15 August 2014

Why I Carry a Pistol

Four Charged After South Anchorage Fight Escalates to Gunfire

Anchorage police say one teenager was shot and another was beaten in a fight outside a South Anchorage store Wednesday night, with four people facing various charges afterward.

In a Thursday statement on the case, APD spokesperson Anita Shell says police responded at about 11 p.m. to the parking lot outside the Sports Authority store at 8931 Old Seward Hwy., just east of the Dimond Center mall. Witnesses told police about two dozen people had gathered there to see a fight between two males who were participating in “an ongoing dispute,” which eventually grew to include three males beating up a 16-year-old involved in the original altercation.

“At some point, a member of the audience produced a gun and began firing into the air,” Shell wrote. “This action prompted others to begin shooting. Shots rang out from several different guns before the crowd dispersed.”

Medics took both a 16-year-old girl and the 16-year-old beating victim to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

So why do I carry a weapon?

a. This is less than two miles from our house.
b. This is the second shooting in that parking lot since we've been here.
c. You just never know.


But Reverend Paul, you may ask, what are you going to do if a shooting happens while you're there?

That's easy, friend; as a last resort, if we're pinned down in the parking lot and can't get away, I might have to use the pistol to protect myself and my loved ones.

It's not what I want to happen ... but sometimes bad things happen. Life is about choices, and I choose to be as prepared as possible.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Scary such a thing can happen near a mainstream store, in a large town.
Just goes to show these things can happen ANYWHERE!
Be Prepared, Indeed!

gfa

Rev. Paul said...

Guffaw, indeed. Most of the youth-related shooting occur in a couple parts of Anchorage which are on the far side from us. It's rare on the south side, but obviously not unknown. I won't leave the house without a sidearm.

Matt said...

d. Because you can!

PioneerPreppy said...

Yep, I am with Matt, because ya can.

And ya just never know.

Rev. Paul said...

Matt & Preppy, "because I can" is the BEST reason.

:)

Rob said...

I found out last fall my Dad has two hand guns. he has one when he is up in northern Mn, for the wild animals, the other he keeps under his seat of his car. He always brings it when he goes to North Minneapolis,(black gangs.)when he visits his brother and wife.

Cathy said...

I so understand . . .
Still . . it makes me want to hide under a barrel.
What a world.

Rev. Paul said...

I understand, Rob; he's a man who is prepared for the real world.

Cathy, Anchorage is not a violent place most of the time - but it's impossible to predict when things might turn bad. And no matter how much I'd like a return to the '50 or '60s, that's not going to happen. But violence might.

Cathy said...

Yes, Rev. Paul. You are so right. I say it to my husband every day. "It's not our world anymore."
That world is gone.

Old NFO said...

Smart move! And you're right!

Rev. Paul said...

Agreed, Cathy. We can only adapt, or be left behind.

Thank you, NFO.