-sacred, horrid mischief would ensue.”

Note that Horrid Mischief squats in the White Hut, and that his ‘tribe’ is rioting. Pass laws to allow use of lethal force to protect property, if your state does not already have them, and then the problem will go away. Either on its own accord or carried off.


98 posted on 08/11/2011 3:30:07 PM PDT by GladesGuru (In a society predicated upon freedom, it is necessary to examine principles.)
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To: Celerity
This is a good discussion....we really need to consider this after what was done in Wisconsin and now there is scheduled a "day of Rage" for NY and wall street on September 17th

https://www.facebook.com/pages/US-Day-of-Rage/199185230105826?s

99 posted on 08/11/2011 3:30:50 PM PDT by clove (God, Family and Country, the truth will live!)
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To: Celerity

Obviously everything varies by state. Jurisdictions (most recently Pennsylvania) which have a “castle law” typically extend protection (both criminal and civil) to citizens on the street who reasonably fear for their lives.


100 posted on 08/11/2011 3:31:30 PM PDT by denydenydeny (Rage all you want, looters & moochers, but the gods of the copybook headings are your masters now.)
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