For the people who think you don't need a gun while cutting

A while back we had a discussion about being armed while cutting. Some people thought it was absurd. Some didn't. I present exhibit A as to why I am always armed.

Man robbed, shot while trimming trees

 

So the perp didn't get his chainsaw?

Seriously though, whats wrong with folks these days? Some kindof initiation deal or something? I mean...who expects a guy trimming his trees to yield a big payday from a robbery? I rarely have anything of value on me when working besides the tools I'm using.

 

drug money. All they want is whatever they can get. I don't think Smokey the bear wants $. This is a case where carrying a weapon for anyone in that neighborhood might have offered some defensive maneuver. In his case, he might have been well served by having a Rotti with him. The hoods most likely would hit on only defenseless victims.

 

Very pleased that I live in a place without such perils (for now). Even if I was carrying at the time of such an event's occurrence the perp would likely get the drop on me while I concentrated on my work. I like to think I'm handy with a pistol, but I'm no Quickdraw Mcgraw. The news story doesn't offer much detail of the scenario though, so perhaps the man could've brought his pistol to bear had he had one on him.

If I were minding my own and a junkie came up to me drawn, I guess I would try to distract them by dropping the wallet whilst handing over or something to give me a split second to try and disarm. If someone has a gun pointed at me, I assume they fully intend to use it whether I co-operate or not...it's do or die time at that point and I plan not to go without a fight.

 

While Indy isnt exactly Chiraq...that area is kinda in the hood. I wouldn't go there unless I had to...and it wouldnt be unarmed.

 

I have never been armed, and have never been robbed. I feel no need to change that.

 

I've never been robbed either (except that time all my CD's and a Walkman were taken from my truck when I was in church) but I still carry. 9mm, .380 or .38 special when I'm out of the house, and my little NAA .22 when I'm working around the house. I found I rarely carried when I was single, but now that I have a family to care for I almost always have a gun on me or in the same room as me. My wife (who doesn't really like guns herself) even makes sure I'm carrying when we leave the house together as it makes her feel more safe. I'm know that I'll probably never have to use it, but I'd hate myself if I ever needed to protect myself or my family and couldn't.

I don't expect to ever have my house catch on fire, but that doesn't mean there aren't fire extinguishers in the house.

 

I've never been robbed but I always carry; except last week when I was in NY State for a couple days last week. They don't honor my CCL.

Just like the OP, there are people out there that will shoot you for $20 or even for looking at them the wrong way these days. If I ever am forced to pull out my wallet for a would be, gun toting robber, it won't be a wallet that comes out of my back pocket.

 

Most of the time (note I did not use the word all), when the money is handed over, the thief flees, and the story is over. Pulling your own weapon changes that story in an unknown direction, maybe in your favor, maybe not. Regardless, the likelihood of someone dying escalates. I have nothing in my wallet or in the woods (or walking down the street) that is worth dying or killing for.

BTW - I am not arguing against the right to carry, concealed or not. Just questioning the wisdom of it, in most situations.

 

I often wonder about criminals that use guns, are they truly prepared and ready to pull that trigger and shoot someone? Or are they just using it as a tool to scare the $hit out of someone and hoping that someone will hand over their wallet without a fight.

I agree that using a gun yourself can escalate the situation. I've mentally prepared myself to know that even if I'm carrying and am robbed I might not be able to use my gun in every situation. Still, I don't think I'd have a problem pulling a gun one someone trying to steal my wallet. While the $40 I have in mine might not mean much to me, the next person that this person tries to rob might be depending on that money in their wallet or purse to feed their family for the week.

 

It's a sick, sick world,,,,,,,,especially with all the "coexisting" and world peace and lovey dovey we're supposed to be partaking in.

 

I don't own anything worth dying over, but will defend myself and family to the end. Having a firearm with you helps to level the playing field. In today's society thugs typically run in packs, and prey on the seemingly weak.

Someone intent on robbing you with a gun is not practicing the 4 rules of gun safety. Sometimes people get shot because the DA had their finger on the trigger and in the confusion of the moment inadvertently pulls the trigger.

Your live your safety, Defend it as you see fit. For me there is only one choice.

 

They can have my stuff. I just want to go home at the end of the day.

 

But if you give them the $20 or 75 in your wallet there would always be in my head do they come back in 2 days for the saw and the rest of my tools? Do they try to rob me or the wife again?

If they see a gun or are shot in the process the chances of them coming back to you is very small...least I would hope so. You would be known as The guy not to mess with.

 

In a situation like that would you have a chance to use your weapon, maybe, maybe not.
But if they just rabbed me, I wouldn't hesitate to shoot em in the azz if they turn around

 

Wouldn't be a problem if the various gov. supported your right to defense of any type- but that ain't how it works. Defend yourself and now you are the bad guy. Doesn't matter that xyz has a rap sheet longer than both of your arms.

 

Not here in SC. If you are being robbed and you shoot them in the process you won't be charged. Your sheriff will usually stand behind you...often aplodding you for taking your own safety and protection into your own hands and teaching the thug a lesson.

 

You could still be sued in civil court by the shootee and/or their family.

 

Yep you can be. But I would like to be of the mind set that if it makes it to court or hopefully before the judge would throw it out on common sense. But common sense is not common anymore.

If you come onto my property and try to rob me with a weapon or I feel physically threatened by you and fear for My life I have a right to defend and protect myself.