Personal Defense

Recently national news networks picked up on a shooting in Lakeland Florida. It all happened in a Army and Navy surplus store that was owned by Michael Dunn. Dunn is also a city commissioner in Lakeland.

According to the news story 50 year old Christobal Lopez was with his father. As his father was paying for items he wanted to buy, Dunn noticed Lopez leaving the store with a hatchet that he had not paid for. When Dunn approached Lopez a confrontation ensued. Surveillance video shows the two men in a scuffle as Lopez continues to leave the store with the hatchet  in his hand. Dunn then shoot Lopez once in the side and once in the back. Lopez died at the scene.

According to news reports the case was sent to the grand jury who indicted Dunn for 2nd degree murder. If Dunn is convicted he could be sentenced to life in prison.

Several questions come to mind when looking at this incident. First, was Dunn threatened by Lopez or was Lopez just trying to escape? Second, is the hatchet worth taking a human life? Three, Lopez’s father was still in the store. Could Dunn call the police, in reference to shop lifting, with information obtained from the father?

I’m not trying to play armchair quarterback. I’m merely attempting to to learn from this tragic incident. Those of us who carry a gun must realize that a great deal of responsibility goes along with the privilege. Incidents like this create more scrutiny for us who wish to protect ourselves. Unfortunately some law enforcement officers and prosecutors are not in favor of people being able to carry a gun for protection. When cases such as this arise, we must look at them to learn for our own benefit.

If Lopez was being threatening with the hatchet the shooting may have been warranted. If it is found that Lopez was trying to escape it is very possible that Dunn could be convicted.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lakeland-florida-city-commissioner-michael-dunn-christobal-lopez-video-shows-shooting-accused-shoplifter-dead/

The surveillance video may still leave some questions for a jury to sort out. But as in many cases today the shooter will most likely be prosecuted in the media instead of the court.

So what are the takeaways from incidents like this. First and foremost you must have a legitimate threat of bodily harm or death before lethal force can be legally used. If your life is threatened and you use your gun to defend yourself, you must be able to show you were in the right. If the perpetrator is moving away from you when you shoot, it may be difficult to prove you were in danger.

In the minutes following a stressful event such as this, it may not be the time to give your statement to law enforcement. Cooperation does not mean you have to talk right now. Tell the officer that you need to calm down before you talk to them. You may even want to talk to an attorney before giving a statement.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Romans 12:18

Self defense just became more complicated. Here are two actual cases that can help you prepare for the unexpected.

Case number one. The police are doing a drug raid. Unfortunately the address is wrong and they arrive at your home. Law enforcement officers crash through the door. You run to get your gun to defend yourself. The officers see you with a gun and shoot you dead. All you were trying to do is protect yourself. But you paid the ultimate price.

Case number two. It is 2am and you have been sleeping for nearly three hours. Suddenly you are awakened by a noise outside your home. As you get up to investigate someone at the front door shout “sheriff’s department”. Before you reach the door, it is kicked in and three masked men enter with guns. They shoot you before you knew what was happening. They then ransack your home taking anything of value. You are left for dead as they exit your home.

Obviously these men were not sheriff deputy’s as they announced before kicking in the door. What should you do in a situation like this? What would you do if someone demands that you open your door and they identify themselves as law enforcement? What if it was a ploy to force you to open the door?

There is no good answer to this scenario. You must have heightened awareness and be vigilante. You only have seconds to determine if the people at the door are legitimate. You must Observe, Orient, Decide and Act in an appropriate manner. 

Your gun should be close at hand at all times. If someone crashes through your door you do not have time to run to the bedroom to retrieve it. However, if you have small children the gun must be secured safely while still allowing.   for quick retrieval when needed.

If you believe the person at the door is a legitimate law enforcement officer, do not pick up or hold the gun in your hand. If you do, you are now a threat to the officer and you may be mistaken for the bad guy.

Bad people are starting to use every means possible to gain entry into homes. You will need a plan on how you will react to a situation similar to the one described above. Play “what if” scenarios with your family. This will allow everyone to be more prepared for the unknown when it become reality.

While evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

2 Timothy 3:13

You’re the mother of a one year old little girl. She is the pride of your life. What lengths would you go to in order to protect her? What defensive skills do you possess? How would you stop aggression against her or yourself?

It is a bright sunny, warm Thursday morning. You place your daughter in her car seat and proceed to run some errands. On the way you notice the fuel gauge is nearly empty. So you pull into a gas station. As you are fueling your car, a young man jumps in the driver seat and proceeds to start the engine. You scream at him. As he begins to pull away you grab the back door handle and jump into the rear seat. You repeatedly tell him to stop but he ignores you. Now what do you do?

In the past law enforcement officers have encouraged people to not resist in a situation like this. They felt the best course of action was to abide by their demands with the hopes no harm would come to you. But history has taught us that no action usually results in very bad outcomes.

So now you are in the car being driven by a carjacker. Your daughter and you are both in grave danger. What defensive action would you take to bring this situation to an end?

This scenario actually happened several months ago to a mother in Dallas, Texas. This mother had a handgun in the glove compartment for protection. When a carjacker refused her plea to stop the car, she reached over the front seat and retrieved her gun. She then shot the individual in the head. The out of control car rammed into a utility pole. Only the culprit was injured. Later the mother told members of the media, “I’m not a killer but I do believe in defending what is mine.”

So I ask you again, What would you do in a situation such as this? Do you carry a firearm or other means of defense? Have you received training to help protect your family? Or have you decided to just become a victim?

There are many people in our society that believe that citizens should not be allowed to have a firearm. They will say, “There is no need to possess a gun.” Unfortunately this type of thinking would have most likely led to the demise of a mother and child in this instance.

