Another one for the good guys

[seamusTX]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... def6a.html

Dallas -- Three men allegedly tried to rob a security guard who was on duty at a mall. One of the robbers was armed with a pistol. The security guard drew a rifle (described in the article as an "assault rifle," of course). Two suspects dead, one in custody. Security guard unlikely to face charges.

It appears the alleged robber did not know how to operate the pistol. Somehow, two unfired cartridges ended up on the ground.

- Jim

[Keith B]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... def6a.html

Dallas -- Three men allegedly tried to rob a security guard who was on duty at a mall. One of the robbers was armed with a pistol. The security guard drew a rifle (described in the article as an "assault rifle," of course). Two suspects dead, one in custody. Security guard unlikely to face charges.

It appears the alleged robber did not know how to operate the pistol. Somehow, two unfired cartridges ended up on the ground.

- Jim

This guard was lucky since they had the drop on him. Wonder what knd of handgun they had? Probably some cheap-o or beat up POJ. I doubt these guys ever maintain their guns, and most try to carry without any kind of holster.

In the town where I grew up, they had an individual about a week ago who dropped his weapon out of his pants. They were too baggy and he couldn't keep the gun AND his pants up while walking down the street. Someone saw it fall out and called the police. They areseted him about a block later!

[seamusTX]

It sounds like the first time these guys tried to rob someone. Maybe one of them "borrowed" the pistol from home.

- Jim

[Keith B]

It sounds like the first time these guys tried to rob someone. Maybe one of them "borrowed" the pistol from home.

- Jim

Ya hate to see kids so young (17, 19) that die for being stupid. It is a shame they don't see the potential of their actions. Maybe these types of incidents will make others think twice before trying something like this.

On the assault rifle, sounds like it actually was, since the police described it as such.

[ScubaSigGuy]

What kind of security guards (at strip malls) are authorized to carry rifles?

Legally I don't think it's an issue, but I am curious if it was allowed by his company. I would think that a licensed guard would only be qualified to carry a pistol.

Where is TXI?

[Keith B]

What kind of security guards (at strip malls) are authorized to carry rifles?

Legally I don't think it's an issue, but I am curious if it was allowed by his company. I would think that a licensed guard would only be qualified to carry a pistol.

Where is TXI?

From http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/psb/testin ... eview.aspx

'Commissioned Security Officers may carry a firearm when directed to by their employer when they are in the performance of their duties, in a distinctive uniform and with their firearm in plain view.' It doesn't specify what type of firearm.

EDIT: It was on the seat beside him, so it would be in plain view per the law (even though it was dark.) And if he was licensed, that is the reason you get a commision as a security officer so you can be armed.

[frankie_the_yankee]

From the DMN story:

State law also does not require that someone retreat before using deadly force to defend themselves in their homes, cars or places of business.

.... or anywhere they have a right to be, right?

Why can't these reporters ever get it right?

[hi-power]

I'm getting pretty fed up with Fox4 news and their attitude about guns and coverage of what appear to be justified shootings.

In the lead-up to the story Thursday morning some reporter vowed to get to the bottom of why the security guard had "an assault rifle in his car, and why he thought he needed it", with the unspoken intimation that it was either too much gun or that if he didn't have access to it, no one would have gotten killed. To me it's pretty darn obvious why he needed it!

On the assault rifle, sounds like it actually was, since the police described it as such.

They showed a quick shot of the rifle and it appeared to me to be a plain SKS or similar gun with wooden stock and fore-end. The pistol was on the screen and gone before I could figure out what it was, but it wasn't a cheap one.

[Dougmyers5]

I would not care if he had used a Machine Gun or a Hand Grenade these guys had it coming he did what was right!

Age 17 and 19 they knew better and got what they had coming to them!

The Guard should be Promoted and get a raise for doing an outstanding job in a very difficult place.

Redbird area is not the best place to work for sure! ( Bad Area! )

[Keith B]

They have more video on the Fox 4 website http://www.myfoxdfw.com/myfox/pages/New ... geId=3.2.1

It was a plain-jane SKS that appeared to be stock.

