Shooting them in the face is pretty much a guaranteed instant fight stopper.
Well, except for this guy:
(I know that's not really the "face," but...)
Posted on 11/01/2012 4:54:12 AM PDT by marktwain
Homes aren’t the only places protected by self-defense laws. In many states, gun owners are justified in defending themselves in their businesses or in their vehicles. For cab drivers, their car is a little bit of both. One United Cabs driver in New Orleans protected himself and his property by shooting a would-be robber in the face.
According to an updated report, a 41-year-old cab driver was dispatched to pick up a fare late in the evening on Oct. 19. Upon arrival the fare, a young man between the ages of 16 and 18, entered the cab and asked to be driven to Canal Street. Once on their way the teenager pressed an object, which he implied was a gun but later was revealed to be a flashlight wrapped in a rag and glove, against the driver's head. The teen then demanded the driver had over his cash and the keys to the cab, so the driver pulled over and complied.
However, when the teen got out of the car, the cab driver then drew his weapon and followed. He confronted him at the intersection, which ended with the teen getting shot in the face. Once injured, authorities said, he attempted to flee once again, but collapsed just a short distance away.
Police transported the suspect to the hospital, where he was placed in critical condition. Once he’s released, he can look forward to weeks of recovery and an armed robbery charge.
Shooting a robber in the face might seem a little bit excessive, but cab drivers across New Orleans have had reason to be wary. A few months ago, a 44-year-old United Cabs driver was shot and killed in his cab. Investigators believed that the driver was murdered and robbed by one of his passengers.
WWLTV spoke with Sheree Kerner, a woman who lost his brother last year during a cab robbery gone bad. "I just wish that my brother would have had that opportunity to do the same thing," she said. "I think these guys need to really think about their safety in this community because it's horrible that these guys are being victimized and all they're trying to do is earn a living.”
This is all in the midst of a new taxi reform that aims to make passengers and cabbies safer by requiring cameras in all taxis. Sure, that might be effective. Putting eyes on people might make them less likely to commit crimes, but will it be enough? What do our readers think? What will be more effective in the fight against crime: more surveillance cameras or more law-abiding citizens with guns?
BOOM! Headshot.
Interesting story.
I hope that the police don’t press charges against the taxi driver. He did weaken his self-defense case by pursuing the thug, though.
I think they need a proofreader. Several misspellings; amateurish (but typical for the media these days).
I have relatives who’ve driven cab.
There were incidents in Portland, OR, when a passenger would have a cabbie drive to an industrial area, then kill the driver and rob him/her.
Can i vote both?Cameras would deter some potential robbers but not all.Lots of robberies at atm’s w/video surveylance.If i drove a cab,i’d definitely carry.
This is all in the midst of a new taxi reform that aims to make passengers and cabbies safer by requiring cameras in all taxis.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
What Bull......train each cabby to shoot and carry a side arm and put the fares up to cover the training.Its war out there in New Orleans, the US Republic of Zimbabawe.
If i drove a cab,i’d definitely carry.
I dont drive a cab but I definitely carry all the time.
“Shooting a robber in the face might seem a little bit excessive”
Doesn’t seem excessive to me at all. Why not in the face?
Head shot....can pretty well assume there ain’t no vest there. I practice at the range two/three times a week. I make sure that I practice half my shots on the head part of the target.
Ditto that, but I'd also equip the cab with a floor to rooftop polycarbonate sheet between passenger and driver sections. Small window openable only from the drivers area to pass payment/credit cards/receipts back and forth.
"Carrying" alone isn't much good when the potential perpetrator is behind you and you have to keep your eyes on the road ahead.
And pursuing the criminal is probably illegal in many states WITH CCW (not a point of view I agree with, but that's the reality of it).
Shooting them in the face is pretty much a guaranteed instant fight stopper.
Well, except for this guy:
(I know that's not really the "face," but...)
Having cameras, in a dark cab and at night, would only deter newbie criminals. It would not deter anybody who has already spent time in the slammer.
It also wouldn’t deter anybody who gets in the cab with a mask.
Here in Nashvill a couple of days ago a cabbie was murdered
Type in wkrn-tv for the terrible crime
Times are getting worse
Jack Black?
I support the 2nd Amendment, self defense, Castle Doctrine, & have had a concealed weapon permit for 37 years. That being said..... Castle Doctrine does extend to your vehicle, but, ceases to apply when you take off down the street to chase him down & shoot him. The threat was averted once the perp fled.
Same thing in the home.... if you shoot the home invader inside, you’re golden, but if you chase him outside to the bus stop & then shoot, you’ll likely be arrested.
The fine line between acting in self defense and being a vigilante is only a few steps long.
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.