No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

 

You have a right to your own life. You are more than collateral damage to promote some advocacy group’s greater good.

In a perfect world we wouldn’t need a law-abiding citizen carrying a firearm to stop a mass shooter in a mall. We don’t live in a perfect world. The shoppers at the Greenwald Mall needed a gunfighter, and they got what they needed.

“The real hero of the day is the citizen that was lawfully carrying a firearm in that food court and was able to stop the shooter almost as soon as he began,” Greenwood Police Chief Jim Ison told reporters.

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Published in Law
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  1. Paul Stinchfield Member
    Paul Stinchfield
    @PaulStinchfield

    Those tweets from the Brady organization prove that their rhetoric about “sensible gun laws” is a lie: Their goal is total elimination of the right to bear arms, rendering the population helpless.

    • #1
  2. Concretevol Thatcher
    Concretevol
    @Concretevol

    Wow, tone deaf and ignorant tweets like that are the reason I blew up my twitter account.  lol   Just too infuriating. 

    • #2
  3. Jim McConnell Member
    Jim McConnell
    @JimMcConnell

    Paul Stinchfield (View Comment):

    Those tweets from the Brady organization prove that their rhetoric about “sensible gun laws” is a lie: Their goal is total elimination of the right to bear arms, rendering the population helpless.

    They only have one note, so they just keep repeating it regardless of the circumstances. One would think someone would ask them to explain what they think would have happened had the armed citizen not been available; what sort of headline would we be reading today about the Greenwald Mall shooting?

    • #3
  4. 9thDistrictNeighbor Member
    9thDistrictNeighbor
    @9thDistrictNeighbor

    Imagine if one of the teachers at Uvalde had been armed.  As Scarlett O’Hara said, “I can shoot straight, if I don’t have to shoot too far.”

    • #4
  5. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    9thDistrictNeighbor (View Comment):

    Imagine if one of the teachers at Uvalde had been armed. As Scarlett O’Hara said, “I can shoot straight, if I don’t have to shoot too far.”

    It would have done more good than the 376 guys with guns milling around outside did.

    • #5
  6. Paul Stinchfield Member
    Paul Stinchfield
    @PaulStinchfield

    Jim McConnell (View Comment):

    Paul Stinchfield (View Comment):

    Those tweets from the Brady organization prove that their rhetoric about “sensible gun laws” is a lie: Their goal is total elimination of the right to bear arms, rendering the population helpless.

    They only have one note, so they just keep repeating it regardless of the circumstances. One would think someone would ask them to explain what they think would have happened had the armed citizen not been available; what sort of headline would we be reading today about the Greenwald Mall shooting?

    Their standard response to that is that a real gun ban would, over time, deprive even criminals of guns.

    But the next question to ask them, then, is if they have paid attention to England where knives have replaced guns and horrific knife attacks are commonplace. The authorities have banned the carrying of knives–and indeed of any sort of weapon–but of course that has not deterred the criminals, only the fearful citizens. Now the authorities are talking about a total ban on knives with points. But since most knife attacks involve slashing not stabbing, what will the authorities do next? Ban knives altogether and mandate kitchen cutting devices that might be found in food factories? Or, as one satirist has said, recommend that cooks cut up food with their teeth?

    In the meantime, the authorities show virtually zero interest in reducing crime by locking up the criminals.

     

    • #6
  7. Raxxalan Member
    Raxxalan
    @Raxxalan

    Meanwhile the same people advocating for disarming law abiding citizens also advocate for defunding the police and a soft on crime approach to criminals.  Basically as long as they aren’t the victims they are fine with allowing crime to run rampant.   

    • #7
  8. Unsk Member
    Unsk
    @Unsk

    And how many lives did that “vigilante” in the mall save?

    The callous disregard for human life from our betters is just over the top. 

    • #8
  9. Raxxalan Member
    Raxxalan
    @Raxxalan

    Unsk (View Comment):

    And how many lives did that “vigilante” in the mall save?

    The callous disregard for human life from our betters is just over the top.

    They like Scrooge see us as the “Surplus Population”.  Of course they have no ability to actually survive without us, so it will be amusing to watch them try.  I am sure that DEI and ESG training they are fond of will help them immensely when the electricity and water stop flowing and the food supply isn’t large enough.

    • #9
  10. Paul Stinchfield Member
    Paul Stinchfield
    @PaulStinchfield

    Unsk (View Comment):

    And how many lives did that “vigilante” in the mall save?

    The callous disregard for human life from our betters is just over the top.

    According to standard Marxist theory, criminals are merely “victims of capitalism” while law-abiding citizens are the oppressors. I’m not saying that all liberals are Marxists, but liberals do get their ideas from Marxism (while running in horror from Friedman and Hayek and Sowell) even without actually reading any Marx.

