I helped to chase a purse snatcher today

[Scarecrow]

your heart must have been pumping.. glad to hear that no one got hurt in any way.. too bad the moron got away.. hopefully not for long though.

[gdcleanfun]

Glad no one was hurt. This would make a good scenario for teaching in class. A gal's purse was snatched in front of Smith's here in town last year. She held onto it and was dragged behind the car for a short time. She's okay, but lost some skin. It's easy to Monday-morning-quarterback and decide that you could have gotten in your car, or done something else, but the truth is, your adrenaline kicked in and you did what you thought best at the time. Good job!

[toreskha]

Originally Posted by Scarecrow

your heart must have been pumping..

I haven't really run like that in a while. I probably need to get back into the gym.

I've got to say, it was kind of fun though. It felt like a movie or something, and the entire incident lasted 20-25 seconds. The whole time I was thinking, "Is this really happening, and WTF am I doing? Am I completely out of my mind?"

Originally Posted by gdcleanfun

Glad no one was hurt. This would make a good scenario for teaching in class. A gal's purse was snatched in front of Smith's here in town last year. She held onto it and was dragged behind the car for a short time. She's okay, but lost some skin. It's easy to Monday-morning-quarterback and decide that you could have gotten in your car, or done something else, but the truth is, your adrenaline kicked in and you did what you thought best at the time. Good job!

It's a good lesson for next time. I'd do it again, but I'd follow in my car and keep a safe distance. I wasn't about to grab inside of the vehicle, because I know a sheriff's deputy who tried the same thing and was violently dragged across an intersection (he lived, thankfully).

[tattedupboy]

I also like the fact that your story shows to antis th at all antis aren't the trigger happy, hotheaded, vigilantes they portray gun owners to be.

[PascalFleischman]

Originally Posted by toreskha

I never considered using my gun to resolve the situation, as it's a crowded area with lots of tinted car windows around and I'm not comfortable taking that kind of liability for someone else's property.

Great thinking.....glad everything turned out safely, if not by apprehending the guy. Thanks for your help & presence of mind to help fight crime. And most importantly, glad you didn't have to draw.

[boris]

it is true that you don't have to resort to weapons use everytime. but you know, if you would have shot him in the butt, you would have the snatcher, the lady would have her purse and in Texas, you wuld have gotten a " ATTABOY!" glad you did not get hurt.

[tattedupboy]

Originally Posted by boris

it is true that you don't have to resort to weapons use everytime. but you know, if you would have shot him in the butt, you would have the snatcher, the lady would have her purse and in Texas, you wuld have gotten a " ATTABOY!" glad you did not get hurt.

That's true. In Texas, property can be defended using deadly force.

[Glock Fan]

Originally Posted by tattedupboy

That's true. In Texas, property can be defended using deadly force.

That wouldn't stop a BG from filing a lawsuit against you if you manage to "cripple" said BG in the incident. After all, the BG is a career criminal and by putting the BG in a wheelchair, they won't be able to work and support themself.

All kidding aside, it's a good practice to not "shoot to wound". Along with various other complicaitons, you'll have to contend with the BG being able to make a statement to the police. I'm a frim believer in using deadly force only when absolutely necessary. One version of the story for the police to figure out is a lot better than two.


gf

[toreskha]

Originally Posted by Glock Fan

That wouldn't stop a BG from filing a lawsuit against you if you manage to "cripple" said BG in the incident. After all, the BG is a career criminal and by putting the BG in a wheelchair, they won't be able to work and support themself.

All kidding aside, it's a good practice to not "shoot to wound". Along with various other complicaitons, you'll have to contend with the BG being able to make a statement to the police. I'm a frim believer in using deadly force only when absolutely necessary. One version of the story for the police to figure out is a lot better than two.


gf

Florida law allows for the defense of property with force right off the bat, although I'm not sure about someone else's property. Although it may be legal and they may be the scum of the Earth, I wouldn't feel right about shooting someone over a purse. If they're in my house or car, that's different. After doing something like that, I'd have to explain what happened to a lot of people (police, relatives, lawyer, friends, etc) and that would really weigh on my conscience more every time I try to justify it. Many of those people would have a hard time accepting that a fatal shooting was justified in stopping some washout from getting away with some cash and chewing gum. It would also destroy a lot of the effort I've put into convincing various individuals that carrying a firearm requires a logical and collected attitude.

I'm sure it won't be long before someone else does the job anyway.

[Glockster20]

Tores, a similar thing happened to me about 12 years ago in Tampa.... I was in the Target parking lot and noticed two black youths running full sprint through the parking lot with a guy in a shirt and tie in hot pursuit. I noted that the black males were outrunning the guy and were heading in my direction. So, I pretended not to notice them as they split up and one headed right towards me... as he was about to pass me, I swung around with my arm extended and clotheslined him.... pinned him to the ground. The guy in the tie caught up to us and thanked me and immediately removed the brand new pair of shoes the punk had just stolen from his store! We then escorted him back to the store and the police and his parents were then contacted. His partner in crime got away but I'm sure it wasn't for long