Neighbor Robbed

[EdLaver]

So I have a neighbor who has been a good friend for several years but has always been very critical towards me about gun control and my gun collection. We have had debates about why I feel it is important for citizens to arm themselves for defensive purposes whether its in the home or out in public. He believes in gun control and that citizens of a country have no need to own firearms.

Well last night he and his wife were leaving a resturant and was robbed at gunpoint by two thugs. They pistol whipped his wife, took her purse and his wallet along with some jewelry and their cell phones right in the lot in between parked cars. He said that they ambushed them as they were about to get into their car. He told me that he felt defenseless and people were driving by on the feeder of the freeway had to see what was going on and didnt try to help. After the thugs left they had to go back into the resturant to call police and get help b/c the BGs took their cell phones and when police/ambulance arrived and took his wife to the ER for contusions and a possible broken jaw.

He told me that when he saw his wife laying in an ER bed it made him angry because he couldnt do anything and at that moment he decided that there IS a reason to be an armed citizen.

I talked to him this morning for over an hour and he seemed to be a totally different person in perspective to firearms. He wants to learn about them and get he and his wife both concealed permits. I told him there is a lot of training and dedication that goes into being a CCW holder and a new world was about to open up to him.

 

[ArmedBear]

It seems that some people literally have to be pistol-whipped before they realize that they have a head, and start using it.

No, I don't feel sorry for someone who advocates stripping me of my right to self-defense, while allowing thugs to have their way with me and my family, when he experiences the results of exactly what he advocates. I am glad he is alive to learn the lesson, though.

I'm glad you're there to steer him in the right direction.

 

[Tinman357]

This is a perfect example of the real world of gun control. Unfortunately that is exactly what it takes for some people to see through the media bias and wake up enough to think for themselves. It's a rough society we live in and police are outnumbered and bound to the laws of time/distance. We're on our own out here. It's as simple as that.

I've educated quite a few that were open minded enough to listen, But, I'm afraid that many more are going to have to be a victim at the hands of a thug before the illusion of perfect safety in a perfect world cracks and the light of reality becomes evident. The truth is becoming clearer to many fence-sitters and anti's. Criminal activity such as this convert more than I ever could.

I'm glad they survived, many don't. I'm glad the wife retains some dignity, many don't.

Teach them well and be a good ambassador to individual freedom and self reliance.

 

[jnyork]

Teach them well and be a good ambassador to individual freedom and self reliance.
__________________

That.

 

[Kingofthehill]

Similar event happened to me about 7 months ago. Their daughter lives alone now since losing her husband to an IED in Iraq. Dad got her a Security System and a German Shepard for safety since she was alone.

BG kicks the door in, comes after her with alarm blazing and not caring, luckly the dog attacked him and he fled.

THe next day the dad came to me and asked if I would teach them how to handle a firearm and help them pick some out.

that day they got a 1911 for the dad, wife got an XD and daughter got a pump shotgun. Since this was in CA they couldn't get CCW's so they could only get firearms for home protection. the wife and daughter now carry pepper spray when out though.

Sad it takes such an event to make people come around.

JOe

 

[Grassman]

There are numerous things a "liberal" person would do an about face on if it was to ever have a real impact on them. This is a good example of one situation.

 

[Claude Clay]

........a liberal is a conservative that has not been mugged yet

....a jury of my peers will have 3 members who have been mugged
and a judge whose daughter was raped.

first heard said by my dad; since by many others

 

[brassdog]

Same thing happened to me. When I was young, I expressed an interest in guns which was quickly put down by the rest of my "liberal" family. Hence, I grew up shamed (ie: brainwashed) into thinking that gun control was a good idea and that only the government should have them.

Later when I was in college, I had an event while I was robbed while working as a pizza delivery driver that made me reconsider my entire line of thinking regarding gun control and personal safety. Nothing like having the fate of your life being decided over a few bucks because some punks didn't want to do hard work.

 

[mustang_steve]

It's easy to say something is not needed by people until that moment comes that you realized you could have stopped this if you had that which you wished was banned.

Firearms are the great equalizer....giving elderly women the power to stop an attack from even the most powerful of attackers. Even a lowly .22lr has enough potential to put the brakes to a violent situation.

 

[EdLaver]

His wife has about an inch and a half gash on her lower left cheek on the jaw line with bruising and swelling, looks like the scar will be permanent. BG's must have used the trigger guard on an all steel gun. I hate this happened to them...

 

[sheepdog]

...I do, too...having a gun might not have helped him...sounds like they were going to be beaten down then robbed, anyways...glad they're going to recover and have a good friend to help them prepare to defend themselves...and not just tell them "I told you so..."

 

[alohachris]

It sounds like a little situational awareness would have went a long way here.
Someone else already said it, but it's an old joke in Philadelphia:

Q: What's the difference between a liberal and a conservative?

A: A liberal is a conservative who hasn't been mugged yet.

I hope their injuries heal quickly & fully. It's the mental one's that'll take the longest.


Note to self: Carry always. Keep head on swivel while approaching car.

 

[blue_ridge]

No, I don't feel sorry for someone who advocates stripping me of my right to self-defense, while allowing thugs to have their way with me and my family, when he experiences the results of exactly what he advocates. I am glad he is alive to learn the lesson, though.

