Sheriff proud of civilian using shotgun for HD

[JKimball]

I wanted to share this story I saw on Clayton Cramer's civilian gun self-defense blog at:
http://www.claytoncramer.com/gundefenseblog/blogger.html

It has a great ending for those of us that are tired of hearing the typical closing line about how the Police discourage victims from trying to confront invaders.

Deatsville, Alabama

From the Montgomery Advertiser of September 20, 2007
Homeowner aids in arrests of two

The homeowner normally wouldn't have been home in the middle of the day. He should have been at work. But he came home at 1 p.m. Tuesday to check on a cable repair job.

Lucky for him he did.

When the Deatsville man pulled into his driveway in the Dusty Trail neighborhood, he saw a strange car and noticed the front door was standing open. He suspected something was wrong. And he was right.

Inside, two would-be burglars were ransacking the house.

"He went inside and confronted them," said Capt. Joe Sedinger of the Autauga County Sheriff's Department. "They told him they were looking for somebody who owed them money. He didn't buy it. They ran out, he met them around front and shot the tire out."

The victim, whom Sedinger would not identify, used a 20-gauge shotgun to blast the rear tire of a Kia coupe as the suspects attempted to speed away. His aim was true, and it helped deputies make an arrest.

Sgt. Casey Ott found the suspects a short time later along a secluded dirt road, attempting to change the flat tire.

"One of them looked like he was going to run," Ott said. "I drew down on them and got them on the ground. I called for backup, and help came pretty quick."

Arrested on burglary charges were Gary Arnold Alvies, 22, of 409 Mockingbird St., Prattville, and Aaron Michael Pace, 22, of 208 Deer Trace, Prattville.

They are being held in the Autauga County Metro Jail under no bonds pending a parole revocation hearing, courthouse records show. Both are on parole for theft-related charges, the records showed.

Sheriff Herbie Johnson applauded the quick action of the homeowner.

"A man has the right to protect himself, his family and his property," said Johnson. "I'm so proud of him. I'm thinking about buying him a box of shells so he can keep that shotgun loaded."

 

[Deer Hunter]

Amen.

 

[romma]

Up here, you would more than likely be charged for shooting in these guys general direction if they were escaping.

 

[Gunbabe]

I think the point was that at least there was finally praise given and a good word towards a gun owner for once. Good for him.

 

[General Geoff]

His aim was true, and it helped deputies make an arrest.

Best sentence I've seen in print all day.

 

[Cougfan2]

Woudln't fly out here in "Moscow on the Willamette". You'd probably get arrested for at least discharging a firearm within city limits. The BG's family would probably then sue you on his behalf for emotional distress!

 

[camslam]

Awesome! Too bad we don't have more common sense law enforcement in our society. Even worse that our laws keep many of us from taking similiar actions.

Well done to the home owner and the Sheriff.

My only critique would be: he should have had a 12 guage instead of a 20.

 

[Black Adder LXX]

Excellent!

Most liberal rags would read:

"Enraged and putting the common good of his fellow citizens at risk, he pointed his evil, snarling, automatic assault weapon cop killer shotgun at the helpless alleged suspects. With an evil grin and a rebel yell, he irresponsibly..." Ah, you fill in the rest...

It's so nice to hear a story like this. It makes me think that maybe not *everybody* is from another planet...

 

[lbmii]

He committed male aggression and placed our children at risk because he was not in touch with his inner child.

 

[John Gault]

I'm thinking about buying him a box of shells so he can keep that shotgun loaded

That made me laugh out loud. I called my wife in so that I could read it to her.

 

[Harley Quinn]

I am not sure how it would go in the area I live in now Sacramento County CA.
But I believe it ended well.

HQ

 

[FieroCDSP]

There are stil places in the US that respect freedom and a person's rights. Unfortunately, those aren't the places allowed the most congress-critters.

 

[Nolo]

It's so nice to see articles like this once in a while.

This has made me so happy.

 

[CountGlockula]

The best part is that the homeowner was cocked, locked and ready to rock Doc!

 

[GlowinPontiac]

great to see that freedom is still alive and kicking in some states.

ive been told personally by police that if i shoot somebody outside my house i will be arrested. they even told me to be sure to make sure the robber comes fully through the door/window so that if i shoot him he lands inside the house not outside.

 

[haole_boySS]

I find it odd that no one has commented against this action.

1) Isn't discharging a firearm in another persons direction considered deadly force?
2) If the 2 suspects fled the home with nothing in hand....what right did he have to fire his weapon. What was he protecting?

Here in MD, you would be in jail for discharging a firearm, reckless endangerment, etc etc.

Personally, I think it was a VERY bad decision to shoot. Things could have gone wrong quickly in that situation.

Andy

 

[Doggy Daddy]

haole_boySS
Here in MD, you would be in jail for discharging a firearm, reckless endangerment, etc etc.

You say that like you approve of it. Why is that?

 

[wdlsguy]

You could get charged with Deadly Conduct (3rd degree felony) for that in Texas.

 

[wayneinFL]

Yeah, there was an incident in Miami in which a man lost a lawsuit for shooting out the tires of his own car as it was being stolen. The crooks wrecked his car, hitting another motorist- IIRC, she died and her family sued.

 

[RobTzu]

Just because its legal don't make it right, and just being illegal don't make it wrong.

I love that article, Kudos to the Sheriff for cheering someone for standing up and not being a victim. I am tired of supposed to being a sheeple all the dang time.

 

[JKimball]

Yeah, I'm not sure he made the wisest, safest, most legal decision, but I must say that I respect him for it nonetheless. I also respect the Sheriff for his attitude and reaction.

 

[230RN]

And they got the "victim" part right!

Personally, I'd be a little antsy at shooting at tires, disunirregardless of the legality. Sometimes the projectiles bounce back back, don't they? (He asked, knowing the answer from experience.)

 

[ozwyn]

That's one heck of a good sheriff there. Can't ask for better from local LE imo.

 

[Archer1945]

230RN, you don't shoot at the tires you shoot at the wheels. Almost anything short of a .50MG round will bounce right off the tires. Hit the rims with almost anything from a 9mm up and the tire goes flat, real fast. Also the wheel/rim is a much bigger target to aim for.

I think the homeowner knew perfectly well what he was doing when he aimed for that wheel. By shooting for the wheel he put no one's life in danger yet kept the perps from getting away scot-free. Since this two guys were already parole violators who knows when they'd have decided not to leave any possible witnesses and who knows what might have happened if the homeowner had been home when they broke in.

I have to agree with the sheriff on this one. Although the legality of the action is a bit questionable. Personally I can see nothing wrong with helping the LEOs nab a bad guy if it doesn't endanger others.

 

[Harley Quinn]

I don't think it is something I would have done. But it ended up ok and it is approved in that county and by that LEO person.

Not the safest thing for sure. Not a situation where it was self defense it was for all intents and purpose sort of reckless, unless it was by a LEO in the 50's

That was mentioned many times shoot out the tires, Sure...38 special LOL..

I'll bet it was the sidewall of the tire that was damaged, and not the rim IMHO...

HQ