Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

An Argument For An Armed Citizenry (Gang Assault at Valley Fair Amusement Park)
Power Line ^ | July 16, 2008 | John Hinderaker

Posted on 07/17/2008 8:16:54 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

A horrific news story has slowly made its way into the headlines here in the Twin Cities. A local resident, his wife and three daughters spent the evening of the Fourth of July at Valleyfair, a local amusement park. They were leaving the park at midnight when a criminal began to molest his twelve-year-old daughter.

The father intervened to defend his daughter, and the offender put out a call for his "homies." Eight "men" materialized and began to beat up the father. They knocked him to the ground and took turns stomping on his head. The man's wife and daughters tried to protect him, unsuccessfully, and Valleyfair's security guards apparently tried to help, but ineffectually.

The father is still hospitalized, but the criminals are out on bail. The family's name is being kept secret, lest the criminals find them and kill them to avoid prosecution.

Initially, the local media downplayed the story, presumably because of the race of the criminals. But today, the Minneapolis Star Tribune broke down and covered it. Still, the story was apparently too hot for the paper to allow comments; if you follow the link, you'll see that, contrary to the Star Tribune's usual policy, it is impossible to comment.

The story is an infuriating one in several ways, but what strikes me most forcibly is that it would have been a good thing if a few armed citizens had happened by while the assault was in progress. It's no surprise that the victim's wife and daughters couldn't protect him from eight "men," and apparently Valleyfair's security force is unarmed. So the optimal outcome here would have been for one or more normal citizens to pull a firearm, shoot a couple of the criminals, and hold the rest until the police arrived. Criminals who carry out outrageous assaults in public do so on the assumption that passersby will not be able to stop them. Absent firearms, that assumption is reasonable. So let's hear it for concealed carry.

Under Minnesota law, any business can ban guns on its premises, and, while a few minutes of research yielded nothing, I assume that Valleyfair bans guns, as most businesses that are open to the public do. This strikes me as a mistake. Against a gang such as the one that is now on the loose in the Twin Cities, only armed citizens can be effective.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2ndamendment; banglist; ccw; concealedcarry; gang; gangs; hinderaker; racerelations; secondamendment; selfdefense; sheeple; twincities
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-67 next last
To: AlaskaErik

I only caryy 20 of 9mm FMJ in two clips. But I practice, and a couple head shots will prob end most situations I’m likely to ever find myself in. Would have ended this one. Then again, stories like this make me think about upgrading my caliber. (Sometime in winter I carry a .357 or even a .50AE, but that’s a rare occasion.)


21 posted on 07/17/2008 9:39:35 PM PDT by piytar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet
when a criminal began to molest his twelve-year-old daughter.

This is where the shooting should have begun. Don't think he'd have shot you if the situation was reversed?

22 posted on 07/17/2008 9:39:51 PM PDT by budwiesest (Four ninths of our Supreme Court can't read. Left my fly open.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Old Sarge
This is just an example of Baraq Husayn ibn Mahomet and his “civilian national security force” which is “equally armed and trained”....

I think hussein has in mind something along the lines of "fruits of islam" rather than "I tell you sir, the militia is the whole of the people".

23 posted on 07/17/2008 9:47:21 PM PDT by Eagles6 ( Typical White Guy: Christian, Constitutionalist, Heterosexual, Redneck)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: wastedyears

A McCiever ammo box

“Fourty ROunds, Sir” 13th Infantry Moto


24 posted on 07/17/2008 10:14:32 PM PDT by truemiester ((If the U.S. should fail, a veil of darkness will come over the Earth for a thousand years))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: piytar

Where do you fit a Desert Eagle?


25 posted on 07/17/2008 10:31:43 PM PDT by wastedyears (Show me your precious darlings, and I will crush them all)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: truemiester

Gotcha


26 posted on 07/17/2008 10:31:55 PM PDT by wastedyears (Show me your precious darlings, and I will crush them all)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

Also a good argument for lynching.


