PTC holder stops an attack at Home Depot

View · by **yonse** on Tue Mar 25, 2014 1:51 pm

In some jurisdictions an overzealous prosecutor might choose to go after the PTC holder for acting like a vigilante, but I'm glad to see that they're instead thinking of giving him an award.

http://www.freep.com/article/20140325/N ... -Depot-gun

View · by **Nougat** on Tue Mar 25, 2014 4:11 pm

from the comments-- shouldn't need a gun to stop the deranged junky -- not a direct quote but that was the gist of it and I don't want to look it up either but another anti's comment was something like-- this is the only ONE example of guns being any good people use them in crimes too.-- something like that anyhow.

View · by **Lumpy** on Tue Mar 25, 2014 8:23 pm

Nougat, I've heard anti-gunners claim in all seriousness that if everyone was armed, the muggers would simply shoot their victims first!

View · by **Randygmn** on Wed Mar 26, 2014 1:08 am

Best comment was ,liberals are fighting to supply these drug addicts with syringes and at the same time, fight to take away the 2A rights of law abiding citizens. This is why liberalism and those that have the disease need to be treated like the enemies they are.

View · by **LePetomane** on Wed Mar 26, 2014 4:04 am

Randygmn wrote:Best comment was ,liberals are fighting to supply these drug addicts with syringes and at the same time, fight to take away the 2A rights of law abiding citizens. This is why liberalism and those that have the disease need to be treated like the enemies they are.

That was a good comment.

From what I read in the link, I would have called the police and not pulled a gun unless I was in direct danger. I'm sure some will disagree but PTC does not give one the authority and obligation to protect the public.

View · by **bensdad** on Wed Mar 26, 2014 5:37 am

I would have called the police and not pulled a gun unless I was in direct danger. I'm sure some will disagree but PTC does not give one the authority and obligation to protect the public.

you are correct. It gives no authority or obligation. It just gives someone with courage a better chance at surviving an attempt to help a person in need. You are not alone though. I'd guess most would stand back and watch from a safe distance... maybe get out a cell phone to call the proper authorities.

View · by **cobb** on Wed Mar 26, 2014 6:27 am

bensdad wrote: I'd guess most would stand back and watch from a safe distance... maybe get out a cell phone to call the proper authorities.

This of course would depend on the situation.
A couple of gang bangers or wacked out druggies going at each other, I would get the hell out of the area. An innocent person, like a young girl being attacked and dragged away by a few thugs and I was by myself, none of my family present, I may very well get involved. But that would have to be a decision made then, I can't really armchair quarterback that.

View · by **PhilaBOR** on Wed Mar 26, 2014 6:56 am

cobb wrote:
bensdad wrote: I'd guess most would stand back and watch from a safe distance... maybe get out a cell phone to call the proper authorities.

This of course would depend on the situation.
A couple of gang bangers or wacked out druggies going at each other, I would get the hell out of the area. An innocent person, like a young girl being attacked and dragged away by a few thugs and I was by myself, none of my family present, I may very well get involved. But that would have to be a decision made then, I can't really armchair quarterback that.

I think most of the people reading this would intervene if they saw a man shooting little kids, but stay aside and call it in if two adults were in fisticuffs. The tough part is where in the gray zone do you draw the line.
When you have seconds to think it through.
And police, prosecutors and/or a jury will have all the time in the world to second guess and Monday-morning quarterback.

View · by **cobb** on Wed Mar 26, 2014 7:02 am

I agree.

My comment was that I would not really know what I would do until that specific situation was presented to me. There has been a few similar discussion on this forum and there are those that boast that they would jump in to protect and call others less than a man for not doing so. Don't agree with that train of thought. Then there are those that will not get involved at all, no matter what because there feel they have other responsibilities like staying alive for their family. That sentiment I do understand.

View · by **bensdad** on Wed Mar 26, 2014 7:12 am

When you have seconds to think it through.

Not so sure. Takes a lot less than a second to either: A) be too late to help someone, or B) get dragged in to a situation you should have moved away from. That's why I don't mind theads discussing the idea of 3rd party intervention. They run our brains through a "red-light-green-light" process. Prolly not gonna have time to ask Regis if we can use a lifeline.

View · by **optimusglen** on Wed Mar 26, 2014 7:43 am

I agree, I think the conversation is good for all of us to mentally run through the scenario if we were in the situation.

I also agree that having a PTC does not mean we must intervene, nor does it give us authority that police have, but it does make it possible to help others in a way otherwise not possible.

From what I understand about the event, if it were me I would probably have done something similar... though maybe approached with my hand on my firearm in clear view so the needle wielding guy could see the gravity of the situation.

View · by **tman** on Wed Mar 26, 2014 3:33 pm

Being poked with a contaminated needle.....makes me shiver.

View · by **LePetomane** on Wed Mar 26, 2014 4:43 pm

tman wrote:Being poked with a contaminated needle.....makes me shiver.

I assume you don't have any tattoos.

View · by **tman** on Wed Mar 26, 2014 5:55 pm

LePetomane wrote:
tman wrote:Being poked with a contaminated needle.....makes me shiver.

I assume you don't have any tattoos.

Your tattoo person uses dirty equipment?

View · by **xd ED** on Wed Mar 26, 2014 6:21 pm

tman wrote:Being poked with a contaminated needle.....makes me shiver.

Back in the early 70s, a friend was hitch-hiking from his family's cabin in NW Wisc to his home outside Chicago.
He was picked up by some guys who essentially kidnapped him, and as a 'prank' they shot him up with heroin.
He said there were times he'd wished they would just shoot him.
At the time hepatitis was the biggest fear……now…...

Getting slashed with a needle seems more frightening than being stabbed, which seems worse than getting shot.