Boy's action 'justifiable', 11-year-old shoots, kills assailant

South Bend Tribune (Indiana) | February 6, 2002 | Gwen O'brien

[Abn1508]

Please note I did not say teach them to shoot

The way this is written it could be taken to mean the kid taking them out to teach them how to shoot.

:-)

Appropriate.

For those who are worried about the kid, there's some indications that he's not affected by the incident significantly. Some percentage of the population would not be, it is probable, from his actions, that he is a member of that percentage.

And, yes, he should get many medals. That was cool, quick thinking. He obtained a weapon, he obtained a serviceable weapon, he either loaded it or knew it was loaded, he put it into service and apparently fired it with care in a high-stress environment. That's damned hard to do for most professionals.

Good job kid.

[harpseal]

Credit or blame for that remark goes to Cap'n Crunch a law enforcement officer with a sense of humor.

Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown

[OKSooner]

I just didn't like the feel of that slide gaining momentum and slapping back into my hand, and my wife liked it even less. Got her an SP101 instead, she shoots 110 gr. Silvertips thru it like a champ.

[Jerry_M]

Memo to ALL of us:

Start training the kids young.
(I started my daughter with a Colt 1908 in .380 at age 4.)

[RogueIsland]

Interesting. My dad has arthritis and he doesn't like it either. I think it's because the recoil, while not large, is quite "snappy" for the reasons you mentioned. I put Hogue wraparound on mine. Seems to be more manageable that way.

[Travis McGee]

It's Rugers for me: the standard model .22 pistol, and 10/22 rifle.

[Travis McGee]

I'm sure he will not be missed.

[Shooter 2.5]

" Now the Kimber Ultra Carry, that's got some kick."

I have a Springfield Armory V-10 Ultra-Carry. I love it and the recoil is very different because of the 10 barrel ports with no muzzle flip at all. That's why I bought it. The only problem is that even though it's my carry piece, It's not allowed in IDPA competition so I have to use a Colt Commander.

[wardaddy]

The NRA oughta set up a scholarship fund for that brave little boy. No doubt, hands sturdier than ours were aiming that pistol as well. Tragic story but what an act of nerve and heroism from one so young. I was well acquainted with guns as well at 11 but was no pistolero for sure....

I salute that boy....he did his poor dead pappy proud.

[Travis McGee]

Yep, and I hope that the local LEOs "adopt him" and help set him onto an upward trajectory to college or the military.

He's too much of a "natural" for the good guys to lose.

And we need lots more like him.

[beowolf]

My friend bought a 232....he couldn't hit squat with it because it was sooo light that it had a relatively nasty kick for a .380....I showed him that he was anticipating the recoil and that was his problem. Now he can at least hit the broad side of the barn!-)

[RogueIsland]

I guess it does take a little getting used to. I can shoot the P232 accurately at 7 yards -- no point in practicing beyond that very much with a small CCW pistol. The Hogue grips definitely help with the recoil. Your friend my have better results with the Walther PPK. It's basically the same dimensions as the P232 but is heavier so it has a tamer kick. I also find it a little more accurate.

[beowolf]

I was able to get all the rounds inside of a 10" circle at about 20'. That's just about the most you can hope for with a gun that light and with that short of a barrel. I does fit in a pocket very nicely, though!-)

[Shooter 2.5]

"I was able to get all the rounds inside of a 10" circle at about 20'."

Keep practicing. You should be able to shoot a 8 inch group at 60 feet.

[beowolf]

LOL...probably true, but it wasn't my weapon. I was just shooting it to see if the problem was the gun, or my friends technique.

My preference is a Colt Commander, with which I can easily do what you describe.

[loudzoo]

I noticed some freepers expressed concern that the boy will feel guilt for taking a human life. I doubt it, he was protecting his mother. Could any one really feel guilty in these circumstances? I am pretty devoted to my mother, and would lose no sleep over any of my actions done in her defense.

[beowolf]

Actually, I think an 11 year old kid would suffer from nightmares/guilt, regardless of their ability to rationalize.

The kid had to do what all soldiers hope not to have to do....without the training and psychological preparation that enables them to live with themselves after being forced to 'play G_d'. Being 'right' doesn't help too much.

Nobody, ever, carries that burden easily. I hope the kid has a good psychiatrist.

[RogueIsland]

I was able to get all the rounds inside of a 10" circle at about 20'. That's just about the most you can hope for with a gun that light and with that short of a barrel.

My dad took me to school last year by casually nailing steel silhouettes at 50+ yards offhand with his Walther PPK one day. The accuracy to be had with a good quality handgun is usually better than the person firing it.