Woman hiding with kids shoots intruder

[LP2K12]

LOGANVILLE, Ga. — A woman hiding in her attic with children shot an intruder multiple times before fleeing to safety Friday.

The incident happened at a home on Henderson Ridge Lane in Loganville around 1 p.m. The woman was working in an upstairs office when she spotted a strange man outside a window, according to Walton County Sheriff Joe Chapman. He said she took her 9-year-old twins to a crawlspace before the man broke in using a crowbar.

But the man eventually found the family.

"The perpetrator opens that door. Of course, at that time he's staring at her, her two children and a .38 revolver," Chapman told Channel 2’s Kerry Kavanaugh.

The woman then shot him five times, but he survived, Chapman said. He said the woman ran out of bullets but threatened to shoot the intruder if he moved.

Source: http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/woman-hiding-kids-shoots-intruder/nTm7s/
Updated: 10:08 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, 2013 | Posted: 3:25 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, 2013

[cantbeserious]

1. Why Was The 38 Not Under Lock And Key As Is Advocated By Responsible Gun Owners?

eom

[LP2K12]

2. It's not out of the question...

That she had it in a safe. I own a biometric gun safe. It says she saw him outside a window and he still used a crowbar to get in.

I have my pistol in a biometric safe next to my bed. I could get it out before someone made it up the stairs, especially if I got into the crawlspace with it.

I'm not saying this is the answer, I'm just saying it's a possibility.

There are important details missing from this story. Did she call 911? Was he house properly secured with an alarm. Why didn't see run out of the opposite exit of her home with the children?

Discharging a firearm should always be the last thing an owner does. If you can get away safely without doing it, you should.

[exboyfil]

10. If I got a gun I would much prefer to retreat to safe place

with my kids and wait versus trying to expose myself by running. I assume she either called 911 or could not get to a phone. To think you can outrun someone with a kid in tow is crazy. In the process of running and handling the gun, you might even shoot yourself or the kid accidently.

She did the right thing.

[LP2K12]

11. Agreed.

Maybe I should have been more clear. If the gun is secure and you have the option (time & safety) to exit your dwelling without coming across the intruder, you should do so. I would not advocate running with a firearm in hand while trying to get your children to safety.

[cantbeserious]

4. Bill Moyers - The Gun Lobby's Firepower

http://www.democraticunderground.com/101790152

[upaloopa]

5. No one here says you can't defend yourself at home. Now she didn't pull out her AR15 and blow the

guy away with a 30 round magazine did she?

Get real OK?

[stevenelijah]

26. You make an interesting observation

If the wounded man was aware that the woman was out of ammunition he could have harmed her and her children. If she had an ar-15, she and her children would have been more secure.

She is lucky to be alive.

[NutmegYankee]

7. A quick access safe can be opened it in about 2 seconds.

If you know the combo.

[Clames]

20. What kind of question is this?

You don't know if it was locked up prior to this intruder breaking and it is extremely obvious that she would unlock it to protect herself and her children. Troll post...

[NutmegYankee]

3. Perhaps this should be posted in GD to show another side of this debate.

This woman was able to defend herself and the children.

[LP2K12]

6. Feel free to post it there if you'd like...

However, I've already seen a distaste for firearm/gun control topics in GD. So, I posted it here.

[NutmegYankee]

8. I can't blame you for that.

I'd post it but I'm headed out the door in a moment, so I get accused of a flyby post.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

13. That is true for only pro gun threads

Anti gun threads are quite welcome and the hosts have no apparent interest in locking them

[Eleanors38]

21. In your opinion which "side" does most of these postings in GD?

[LP2K12]

23. I don't prefer using the term side...

It seems there are tiers...

Those non-owners who believe gun control means abolishing all guns even if that means alienating those who own them and are willing to discuss reform and assist in the passing of new legislation. To hell with the 2A in any form. They believe that only military and law enforcement officers should have access to firearms and only during their service. They follow the statistics that point to a household being no safer with firearms in it, even when stored safely and they do not agree with the discharging of a firearm at home or in public as it puts them in harms way.


Those non-owners who believe gun control means inviting owners to the discussion who are willing to discuss reform and assist in the passing of new legislation. The 2A is outdated, but has it's place.

Those owners who believe gun control means abolishing all guns even if that means alienating those who own them and are willing to discuss reform and assist in the passing of new legislation. To hell with the 2A in any form. These are owners who have been deeply impacted by the continuing needless tragedies in our nation. However, because they are current or former owners they tend to be more open to discussion with the non-owners and owners who want to allow the ownership of firearms.

