A different problem in self-defense

Doug M.

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Saw this on another forum, and it has lots of teaching points to it.

First: Note that both the victims AND offenders were a mixed race group. Thug culture is not about race. It is about behavior.

Second: As has been said by savvy folks in other settings, and I concur as a general rule, the G19 and a reload is the new J frame - the minimal loadout. (Mine is a 19L, a cut down 17.) You do not get a vote on these incidents, only the offenders do, and as far as I can tell, there is nothing inherent in the location/circumstances that would indicate that being elsewhere from the start is a good idea.

Third: Be able to articulate clearly what made you fear death or GBH, so that use of deadly force was appropriate.

Fourth: Yup, this is why my cell phone is almost always connected to me by bluetooth when in public. I can (and have) called LE while moving as needed. The last time to summon assistance for an officer who needed it badly.

Fifth: other non-negotiable equipment includes a BRIGHT handheld flashlight. The 500 lumen Fury P2X is the threshold minimum. If it were a little less unwieldy, the P3X on my carbine would be matched by one I also carry.

Other than being in Memphis, a city that is more or less a boil on the planet (as are many others) I do not know of this being in a particularly bad area. Of course, the people most at risk in those places are those forced to live there! A sidebar with the article says this is a "popular shopping center".

Brutal Kroger parking lot attack caught on camera, Dir. Armstron - Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee. See also Witness reacts to violent attack at Kroger | WREG.com.

MEMPHIS, TN -
(WMC) - A video of a group of teenagers beating a Kroger employee in the store parking lot is circulating on Facebook.

According to police, three people were jumped by a large group of teenagers who were chanting "fam mob." The group, who came from CiCi's Pizza, reportedly attacked a 25-year-old customer as he left his car to enter Kroger.

Two employees, ages 17 and 18, were attacked while trying to stop the fight. Both were "struck several times in the head and face while being knocked to the ground". The victims say large pumpkins were thrown at their heads. They both were eventually knocked unconscious.

The victims were treated on the scene for their injuries. All three refused to be taken to the hospital. The 17-year-old victim's father said his son is OK and is at home.

The Kroger manager told police the store's surveillance video can only be accessed by "loss prevention" on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Memphis Police Department Director Toney Armstrong released the following statement:

"We are fully aware of the last night's incidents. It is extremely troubling to see how many young people were involved, especially on the heels of last week's youth forum. A lot of our citizens are working to provide safe and productive alternatives for our youth. For those that choose not to take advantage of these opportunities, we will work tirelessly to identify, locate and hold you accountable. Last night's events clearly demonstrates a lack of parental controls and if warranted these parents will also be held accountable."

According to MPD, investigators with Tillman Station's GIB are working to identify the people responsible for this crime.

"We have received several statements from those who were involved. We are checking surrounding locations for available footage and we will continue to follow up on all leads," said Sgt. Karen Rudolph.

On Sunday afternoon, Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong, Memphis Mayor A C Wharton and other city leaders held a news conference to respond to what happened and send a message to the parents of the group of young men responsible for the crime.

"We will be meeting this week and I think in the days to come we are going to sit down and try to craft a plan where we can hold parents for your kids actions especially in those incidents where we can prove that you were fully aware of your kids actions but chose not to step in," said Armstrong.

Police want to know whether anyone else was approached, harassed, or injured by the teenagers. Anyone with information concerning this incident contact the Tillman Station GIB at 636-3214 or Crime Stoppers at 528-CASH.

Copyright 2014 WMC Action News 5. All rights reserved.
 
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From 1995 to 1999, my wife and I pretty much lived in Memphis. We were staying at Target House on Poplar in 1999. I've been to that Kroger, which is about 20 blocks or so west of Target House and downtown, but not for about 15 years. It wasn't the best neighborhood back then. I can't imagine it has improved.
 
I just stay away from Memphis, Atlanta, St. Louis, and Detroit.

Nearer home, I only go to Oakland rarely and during day time.

These places can do without my tourist money or business until they get their act cleaned up.

