We don't usually write about social issues since our backgrounds are centered around economics, but if you haven't yet heard the story about the young Oklahoma mom that shoots an intruder, here you go:
From CNN.com: http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/04/justice/oklahoma-intruder-shooting/index.html
From FoxNews.com: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/01/04/teen-mom-shoots-kills-intruder-with-11-dispatcher-on-phone/#ixzz1iYTPxt2M?test=latestnews
The Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/04/mom-kills-intruder_n_1183336.html
- This one is particularly interesting. We constantly scour through mainstream media comment pages to gauge the opinions of internet news readers. Though the Huff Post is notorious for being a liberal news site, the comments here are overwhelmingly in support of the young mother and the right to own and use firearms.
So what do you think? Is she a hero? Is this being blown out of proportion? If you are on the other side (the strict gun control side) what's your opinion? Would this case change your mind? Is she a criminal?
Thank you.
Absolutely!
ReplyDeleteNo, she should have shot the other guy too! JK! Yes!
ReplyDeleteThe only way you can "control" my gun is if you pry it from my cold, dead hands.
ReplyDeleteI think I saw from one of the news clips that she is living in a trailer (not that that's a bad thing). But with the story of her husband dying and all that, I hope people start donating to this patriot. A fund should be set up to help her.
ReplyDeleteHero for sure!
ReplyDeleteTo the intruder... man, that must suck to have the last sounds of your existence be "chick, chick, BOOM!"
if he didn't want to get shot, he shouldn't have been trying to rob someone.
HAHAA Anonymous "chick, chick boom" love it
ReplyDeleteHero might not be the word... she was just doing what she had to do. But,
ReplyDeleteBrave
Calm
Cool
Protective
yes!
To those that say she isn't a hero......... Isn't a hero someone that bravely saves someone's life? Yah?
ReplyDeleteI would have done the same thing
ReplyDeleteWhy she had to call 911 to ask for permission is beyond me. When she called she should have told them to send a hearse!lol
ReplyDeleteI don't think she was asking permission. I think she was asking about the legality. I think she did what she had to do.
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks to everyone for your comments. We hope to see more. Tell a friend!
ReplyDeleteSome of these were comical, some were serious... but we at The Elephant in the Room stand with this brave woman. She protected her son when she needed, and that's what matters. I hope her life is turned around and is filled with joy in spite of this and the sad loss of her husband.
absolutely
ReplyDeleteGun control is definitely needed here. This young woman needs to practice shooting both those guns in a controlled fashion at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't call her a hero. What I would call her is a Mother.
ReplyDeleteThis gal did what she had to do to save her life and a baby's life. I would rather read that some criminal is dead than a headlines that read "mother and baby slain days after husband dies of cancer".
If the family of this man comes forward trying to find their own justice, I hope it gets no media attention.
Let her move on with her life. She deserves it.
She is her child's hero, for sure. Who knows what would have happened had she not been armed and willing to defend herself.
ReplyDeleteWhat bothers me the most about this story is that it shows our nation has fallen to the point where a victim of home invasion questions whether or not it is okay to shoot the intruder.
When guns are outlawed only outlaws will have them and to whomever taught this young lady to use and be responsible with a firearm well done. And I like others wish that she never had to go this but she did what was needed to protect herself and her son,well done.
ReplyDeleteA hero, NO! A good mother protecting her baby, YES!
ReplyDeleteBut, I have a quick question... WHERE THE HELL WERE THE POLICE FOR 21 MINUTES???
OK, now that I've put that out there let me further qualify my position. I am HUGELY against the NRA (not that they have anything to do with this but my extreme disdain for that organization and the blind followers or it had to be put out there) and HUGELY for gun ownership (responsible gun ownership that is, something the NRA could care less about) and the ability to protect ones property and family. It is a shame the intruder put her in that position because it will likely have a negative affect on her psyche for the rest of her life. But she absolutely did the right thing (assuming that ALL of the FACTS are out).
Where were the police?
ReplyDeleteMy husband was a resident police officer in rural southern NV (LVMPD) for ten years. His area, which he patrolled alone, covered more than 1000 sqare miles criss-crossed with only four paved roads.
Depending on where he was when the call came in, it could be upwards of 30 minutes - or longer - response time... with lights and siren blazing.
Should he need help, Nev. Hwy Patrol or Laughlin officers would respond, but their response times would be pretty much the same.
The young mother was forced - by criminals - to protect herself and her baby. She did what she had to do.
That we're engaged in this conversation begs the question: If we feel the need to ask 'permission' to protect ourselves from harm... does that mean the criminals are winning the argument?
Sad... and my heart goes out the the young mother and her family.
@Dara - if that's the case then it seems that it is the system itself that has failed (though the exact location of the house would have to be known)!
ReplyDeleteAt first I just read the HP story and went back to read the CNN and Fox stories. I think charging the accomplice with 1st degree murder is a little ridiculous!
@Whatsamattausa The population of the entire area where we lived was < 600 people. Two officers patrolled in rotating 10 hour shifts.
ReplyDeleteIn northeastern NV where we now live, (also rural) it's pretty much the same response time - much longer for a medical response. These change offs we took into consideration when choosing a place to live.
I believe the report stated the young mother lived in TX, so her home neighborhood may have been remote the main town, as ours is.
Many state laws call for a murder charge for an accomplice involved in a violent crime that results in a death. This stands whether they were involved in the actual killing - or maybe simply driving the getaway car, and never having entered the establishment where the crime was being committed.
It's about intent. What does law enforcement/district attorney believe the criminals' 'intent' might have been - had the young mother not been forced to react to the intrusion?
The preponderance of evidence (to date): Had the criminal(s) gained entry, unmolested - does anyone really think the accomplice would have run away?
She was protecting her family and herself. I would have done the same.
ReplyDeleteShe is from Blanchard Oklahoma. I wish this poor woman didn't have to go through this! Especially after losing a husband to cancer, not even a week before. These evil men forced her to make a decision that will affect her for the rest of her life. She chose life and I applaud her. If I knew how to get in touch with her I’d help her in any way I could (Money, home & car repairs, just a shoulder to cry on). She deserves better!
ReplyDelete