Fighting back Woman defends herself from attack with gun

[Paladin]

http://www.timesrecordnews.com/trn/loca ... 50,00.html

"Fighting back
Woman defends herself from attack with gun

By Courtney Reese/Times Record News
September 21, 2006

A 38-year-old woman staying at the Homewood Suites in Wichita Falls turned the tables Tuesday night on a potential attacker in the parking lot.

The woman's father said she pulled her .380 automatic pistol on the man, who came up behind her as she was getting sinus medicine from her van about 9 p.m.

He gave the following information about the incident:

The man asked her, "Do you have anything good in that van?"

The woman knew she was in trouble. She told him yes and moved to the front passenger-side door.

She pulled out her pistol and heard a knife click open.

When she looked back, she saw the man was holding a knife pointed downward in his hand.

She quickly turned, pointed the gun right at him and asked, "Are you really sure you want to do whatever you're going to do?"

He took off running, the father said.

The woman immediately went back inside the hotel, alerted the staff, and they called police.

Her father said she was calm at the time, going into "auto-pilot" and remembering everything she had learned in the classes she took to get her gun permit, he said.

"Of course, three hours later she was a basket case," he said. "She felt violated and real anxious."

This wasn't the first time the woman had faced a trying situation.

Her father said her fiance was involved in a shootout in Houston, which made her realize she needed to take precautions herself.

"When that happens to somebody close to you, you learn," he said.

So not even a year ago, the West Texas woman decided to get licensed to carry a gun, something her brother had been trying to convince her of because her job requires travel, her father said.

Sgt. Joe Snyder, public information officer with the Wichita Falls Police Department, said it's important that anyone carrying a gun be aware of not only his or her own surroundings, but also those of the attacker.

"You're responsible for where a bullet goes," he said. "You don't want to hit innocent bystanders."

But even more than that, Snyder said a weapon should not be used as a scare tactic.

"If you are going to pull a weapon, you should be prepared to use it."

In general, it's best to travel in pairs went it's dark outside, Snyder said.

"Park in well-lighted, well-traveled areas so you aren't put in a one-on-one scenario," he said.

The woman who was accosted is one of more than 150,000 people in Texas licensed to carry firearms. In Texas, carrying a loaded handgun in a vehicle is legal when the owner is traveling a substantial distance,

Crime Reporter Courtney Reese can be reached at (940)763-7536 or by e-mail at ReeseC(at)TimesRecordNews.com"

[ghentry]

A woman lawfully prevented herself from becoming a victim, and instead of "good job", we hear the obligatory negative remarks from the police department official...

"You're responsible for where a bullet goes," he said. "You don't want to hit innocent bystanders."

I think she knows this. She didn't spray and pray, but remained calm.

But even more than that, Snyder said a weapon should not be used as a scare tactic. "If you are going to pull a weapon, you should be prepared to use it."

Sounds like she was prepared to use it. Would he have been happier if she had pulled the trigger?


While I agree with what he said, it just irks me that the news reports always have a negative tone as if they are saying "well this one turned out ok, but we really wish you wouldnt try and protect yourself as so many things could go wrong".

[phddan]

No kidding,

Someone defends themself, no one gets hurt, and some bozo spouts off about where the bullet goes (center mass), scare tactics (like the police have to use it every time they pull it), you should be prepared to use it (looks like she was prepared to use it to me, doesn't mean she has to), traveling in pairs (are we supposed to call the cops when we need to go outside at night when we are alone), where to park (if your alone it automatically puts it at a one-on-somenumber), traveling a substantial distance (20 feet or 2000 miles is travelling, but it seems like you allways have some authority figure making their own interpretations).

Sounds to me like this cop doesn't think us mere mortals can be trusted with our own defense.

I refuse to act like a scared and defencless person, just because some person thinks thats the way it should be in utopia.

Dan

[Glockamolie]

So I guess he thinks police officers have a 100% hit ratio in an actual gunfight? Try barely in the double digits. They're also responsible where their bullets go.

I also think you should be aware of your surroundings whether or not you carry a gun. Condition White will get anyone killed.

It's the usual: Good judgement, good outcome, yet a negative undertone from the police spokesman.