Law abiding citizens should be allowed to protect themselves. Law enforcement cannot be everywhere at the same time. It is up to us to protect our friends and family. Start preparing yourself to possess the skills to protect your family. Take responsibility for your own safety and refuse to be a victim of evil.

Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

Psalm 82:3-4

These are a few stories of self defense you probably won’t see on any of the major news outlet. Yet the anti-gun movement will tell you guns are seldom used for self defense. Consider the outcome of these incidents if the victims did not have a gun and take action. These are just a few incidents that have occurred in the past two year. Put yourself in their place. What would you do? 

Florida Man Stops Home Invasion

Two armed men broke into a Pine Hills residence and held the older female homeowner at gunpoint. Seeing what was happening, the homeowner’s son hurriedly retrieved a pistol and fired on the burglars, killing one and seriously wounding the other, thus ending the incident.

WASH Channel 2, Orlando, Florida

Michigan Woman Thwarts Street Attack

Even something as simple as walking a dog can put a person in harm’s way, but a Michigan woman was able to withstand a recent threat because she was carrying. While the woman was taking her dog for his nightly walk, a stranger came up from behind and grabbed her. The armed citizen responded by pressing her handgun against the alleged assailant’s gut. The pet owner had been in a heightened state of awareness because she had, seconds earlier, noticed a black van with no windows idling on the side of the street ahead of her. Then she noticed a man getting out of the vehicle and strolling parallel to her as she walked her dog. The uneasiness of the situation prompted her to grip her gun while it was still in her jacket pocket. When the man later took hold of her coat, she drew her gun, pushed it into his stomach area and reportedly said, “I don’t want to kill you.” The thug scurried off. (fox32chicago.com, Chicago, Ill., 12/7/17)

California Man Defends Against Granddaughter’s Boyfriend

A Redding man’s granddaughter visited his home with her boyfriend for a weekend. As the visit progressed, the boyfriend became hostile and abusive. After seeing several incidents of abuse toward his granddaughter, the older man armed himself as a precaution, then told the boyfriend he was not welcome and must leave. When the younger man attacked the grandfather rather than comply with the request to leave, the older man shot him in self-defense. Though wounded, the younger man attacked again and was shot a second time, which ended the attack. The grandfather is not expected to face charges.

KRCR Channel 7, Redding, California

Georgia Liquor Clerk Wins Gun Battle With Robber

When a masked and armed man dashed into a liquor store, jumped the counter and demanded money, the quick-thinking clerk was having none of it. Drawing his legally carried pistol, the clerk fired on the robber. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, the clerk was unharmed, but the robber was struck three times and later died of his wounds. Police say the store clerk acted in self-defense.

Fox Channel 5, Atlanta, Georgia

Illinois Man Defends Against Home Invader

When a Kewanee man heard someone kicking in his door on a Sunday afternoon, he took up a pistol when he went to investigate. When the man kicking on the door refused to desist and entered the home, the homeowner, fearing for his life, shot and killed the intruder. The homeowner is cooperating with police in their investigation and is not expected to face charges.

Peoria Journal Star, Illinois

Maryland Man Prevents Daylight Home Invasion

A Lothian couple was at home when an unidentified man tried to break into their house. Taking up a pistol on hearing the noise, the husband tried to force the man from their home at gunpoint but had to shoot when the man lunged at him. Not dissuaded by a wound to the leg, the burglar again tried to attack the husband, whereupon the husband shot the burglar again, giving him a non-fatal head wound, which ended the incident.

The Baltimore Sun, Maryland

Missouri Vet Prevails Against Much Younger Armed Robbers

A 70-year-old Vietnam veteran was stopped by the roadside to let a friend out when two young men in a vehicle stopped next to him and pulled a gun after asking for directions. Fearing for his life, the vet drew his own firearm and fired on the would-be robbers, killing one and seriously wounding the other. A police investigation determined that the two robbers were responsible for a crime spree. The police praised the veteran, who they say acted properly and responsibly. He will not be charged.

KDSK Channel 5, St. Louis, Missouri

Homeowner held burglary suspect at gunpoint

About 2am Sunday, March 4th, a Ferndale homeowner in the 2200 block of Brown Road reported hearing loud banging noises outside his home and armed himself to investigate. According to Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) Undersheriff Jeff Parks, the homeowner found a broken window at the back of his garage and discovered a man inside a fenced area.

Before the homeowner could display his firearm, the man threw himself to the ground shouting “Just shoot me,” “Just take me to jail” and “Just tase me,” according to Parks.

911 was called and the call receiver was informed of the subject being held at gunpoint. WCSO deputies were dispatched and Ferndale Police officers also responded to assist. FPD officers detained the suspect without incident according to Ferndale Police Lieutenant Bill Hatchett.

Parks said in an email, “The subject continued to act strangely and was physically uncooperative with LE, appeared to be under influence.”

Darren K Olson-Young, age 20, was subsequently booked into the Whatcom County Jail by WCSO deputies charged with 2nd degree burglary and 3rd degree malicious mischief (<$750). As of this morning, jail records showed Olson-Young in custody pending a $5000 bail or bond.

By Discover Ferndale -March 5, 2018

Georgia homeowner prevents home invasion 

When an intruder broke into his Columbus home and confronted him late one evening, the male homeowner defended himself with a pistol, killing the intruder and stopping the incident. Citing Georgia’s Castle Doctrine, investigators reported the defender would not face charges for the self-defense shooting.

The Ledger-Inquirer,Columbus, Georgia 

 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

1Peter 5:8