Spartanburg County, South Carolina's Serious Sheriff
Mark Wilson ·
November 2, 2011 at 4:53pm
After a revolving-door recidivistic predator attempted to rape a woman in Sheriff Chuck Wright's Spartanburg County, he dispensed some advice to the humble citizens of his jurisdiction:
"I want you to get a concealed weapons permit," Sheriff Chuck Wright said at the Monday news conference, as reported by TV station WYFF. "Don't get Mace. Get a firearm."
Liberals, most of whom have never seen a firearm in person, like to portray concealed weapons not as a tool for self-defense, but as a step toward vigilantism and a threat to law enforcement officers.
Of course the decision to carry a weapon is highly personal. I'm interested to hear what our many lovely Ricochettes think of the good sheriff's suggestion.
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Comments:
May '10
Re: Spartanburg County, South Carolina's Serious Sheriff
That's pretty much the advice Jack Dunphy gave to Diane Ellis on the live chat a month or so ago. I think he recommended something like a Walther, which seemed very MI6 at the time.
Nov '10
Re: Spartanburg County, South Carolina's Serious Sheriff
Sounds like he was warning, passively and indirectly, the potential villains in his jurisdiction of impending violence that he himself could not openly advocate of his own deputies. We could use more similarly confident folks in service.
Edited on November 2, 2011 at 1:02pmAug '11
Re: Spartanburg County, South Carolina's Serious Sheriff
Funny thing is that I recently left Spartanburg SC. I wish I could've tuned into the local radio stations to hear what people were saying. I probably wouldn't purchase a gun. But people around me having guns makes it safer for me to be without one (on the balance).
But this is Spartanburg. Even if they don't have the guns on their person, there were enough guns in people's homes and trucks. I think the citizenry is pretty safe there. The people there seemed pretty nice.
Apr '11
Re: Spartanburg County, South Carolina's Serious Sheriff
Man, you had me really excited for a moment. I saw the headline and thought the woman in the picture was "South Carolina's Serious Sheriff." I imagined she was some tough-as-nails former Navy SEAL/debutante just elected sheriff of a rough-n-tumble small town.
But, you know, the stuff about concealed weapons ... that was pretty interesting.
Oct '10
Re: Spartanburg County, South Carolina's Serious Sheriff
"An armed society is a polite society." And, I hasten to add, a much safer society.
A shotgun in the house and a pocket gun in the car and on the person will do more to protect the civilian population than will scores of clip board carrying police investigators, showing up after the fact and building the prosecutor's case that the judge will throw out or the jury will nullify.
Mar '11
Re: Spartanburg County, South Carolina's Serious Sheriff
God bless Sheriff Wright.
Re: Spartanburg County, South Carolina's Serious Sheriff
I wouldn't carry a firearm, just because I believe that you must be prepared to use it to the point of death. I'm not prepared to do that and I've heard it's more dangerous to carry if you're not. But I fully support the good sheriff's advice.
Jun '10
Re: Spartanburg County, South Carolina's Serious Sheriff
Me, too. But, let's face it the gun was the point here, right?
Dec '10
Re: Spartanburg County, South Carolina's Serious Sheriff
I saw the story on townhall. Worse, some MSNBC idiot asked why people needed to be armed when there are police. (http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2011/11/01/msnbc_host_why_should_people_have_guns_when_we_have_cops linking still a no go BSA).
Jul '10
Re: Spartanburg County, South Carolina's Serious Sheriff
They need to listen to his entire remarks. He pointed out what so many people seem to be incapable of comprehending: the police cannot protect you at all times because they cannot be everywhere. At some point the citizenry has to take some responsibility for their own safety. He's advocating a more serious self-defense than mace because he's tired of seeing people victimized.
May '10
Re: Spartanburg County, South Carolina's Serious Sheriff
Molly - you are spot on! I am an NRA certified firearms instructor and part of the standard NRA curriculum for personal protection is to have folks think about the implications of that decision. You need to make the decision on whether you are prepared for the consequences of using a firearm (personal, financial and legal) to defend yourself before you decide to keep a loaded firearm in your house or to carry one.
