After reported criminal activity occurring recently at the Kroger Shopping Center on Whitlock Avenue, Marietta resident Elizabeth Finch, who has a conceal and carry permit, loads her .45-caliber pistol before heading out of her vehicle to do some shopping. Finch is an NRA member and a leader in The Well Armed Woman chapter in Cobb County.Local news reports
An east Cobb woman has her sights set like a laser beam on making sure the women of Cobb are prepared to defend themselves.
A couple of recent reports of shoppers being victimized at a local grocery store has 38-year-old Elizabeth Finch, a self-employed National Rifle Association certified instructor, offering to teach women gun skills for their own safety.
On Jan. 24, a woman reportedly distracted a shopper at the Kroger on Whitlock Avenue while an accomplice pick-pocketed the woman’s purse.
Then, the following Monday evening, a teenage boy reportedly slapped the buttocks of another female shopper who was bent over to reach a low shelf at the same grocery store.
The woman was not treated medically, but was given a bag of frozen peas by the Kroger staff to numb her stinging backside.
Finch is the organizer for the local chapter of The Well Armed Woman, a national organization established to educate gun-owning women.
“It is really my passion that every woman can defend herself,” Finch said.
Had the two victims in these examples been armed, what would have happened? Should pick-pockets and teenagers like the one in this story be shot dead? Is that the message?
"One time, while leaving a Kroger store in the East Lake area with her husband, Finch said she was leery of a man in the parking lot who was staring at them.
ReplyDelete“He seemed very intent on us,” Finch said.
Finch chose to walk a longer way around the parking lot to their car.
Most of the time while out in public, Finch has a .45-caliber semiautomatic handgun holstered on her hip, but would only draw the gun as a last resort."
In Marietta, in 2012, there were 474 violent crimes in a city of 58,000 according to the FBI.
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2012/crime-in-the-u.s.-2012/tables/6tabledatadecpdf
Are women supposed to shoot pick-pockets and ass-slappers?
DeleteMikeb, I continually wonder why you stand up for criminal behavior, instead of for good citizens who are tired of that. In your view, are we to accept people going around slapping others as the price of gun control? Seriously, what do you expect will follow from tolerating such bad actions?
ReplyDeleteI continually wonder why you say beating people up is OK. Talk about criminal behavior. You said we must work harder to circumvent the law. That's criminal behavior. Since you are a criminal we should use your own tactic to deal with you, you know, inject you with lard.
DeleteGreg, carrying a gun in response to minor criminal activity like pick-pocketing and ass-slapping is stupid. The appropriate response to those dangers is increased situation awareness, nothing more.
DeleteCarrying a gun to stop a violent attack is jusitified. Now in situations like this, drawing the gun will often be sufficent to drive away the attacker, but when a thug has become willing to cross the line into being willing to attack an innocent person, that good citizen isn't obliged to wait to see just how violent the criminal will be.
DeleteWhy is it that you, Mikeb, and others on the gun control side are willing to stand up for violent thugs, no matter how pathetic their violence is?
Because, Greg, when all you have is a hammer, and you're completely obsessed with it, every situation looks like a nail that needs to be pounded. This is one of the things that inflates the DGU count, unnecessary use of the gun which is later described as defensive.
DeleteI remind you again, speculation is not proof.
DeleteApparently Greg would shoot to kill someone who slaps him on the butt or "watches him intently" in a parking lot.
ReplyDeleteI'm flattered that you felt compelled to compose a blog post centered around me. Must be a slow day for ya, buddy.
ReplyDeleteIt's cool that you feel comfortable being so critical about how I choose to defend and protect myself. That means that you've likely never been the victim of a violent crime and I'm glad for that.
To make a clarification here, I was neither aware nor involved in either of the referred incidents in this article. I don't even shop at that Kroger. The article is a result of uneducated reporting. What I'd appreciate is if you would be willing to only base your opinions of me and my choice to arm myself upon what I'm actually capable of being judged upon here and that would be my actual words in the article. If you'll actually read the entire article, particularly the part of it which is specific to me, without the bias of a hoplophobe, you'll notice that I stress situational awareness, education and responsibility.
Try to not be your own worst enemy in the future and open your mind a little.
My remarks were based on the article. If they got it all wrong, go bitch to them. Is the photo caption also wrong? Do you not leave your gun in the car when going shopping and doing other errands? I'm sure you don't because that would be too irresponsible. Cars do not make for secure storage for firearms.
