Good For The Country: Castle Doctrine Passes Yet Another State: Texas.
By John Longenecker (03/22/07)
Marshalik and Perearo Died For Nothing, Part III. Wherever you have a right to be is a very important concept when it comes to self-defense.
This quarter we’ve seen some important case studies of where self-defense works and where it is blocked and to the detriment of the people.
Take the murder of two NYC Auxiliary officers Marhalik and Pekearo whom I mentioned in Part I. How is it that these officers weren’t trained half as well as some gun owners are? Somebody had to say it. And the answer impacts non-gun owners, since an armed citizen would have taken this shooter out but quick. And with full legal authority.
Many wish to militarize our police because they say our officers are outgunned.
IF police are so outgunned, then it is irresponsible to semi-train rookies and then send them out on their own without an experienced pro with them, and certainly without a single weapon between them. Militarizing our police is not the answer; not only does this put an unreasonable reliance on a delayed armed response, no matter how armed it is, but this sends a worrisome message to citizens (don’t do anything until we get there). It also sends a message to the criminals (you’ve got a few minutes until they get there -- as always).
There’s a more effective solution which works rather well. And under such conditions anywhere, it’s stupid and even inhuman to ignore it any longer.
Sixteen states now have the Castle Doctrine, otherwise known as the Stand Your Ground law.
Regarding such mass shooters, the key is to meet extreme violence with righteous superior force immediately, with the objective to stop it earlier than arrival of big guns – that is to say, instead of doing nothing while waiting for police. Police experts understand this de-escalation of force now to short-circuit the later need for an escalation of force – and a delay in intervention. It’s good psychology and good police tactics – but ignored in New York, it seems where only the shooter had a gun.
The big secret is that very same concept of de-escalation is proven in right-to-carry states with reports of citizen involvement in de-escalating an armed confrontation. Mad shooters just don’t go where they know someone there is likely armed and where they can’t be sure who is and who isn’t. That’s a pretty good de-escalation, wouldn’t you say?
In passing a Castle Doctrine law, don’t think each state hasn’t fully examined the success of concealed carry states elsewhere. Incidentally, thirty-eight states are right-to-carry states with more than 2 million people legally carrying their weapons.
And where armed confrontation does become necessary, citizen intervention is infinitely preferable to allowing some nut the time to spray and murder children, churchgoers or anyone else — while waiting for police – no matter how well armed they are when they get there.
The Castle Doctrine says three things: 1. Presumption of intent to do great bodily harm when someone breaks into your home, occupied vehicle or workplace, or any other place you have a right to be. 2. It removes the duty to retreat. (Advising you to turn your back on an intruder has proven to be bad advice.) 3. Civil immunity from survivors of the aggressor. Family cannot benefit from crime.
Texas passed it 133 to 13 on March 20th and it takes effect September 1st, 2007 if signed by Governor Rick Perry.
The Castle Doctrine is intentionally mischaracterized to mislead citizen appraisal of the issue, but in the final analysis, a law was required to affirm citizen authority to act in the face of overwhelming, debilitating political correctness which is incompatible with American Liberty.
[I’m asked how I know what the intruder is going to do. I answer, "I know exactly what he’s going to do: he’s going to lie face down on the floor."]
Put another way, liberty can take care of herself. Just get PC out of the way. Political Correctness is no proper escort for her.
Marshalik and Pekearo died for nothing because they weren’t trained as they should have been, because they were unarmed, and because no one could come to their assistance. As I mentioned in Part I, in a few other states that come to mind, an armed citizen would have taken that shooter out, and with all legal authority. Coming to the aid of police is not that unusual.
Here’s something else to examine. With more than 2 million carrying as there are, the community taps into an emergency resource within the permanent legal authority of the people, and which is virtually maintenance-free. I am speaking about how individual gun owners take tactical training furnished them by police, military and even FBI. [Maybe people should not get the impression that police are against civilian weapons. They aren’t. Nutty officials are.]
The individual picks up the cost of his/her own training, weapon, travel costs and ammo, and takes the training as far as he or she is willing to take it. From handgun safety to concealed carry to shotgun classes to close quarter tactics to Hogan’s Alley.
Don’t under-estimate this powerful and genuine civilian resource. And remember that those states affirming their citizens’ right to carry their personal guns have not regretted placing their trust in their constituents – where it belongs.
Not only is it perfectly legal, not only is it the law of the land – it’s necessary now more than ever before.
Independence is mandated by law , and high officials have no say-so about guns. None. Gun control gets people killed, doesn’t it? Yes, it does.
It is the law of the land that citizens be armed with lethal force. It is put there for a reason.
Repeal all gun laws.
John Longenecker
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Don’t be talked out of your personal authority. See http://www.Transferofwealth.net/
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