May '10
Re: Spartanburg County, South Carolina's Serious Sheriff
Mollie, have you ever had the crap beat out of you by a complete stranger on your front door step at 7:00 at night? Then choked, leaving behind ten bruises on your throat? Had the permanent memory of a deep man's voice you've never heard before yelling profanities in your ear with hatred...because you decided not to give up your purse? I have. And if I had had a gun I would have used it to remove his horrendous power over me. I was fortunate...the neighbor's German Shepard jumped his six foot fence and attacked the guy. I can't describe the acid of fear that pours through your body in a situation like that. But once you experience it you will make sure you never do again. Ever.
By the way...an Iranian immigrant stood and watched the whole thing. He told the police he thought I was the filthy dirt bag's wife.
May '10
Re: Spartanburg County, South Carolina's Serious Sheriff
By the way, Mollie, I'm not judging you. I hope it didn't come across that way. I felt the same way you do before I had that bad experience in college.
Re: Spartanburg County, South Carolina's Serious Sheriff
When seconds count, the police are only minutes away.
May '10
Re: Spartanburg County, South Carolina's Serious Sheriff
The host asked the sheriff, "If women are shooting potential attackers, aren't they presuming guilt before innocence?"
Good grief, where to begin. Does he believe a predator in the middle of the act of rape is entitled to the presumption of innocence from his victim before she reacts in self-defense?
May '11
Re: Spartanburg County, South Carolina's Serious Sheriff
I'd walk barefoot through over burning broken glass to protect my wife or daughters, so trust me, I'd put a round or two through anyone harming them. I agree that you have to be prepared to do that to carry a gun. Here in Japan I have to be willing to do the same, with my bare hands, fortunately Japan is fairly safe, but we do run a liquor store and stabbings are on the rise. The only thing I'm allowed to have on hand is a baseball bat and that is even frowned upon.
Jun '10
Re: Spartanburg County, South Carolina's Serious Sheriff
Oh where! Oh where! are the mother-hen editors? Shouldn't you be clucking all over this thread? Shouldn't you be outraged at the sexist, page-three nature of the photo posted?Perhaps, I should make some comments about well oiled and ready to use guns? Would that earn me the coveted complaint-of-the day award? Editor, don't look now, but your hypocrisy is on full display. And editor: if you don't like this post, remember you started this food fight.
Edited on November 2, 2011 at 6:16pmMar '11
Re: Spartanburg County, South Carolina's Serious Sheriff
Mark Wilson
The host asked the sheriff, "If women are shooting potential attackers, aren't they presuming guilt before innocence?"
Good grief, where to begin. Does he believe a predator in the middle of the act of rape is entitled to the presumption of innocence from his victim before she reacts in self-defense? · Nov 2 at 9:59am
Unfortunately I believe he does and he is not alone in subscribing to that sort of madness.
May '10
Re: Spartanburg County, South Carolina's Serious Sheriff
The problem women have with carrying a weapon is where to put it. In cooler weather the strap the woman is using in the picture works, but it doesn't when it's 95 degrees and humid. A pistol or revolver is also somewhat heavy and bulky, so it's a pain to lug around. A cross-body bag that never leaves your body is maybe the best solution for a female. But, more importantly, if you decide to carry there has to be one part of your brain that's always aware of your weapon and you have a greater responsibility to keep yourself under the radar. Also, you're in trouble if the advice on this thread is new to you. Go get trained, have hours of instruction, shoot repeatedly at targets, shoot more, handle your weapon, shoot at more targets, etc. You'll probably find out it's a ton of fun. And what a bonus if you discover you outshot all the men on the range...especially with a .50 BMG. Oops! Sorry, got off topic.
Jun '10
Re: Spartanburg County, South Carolina's Serious Sheriff
What no word from the editor? A whole half-hour has gone by and no editor has taken my complaint about the sexist, page-three nature of the photographic illustration seriously. What gives? Are some complainants around here more equal than others? I want this situation dealt with. Where are all the outraged female members? Should they not, to a woman, be hitting their send buttons. This is an outrage! Editor! I demand you do something!