The Daily News, and just about everybody else in the world is reporting on this story - all in agreement. Eddie Peoples is a hero. Over at The Truth About Guns they went wild with adulation.
You see, the problem is, we are so enamoured of the macho hero image, I suppose from Hollywood films, that we easily lose sight of the facts. In this case the facts are that if the bank robber had had a real gun and not a toy, Eddie would be dead and his two little boys that he left behind to pursue his tough-guy activity would be fatherless."When he threatened my son, I could not let that pass," Peoples said.
Peoples said he followed the thief out of the bank, hopped in his rental van and pulled in front of the man's green Honda, blocking his escape.
After ramming the van several times, the thief got out of his car and stuck the gun in Peoples' face.
But the soldier quickly snatched the weapon and slammed the thug on the ground, holding him down until deputies arrived.
Cops identified the robber as Matthew Rogers, 34, a local bum with a history of burglary, thefts and reckless driving. The gun turned out to be a toy.
If it had gone that way, I suppose the hero-worshiping media would be regaling him as a dead hero, but you know what the gun rights crowd would be saying? They'd be saying he was stupid to pursue the bank robber. Many concealed carry guys believe it's wrong to chase after people like this even if you have a gun. To do so unarmed is just plain foolish.
So why are the gun-rights crowd so into Eddie's "heroism?" Well, it's simple. They love, above all, that tough-guy righteousness. Charles Bronson and Clint Eastwood started it. Today there are too many examples to name. Gun rights folks live in a fantasy world in which one day they too will be able to be the hero. Real-life guys like Eddie are their inspiration.
What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.
I tried to make that point on
Why did Mr. "Bank Robber got his ass handed to him by an unarmed law abiding citizen", when he had other thought to be a gun, "I dont understand" MikeyB wails it's so complicated....
ReplyDeleteNo one cares what you think Mikey....
Quit coddling, the criminal he probably got the beating he deserved....
I had not heard that story yet. As I read your synopsis, I was like, "Yeah! Get 'im!" Mmmm hmmm. Yes I was.
ReplyDeleteThen I read your take on the story and it made me think. (Thank you. That's what good writing does.)
I think that this story can be used by all sides (in case there are more than 2-248), to support their own gun position. I used to like it when I lived in the UK in the early 80s when nobody, not even cops, could own or carry a gun. There were no guns in the UK, except for the military. Nada. The cops had billy clubs. I liked that a lot.
As for him chasing after the robber, the words that stuck to me in the beginning were "when he threatened my son...". I think there's something primordial in us that makes us go into action (or hide - fight/flight) when faced with a real threat. I knew a tiny girl who, when her giant boyfriend was being beaten up by a gang of 4 guys, she went into a rage and got behind two of the guys and pulled their heads back by their hair and then smashed their heads on the car. I never would have imagined her doing that, but she said she was so mad that she suddenly had super strength (adrenaline perhaps?). Once when I saw a big guy in a parking lot physically threatening his girlfriend, I jumped out of my car and walked over to him and said, "Listen you chicken shit MFer, if you wanna hit somebody, hit ME." I taunted the guy. He backed away in fear. Ha! But, I was insane to do that. Completely insane.
So, WTF am I saying here? Every self defense training tells you NOT to resist robbery. So, he was nuts to do what he did. BUT, he was a soldier so I assume he was trained in combat so... perhaps he has more refined skills and judgment than the regular guy/gal on the street.
Whatever the case, I know the pro-gun people are saying, "SEE? That proves that people should be able to carry guns to defend themselves!" even though he successfully defended himself without a freaking gun. Sigh.
Guns suck. Except water pistols.
"Every self defense training tells you NOT to resist robbery."
ReplyDeleteI don't know of ANY self defense instructor that instructs you not to resist a robbery.
C'mon FWM. Are you pulling some semantic nit-picking bullshit here, or what. Not resisting a robbery is common sense in many situations and I'm sure it's taught that way.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you saying really?
So, this vigilant type is no longer threatened, his son isn't either and wasn't kidnapped or touched. For what appears to be emotion-based revenge, he puts his life in danger. How very macho. How very stupid.
ReplyDeleteI'd bet if the cops got the call, they'd have found the robber and had he waved his toy gun, would have killed him.
I can't believe gunslinger citizens will lead to lower crime rates, rather to more injuries and deaths.
massmarrier, you got that right.
ReplyDelete