I”m writing in response — perhaps reaction would be a better word — to the interesting letter from Darrell Davis that was published Aug. 2 to which there will probably be not a few reactions.
Mr. Davis” proposed policy of everyone packing a pistol puts us all the way back to the days of Billy the Kid.
Let”s just suppose, your mode of conduct was adopted and there is going to be a robbery. Who knows about it? Only the robber. He has cased his proposed victim thoroughly. He knows just when the man”s routine activity will have his victim alone. He knows the man carries a lot of cash and assumes he is also carrying a gun since much to the robber”s satisfaction, a law has been passed that allows all to carry a gun, which can be taken in robberies and sold.
So the robber parks his car about half a block away from where the victim will be standing and, when no pedestrians are near, rushes along to where the victim is standing. The robber is in a big hurry. He has an anxious look. In his right hand he is carrying an attach? case with a small black cloth on the handle hiding the fact he is also carrying a pistol in that hand. He stops before the victim and hurriedly asks, “Is this 53rd Street?”
The victim is nervous. His right hand is in his pocket holding his pistol, his finger on the trigger. Reassured by the stranger”s manner that he is concerned with anything but robbery, the victim smiles affably and answers, “It sure is!”
At this point the victim finds himself looking at the business-end of a mean-looking revolver. “Freeze!” here the victim quickly contemplates the choices open to him. He could fire through his pocket, but then the robber would also fire, killing him. He freezes. He has a family. What”s a few hundred dollars? The robber is reassured by the victim”s facial expression, reflecting this.
“Now bring your hand out of your pocket slowly.” This done, the robber takes the victim”s gun and money.
The denouement is in the police station, where the robber makes a confession to a kind of priest with a star on his chest, who says, “Again, Pete? When are you going to learn?”
The police were familiar with Pete”s modus operandi. And did you read about the big dustup at the softball game back in the Southeast some years ago? Seems there was ill-feeling between the two teams and all the men in the audience had brought their guns.
There were more people killed at that softball game than in the big shootout at the OK Corral in Willits.
Also, I want to compliment Mandy Feder on her July 27 Ink Out Loud, titled “More questions than answers.” Bless you girl. That was a winner.
Dean Sparks
Lucerne