[Keith B]

I would not care if he had used a Machine Gun or a Hand Grenade these guys had it coming he did what was right!

Age 17 and 19 they knew better and got what they had coming to them!

The Guard should be Promoted and get a raise for doing an outstanding job in a very difficult place.

Redbird area is not the best place to work for sure! ( Bad Area! )

Bad area or not, knowing what they were doing or not, anytime you have to take a human life, it is a bad thing. The bravado in your post tells me that you have never had to deal with the situation directly or indirectly.

Having been involved in justified shootings as LEO (not the shooting officer, but almost was), you go through a lot of soul searching when these types of things occur. Taking a life is a serious thing.

Did the guard have a choice? Sounds like no, and he did what he had to do to try and survive. However, there are psychological aspects that he will deal with post shooting.

Think about the severity of the action that he had to take. If it was you who REALLY had to do it, I don’t think you would so brazen.

[CHL/LEO]

Ya hate to see kids so young (17, 19) that die for being stupid.

Please don't confuse either their age or their stupidity with what they really are. We deal regularly with young criminals (15 and 16) who are more hard core than any adult criminal you will ever find. Most of them have no value system at all and would kill you or your family just for the heck of it.

That being said, I feel for the security guard who had to take some one's life but it was their choice - not his. Thank goodness he was able to protect himself.

Also, the Dallas PD could care less why he was carrying a SKS. It's the media trying to make something out of nothing. If the media was doing the right thing they would be checking into the backgrounds and criminal history of the others and running a story about what happens when you choose a path of crime.

[ScubaSigGuy]

What kind of security guards (at strip malls) are authorized to carry rifles?

Legally I don't think it's an issue, but I am curious if it was allowed by his company. I would think that a licensed guard would only be qualified to carry a pistol.

Where is TXI?

From http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/psb/testin ... eview.aspx

'Commissioned Security Officers may carry a firearm when directed to by their employer when they are in the performance of their duties, in a distinctive uniform and with their firearm in plain view.' It doesn't specify what type of firearm.

EDIT: It was on the seat beside him, so it would be in plain view per the law (even though it was dark.) And if he was licensed, that is the reason you get a commision as a security officer so you can be armed.

Just to be clear, I don't see any problem with it. I just found it out of the norm. I am curious if he was carrying a pistol as well. Instictively you would think that he would draw a pistol instead of a rifle.

[DoubleJ]

the BG's sure looked to have a HiPoint. saw in in the one video shot, laying on the ground.

"My son is not a robber."
well, not anymore. he was last night.

sure wish they'd talk about how when you point a gun at someone, and they shoot you, it's your own fault. THAT woulda been a nice angle to take....

[NcongruNt]

What kind of security guards (at strip malls) are authorized to carry rifles?

Legally I don't think it's an issue, but I am curious if it was allowed by his company. I would think that a licensed guard would only be qualified to carry a pistol.

Where is TXI?

From http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/psb/testin ... eview.aspx

'Commissioned Security Officers may carry a firearm when directed to by their employer when they are in the performance of their duties, in a distinctive uniform and with their firearm in plain view.' It doesn't specify what type of firearm.

EDIT: It was on the seat beside him, so it would be in plain view per the law (even though it was dark.) And if he was licensed, that is the reason you get a commision as a security officer so you can be armed.

Just to be clear, I don't see any problem with it. I just found it out of the norm. I am curious if he was carrying a pistol as well. Instictively you would think that he would draw a pistol instead of a rifle.

All other things being equal, I'd prefer a rifle over a pistol in a firefight any day. A rifle round does devastating damage in comparison to a handgun round, and you're much more likely to stop someone with a COM rifle shot than a handgun shot in the same place. The velocities at work in rifle rounds do immense amounts of damage with the shock waves they create inside the body. Rather than simply tear holes through someone, they tend to rupture cellular membranes, liquefying the tissue around them and creating a huge wound cavity. It is common to hear of someone surviving a head wound from a pistol, but it very rare that someone comes away alive from a rifle round to the head.