[dihappy]

Wow, she did great!

Whats she suppose to do, let the guy start stabbing her before she can pull her weapon?

I know some may think she should have run away, but i believe a person has the right to defend themselves AND their property.

[DustinB]

I am by no means an expert, haven't even taken my CHL class yet, but I think maybe he was talking about the danger of having someone with a knife drawn standing right behind your back. There's a thread about what a knife can do to you and how quickly the attacker can be on you. With him right behind her, how does she know he wouldn't just snap and stab her instead of running? She only has a split second to make that decision and if she's wrong it could very likely cost her, her life. IMHO

[1TallTXn]

sounds like she did good to me.

she didn't antagonize him, just asked if thats what he wanted to do.

yet this Police officer doesn't think its safe for us "lesser" people to carry.

[nitrogen]

I can see where the officer quoted was going, and I agree with him 100%.

Having said that, I think the police should also have given her a pat on the back for a job well done. For all we know, they might have, and it was just not reported.

[Liberty]

http://www.timesrecordnews.com/trn/loca ... 50,00.html


Sgt. Joe Snyder, public information officer with the Wichita Falls Police Department, said it's important that anyone carrying a gun be aware of not only his or her own surroundings, but also those of the attacker.

"You're responsible for where a bullet goes," he said. "You don't want to hit innocent bystanders."

But even more than that, Snyder said a weapon should not be used as a scare tactic.

"If you are going to pull a weapon, you should be prepared to use it."

In general, it's best to travel in pairs went it's dark outside, Snyder said.

"Park in well-lighted, well-traveled areas so you aren't put in a one-on-one scenario," he said.

The woman who was accosted is one of more than 150,000 people in Texas licensed to carry firearms. In Texas, carrying a loaded handgun in a vehicle is legal when the owner is traveling a substantial distance,

Crime Reporter Courtney Reese can be reached at (940)763-7536 or by e-mail at ReeseC(at)TimesRecordNews.com"

I think that folks are being a little hard on Sgt. Snyder. All the advice he gave is good advice. How many antis would advice to not draw the the weapon unless you are ready to use it. It sounds to me that this lady was very cool headed and understood what she had to do and how to do it if neccassary.
I thought there were 250k CHLers. I could be wrong

[KBCraig]

http://www.timesrecordnews.com/trn/loca ... 50,00.html
In Texas, carrying a loaded handgun in a vehicle is legal when the owner is traveling a substantial distance,

I've been reading this thread, but I just noticed this incorrect snippet. Even though "travelling" is no longer restricted to "substantial distance" (never heard it defined like that before), it's good to see someone in the press point out that there is a travelling defense (or exemption. or exception. or something.)

Kevin

[fm2]

She did well. She lost the initiative, stopped his initiative(covertly), regained the initiative, and survived.

I notice Snyder's comments are very general and had nothing to do with this particular incident.

[longtooth]

http://www.timesrecordnews.com/trn/loca ... 50,00.html
In Texas, carrying a loaded handgun in a vehicle is legal when the owner is traveling a substantial distance,

I've been reading this thread, but I just noticed this incorrect snippet. Even though "travelling" is no longer restricted to "substantial distance" (never heard it defined like that before), it's good to see someone in the press point out that there is a travelling defense (or exemption. or exception. or something.)

Kevin

correct, Correct, CORRECT.
There are still many out there that SAY they support 2A but want the general public to believe they can't have one anywhere except:
1. Safely trigger locked.
2. Trigger locked gun locked in a gun safe.
3. Ammo safely locked & stored in a seperate place. ( can't verify it but it, but I read once that Sara B. said they should be in separtae rooms. Sounds like something she would say.)
Slightly exagerated for emphasis.

[ElGato]

So many people want to add on that sixth requirement.

[RPBrown]

I do agree with the LEO's comments but feel the way the reporter stated them seems like an anti.

However, IMHO, she did extreamly well, even though she didn't shoot him.
Bet he thinks twice before trying again. Okay, maybe not. Stupid people do stupid things, over and over.

[Skipper5]

Think she did a great job...keeping her cool and doing exactly the right thing....disarming the potentially deadly situation!