Police visit

[William]

I asked him "Why?"

A more polite question: "Are you investigating a crime? and if so, how can I help you?"

I don't help cops investigate "crimes".

That's understandable. But what about real crimes. Like robbing the Grafton Store?

The store didn't get robbed. Nothing was taken. As it turns out, there was no victim and therefore, no crime.

[Kat Kanning]

They told me they hadn't been robbed before.

[FTL_Ian]

The store didn't get robbed. Nothing was taken. As it turns out, there was no victim and therefore, no crime.

Huh?  Threatening, especially with a weapon, creates a victim.

[FTL_Ian]

Presuming this is the truth, there was clearly a crime committed:

the man entered the store carrying a rifle, immediately demanded money from the clerk and tried unsuccessfully to pull the cash register off the counter.

(emphasis added)

Just because he got no money, doesn't mean there was no victim.

[Russell Kanning]

they didn't seem victimized

[Kat Kanning]

One of the clerks was scared.  The one who actually had the rifle pointed at her was cool as a cucumber

[J’raxis 270145]

I asked him "Why?"

A more polite question: "Are you investigating a crime? and if so, how can I help you?"

I don't help cops investigate "crimes".

That's understandable. But what about real crimes. Like robbing the Grafton Store?

The store didn't get robbed. Nothing was taken. As it turns out, there was no victim and therefore, no crime.

That a threat of aggression was made makes it a crime to me—now perhaps little to no restitution would be in order, since it's difficult to impossible to quantify a "loss" suffered by the victims of the threats, but it was certainly a situation in which deadly self-defensive force was warranted.

But none of this changes the fact that handing the criminal over to the bigger gang of criminals to be put in a cage isn't a proper solution.

[lastlady]

But none of this changes the fact that handing the criminal over to the bigger gang of criminals to be put in a cage isn't a proper solution.

Agreed!

You know when I was 11 my family became homeless and to make a long story short, I realized there were a lot of good people out there doing really fucked up things because of their circumstances. I'm not making any excuses for people who harm others. But! If some individuals got a little help from their neighbors and someone showed that they gave a fuck we could really reduce "crime".

With that said I am a firm 2nd amendment supporter and would not think twice protecting my family and friends with lethal self defense.

But I just think a little love and compassion can go a long way.

[burt43]

lastlady, well said

[Sam A. Robrin]

One of the clerks was scared.  The one who actually had the rifle pointed at her was cool as a cucumber

You never can tell.  I was once in a scary situation and felt just fine--until about twenty-four hours later, when my mind finally grasped what had happened.

[lastlady]

One of the clerks was scared.  The one who actually had the rifle pointed at her was cool as a cucumber

You never can tell.  I was once in a scary situation and felt just fine--until about twenty-four hours later, when my mind finally grasped what had happened.

It's very true. People handle stress and fear differently. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is very real and can be a lengthy thing to recover from, especially if you come from a situation with specific factors.

[Russell Kanning]

...but it was certainly a situation in which deadly self-defensive force was warranted.

so ... would you have killed him?

[anthonybpugh]

...but it was certainly a situation in which deadly self-defensive force was warranted.

so ... would you have killed him?

Yes

[J’raxis 270145]

...but it was certainly a situation in which deadly self-defensive force was warranted.

so ... would you have killed him?

Ayup. Assuming this is actually what happened:—

Police said the man entered the store carrying a rifle, immediately demanded money from the clerk and tried unsuccessfully to pull the cash register off the counter.

I tend to be very forgiving of people doing stupid or irresponsible stuff, even committing acts of aggression that don't involve putting someone's life or property at immediate, violent risk. This situation was clearly the latter.

[Kat Kanning]

They told me at the store that he actually pointed the rifle at the clerks.