Liberty wrote:I think you are being a little harsh. Not everyone reacts in the best way, but the end results are what matters most. She and her customers were unhurt and safe. She isn't likely to face any serious legal consequences.
Let's look at her situation. She worked at Waffle house, I assume that she worked late nights and she didn't have a CHL/LTC so she kept it in her truck. Car carry is legal in Georgia. There is very little opportunity to learn the rules unless one takes a CHL class. Georgia has nothing like this forum and most people believe that they are educated and trained enough by watching Law and Order and The Rifleman on TV.
OK, let's look at what happened. It's obvious she knew what to say afterward. (somebody coached her?) She claimed she feared for her life. and that she shot in a safe direction and up. The area looked pretty rural to me. If we are never to shoot into the air none of us would ever hunt squirrel or possum. I don't think it's hardly ever a good idea to shoot warning shots. but in this case, she did no harm, The thing is it has been done often by people much more highly trained than her, and with much worse results.
My point is that we weaken ourselves if we get too critical about who should be allowed to have a gun. I carried in Georgia many times, and to tell the truth, I still don't know if it would be legal to plug one of these guys in the back. The right to defend ourselves is greater than the need to have everyone registered, trained and licensed. .. Maybe we in the community need to make more effort to train the general public.
Maybe I was bit abrupt, in my assessment, but I never intimated, that she should not be able to own a gun. I agree people make mistakes, and don't always react to situations in the best manner. I know that even properly trained people have fired "warning shots" There was a Deputy Sheriff, in Johnson County, working as a bailiff, who pursued a fleeing suspect from the courthouse and fired "warning shots" in downtown Cleburne. The point I was making, was that there is no way to know if a shot fired into the air, is "safe". Had the situation turned out where her shot, hit another person, Waffle House would be the ones to fade the heat in any litigation. So I don't fault them for terminating her employment.
I doubt that she will face legal ramifications, but I think once she left the building, and went to the parking lot, her fear for her safety argument, is weak at best. I also agree that if she is going to carry, even in her vehicle, she needs more training to help her react differently. JMHO
