Forgotten Liberty!

I feel like I did the right thing by removing myself from the vicinity. My wife and three children were also in the vehicle and I was concerned for their safety as well as the lesson they would learn from this. I was sort of stunned that she actually came over and opened my door. All I said to her was “Can you move so I can get out?” She was having an altercation with someone else and was not in her vehicle, and this redirected her wrath toward me.

In the end the incident was reported as a simple accident with no citation and the crazy lady filed a claim against my insurance company which they paid over my objections. I was also sent a check in the mail for the estimated damage to my vehicle.

John – it FINALLY arrived last week. I’m a revolver guy, (my gun described above is a S&W 686, 4 inch barrel – a real beast and really fun to shoot, but too darn big and heavy to carry)…so I went right out and purchased a S&W 442 – little black five shot. Only shoots 38 which is fine with me, because I think the kick from .357 on a little revolver like that would take my hand right off. I ordered a DeSantis pocket holster which is due to arrive tomorrow (my online supplier of choice for all this kind of stuff is Cabelas.com – they do a nice job). I’ll be carrying, front right pocket, starting tomorrow.

John, no matter what that cop said, I think you did the absolute 100% right thing, with respect to that crazy woman. The guys who taught my concealed class really emphazised that to try to stay out of trouble afterwards, you really need to think you’re about a second away from getting killed or seriously injured (e.g., stabbed) before drawing and shooting. It is like the last last last resort, sort of thing. Our instructer really put the fear of God into us, with that.

Since you can’t draw and threaten…..I wonder if it is permissible (or advisible) if that type of circumstance ever arises again, to pull out your wallet instead and very calmly say, “let me show you my concealed weapons permit. Please leave and do not force me to defend myself.” Or something similar. Just a thought – and perhaps a dumb idea, but it popped into my head.

Very good point about just attempting a single shot, to perhaps the guy’s leg. I would like to think that is what I would do also – but in the heat of the moment, and with my adrenalin (and fear) at a high level, I can’t for certain say what I would do.

It does seem odd that it took three shots of 10mm for Fish to drop that guy. Either he was panicked and just kept squeezing, or his first couple of shots were not too accurate and grazed the shoulder or something.

We now have a stand your ground law here in Florida. This means if you are threatened in a place you are lawfully allowed to be, you do not have to retreat, but may stand your ground using whatever force necessary (debatable).

I once had an altercation with a hysterical woman in a parking lot who attempted to block my vehicle in and then opened the drivers door twice while screaming obscenities. I chose to leave the scene, resulting in some minor damage to my vehicle. Later, when giving a statement to the police, a female officer advised me that under the new (at that time) stand your ground law, I would have been justified in shooting her. I was surprised at that, and still feel that would have been excessive.

I am glad Harold Fish is free for now and I hope he stays that way. From what I read, there wasn’t enough evidence to prove murder. IMO, the person being attacked deserves every benefit of the doubt. He should also be made whole with regard to his legal fees. Unfortunately, the time lost with his children and family can never be replaced.

BTW, sjames, did your permit arrive yet?

I guess the scary lesson to be learned from the idiot prosecutor is that since I have the ability to load much less effective .38 standard pressure (non +P), instead of .357 magnum which is what my weapon is designed for, or even 38+P, my chances of not being accused of overkill by the damn prosecution are better, if I do so. Which is just flat-out stupid. Because then I am possibly FORCED to fire 3-4 times to stop the attacker, instead of just once (which is all you need with .357 mag) –which they can then STILL use to make you look bad – “he just kept on firing.”

Lose lose, either way.

And NOT sticking with hollow point is never recommended for self defense – because any innocent bystanders are at risk with a round-nose versus hollow point. A hollow point goes in and usually stays put – versus round nose exiting out the attacker and it just keeps on going – through walls, doors, etc.

That Arizona AG need to be thrown out of office.