Store Owners Prepared To Shoot Armed Robbers

[Desertdog]

State Police say deadly force in self-defense is legal in Vermont but it is not the right response.

Store Owners Prepared To Shoot Armed Robbers
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=6066315&nav=4QcS

Burlington, Vermont -- February 9, 2007

Some small store owners say they are armed, waiting, and willing to shoot if they are targeted by a gun-toting robber.

It is the latest development in response to a record-setting rash of armed robberies in Vermont since the new year started.

Some store owners tell Channel 3 that they have armed themselves and are fully prepared to shoot any armed robber, including the backward bandit. None of the armed store owners were willing to speak on camera, but they stressed they want any would-be armed robber to know that they will not hesitate to shoot.

The store owners say they feel forced forced to pack pistols at work in response to crooks like the backward bandit. Police say he has knocked over four stores in the past two weeks. He wears a backward sweatshirt with eye hole cutouts. But he has not been alone. There have already 18 armed stick-ups in Vermont this year.

No one has been injured yet. But a number of store owners say that could change because they are now packing pistols and are prepared to use them if an armed robber shows up.

State Police say deadly force in self-defense is legal in Vermont but it is not the right response.

They suspect most, if not all, of the armed robbers are drug addicts desperate for cash, so it would be far wiser and safer to simply hand over the money, and let the cops catch the bad guys.

Brian Joyce - Channel 3 News

 

[Geno]

Define wiser and safer...for whom?

For me, if someone walks in with a gun drawn, it seems they only have to pull the trigger to end my world. Seems to me that it is safer and wiser is to end their violence, save my life, and for me to have supper at the end of the day with my family.

+1 for the store owners.

 

[johnny blaze]

I am sure the safest thing to do is nothing, and let them have what they want. They might just take someones life.

 

[Crimp]

Of course, I'd like to see the robberies stop, but I hope the store clerks know it's very hard to outdraw someone that already has a gun aimed at them.

 

[mbt2001]

Why do I hear the police more and more saying things that make us the victim? I mean, why do they have guns if shooting folks "is not the right answer".

 

[MattC]

I mean, why do they have guns if shooting folks "is not the right answer".

So that they can shoot the weapon out of the poor, miguided suspect's hand, but only in case of emergency.

But seriously, I'm with Crimp: I hope the store owners make good calls about when to draw, and that they all go home safe afterwards.

 

[ZeSpectre]

They suspect most, if not all, of the armed robbers are drug addicts desperate for cash, so it would be far wiser and safer to simply hand over the money, and let the cops catch the bad guys.

Because, as you can see, that has been working so well this year.

 

[Richmond]

well, in MY small town

I live in a small university town in the Mississippi River Valley where, it seems, store clerks are still shooting at armed robbers:

Man possibly shot in liquor store robbery attempt

By Winona Daily News staff

Winona Police are looking for a man who may have been shot while attempting to rob a liquor store Friday night.

According to police, a black man about six feet tall wearing a ski mask walked into the Golfview Liquor Store at 1671 W. Fifth St. shortly before 7 p.m. and demanded money. The man threatened to shoot the clerk, but did not show a gun.

After a physical struggle, the would-be robber moved toward the front door, stopped and turned. The 60-year-old employee then fired one shot from a 38-calibre pistol.

The employee told police he believed he shot the robber.

Police recovered one shell casing at the scene but found no evidence of the bullet or blood.

A passerby reported seeing a man run from the store and get into a red SUV.

Police said no one matching the suspect’s description had shown up at area hospitals with a gunshot wound as of Saturday morning.

There was no one else in the store at the time and no money was taken.

http://www.winonadailynews.com/articles/2007/02/10/newsupdate/00 lead.txt

 

[thexrayboy]

State Police say deadly force in self-defense is legal in Vermont but it is not the right response.

It would appear the correct response is to be a victim. That is what government wants, a society full of victims that they can direct at will.
They do not want a self reliant society as that calls into question the need of big governments very existence.

 

[beretta9]

It sounds like their State Police want it to be safe for the robbers to rob small stores, and they might catch them, or again they might not. Whose side are they on anyway?

 

[Standing Wolf]

They suspect most, if not all, of the armed robbers are drug addicts desperate for cash, so it would be far wiser and safer to simply hand over the money, and let the cops catch the bad guys.

If those cops think I'm going to trust drug addicts with my life, they're just plain stupid.

 

[10-Ring]

I know shop owners that have armed themselves and if it were me, I'd be doing the same thing...it's still about preparedness

 

[Geno]

Okay...real-life shoot-out...

The owner of the gun range where I shop/shoot/take classes also owns a party store. His nephew was working the party store. Three bad-guys walk in and draw guns. One nephew is at the register, a customer (female is shopping) and the oldest nephew is in the office behind 1-way glass.

When the guns came out, the nephew in the office drew and emptied his high cap Glock (.357 Sig.) through the glass and into the bad guys. Two down one escaped. No charges to the store owner or his nephews, no injuries to workers or customer.

Enough said?

Doc2005

 

[The Deer Hunter]

Of course, I'd like to see the robberies stop, but I hope the store clerks know it's very hard to outdraw someone that already has a gun aimed at them.

Maybe if they ask you to get the cash box or if they look away or something

 

[DWARREN123]

How many have the police caught so far?

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Police?

How many have the police caught so far?

Doesn't matter.

It's a "catch and release" system.