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January 2018 • Issue No. 3[/TD]
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Play Stupid Games, Win Stupid Prizes…
BY TIM SCHMIDT - USCCA FOUNDER
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Have you seen the viral video of two men attempting to rob a 7-Eleven convenience store in Compton, California? [Warning: There's some graphic language involved.]
One of the suspects jumps over the counter and appears to pull a firearm, which he holds against the store clerk's back. The clerk, with his hands up, moves off-screen as the other suspect also jumps over the counter.
A few seconds later, an armed security guard enters the scene and fires on both of the suspects.
From the ground, one of the suspects pleads with the guard:
"It's fake! It's fake!"
The security guard responds in kind: "Oh well, mine is real." He then demands that the suspects "get up" and that they put their hands behind their backs.
The guard instructs the frightened store clerk to call 911, and one of the suspects asks, perhaps rhetorically, "Am I shot?" (Yes. Yes you are.)
Now, you and I both know there's nothing funny about someone getting shot. But let's be honest: If someone does end up getting shot, the best we can hope is that it's the bad guy, as was the case in this instance. (Although no good guys were hurt in the exchange, keep in mind that the security guard sent rounds into one of the assailants who was awfully close to the store clerk. Things easily could have ended up a lot differently.)
Beyond the bad guys getting what they deserved in this particular story, there's another lesson here … one that responsibly armed Americans like you and me already know:
A firearm is always considered deadly force.
Remember, a reasonable person fearing death or great bodily harm has every right to respond to that threat with an equal amount of force. Thus, the security guard's use of a real firearm — deadly force — can be considered a reasonable measure to stop the supposed deadly threat he faced.
The fact that the criminal claimed his gun was fake has little bearing on the justified response. After all, would you risk your life on a bad guy's word?
Luckily, all ended well for both the store's clerk and the security guard. And as for the bad guys? As Tom Knighton over at Bearing Arms points out, "Play stupid games, win stupid prizes."
Indeed.
Take Care and Stay Safe, 
Tim Schmidt
Publisher - Concealed Carry Report
USCCA Founder
P.S. - Thinking about activating your Elite USCCA Membership? Act now and I'll send you your FREE Armed & Ready Range Bag Package [$372 value] right away!
P.P.S. - There's still time to vote for Concealed Carry Magazine in the American Society of Magazine Editors' "Best Cover Contest 2018." Click here to vote for our "Comfort & Style" issue, or click here to vote for our "Concealed Carry Lifestyle" issue on Facebook!
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Last edited by senor honda; 01-19-2018 at 01:20 PM.