Another one for the good guys

[CHL/LEO]

Instictively you would think that he would draw a pistol instead of a rifle.

I could see where you might think that but I carry a rifle and a handgun everyday. After personally seeing the damage that can be done by our rifle rounds vs. our hand gun rounds I would pick the rifle every time if I had the opportunity.

[Keith B]

Instictively you would think that he would draw a pistol instead of a rifle.

I could see where you might think that but I carry a rifle and a handgun everyday. After personally seeing the damage that can be done by our rifle rounds vs. our hand gun rounds I would pick the rifle every time if I had the opportunity.

My preference was my Mossberg 500 if it was not too close range.

[seamusTX]

A couple of comments on points mentioned earlier:

I don't want to restart the "assault rifle" debate, but if it's not automatic or select-fire, it's just a rifle.

There is no legal prohibition on carrying long guns for guard duty as long is it's not in one of the places weapons prohibited, which the parking lot of a mall certainly is not.

- Jim

[Kalrog]

All other things being equal, I'd prefer a rifle over a pistol in a firefight any day.

Same here! Remember the box of truth. A rifle is a rifle and a handgun is a handgun.

[RubenZ]

If they got the drop on him, how was he able to reach beside and get a SKS and have the space and time to aim it out the car?

I will agree, Rifles are the way to go. But I think in a car case like this, grabbing a pistol on your side would be quicker and easier.

Either way whats done is done and luckily he is alive and those Junkies are 6 feet under.

[hi-power]

If they got the drop on him, how was he able to reach beside and get a SKS and have the space and time to aim it out the car?

Not sure, but after listening to the reporter's comments about it, it seemed to me that he blocked the view of it with his body while pretending to comply with getting out of the car and surprised them by bringing it into play quickly.

[ScubaSigGuy]

Instictively you would think that he would draw a pistol instead of a rifle.

I could see where you might think that but I carry a rifle and a handgun everyday. After personally seeing the damage that can be done by our rifle rounds vs. our hand gun rounds I would pick the rifle every time if I had the opportunity.

There is no question as to which is more effective, I completely agree with you (I would have to be crazy not to ). In your scenarios I would imagine that you are responding to a situation and have a quick moment to choose your weapon and exit the vehicle and move toward the engagement. I just found it interesting that he chose the rifle while at gun point. It's just slower to get into action and it doesn't sound like he has had any training. It may have been his only weapon, and after listening to why he bought it, that makes sense. A rifle is going to be far more intimidating to most criminals, and he is pretty young so maybe he was looking for that effect. Who knows?

[chewy555]

There is no legal prohibition on carrying long guns for guard duty as long is it's not in one of the places weapons prohibited, which the parking lot of a mall certainly is not.

- Jim

I did not know this. I only knew about being able to carry a handgun or a shotgun. As a security officer I have wished many times that I could have had a rifle while working.

Not that I think this officer was wrong for carrying the rifle. I am glad that he is ok. But I know that he has a long road ahead, it is never easy after taking someones life.

[seamusTX]

There is no legal prohibition on carrying long guns for guard duty as long is it's not in one of the places weapons prohibited, which the parking lot of a mall certainly is not.

I did not know this. I only knew about being able to carry a handgun or a shotgun.

Please don't take it to the bank without checking.

There's no law against having a rifle generally. There may be some regulation about licensed security guards having to be certified on a weapon.

Security guards need to have specific legislation about carrying handguns to make them exempt from PC 46.02.

- Jim

[drinks]

First, I believe it is legal to have a long arm with you at most times, sure are a lot of rifles and shotguns in pickup windows around here. Sure glad he came out ok, much better him than the scum he put down.
The liberal press is not just a disease of the NE and Kalifornia, it is well established in Texas, as well.
I send several nastygrams to idiots at The Houston Chronicle each year, even ripped up the so called outdoors writers for their PC crap.
It would be nice if a bunch of people jumped all over the Kommiefornia reporters every time something such as this came up.
I already have, today.

[WarHawk-AVG]

Yep..Hi Point pistol (either a 9mm or .45, the .380 has a white stripe down the side [they are very inexpensive..but very effective]) and a stock SKS





The SKS is NOT even close to being classified as an "assault rifle" with its 10 round fixed magazine and NO handgrip, and the bayonette has been removed (illegal to have one anyway!)

In a strict definition, a firearm must have all of the following five characteristics to qualify as an assault rifle:[1][2][3]

* Is a carbine sized individual weapon with provision to be fired from a shouldered position.

Barrel length is usually 400 mm to 500 mm (16� to 20�)

* Is capable of selective fire.
* Fires from a locked breech.
* Utilizes an intermediate powered-cartridge.
* Ammunition is supplied from a large capacity detachable box magazine.
The following features are commonly found on assault rifles, but those are not exclusive to assault rifles, as those features are shared with many submachine guns, battle rifles, automatic rifles and machine guns:

* Protruding pistol grip.
* Folding, retractable or otherwise collapsible shoulder stock.
* Bipod
* Muzzle device like a muzzle brake or a flash suppressor.


Most common is a capacity of 30 rounds, sometimes 20 rounds.

I wonder if he could sue for libel or defamation of character?

I too am getting tired of this blatant anti gun/stupid labeling of "assault rifles"

Funny in the news report the officer called it a rifle, and the kids are possible suspects in other crimes in the area

I can almost bet that they WEREN'T legally purchased

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.

+1 some rifle cartridges at close range have more impact energy than a shotgun [at the same range], the AR for example under 100 yards packs INSANE amounts of energy but due to the very light projectile it loosed much of its energy past a few hundred yards, the 7.62 doesn't as much (standard 7.62x39 grain rounds are approx 122 grains)

Plus the old adage: A pistol is a what you use to fight your way to a rifle

[Liberty]

I wonder if he could sue for libel or defamation of character?

I too am getting tired of this blatant anti gun/stupid labeling of "assault rifles"

Funny in the news report the officer called it a rifle, and the kids are possible suspects in other crimes in the area

I don't think the the SKS will mind at all. In fact If I were an SKS I would feel complimented.

[Keith B]

+1 some rifle cartridges at close range have more impact energy than a shotgun [at the same range], the AR for example under 100 yards packs INSANE amounts of energy but due to the very light projectile it loosed much of its energy past a few hundred yards, the 7.62 doesn't as much (standard 7.62x39 grain rounds are approx 122 grains)

Plus the old adage: A pistol is a what you use to fight your way to a rifle

I agree that some have more ft. lbs. of energy, but the 00-buck has 9 .33 caliber projectiles.

Per The Joint Service Combat Shotgun Program http://jagcnet.army.mil/JAGCNETINTERNET ... le%202.pdf

"The delivery of the large number of projectiles simultaneously makes the shotgun the most effective short range weapon commonly used, with a hit probability 45% greater than a submachine gun, and twice as great as an assault rifle."

That was why I would pull out the Mossberg 500 if I had the opportunity. More chance of hitting my target and no shoot-thru.

[9mmGuy]

Not saying he was in the wrong, but why shoot the guy driving away? I was not there so cant make the call but wouldnt the threat be retreating?

[boomerang]

Not saying he was in the wrong, but why shoot the guy driving away? I was not there so cant make the call but wouldnt the threat be retreating?

Thinking the driver might have a weapon, Mr. Howard then shot at the car, striking Mr. Davis, police said.

As Mr. Davis fled, fatally wounded, he lost control of his car and it struck another vehicle, authorities said.