The GeekWithA.45 has a story today that is both proud and tragic. It is tragic because it involves the death of a good, brave man acting in his proper role as a citizen: a defender of the common peace. It is proud for the same reason.
This law abiding fellow found himself outgunned by the criminal who killed him. He had armed himself with a 9mm handgun, to carry on his daily business. The fellow who came looking for trouble came with a Kalishnikov rifle, plus a bulletproof vest overtop of which he was wearing a flack jacket.
The armed citizen wasn't the only one outgunned; the police suffered three casualties as well. Mr. Mark Wilson, the armed citizen, is credited with saving the life of one of the intended victims, at the high cost of his own.
Another citizen, Ron Martell, followed the fleeing criminal by car in order to point him out to police. Between the two citizens, enough time was purchased for the police to coordinate their response and kill the criminal.
The Geek comments:
We must also remember that the problem of the armored opponent is solveable, and can occur at any time.Indeed, it is, and it can. There's enough body armor out there to pose a threat to police and citizens alike; we see it popping up just now and then among the more vicious criminals, the ones who set out to cause mayhem rather than just make money at their crime.
One of the easiest ways to solve the problem of body armor is with a rifle. Only the very best body armors can stop even one rifle round, though some of those can stop multiple hits of small-caliber rifle rounds. In addition to a vastly increased ability to overpower body armor, though, the rifle has the advantage of increased accuracy. At the short ranges at which gunfights are likely to take place, a rifle is almost pinpoint accurate. Striking areas not protected by the armor becomes much easier.
When I was growing up, it was entirely usual for people to carry a rifle or two in their truck, in town as in the country, mounted in a gun rack. I never heard of any of those weapons being used in a crime, and they provide a much improved capacity for a citizen called upon by Fate to do his duty for the common peace. In many states, there is no need for a permit to carry such a rifle, so long as it is openly displayed and/or carried without ammunition in the chamber.
There is an old adage: "Never take a handgun to a gunfight." Of course, we don't go looking for gunfights. But if you're going to prepare for the possibility that one might find you, a rifle can make a big difference.
No comments:
Post a Comment