Those owners who are willing to discuss and assist in the passing of new legislation to control who legally and illegally possesses firearms. They believe in the 2A, but also understand that it was written in a far different time so it should be held as a privilege, not a right. They are willing to do just about everything except relinquish all firearms. They are willing to recognize that statistically, keeping a firearm in a home does not make the members of the household safer. However, under certain circumstances it may save lives. They also believe discharging a firearm at home or in public should always be the absolute final option. (I'm in this group.)

Those owners deemed "gun nuts." These people believe that the 2A is sacred and should remain unchanged. It is their right to possess as many firearms as they can hold in their homes. They believe they can have 10,000, 50,000 or 100,000 rounds in their possession and high capacity magazines should not be taken away. Some agree with the positions of the NRA. Some even say they would fight back if anyone ever came to "take" their firearms and they believe, against all evidence to the contrary, that having firearms in a household environment makes their family safer.

I have bolded the two I see posting the most. It seems to be the extremes of both sides. The problem is these groups will never spearhead real change or legislation because they resort to name calling, Delicate flower, gun nut, swear words, etc.

While all are welcome in the conversation to secure change and bring about a safer nation, I believe it's the non-bolded groups who would make the biggest impact.

[gejohnston]

24. I don't really fit in any of those

I don't think the 2A should become a privilege, nor do I seriously believe the the number of guns or ammo someone has on hand has anything to do with public safety.

I think members of the fourth group thinks that if they throw the "plastic Mattel gun" owners, mostly younger and more diverse owners aka Gun Culture 2.0, under the bus, the first group will quietly go away. It won't, because it is a culture war that has nothing to do with public safety. Illinois' latest attempt is the perfect example. Banning many traditional rifles and pistols, stricter regulations on ranges has nothing to do with public safety or crime. California defining Olympic target pistols like the Walther GSP as an "assault weapon" either.

It is also a generational thing. Some people my generation and older hates my son's taste in music and guns. The Fudds don't like plastic furniture anymore than they like tattoos or music by the Gothcicles.

Actually, extreme prohibitionists outnumber the "no restrictions at all". The latter is non existent. Or at least, I have never seen anyone advocating repealing NFA, age limits, or even parts of the Gun Control Act, that the NRA supported.

[LP2K12]

25. I'm sure...

There are more groups, tiers, etc...

I was just answering the question of who I see contributing to the firearm posts in GD. I'm sure someone could land in between multiple groups with their views. You remind me of my father, which isn't a bad thing. We just differ on our views slightly. Like you, I agree that catering to one group or throwing another one under the bus will not make any other group go away. All need to part of the discussion and bigger pictures, however, some people in those groups will choose no to be.

[ileus]

9. Good thing she had a gun to hide behind.

It save her and her families lives.

[Xipe Totec]

12. At what point did she dial 911?

It's not clear from the story whether she first called and then hid, or if she hid first, shot, and then called.

[exboyfil]

14. She may never have had the chance

The house looks like it is on an acreage. The guy shot has only been charged with burglary (home invasion with a crowbar???).

He is still alive with two punctured lungs, a punctured stomach, and a punctured liver. She was using a .38. He was still able to get to his car and drive away.

[woodsprite]

16. If he hunted them down in the crawlspace,

I seriously doubt he was just there to commit a robbery.

[exboyfil]

17. After hearing the description

of her fleeing and him giving chase, I agree with you. I hope they up the charges on him (but it may be moot given the description of his injuries). I am sure the hospital will just love covering the hundreds of thousands of dollars he is going to rack up in medical bills if he survives today.

[Eleanors38]

22. Sounded like the crim knew who lived there. And wanted to get at them.

[Xipe Totec]

18. Maybe she has more guns than phones.

I'm just saying if you have time to reach for a weapon, you have time to reach for a phone as well.

I have no quarrel with her shooting the guy up, but confronting him alone is not the smart call. Dial 911 first, drop the phone and then start shooting.

[exboyfil]

19. Another story says she was on the phone with

her husband. He dialed 911 as he raced back to the house from another county. She took the kids and fled to the crawlspace. He pursued. When seconds count, the police are minutes away.

[exboyfil]

15. The guy shot was driving

a recent model Mercury Mountaineer (what $15K used?). Nice car for someone arrested and convicted in the past and just recently released from prison. I wonder how he earned his money.

[geckosfeet]

27. Shot 5 times with a .38.

And he was still not down. Probably a tiny little snubby.

That right there is pretty strong argument for 10 to 15 round magazines, hollow points and semi-auto's for self defense.