27 posted on 07/17/2008 10:43:46 PM PDT by Godwin1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

I seem to recall some Freepers blaming the wife for not beating up the eight attackers, and a lot of “if I’da been there” BS. The keyboard commandos were out in force. (Or rather, safely behind their keyboards in force)


28 posted on 07/17/2008 10:44:54 PM PDT by ozzymandus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cobra64; wastedyears
"You carry 40 rounds? "

Sounds like 13 plus 1 in the gun, and 2 spare mags. You can do that with Para-ordinance, and others, I believe.

29 posted on 07/17/2008 10:46:03 PM PDT by matthew fuller (I'm John McCain, and I hereby repudiate and disavow all Republican and Conservative values.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet
Initially, the local media downplayed the story, presumably because of the race of the criminals

as did some chump freepers who castigated me right off the bat.

30 posted on 07/17/2008 11:12:45 PM PDT by wardaddy (Myself and my ancestors take full responsibility for all racial discrimination here since 1607)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wastedyears

Big bulky ski coat (old style), baggy jeans, barrel held by elastic strap against the inside thigh with hand grip laid over the waist line along hip, doesn’t show at all as long as I keep the coat on.


31 posted on 07/17/2008 11:24:38 PM PDT by piytar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: piytar

I’m having a hard time figuring out where exactly you anchor that Desert Eagle...


32 posted on 07/17/2008 11:34:41 PM PDT by wastedyears (Show me your precious darlings, and I will crush them all)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: wastedyears
Where do you fit 40 rounds?

13 round mag plus one in the pipe equals 14 rounds. Plus two spare mags with 13 rounds each. 40 total rounds.

33 posted on 07/17/2008 11:35:18 PM PDT by AlaskaErik (I served and protected my country for 31 years. Democrats spent that time trying to destroy it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Cobra64
You carry 40 rounds?

That's a light load. Those with a 9 mm carry 52 rounds. But .45 is more effective, especially in the winter, when people have lots of layers.

34 posted on 07/17/2008 11:37:53 PM PDT by AlaskaErik (I served and protected my country for 31 years. Democrats spent that time trying to destroy it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: matthew fuller

Yes, I guess. I’m used to thinking along the lines of the classic single stack 7-8 round .45s.


35 posted on 07/17/2008 11:38:00 PM PDT by Cobra64 (www.BulletBras.net)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: AlaskaErik

Understood


36 posted on 07/17/2008 11:42:23 PM PDT by wastedyears (Show me your precious darlings, and I will crush them all)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: matthew fuller
Sounds like 13 plus 1 in the gun, and 2 spare mags. You can do that with Para-ordinance, and others, I believe.

You got it. XD-45 for me.

37 posted on 07/17/2008 11:42:44 PM PDT by AlaskaErik (I served and protected my country for 31 years. Democrats spent that time trying to destroy it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Cobra64
Yes, I guess. I’m used to thinking along the lines of the classic single stack 7-8 round .45s.

I've never cared for the 1911. XD-45 is what convinced me to go to the .45 ACP round.

38 posted on 07/17/2008 11:44:59 PM PDT by AlaskaErik (I served and protected my country for 31 years. Democrats spent that time trying to destroy it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: piytar
I only caryy 20 of 9mm FMJ in two clips.

Just curious, but why FMJ? Only thing I use that for is target practice, although I've heard it's better in bear country than hollow points. Unless you're in NJ, which means you can't CCW anyway.

39 posted on 07/17/2008 11:49:15 PM PDT by AlaskaErik (I served and protected my country for 31 years. Democrats spent that time trying to destroy it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: piytar
Then again, stories like this make me think about upgrading my caliber.

I prefer .40 or .45, but I do have some mouse guns in .380, the theory being that a .380 in the pocket is better than a .45 back home. If you're good with 9mm then there's probably no need to upgrade.

40 posted on 07/17/2008 11:52:18 PM PDT by AlaskaErik (I served and protected my country for 31 years. Democrats spent that time trying to destroy it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-67 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson