I know this story doesn't tell anyone here anything they don't already know, but I was suprised to see a story of this nature on the Huffington Post. It seems to illustrate pretty well the relative values of restraining orders and guns for self-protection. Hopefully more of the press picks it up (but I doubt it).

 

 

 

 

Robert Vann Marshall Killed By Wife 15 Minutes After Leaving Jail; She Acted In Self Defense, Police Say
 

A Tennessee man was shot and killed by his wife less than 15 minutes after he was released from jail.

Robert Vann Marshall, 34, allegedly broke an order of protection Saturday barring him from going anywhere near his wife. Earlier that day, he was thrown in the slammer and given the order because he allegedly threatened to kill his wife and children, WBIR reported.

 

At 1:27 p.m., he was released from jail. At 1:38 p.m., officers received a call from Marshall's wife at their McMinn County home, during which she claimed her husband was forcing his way inside the home. Police said he was irate, suicidal and possibly armed.

 

"His wife called 911 and was telling our dispatchers that he was trying to break into the residence," McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy told WRCB. "She retreated into the back bedroom, and at some point fired a shot and he was killed."

As police descended on the home, Marshall's wife told dispatchers that she had shot him. The Huffington Post is withholding the woman's name because she is a possible domestic violence victim.

 

The woman is currently not facing charges because Guy believes she acted out of self defense. The district attorney will investigate to determine whether the case should go in front of a grand jury.

 

Guy told reporters that an order of protection is "just a piece of paper," but said it's rare that the process ends in more violence.

I read this, this morning also and was surprised by the liberal comments in favor of her actions at the bottom

Then contrast it with this agenda driven piece and it seems we'll always be at odds...

 

http://www.newpittsburghcourieronline.com/index.php/opinion/14883-that-gun-changed-our-lives-forever

Then contrast it with this agenda driven piece and it seems we'll always be at odds...

 

http://www.newpittsburghcourieronline.com/index.php/opinion/14883-that-gun-changed-our-lives-forever

This is true of any extreme.  It is understandable that the woman who wrote this opinion piece would need to place blame somewhere.  Her family has experienced a profound tragedy that most of us can't truly comprehend.  Think of the doubts, regrets and guilt that goes along with the sorrow.  It is a lot easier to blame the gun when you have the nagging feeling that maybe you could have done something to prevent it.  I'm not saying that this woman could have, but it is natural to have such feelings.  Trying to talk this woman away from her position is not only a waste of time but would more than likely push her to further extremes.  We simply have to accept that there is a small, vocal group of people that are diametrically opposed to 2A rights and will always work to end them entirely. 

 

Fortunately, the majority of the people do not have such extreme feelings, they are largely apathetic.  Some don't care when rights that don't directly affect them are taken.  Some believe that by being "reasonable" and making compromises with the opposition they will achieve some sort of equilibrium.  Some simply expect other to fight the fight for them or wish to ride the fence and avoid taking a stand.  These people are the ones we can have an impact on.   

 

I continually invite people who have never held a firearm to go shooting with me.   I pay for the ammo, range time, etc.  Of those who have taken me up on this offer, not a single one has had a bad experience.  All have been surprised by how responsible legal gun owners are, how important safety is to us and how much fun they have had.  Several have gone on to get their own guns and become active shooters.  This is how we win.  Not by banging heads with the hard-line antis, but by converting the apathetic and giving them a reason to care about 2A rights. 

 

We need to work on uniting gun owners and increasing our ranks.  That's what works.  The only reason prohibition was repealed is that enough people wanted alcohol that the demand overwhelmed the temperance minority.  When there are enough active gun owners in NJ that Walmart starts selling ammo and guns here, there will be no stopping us.

This is true of any extreme. It is understandable that the woman who wrote this opinion piece would need to place blame somewhere. Her family has experienced a profound tragedy that most of us can't truly comprehend. Think of the doubts, regrets and guilt that goes along with the sorrow. It is a lot easier to blame the gun when you have the nagging feeling that maybe you could have done something to prevent it. I'm not saying that this woman could have, but it is natural to have such feelings. Trying to talk this woman away from her position is not only a waste of time but would more than likely push her to further extremes. We simply have to accept that there is a small, vocal group of people that are diametrically opposed to 2A rights and will always work to end them entirely.

 

Fortunately, the majority of the people do not have such extreme feelings, they are largely apathetic. Some don't care when rights that don't directly affect them are taken. Some believe that by being "reasonable" and making compromises with the opposition they will achieve some sort of equilibrium. Some simply expect other to fight the fight for them or wish to ride the fence and avoid taking a stand. These people are the ones we can have an impact on.

 

I continually invite people who have never held a firearm to go shooting with me. I pay for the ammo, range time, etc. Of those who have taken me up on this offer, not a single one has had a bad experience. All have been surprised by how responsible legal gun owners are, how important safety is to us and how much fun they have had. Several have gone on to get their own guns and become active shooters. This is how we win. Not by banging heads with the hard-line antis, but by converting the apathetic and giving them a reason to care about 2A rights.

 

We need to work on uniting gun owners and increasing our ranks. That's what works. The only reason prohibition was repealed is that enough people wanted alcohol that the demand overwhelmed the temperance minority. When there are enough active gun owners in NJ that Walmart starts selling ammo and guns here, there will be no stopping us.

This times 1,000. NJ walmarts selling ammo is a long way off, but inviting the middle fencesitters to the range is definitely the way to go.