Dave
 
A group of violent thugs assaulting three outnumbered victims certainly sounds like a prototype self-defense scenario which would afford a victim the right to defend himself with a handgun. It would be interesting to see how aggressive the predatory pack would have been had the leading alpha male been planted with a 10-ring shot.
 
Second: As has been said by savvy folks in other settings, and I concur as a general rule, the G19 and a reload is the new J frame - the minimal loadout. (Mine is a 19L, a cut down 17.)

If a G19 or other service-sized double stack pistol works for others, great. I found the G19 to be a pain to conceal and dress around, so I'm now back to a J-frame. I do not find it to be "inadequate." Guess I didn't get the memo. :D

Like Mc5aw hinted, the vast majority of predators are creatures of opportunity. All but the most determined sociopaths lose interest whenever armed resistance is demonstrated by their victim(s).
 
"Officer,

I was attacked & I was in fear of my life, I only fired to stop the threat, & I want them arrested, I will sign a complaint.

I'm more than willing to cooperate, after I consult my attorney, I now wish to remain silent."

Then shut up!!!!!
 
If a G19 or other service-sized double stack pistol works for others, great. I found the G19 to be a pain to conceal and dress around, so I'm now back to a J-frame. I do not find it to be "inadequate." Guess I didn't get the memo. :D

Like Mc5aw hinted, the vast majority of predators are creatures of opportunity. All but the most determined sociopaths lose interest whenever armed resistance is demonstrated by their victim(s).

Well, if I had 15 bad guys after me I'd rather have 17 rounds than only 5.

I'm not sure you can count on that mob to read the posts that say they should run when the leader is shot.
 
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Well, if I had 15 bad guys after me I'd rather have 17 rounds than only 5.

I'm not sure you can count on that mob to read the posts that say they should run when the leader is shot.

The strategy is counting on each individual miscreant's sense of self-preservation. Each of them, individually, will not want to get shot. They're not looking for a fight, they're looking for victims.
 
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Well, if I had 15 bad guys after me I'd rather have 17 rounds than only 5.

I'm not sure you can count on that mob to read the posts that say they should run when the leader is shot.

Me personally, I'd do my darnedest to ensure I never trap myself in a situation where I'm facing down 15 bad guys all by myself regardless of what's on my hip. ;)
 
Well, if I had 15 bad guys after me I'd rather have 17 rounds than only 5.

I'm not sure you can count on that mob to read the posts that say they should run when the leader is shot.

I have been in this Kroger Store many times when I lived near
Memphis, Tennessee. I now have my permit and had I been
there I would have been carrying two revolvers and I figure both of them would have been empty, five from my 44 and five from my 38 with 4 extra speed loaders. With that many attackers it might not have been enough but I would have took
as many down as I could.

The older I get the more determined I get that I will not be
someone's victim even if they plan to claim they are choir boys
after something happens.
 
I live right next door to the cess pool that is memphis. While I am appalled by this behavior, I'm not one bit surprised. Its getting worse all the time.
I try to avoid the place as much as possible. When I do have to cross that city line, you can bet your sweet *** that I'm armed.
 
I warched the video. Aside from the brutality, the brazenness struck me. One guy was being beaten not out in some dark corner of a parking lot at night, but right at the lighted door entrance to the store. Jumping up and down, howling in delight, these teen thugs obviously have no worry of being observed or any repercussions for their criminality. Reminded me of the strong arm robbery in Ferguson.

I think display or single shot would have sent the teen thugs running, but you never know. At least one of the teen thugs was already awaiting weapons charges. A life threatening beat down might have turned into a life threatening gunfight with a half dozen of the teen thugs. No one will ever know. Only one way to find out, defend yourself.
 
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Pack animal instincts..Something wrong with that mind set....I'm sure it is the environment........It is unlawful behavior no excuse no reason..No justification....You can bet Al or Jessie won't be in Memphis....Crime is crime......
 
I heard the FL recently passed a warning shot bill. Might have been useful in this situation. I have thought about carrying one of those blank guns along with my G26. They used to make one that looked like a 25 auto and was double action.
 

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