With guns and generators, a few homeowners stand guard over neighbourhoods

Canadian Press ^ | September 05, 2005 | Robert Tanner

[RichInOC]

"Last night I had to draw down on some people," Carolan says. A car with what sounded like a crowd of drunken, partying kids came through and stopped.

"I had to come out with a flashlight in one hand, pistol in the other," he says, crossing his arms like an X. "I said: 'Who are you? Do you live here? What are you doing here?' They said, 'We're leaving."

"...Bailed outside and pointed my weapon,
"Just as I thought, the fools kept steppin'..."

[tpmintx]

Thanks for the info. I was not aware of that. It's not like I've had any need to shoot this stuff up. If I need more, I'll know where to get it. Of course, if I need more, I will need it badly.

[bdfromlv]

gives them the fear factor (I thought it was loaded officer)

[VoiceOfBruck]

Just trying to voice my frustration at the situation. I support the the judgment and actions of the guy who's protecting himself & his property, but it's just so unsatisfying that the looters are just going to move on to the next guy, and maybe not be quite as polite.

[VoiceOfBruck]

Well, he could do the unarmed generator owners a favor and gun down anyone who seems to pose a threat. That's a little further than I'd be prepared to go myself.

Me too, most likely.

It's just frustrating that he couldn't do more than just send them on to the next guy. Like maybe disarm them at least. But like I say, I don't want to be a Monday morning quarterback. He acted as he saw fit at the time and hopefully I'll never be in that situation.

The thing that distresses me most about the looting, besides the fact that they're kicking people when they're down, is that they've met with so little resistance.

[papertyger]

... it's just so unsatisfying that the looters are just going to move on to the next guy, and maybe not be quite as polite.

And perhaps "the next guy" won't be so tolerant ;o)

[VoiceOfBruck]

Are you saying he should have shot the looters anyway to prevent them from stealing from an unarmed generator owner?

I'm not saying should or shouldn't. He was in the situation, not me, so I can't judge. I certainly think he would have been justified in doing so, although I'm not sure what I would have done in that situation myself.

I'm saying it's frustrating that in protecting his own life and property, all he's doing to the looters is slowing them down a bit.

[lormand]

"Does anyone have any crime stats in regard to New Orleans. How dangerous of a place is it. A friend of ours went there for their "honeymoon." The husband was found beaten to death and the new bride was found nearly beaten to death. They went there during the Mardi Gras celebration."

"I have heard that it is a very corrupt and wicked place."

You heard correctly. I am lucky to be alive having once lived in New Orleans and growing up in South Louisiana. Of course, when I was old enough to own a gun, I always packed when going to the city.

My pre-Katrina saying goes...

"Show me someone who wants to visit New Orleans, and I will show you someone who has never been there"

[jn665]

"Show me someone who wants to visit New Orleans, and I will show you someone who has never been there"

Wow - that says it all!!!

Maybe that should be the banner over the NO Chamber of Commerce...

[lormand]

" Maybe that should be the banner over the NO Chamber of Commerce..."

No, that should have been the warning from the US State Department, about one of our own cities.