Apologetic, unemployed robber suspected in 3 Akron heists is shot during third try
He was shot when he pulled a knife and came around the counter after the cash register - can't exactly blame the clerk for shooting in this case. The clerk is most likely in for a world of hurt, as most stores have a strict "give them what they want" policy, but he's still alive. When cornered - as he most likely was behind the counter - there's no telling what the goblin's plans are. It doesn't sound like the guy used any sort of disguise, so the clerk most likely thought he was planning to eliminate witnesses. Maybe he was.A robber who may have committed three heists in four hours was likely shot in the leg while trying to rob an Akron gas station.
Police believe the same bearded man is responsible for three robberies that occurred on the city's west side Tuesday night.
That's the whole thing in these stories. Those that don't believe in self-defense will use the "give them what they want" argument. "Your wallet is not worth killing someone over, is it?" Actually, it is. My wallet contains my home address. It has pictures of my children in it. Credit cards. Banking information. If someone gets my wallet, they have my entire life in their hands, and I have to depend on their good graces that they won't just come back for more later. By establishing that I'll just hand over my wallet like a good little victim, I'm giving them the unmistakable impression that I am an easy target - since they know where I live, why not get more?
Think about that. People that disparage self-defense actually want you to depend on the demeanor of someone that has already shown disdain for the law. They want you to base your safety - and that of your family - on the *hope* that the person sticking a weapon in your face and demanding your possessions will not continue their lawless ways and come back for more. That's nothing short of insanity. Their "response" to violence is to yield pliantly, offering their bellies to the criminal element in vain appeals to pack instinct and alpha dog status. No thanks. Someone threatens me with violence, I can't afford to gamble my security on their good graces.
To quote the master himself: "I would like very much to ensure—and in some cases I have—that any man who offers violence to his fellow citizen begets a whole lot more in return than he can enjoy.”
That is all.
6 comments:
I remember seeing a piece with Massad Ayoob who advised people to have a money clip with a small amount of money to throw at people with knives. At worst, it distracts them so you can have more time to get your gun out or get away. At best, you just saved yourself a ton of legal bills. Let's face $30-$40 is a lot cheaper than having to defend yourself in court.
Tim's suggestion of mugger money makes sense but on the other hand I still don't like my chances when some crackhead has a knife or gun on me. Will he take the mugger money and run or will he kill me because I saw his face...or just kill be because he's crazy and mean? It's something I think about all the time.
It's really not a terrible idea to have a "decoy" wallet - the suggestion I've seen is to toss it in the mugger's field of vision but far enough that he has to move away from you to get it.
If it buys you enough time to make a run for it, that's $20 well-spent.
I've named my Kimber 45ACP the "Confusender."
Seems a lot of people these days are very confused. They think my money, my property, my truck should be theirs. They think their life is more important than mine. They think the money in the cash register should be theirs.
Confusion, confusion everywhere.
Well, I know how to end their confusion.
The argument that "$item isn't worth shooting/killing/hurting someone over" is a total red herring and distractor. The question at hand is not the dollar value of $item, but the invasion of your person, your dwelling, the endangerment of your family, or someone offering to let daylight into your liver. I've been cut open, and I didn't like it even when doctors did it and sewed me back together. Should I take the chance that sumdood will run off with the job only half done? Any morally certain conclusion that such a thing is being offered should be taken at full face value. Quickly.
I worked with a guy who was robbed at gunpoint leaving a night (pro) basketball game. He had always heard "give them what they want" and did so. The goblin was apparently not happy with the take, so he shot my friend and took off running.
He recovered, but missed about six weeks of work.
At the time, I didn't have my carry license and didn't think to ask about this.
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