I think most people are unaware of things beyond the end of their nose. Not just with guns and the constitution, but with everything. How people drive (camped in the left lane, no turn signal, weaving on the cell phone etc), how they vote (no clue what candidates really stand for, suckered in by stupid grade school slogans) and everything else in life. We all need to spend more time considering other people and the ramifications of our decisions. JMHO

 

[kda]

I think most people are unaware of things beyond the end of their nose. Not just with guns and the constitution, but with everything. How people drive (camped in the left lane, no turn signal, weaving on the cell phone etc), how they vote (no clue what candidates really stand for, suckered in by stupid grade school slogans) and everything else in life. We all need to spend more time considering other people and the ramifications of our decisions. JMHO

I'd say our Humble Opinion is "spot on" and well stated.

 

[Leanwolf]

GRASSMAN - " There are numerous things a "liberal" person would do an about face on if it was to ever have a real impact on them. This is a good example of one situation."

Sometimes anti-guns-anti-self defense "liberals" who are robbed at gunpoint and even pistol whipped, etc., do NOT change their minds afterward, but in fact, become even more dedicated and passionate in their effort to have guns banned.

When I lived in Los Angeles, I knew a television producer who was very "liberal" and very anti-guns. He had been robbed and pistol whipped near his home in Beverly Hills. When I asked him if he had changed his mind about being armed for self defense, he was very angry that anyone would be allowed to own a gun. Wanted them all to be confiscated. It was impossible for me to even open a logical discussion with him.

I know a "liberal" teeveee writer who had the same experience and has the same view. "Ban 'em all," he says. His attitude is not that unusual.

Soooooo, you never know. Some anti-guns victims will wake up and see reality; others won't and become dedicated to destroying the Second Amendment.

Hope the woman and man who were robbed and assaulted get lots of good training with their firarms and then practice "situational awareness."

L.W.

 

[mustang_steve]

The ones that take getting harmed then think they should still do nothing, but the offender needs more harm, or others should lose liberties for their safety are simply very confused.

I've found those individuals either have some serious coaching to get like that, or simply have too rosy an outlook on things to think enough like a criminal to understand how they work. Perhaps it's that I'm a massive pessimist, but I look at things at it's worst, prepare for that to the best of my resources and abilities, all while hoping for the best.

 

[Jeff82]

Lucky that's all they wanted. Now smack him on the head for being a stubborn jerk his whole life! Tell him I said so.

 

[BrianB]

Only on the precipice do people change.

 

[lookshigh123]

great idea

 

[Onward Allusion]

Damn sad that it took his wife being in the ER to make him believe that everyone has a God given right to defend themselves. Glad he's a convert, however.

EdLaver
Neighbor Robbed

 

[FROGO207]

Some do get a second chance to rethink a poor decision. I am glad that they both got that opportunity. Sad that it would take such a drastic event though.:banghead:

 

[btg3]

Let's say the victim had a gun. Think about it. Either he does not draw, and his gun is takem along with the cell phones. Or he attempts to draw against the BG's pistol already aimed at him and instead of a cut cheek, he and his wife both take bullets. I'm just saying... CC will not make up for a lack of situational awareness. That said, I'm no expert, so let's some more ideas.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

Either he does not draw, and his gun is takem along with the cell phones.

Too easy to judge after the fact, and I didn't see anything about strip searching them so if he was carrying and didn't draw chances are it wouldn't have been found if carried concealed.
I think most people would give up their wallets, watches, phones, etc. if it means getting to live. The problem is these days people give up those things and get killed, raped, paralyzed, etc. anyway. My position is that relying on the mercy of your attacker isn't a good plan.
Trying to draw on someone who has a gun aimed at you isn't a good idea. However while said gun was coming down on his wife's head might have been a convenient time to draw and end the attack.
You are right though, a gun isn't a magic talisman and probably wouldn't have helped without situational awareness. It's just a tool.

I'm glad they lived to reevaluate their positions. Further restricting the good guys has the opposite effect on crime they hope for.

 

[mcdonl]

He said that they ambushed them as they were about to get into their car.

To me, the firearm was just a means to an end... the end being personal safety through awareness....

In your neighbors situation. We (CCW folks who train....) understand and have been taught things like avoidance, and retreat as first steps in self defense, with deadly force being the last resort. As a result of this, we are far less likely to be ambushed on the way to the car. Hopefully their training will result in heightened awareness and this type of very sad incident can be avoided in the future. Carrying a firearm should force you to a whole new level of awareness of your surroundings.

My condolences to your neighbors, violent crime has lasting impacts on people.

 

[Norinco982lover]

To me, the firearm was just a means to an end... the end being personal safety through awareness....

In your neighbors situation. We (CCW folks who train....) understand and have been taught things like avoidance, and retreat as first steps in self defense, with deadly force being the last resort. As a result of this, we are far less likely to be ambushed on the way to the car. Hopefully their training will result in heightened awareness and this type of very sad incident can be avoided in the future.

My condolences to your neighbors, violent crime has lasting impacts on people.

I agree. If he gets his CCH and he and his wife train to be situationally aware this situation will most likely have a different outcome in the future and possibly be completely avoided.

I am glad they are ok--and have "seen the light."