Caution: Personal Pages of
webmistress, some objects may be closer than they appear ..they
may also be inflammatory.
mini
menu Matt Gurney: The 911 call that might change gun-control activists' minds
by
There are few issues as divisive as how best to control firearms. To the
pro-gun crowd, those seeking stronger gun control measures are cowards and
weaklings, statist Liberal automatons out to rip private property out of the
hands of “real” Canadians. To the anti-gun group, gun owners are paranoid hicks,
who cling to their guns as a substitute for their other failings: mental, social
and masculine. Both sides have some articulate spokespersons, but reasonable
debates are few and far between. Instead, we’re left with two irreconcilable
groups shouting names at each other. It’s almost as bad as Parliament.
As a firearms owner myself, I have some skin in the game, and do my best to
speak with my ideological opponents in a respectful, forthright manner, hoping
to persuade them that if I’m not a fascist psychopath, then maybe the whole gun
owner stereotype is wrong.
Sometimes, events outpace attempts at rational debate. In 2007, Texan Joe
Horn called 911 after seeing two men robbing his neighbour’s home. Despite being
ordered by the dispatcher to remain in his home, Mr. Horn went out and
confronted the two robbers as they tried to make good their escape by crossing
his lawn. Horn shot both of them dead. Some called Horn a hero. Others viewed
him as a murderer, a wannabe vigilante just itching for a chance to use his gun.
Some even said he was a racist since both robbers were black.
Listening to the recording of Horn’s 911 call left me conflicted. He defended
the property of his neighbour and took two criminals off the streets — obviously
a good thing. Still, Horn played into the stereotype I’ve tried to counter: An
older, male southerner blew away two black men with a shotgun when he didn’t
absolutely have to. He might have been justified — the authorities felt so,
laying no charges — but it didn’t help win any hearts and minds amidst the
anti-gun crowd.
A few weeks ago, however, the anti-Horn moment happened. Donna Jackson, 57,
of Oklahoma, was woken by her barking dog shortly after midnight. A man was
circling her home, pounding on the doors and windows, screaming. Jackson
telephoned police and provided a running commentary on the man’s actions. Her
words were remarkably calm and clear, keeping the police informed as to where
the man was and politely asking for swift assistance. Over the course of the
call, Jackson retreated deeper into her home and armed herself with a shotgun.
She said one thing over and over: “I don’t want to kill this man.”
On the recording, you can hear her warn police that the man has broken into
the house. She yells at the intruder to leave. A moment later, the sound of a
shot rings out and Jackson returns to the phone, distraught and asking God’s
forgiveness for having had to fire. The intruder, a man with a long history of
alcohol- and drug-related convictions, was under the influence of as yet
undetermined substances when he entered Jackson’s home. Hit once in the chest,
he died.
There are many lessons to be taken from this incident. Canadian feminists,
typically among the loudest anti-gun voices, should consider carefully the case
of a woman home alone, trapped with a deranged individual, with only a firearm
to defend herself. No doubt the local police will want to examine their 911
response protocols — Jackson was on the phone for 10 minutes, and no rescue
came.
But most of all, those who think that gun owners are vigilantes-in-waiting,
daydreaming about finally getting a chance to shoot someone, listen to that 911
call. Listen to Jackson’s voice. If that doesn’t open your mind, even the
tiniest bit, no reasonable debate ever could.
Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is not necessarily endorsed by
the EMS House of DeFrance or any of its branches or sub sites.
Users are reminded to consult with local controls before
adopting procedures described in any information presented on
this site, or any of its branches or sub sites.
