Ca Lawyer Shooting: And Nobody Had a Gun

Sierra Times ^ | 3 November 2003 | Carl F. Worden

[45Auto]

Nobody had a gun. This non-descript, middle-aged man confronted his attorney outside a California courthouse, pulled a gun and started shooting at him while the attorney bobbed & weaved behind a tree, and nobody else had a gun to stop the attack. It was a miracle the attorney survived with just face and shoulder wounds.

The whole thing was caught on camera and shown on national television from beginning to end, culminating with the tackle-arrest of the gunman by police officers, who finally made it to the scene long after the shooter ran out of ammunition and had walked away unscathed.

Most viewers were mesmerized by the attack itself, and stayed locked onto it. When I viewed the film, my attention went to the bystanders, who mostly held their hands to their faces, screaming in terror. Not one of them tried to stop the attack, and why none of them had a gun.

I left California with extreme prejudice 13 years ago, and relocated to Oregon. I saw all the signs of a state heading nowhere but left and liberal, where nobody is ever issued a concealed weapon permit unless they marry the county sheriff's daughter or have celebrity status. It is ironic that actor Robert Blake was in that same courthouse that day, charged with the murder of his wife. Robert Blake is one of the infinitesimal few California citizens who was granted a concealed gun permit only because of his celebrity status.

Here in Oregon, as in 31+ other states, we have 'Shall Issue' laws which require the county sheriff to issue a permit to carry a concealed gun to anyone who takes a required class, providing they are not convicted felons, convicted for misdemeanors involving domestic violence, or certified nuts qualifying for a straight jacket.

I carry a concealed handgun on my person everywhere I go here in Oregon, be it winter or summer, in town or in the boonies, in the grocery store, when I order a sandwich from Subway, and even when I have to stroll by the local courthouse. It is as familiar to me as my wallet, and had I witnessed a non-descript, middle aged man pull a gun and attempt to kill a totally unarmed man bobbing & weaving for his life behind a courthouse tree, I'd have stopped the attack immediately with one bullet to the assailant's ahead.

Notice on the film how the assailant doesn't even look around while he's shooting at his attorney? That's because he's just about certain nobody on the street has the ability or even the gumption to try to stop him. Why? He's just about certain nobody else but him has a gun, and he was right.

When states like California pass ridiculous, restrictive gun laws, they only disarm the law-abiding citizens. The criminal element, or those choosing to become part of the criminal element on a particular day, just pack a loaded gun and start shooting their attorney, or their choice du jour, with the certain confidence that nobody in the immediate vicinity will try to stop them. What's the chance a plain-clothed cop will be there' Not likely.

A violent criminal/drug addict can walk into a gas station and rob it at 2:00 AM, shoot the attendant, merely show the weapon, and watch the bystanders and witnesses all run for cover like cockroaches when the lights turn on. It's a criminal's dream, and most criminals think stringent gun laws are just about the nicest thing any state legislature can do for them. Those laws take almost all the risk of getting shot in return right out of the equation.

Career criminals regard arrest and prison time as just a part of the cost of doing business. It's a welcome bonus when they know restrictive gun laws also make it a relatively safe enterprise. Isn't that nice'

California sucks, and I'm glad I got out when I did.

[AngryJawa]

After seeing the video of this nutjob, I'm really considering an upgrade from 9mm.

[Travis McGee]

I'm for "shall issue" CCW, certainly. But it will be a cold day in hell before it passes in Cali.

[AnAmericanMother]

After seeing the video of this nutjob, I'm really considering an upgrade from 9mm.

Do. 9mm is nothing but .45 ACP set on "stun". ;-)

[Atlas Sneezed]

Let's say someone with a legal CCW (not likely in CA, but let's pretend) ran 50 yards to the aid of that lawyer and then put the attacker down. How much trouble would he be in?

---

If you see someone gunning down a cowering person, there is no doubt that the gunner is the wrongdoer. (Contrast the case where a man holds another man at gunpoint, and could be an undercover cop making an arrest.)

If there is no moral doubt that you are witnessing an attempt at murder, then you have every right to use deadly force to stop the attack. And that means firing as many bullets as needed until the attacker lacks the capacity to continue his murderous attack.

