Armed citizenry preventing crime
Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 5:55 pm
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs. ... 09/OPINION
I was pleased to see the Castle doctrine law is doing its intended purpose when I read the story ("Jackson police probe shooting," Aug. 29) in which two armed, masked men entered a business on U.S. 80 and the owner opened fire on them as they opened the door.
They ran for their miserable lives and immediately attempted to enter another business.
Bad move.
The business owner there opened fire on them as well. Minutes later, police found the two suspects sitting in a vehicle with gunshot wounds.
I guess it just wasn't their lucky day. But, that's wrong. The fact is, there were lawmakers courageous enough in the Mississippi Legislature to craft a sensible law so the honest citizen could protect what's rightfully theirs.
Lawmakers like Sens. Charlie Ross, Richard White and 30 others along with Gov. Haley Barbour did the right thing. In fact, the bill was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.
Lawmakers had enough foresight to understand the police can't protect us. They realized law enforcement ranks are outnumbered by the bad guys, and that the citizens need to care for themselves. It's not only our right, but our responsibility.
The whiners and naysayers said. "There will be blood in the streets if this law is passed..." Well, turns out one sunny Monday afternoon when two criminals tried to rob the wrong people on U.S. 80, they were absolutely right.
In 1775, United States Founding Father Thomas Paine wrote: "Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property. ... Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them."
As a National Rifle Association firearms instructor, I say: Changing times and a different environment have done nothing to invalidate that observation.
Cliff Cargill
Jackson
I was pleased to see the Castle doctrine law is doing its intended purpose when I read the story ("Jackson police probe shooting," Aug. 29) in which two armed, masked men entered a business on U.S. 80 and the owner opened fire on them as they opened the door.
They ran for their miserable lives and immediately attempted to enter another business.
Bad move.
The business owner there opened fire on them as well. Minutes later, police found the two suspects sitting in a vehicle with gunshot wounds.
I guess it just wasn't their lucky day. But, that's wrong. The fact is, there were lawmakers courageous enough in the Mississippi Legislature to craft a sensible law so the honest citizen could protect what's rightfully theirs.
Lawmakers like Sens. Charlie Ross, Richard White and 30 others along with Gov. Haley Barbour did the right thing. In fact, the bill was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.
Lawmakers had enough foresight to understand the police can't protect us. They realized law enforcement ranks are outnumbered by the bad guys, and that the citizens need to care for themselves. It's not only our right, but our responsibility.
The whiners and naysayers said. "There will be blood in the streets if this law is passed..." Well, turns out one sunny Monday afternoon when two criminals tried to rob the wrong people on U.S. 80, they were absolutely right.
In 1775, United States Founding Father Thomas Paine wrote: "Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property. ... Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them."
As a National Rifle Association firearms instructor, I say: Changing times and a different environment have done nothing to invalidate that observation.
Cliff Cargill
Jackson
