The other business that I "used" to go to, get one of these
Posted on 05/22/2004 6:42:53 AM PDT by TERMINATTOR
Separated by several states and an obvious cultural gap, two recent stories about crime - one from Ohio and the other from Oregon - perhaps best illustrate why a growing number of American citizens have concluded that the police can't protect us, and neither can gun control laws or anti-gun corporate policies.
Police were quick to apprehend a suspect in the May 4 armed robbery of a Dairy Mart convenience store in Akron; perhaps much quicker than many Ohioans were able to grasp why so many of their neighbors are arming themselves, getting licenses to carry concealed handguns, and choosing not to shop in establishments that ban their legal firearms.
Clerk Mustapha Taoufik was struck in the head by an armed bandit who ignored the sign posted in the glass double door of the Dairy Mart on West Market Street. That's the sign warning customers: "No Weapons. Pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code, no person shall knowingly possess, have under the person's control, convey, or attempt to convey a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance onto these remises. A valid license does not authorize the licensee to carry a weapon onto these premises. Violators will be prosecuted!"
That sign certainly did Taoufik's head, and the nerves of six unarmed customers in his store at the time, a lot of good, didn't it? Such signs are being posted by gun-phobic businesses in Ohio, Minnesota and elsewhere. They accomplish two things: They tell law-abiding firearms owners that the management thinks social bigotry is okay, when practiced against armed citizens, and they alert thugs to a risk-free environment.
In the Buckeye State, a group called Ohioans for Concealed Carry has established a "Do Not Patronize" list on its website of businesses where armed citizens are not welcome, and neither, evidently, is their money. Smart economic move, turning away potential customers simply because they choose to exercise a civil right; they might as well post signs reading: "Gun-Free Zone. Armed robbers welcome. Come in, plunder, and assault anyone because nobody will be able to stop you."
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Meanwhile, out in Scappoose, Oregon, a woman identified as Sheryl Fitzwilliams won't be calling the police anymore. She tried that once, on May 8, and it took more than two hours for her town's only cop on duty to respond, even after some guy tried to break into her home before she screamed and he fled. She was at home with her daughters at the time.
Fitzwilliams put her indignation tersely: "I do have an armed neighbor. And from now on, that's who we call. We do not call 911."
Fitzwilliams has a keener perspective than the management of Akron's Dairy Mart, but still hasn't figured out that her safety is not the neighbor's responsibility, it's hers. Instead of counting on police, stupid signs, or armed neighbors, Fitzwilliams should visit the nearest gun shop and take a self-defense course.
Or, maybe she should just get herself elected to the Scappoose City Council, and follow the example set by Chicago Alderman Arenda Troutman, who lives on Chicago's South Side. Her home having been burglarized twice in recent weeks, Troutman reportedly demanded-and received at a whopping $366 per day cost to the taxpayers-individual police protection of her home. A patrol car is parked outside her house several hours a day on Saturday and Sunday, and beat cops have been ordered to check her property on every shift, every day of the week.
Troutman's arrogant justification for this elitist treatment: "Deserve it? Damn right. I should receive the protection I am receiving. I am an elected official." Well, we're all impressed.
Chicago, incidentally, is a city in which the average law-abiding citizen can't buy a handgun, much less legally carry one for personal protection.
Anti-gun signs, like restrictive gun control laws and the pontifications of those who support both, do not prevent crimes, nor deter criminals. Elitists who get special police protection deny it to everyone else in the process.
It is refreshing that in a society where so many have flocked to the false promises of gun control laws and stupid warning signs, an increasing number of sensible American citizens have decided they are not sheep.
A robber entered a busy West Market Street convenience store Tuesday and struck a clerk in the head with a gun before fleeing with the store's cash.
The holdup occurred about 10:50 a.m. at the Dairy Mart at West Market and Rhodes Avenue, just east of the Highland Square area. Six customers were in the store when a hooded man walked in and pointed a handgun at the clerk, police said.
"I was at the lottery machine and had just rung something up for a customer when he showed me his gun,'' the clerk, Mustapha Taoufik, recalled later. "He put the gun in my face and said, 'Open the register and give me all your money.' ''
Taoufik worked nervously to punch buttons on the register so it would open. Once he got the register to cooperate, he started handing over the money.
The robber raised his gun.
"He knocked me in my head with his gun and then took the rest of the money,'' Taoufik said. "Sometimes (robbers) are not satisfied. They want to hit somebody, too.''
When the gunman walked out of the store, he headed north across Merriman Road.
"He left really cool,'' Taoufik said. "He was not in a hurry.''
Later, on nearby Charlotte Street, police found a purple Chevrolet Cavalier believed to be connected to the robbery. Officers took pictures of the car and had it towed away.
Police charged Edward Morton, 23, of Cuyahoga Street with aggravated robbery. He was being held at the Summit County Jail on Tuesday night.
Taoufik was struck hard enough to draw blood. He was treated for the injury at Akron General Medical Center.
The store owners declined to be interviewed about the incident. They said they didn't want "negative publicity.''
Commentary: If they didn't want negative publicity, the owners should never have made this store a disarmed victim zone.
Molon Labe!
I have a question. The author stated that Ohioans for Concealed Carry have a list of businesses that dont allow weapons on their premises. Does anyone know if there is such a list for Minnesota? I know the Land O Lakes feed plant in Detroit Lakes has such a sign in their office window. I would prefer to spend my money with those who choose not to undermine my rights. Thank you
About 37 states now have "shall issue" concealed carry laws and at least 9 other states allow some form of "may issue" ccw's. The sky has not falllen, blood has not run in the streets and every negative thing the anti gun crowd trumpeted has not happened. Best of all, these facts (or lack of facts) are undermining the anti's efforts to push more gun restrictions.
Certainteed roofing shingle plant in Shakopee does too.
The only "weakness"in the M-1 Garand was that you could'nt"top off" the magazine.You had to empty the weapon in order to insert a fresh clip of eight-rounds.Great rifle despite this!Our enemies in WWII were still largely armed with bolt-action rifles which were(for the most part)excellent(Mausers,for example),but they could not match the fire-power of a rifle-squad armed with Garands supported by BARs!!
I absolutely agree with you!These people who impute magical powers to inanimate objects(Guns)are living in a fool's paradise!!Belgium was neutral in WWII.I guess we need the History Revisionists to re-write what happened to them in WWII!!!
A ping to an increasing number of sensible American citizens have decided they are not sheep.
Stay Safe !
One of the neatest features of the M1 Garand is it's low profile, really nice for the prone position. You'd have to dig a hole for that 30 rounder. No mag hanging out the bottom on the M1 Garand. Just keep your elbow down while reloading!
After a stabbing and shooting incident around the house I was talking to the investigating deputies about the incident. Both stated that the people were getting tired of the criminals and the legal system. Although it wasn't said I got the impression of "olde time" justice being talked about (not this case) and the deputies weren't happy.
Here's yer sign.
LMAO.
bttt
The other business that I "used" to go to, get one of these
I've always loved the M1.
It just feels right!
It takes a little practice to shove that clip in there without worrying about losing your thumb in the process.
I'll have another M1 someday, but it won't be one of those special made Springfields.
They have a tendency to blow up.
I'm going to get some of those printed....with your permission, of course.
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