But there is something to be said (by many self defense instructors) that if the victim isn't an innocent known to you, take cover, call 911, and be a good witness. Your instinct and conscience will probably take over at the time anyway.

[harpu]

"Perhaps you are trying to be cute, or maybe you have "issues" with certain professionals, but your comment is despicable, and makes me sick.

Duhhh...if you don't realize that there are too many lawyers in the world, most if not all out to beat the system, or redefine the letter of the laws with their wisdom, then you're the sick one.

Lawyers today, in general, are a bunch of worthless assholes, period, end of statement.

[moodyskeptic]

You seem not to know any honest hard working lawyers.

There are many.

Too bad for you.

[archy]

You seem not to know any honest hard working lawyers.

There are many.

Too bad for you.

Why should we have even the slightest pity or compassion for the shot-up shyster when the state government in which he was an officer of the court felt he was either so untrustworthy or inept as to not be trusted with such a basic civic responsibility as participating in his own personal defence and that of his fellow citizens.

In addition to the other evils that will befall you as a condition of being disarmed, it will cause you to be despised.

--Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince

[El Gato]

Lawyers today, in general, are a bunch of worthless assholes, period, end of statement.

My daughter and son-in-law are lawyers, graduates of the U. Texas Law School. Would you like to rephrase, or would you like to talk to my daughter? I'd rephrase if I were you, she can get nasty, in two languages in fact.

[archy]

I hope some day you find your liberties infringed, and no lawyer willing to help you. Or perhaps a loved one of yours could take up the profession, then you can think about them being murdered on a sidewalk while doing their job to support their family.

And that is precisely why lawyers, and the venue in which they decide how much *equal justice under the law* citizens can purchase through their exclusive monopolies, are despised and there are those who would not only enjoy seeing those practicioners of law hanhing from utility poles, but will assist those doing so should that event come to pass in their locales.

-archy-/-

[archy]

My daughter and son-in-law are lawyers, graduates of the U. Texas Law School. Would you like to rephrase, or would you like to talk to my daughter?

I would far prefer to have a Texas lawyer, male or female, assist me in a defence, legal or personal, far mo so than a pathetic sheep creature who hides behind a tree while a dissatisfied customer shoots holes in him.

baaaaaa! Noooooo! please don't kill me, I'll be a good sheep! Baaaaaaaaa!

-archy-/-

[Atlas Sneezed]

...there are too many lawyers in the world...

---

How can you tell? Last time I looked, when something was high priced, it meant that there was a relatively low supply compared to the demand.

Your emotions have let you buy into the myth that the US has an unusually high number of law practioners per capita, compared to other nations.

[Atlas Sneezed]

And that is precisely why lawyers, and the venue in which they decide how much *equal justice under the law* citizens can purchase through their exclusive monopolies...

---

Your legislature of state supreme court grants that monopoly. You are too blinded by hatred to realize that.

Your broad hate speech is truly despicable.

[Euro-American Scum]

The lawyer was never in any danger because the shooter wasn't using silver bullets.

Silver bullets? What he really needed was a Crucifix and a stake through the heart.

[Euro-American Scum]

After seeing the video of this nutjob, I'm really considering an upgrade from 9mm.

I thought the same thing. Either the shooter was the worst marksman in creation or he needed to upgrade to a 1911.

[Euro-American Scum]

If there is no moral doubt that you are witnessing an attempt at murder, then you have every right to use deadly force to stop the attack. And that means firing as many bullets as needed until the attacker lacks the capacity to continue his murderous attack.

You obviously don't live in California. /sarcasm

[harpu]

Lawyers are like tits on a boar hog...and I don't give a flying flip about how many languages they can speak, or how nasty they can be. Lawyers have been a DRAIN (like a virus) on today's society rather than a plus to its future.

I stand by my beliefs; "there are too many lawyers in the world, most if not all out to beat the system, or redefine the letter of the laws with their wisdom, then you're the sick one."

Lawyers today, in general, are a bunch of worthless assholes, period, end of statement.