DeleteLet me clarify my position. Although I think it's a stupid, fear-based decision to arm yourself, regardless of your past experiences with criminals, I do think you have every right to do so. But if you leave a gun in the glove compartment of your car EVER, or if you fail to lock your guns up in a gun safe at home when they're not on your person or if you sell or give a gun to another person without having them do a background check, then you are part of the problem.
Yes, the caption is incorrect. That photo was purely the photographer's wish. I load and unload either at my home or the range. That pistol was empty, with only the magazine loaded.
DeleteYou are welcome to all your opinions. I happen to think only a fool assumes that being prepared and having a desire to protect oneself and one's family is based on fear. But, since you felt comfortable basing such absurd remarks upon an article...in the media...who is known at large to lie and distort...well, that tells me that you lack either the interest or the good sense to gather information from all sides before determining where you stand.
Hey, you're the one who posed with an empty gun for a photo shoot. What did you expect?
DeleteSo, you're in agreement that the only place for a gun is on your person or locked in a safe?
No, I don't agree with that. A gun is an inanimate object. If we're going to apply those rules to an inanimate object then they should be applied to ALL inanimate objects. The danger is not in the object, it's in the hands of the person wielding it.
DeleteYour ignorance is what's dangerous.
Howdy Elizabeth, welcome, and thanks for being willing to stop by and share your thoughts in a way that seldom happens in regards to Mike's posts. We are too often, perhaps its more accurate to say almost always limited to pure speculation as to what really happens and how the media portrays things.
DeleteElizabeth, you're taking the inanimate object thing too far. Unless you're an extremist, you have to admit certain restrictions on gun rights. Even Scalia said so. Tell us your position exactly. Do you think it's wrong to leave a gun in the car or at home under the pillow when you go to the local road house for a few cold ones, but you just don't want the government telling you so with laws to that effect? Or do you think safe storage is bullshit and you can keep your guns anywhere you want when there not in use?
DeleteMy pleasure, ssgmarkcr. I found my way here through googling myself which is much different these days after a certain amount of media coverage recently. I found the reporter and the photographer not un-friendly to the cause but they were both quite green in that regard. The only reason the photo was taken in the car rather than outside with my pistol holstered is that the photog seemed quite certain that we'd all end up in jail. Just a product of not understanding or being acclimated,
DeleteMike, actually I'm not taking it too far. ANYTHING which has the potential to kill another should be included in the category. Do we not teach children to be careful around stoves and tools and cars? Why should guns be any different? Allay the curiosity and alleviate the novelty. Am I to be impressed by and base my views off those of a SC Justice? You can tell me how Scalia or any other justice feels about it all day long. No one forms my views for me but me.
Now, that said, I have no real issue with background checks as they are today. I grew up in a family business dealing in guns, so I am intimately familiar with the NICS process and what it does and doesn't do. I will say that I also don't berate the idea of Constitutional Carry though. I can see that side of the coin.
I think whether or not someone chooses to lock up their gun is personal. There are many factors involved and that decision must take a person's personal circumstances into account. Are there children in the house? Is there someone with criminal history or tendencies living in the house? What about the age and physical condition of the owner - how quickly could they get to a firearm locked away when in a situation where they must defend themselves?
Personal responsibility is the key here. If I fail to be responsible with my gun and, as a result someone is hurt, then that is on me and I will pay those consequences. No law will EVER force someone to be responsible. If that were the case, there would be no DUI. As a responsible person, I have taken all of the factors involved in my situation and I have made my own plan and ritual of safety accordingly. I can not do that for anyone else but myself and would not feel comfortable doing so. I'm not in their shoes and therefore I am not qualified to make decisions about how they may choose to protect themselves or what safety plan they must follow. Likewise, the government is not qualified to make those decisions either.
All that blah blah blah and you didn't tell us shit. What do you do with the guns you're not carrying on your person? What do you do with your carry piece when you sleep, when you shower, when you go to the post office? I didn't ask for regurgitated NRA theory, I asked for what YOU DO.
DeleteOh! You're asking what my personal safety plan is? That's easy.
DeleteIt's called none of your damn business.
Ha. As I suspected.
DeleteSeriously, what business is it of yours? Secondly, why would I reveal my personal safety plan to anyone who is not a part of it? You realize that the government neither publicizes nor reveals its safety plans for events of violence for SAFETY REASONS. Why should I or any other citizen?
DeleteThe interesting thing about those with liberal ideologies is that you value the government over people. How does that make any sense? Why would you place your trust in an entity of corruption with a proven track record of little success as opposed to trusting your fellow man? That's awfully cynical to me.