    Furthermore: A populace which is disarmed and helpless is a populace more likely to welcome the protection of a Big Brother.

    • #10
  11. Cassandro Coolidge
    Cassandro
    @Flicker

    Unsk (View Comment):

    And how many lives did that “vigilante” in the mall save?

    The callous disregard for human life from our betters is just over the top.

    The Press may call Eli Dicken a “vigilante” but during the initial news conference the Greenwood policeman [I believe, the city’s police chief, James Ison] conducting the conference repeatedly referred to Dicken as a “Good Samaritan” and all the Press followed along using the same identifier, except one who referred to him as “the second shooter”.

    • #11
  12. Mad Gerald Coolidge
    Mad Gerald
    @Jose

    Paul Stinchfield (View Comment):
    Now the authorities are talking about a total ban on knives with points.

    You would think the Brits would know what a beheading sword looks like.

     

     

    • #12
  13. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Here’s what we’re not going to do: continue to uplift the NRA myth of a “good guy with a gun.”

    Let me be clear: If more guns made us safer, America would be the safest country in the WORLD.

    We need sensible gun laws, not vigilante safety nets. #GreenwoodMall #GunReformNow

    — Kris Brown | President, bradyunited.org (@KrisB_Brown) July 18, 2022

    We would be safer if there were more guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens on our streets, at our workplaces, in our schools, in our churches – you name it.

    The worst violence occurs in major cities in leftist-run states with very strict gun laws, but very lax gun-law enforcement.  Throw in defunded and neutered police departments, no-cash-bail policies, and prosecutors who won’t prosecute, and there’s where most of the violence comes from.

    But school shootings (and other locations as well) can happen in any city or state.  This guy wasn’t a vigilante – a self-appointed person wielding justice as he sees fit.  He was a true hero who saved the lives on God knows how many people by legally killing an armed assailant with a legally carried and legally owned firearm.

    If it was the gun that was killing people, why didn’t the hero shoot the rifle instead?

    • #13
  14. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    I am glad that we had “the good guy with a gun” at the mall.

    • #14
  15. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Paul Stinchfield (View Comment):

    Unsk (View Comment):

    And how many lives did that “vigilante” in the mall save?

    The callous disregard for human life from our betters is just over the top.

    According to standard Marxist theory, criminals are merely “victims of capitalism” while law-abiding citizens are the oppressors. I’m not saying that all liberals are Marxists, but liberals do get their ideas from Marxism (while running in horror from Friedman and Hayek and Sowell) even without actually reading any Marx.

    Furthermore: A populace which is disarmed and helpless is a populace more likely to welcome the protection of a Big Brother.

    Except Big Brother doesn’t protect them either.

    • #15
  16. Randy Weivoda Moderator
    Randy Weivoda
    @RandyWeivoda

    Paul Stinchfield (View Comment):
    According to standard Marxist theory, criminals are merely “victims of capitalism” while law-abiding citizens are the oppressors.

    That’s right. If only those cheapskate taxpayers would vote to have their taxes grossly increased, there would be enough money to put thieves on welfare, so they wouldn’t have to steal to feed their families.  I don’t know how higher taxes would dissuade homicidal maniacs, but I’m sure it would help.

    • #16
  17. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Mad Gerald (View Comment):

    Paul Stinchfield (View Comment):
    Now the authorities are talking about a total ban on knives with points.

    You would think the Brits would know what a beheading sword looks like.

     

     

    You only need a point in combat, not for shortening the odd aristo.

     

    • #17
  18. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I am glad that we had “the good guy with a gun” at the mall.

    Before Gary gets too many “likes” for this, let’s all remember that he voted for the people who are against it.

    And “deeds speak louder than words.”

    • #18
  19. Cassandro Coolidge
    Cassandro
    @Flicker

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I am glad that we had “the good guy with a gun” at the mall.

    Before Gary gets too many “likes” for this, let’s all remember that he voted for the people who are against it.

    Yeah, that occurred to me when I read it.  He’s happy the good guy had a gun, but ignores that he voted to disarm the law abiding population.  Crazy.

    • #19
  20. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Cassandro (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I am glad that we had “the good guy with a gun” at the mall.

    Before Gary gets too many “likes” for this, let’s all remember that he voted for the people who are against it.

    Yeah, that occurred to me when I read it. He’s happy the good guy had a gun, but ignores that he voted to disarm the law abiding population. Crazy.

    The cognitive dissonance lives loudly in him.

    • #20
  21. Raxxalan Member
    Raxxalan
    @Raxxalan

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I am glad that we had “the good guy with a gun” at the mall.

    Before Gary gets too many “likes” for this, let’s all remember that he voted for the people who are against it.

    And “deeds speak louder than words.”

    True, but I am trying to reinforce positive behavior.

    • #21
  22. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Raxxalan (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I am glad that we had “the good guy with a gun” at the mall.

    Before Gary gets too many “likes” for this, let’s all remember that he voted for the people who are against it.

    And “deeds speak louder than words.”

    True, but I am trying to reinforce positive behavior.

    I’m sure he gets the wrong message from it.  Which makes it counterproductive.

    Especially since all you “liked” were his words; his behavior was voting the opposite.

    • #22
  23. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Please do not hijack this thread with name-calling because you are angry at someone on other issues.  When something good happens, let’s celebrate it.  When we are in agreement, let’s rejoice in the agreement.  Fair enough?

    • #23
  24. Randy Weivoda Moderator
    Randy Weivoda
    @RandyWeivoda

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I am glad that we had “the good guy with a gun” at the mall.

    Before Gary gets too many “likes” for this, let’s all remember that he voted for the people who are against it.

    And “deeds speak louder than words.”

    Don’t worry.  I don’t think anyone on Ricochet will forget that we must hold Gary in contempt 100% of the time, even when he says something we agree with.  That is the key to civil conversation, of course.

    • #24
  25. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Randy Weivoda (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I am glad that we had “the good guy with a gun” at the mall.

    Before Gary gets too many “likes” for this, let’s all remember that he voted for the people who are against it.

    And “deeds speak louder than words.”

    Don’t worry. I don’t think anyone on Ricochet will forget that we must hold Gary in contempt 100% of the time, even when he says something we agree with. That is the key to civil conversation, of course.

    Again, deeds speak louder than words.

    • #25
  26. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    We have so much of a focus on the monsters/shooters, with their pictures, names and asking “why did they do it?”  Let’s have a bit of focus on the hero.  From CNN at https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/19/us/eli-dicken-indiana-mall-shooting-bystander/index.html

    Elisjsha Dicken's actions were 'nothing less than heroic,' police chief said. “Elisjsha Dicken’s actions were ‘nothing less than heroic,’ police chief said.

    “(CNN)Dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, Elisjsha Dicken was shopping with his girlfriend when a gunman opened fire on a food court at a Greenwood, Indiana, mall Sunday evening, killing three people and wounding two others.

    “While the shooter, 20-year-old Douglas Sapirman, fired 24 rounds from an AR-15-style rifle, Dicken did not hesitate to use the Glock handgun he was legally carrying. Sapirman was ‘neutralized’ within two minutes, police said.

    “‘Many more people would have died last night if not for a responsible armed citizen that took action very quickly within the first two minutes of the shooting,’ Greenwood Police Chief James Ison said at a news conference Monday.”

    • #26
  27. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I am glad that we had “the good guy with a gun” at the mall.

    Before Gary gets too many “likes” for this, let’s all remember that he voted for the people who are against it.

    And “deeds speak louder than words.”

    Yeah, but I gotta “Like” what he says when he’s right . . .

    • #27
  28. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Stad (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I am glad that we had “the good guy with a gun” at the mall.

    Before Gary gets too many “likes” for this, let’s all remember that he voted for the people who are against it.

    And “deeds speak louder than words.”

    Yeah, but I gotta “Like” what he says when he’s right . . .

    Except it suggests to him that you support how he voted, too.

    • #28
  29. Cassandro Coolidge
    Cassandro
    @Flicker

    Stad (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I am glad that we had “the good guy with a gun” at the mall.

    Before Gary gets too many “likes” for this, let’s all remember that he voted for the people who are against it.

    And “deeds speak louder than words.”

    Yeah, but I gotta “Like” what he says when he’s right . . .

    I didn’t Like it because I don’t believe him.  He voted for the guy, and the administration, that is doing it’s best to stop every good guy from carrying or even having a gun.  And he says this act of carrying a gun should be celebrated?  Hypocrisy!

    • #29
  30. Doug Watt Member
    Doug Watt
    @DougWatt

    Indiana gun laws for all of you that are too lazy to do anything but attack Gary Robbins. I did a little research for you. This is a short overview, but the Good Samaritan is wise to wait before making any public statements.

    Open Carry Permitted? Yes
    Carry In Vehicle? Yes
    Carry In State Park? Yes
    Carry In Restaurants? Yes
    Constitutional Carry? No
    No Weapon Sign Enforced? No-“No Weapons” signs are not mentioned in Indiana gun laws. There are no legal penalties for entering a private property or business that has posted these signs. They have no force of law unless they are posted in areas that are mentioned by the law as being off limits.
    Must Notify Officer? No

    • #30
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