For one reason, you might reveal some of your personal safety practices in order to prove that you really are a responsible and safe person. That's directly germane to this discussion. Plus, admitting that you own and use a proper gun safe in your home might persuade others to do the same making the world a better place for all. And lastly, just because that's what we do here on the blog, we discuss details of how people deal with guns. Your reluctance to talk about it, and your absurd ranting about the government instead, leaves me wondering if you're like so many others, sloppy, irresponsible and part of the problem.
DeleteYou can assume whatever you like but remember the saying about "when you assume." The fact is, I have absolutely nothing to prove to you. This is America and I'm not in any court of law. Nor am I being employed to provide any safety plans or classes. If you're interested in gun safety options, there are plenty of resources available for that. Currently, I'm practicing appropriate and responsible Internet safety.
Delete"And lastly, just because that's what we do here on the blog, we discuss details of how people deal with guns. "
DeleteThis is true, but everyone here is also free to determine at what level they draw the line in regards to what they are comfortable sharing. I tend to be fairly comfortable in this area, though you might recall that not too long ago I got some moderately personal questions from Anon. If I recall correctly, after I gave my reasons for saying no, he called me a new name and sulked. But except for him/her/it, everyone else respected the limit I set.
I cant blame Elizabeth for setting her own limits, especially if she's spent anytime looking over some of the comments here. Perhaps if she chooses to stay, she'll become more comfortable as time goes by.
I'm a pretty cautious person. I think I'd be an idealistic fool to not be so. I've been a target more than once before (for both violent and non-violent victimization) and would be naive to think it impossible again. I have a lot of experience, both direct and indirect, with law enforcement, non-profit crime prevention organizations and Internet abuses. And I've learned, sometimes the hard way, that being indiscriminate with the information one shares can invite a lot of trouble.
DeleteHave any of you here ever been shot? I have during an armed robbery in February of 200. You know what makes me the maddest about it? I was forced to be disarmed by state law. While I was shot my gun was 50 yards away in my truck. The thugs who shot me had no regard for the law or human life. Why should I be forced to be defenseless in a situation like this. I don't know if me being armed would have changed the outcome, but I can assure you it would have evened the odds.
ReplyDeleteSituational awareness. That's funny. I had a guy try to carjack me once. I rolled down my window and yelled, "I'm aware of you!" But he pulled a gun anyway. Fortunately I pulled mine a little bit quicker.
ReplyDeletemike watch what happens when law abiding people follow the law of leaveing guns in cars
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1u0Byq5Qis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1u0Byq5Qis
ReplyDeleteIf guns were as necessary to prevent tragedies as you guys say, you'd have frequent stories like this one and you wouldn't have to keep rehashing this same one over and over again.
DeleteYou're welcome to view right here how having a gun save MY life.
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiiD7rL2rJc
Mike, are you referring to stories recounting how the situation was likely made worse because someone had to leave their firearm in their car to enter a gun free zone? There are likely numerous instances. This one happened to make it into the media because of her testifying on the event.
DeleteOne such story might be the shooting at Pearl High School in Mississippi. Two died and seven were wounded in that incident. The Assistant Principal had to run out to his car to retrieve his pistol, and then confronted the shooter who then surrendered.
We had a recent demonstration at the Arapahoe Colorado High School of how quick response can minimize death and injury in these situations. How many of the people in Pearl might have been spared death or injury if the assistant principal hadn't had to run outside to his car before running back towards the sound of gunfire.
and mike please answer just 1 question why do leos carry weapons?
Deleteill tell you why its to protect themselves from the same bad person i want to be able to protect myself.
its not there job to protect you there job is to respond well my 9mm responds faster than 911.
but if you don't like guns don't buy one here in America you don't have to
just put a sign out front of your door i dont have any protection here but ill call 911.
ill protect my self my family and any body i can.
Elizabeth, I posted that video just now. You are extremely well-spoken. Thanks for the link.
Deletemark5019, whining about the privileges enjoyed by police which are denied you is tired, man. Both police and civilians receive inadequate training prior to gun ownership and use, but the difference between the two is telling. The result is every single day I post stories about lawful-civilian gun owners who act badly. The answer is stricter gun control, higher qualifications to gun ownership and especially carry permits.
Thank you, Mike. I hope that you can see that it's not a black and white issue. There will always be irresponsible people but to me, I'd rather have the ability to protect myself rather than putting my safety into the hands of any government. It's liberty. Like anything else, it has the potential to be abused but no amount of laws or regulation will make an irresponsible person responsible.
Delete