A Nurse with a Gun

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Evil Among Us

On June 18, 2008, two Texarkana teens rode the train from Dallas to downtown Garland Texas. They planned to commit a crime. Demarius Cummings claims he and his cousin, James Broadnax, were not planning on committing murder in Garland, only robbery. Demarius Cummings and James BroadnaxThey had stolen their aunt's "chopper" (a Kalashnikov rifle) to swap on the street for a pistol, and taken the handgun on the trip. The two discussed killing, but Cummings claims he did not believe it would happen. Broadnax concealed the pistol, and the two boarded the night train to Garland.

In Garland, in the early morning of June 19, the two encountered Matthew Butler and Stephen Swan who were leaving Zion Gate Records, a Christian music studio which Butler owned, at 810 State Street. The four men conversed for a while. The men parted, and then Cummings went back with Broadnax and asked for a cigarette. Suddenly, Broadnax pulled his gun. Without hesitation he shot Swann, then Butler. As each man struggled to get back up, Broadnax shot them again, this time in the head, killing them.

The two murderers quickly rifled the dead men's pockets, stole two dollars, and the keys to Butler's car. Stephen Swann and Matthew ButlerThey drove Butler's tan 1995 Crown Victoria to Dallas, and hid the pistol. The next morning they switched the license plates at a relative's house, swapped the pistol back for the AK, pawned a few tools found in Butler's car, and tossed Stephen Swann's ID out the car window as they left in the stolen automobile heading back to Texarkana. There, they were apprehended after a traffic violation. A bicyclist had discovered the two dead men's bodies lying in a pool of sticky blood and spent shell casings at about 1:00 AM the previous night. Both criminals are charged with capital murder. Bond is set at one million dollars each. Both victims are dead.

Those are the facts of the case. There are other facts that may not be as apparent, however. One is that these two men were prowling Garland Texas for a victim, or two. They were not carrying an illegally concealed weapon for self protection against criminals. They were carrying an illegally concealed weapon to use in victimizing an honest citizen. These two men did not stop their victims on the street to discuss recording contracts. They did not ask for a cigarette because they were hungry for nicotine. A package of Marlboros would not have saved Matthew Butler and Stephen Swan.

These two thugs did not go to Garland Texas to buy, bum or steal a pack of smokes. In Cumming's own words, they went there because "dat's where the rich white folks stay at." These two thugs stopped two honest citizens and probed them to ascertain their willingness to be victimized. Chances are, one or both of the victims refused to give the two men a ride, or let them gain access to the recording studio. Then came the cigarette ploy.

The first criminal tactic that many victims of a crime recognize is a violation of the victim's right to passage, and their right to privacy. By the time this tactic is employed, the criminal has already been on the prowl with the intent of selecting a victim, and they have chosen their prey. The criminal is simply ascertaining whether or not their choice is one that will have tolerable consequences. The level of risk is commonly determined by the criminal through asking or demanding something from the victim. Whether the victim gives in to the request makes no difference to the criminal. It is the victim's reaction to the request that determines the outcome of the encounter. While this interview process is happening the criminal and their accomplices are gaining position for the inevitable attack.

So what should a person do? At this point there is only one way to stop an attack. The criminal predator is behaving like an animal, a predator. To stop the attack, the victim must quickly and unequivocally convince the criminal that he is a superior predator. The criminal predator must suddenly realize that he has encountered someone who will kill him.

Keep your distance. Recognize and refuse to allow the positioning for attack. Do not engage in the attacker's conversational ploys. Tell the attacker loudly and without hesitation to back off. Position yourself for repelling an attack, and get your hand on your gun.

Oh, yes, the gun. Reportedly, one of these two victims had a concealed carry permit. Perhaps he left his weapon at home that day. After all, he was going to a Christian recording studio. No danger there......Perhaps the victim had his gun on him, but he lacked the ability to recognize the threat. Perhaps he believed in the innate goodness of all men. Perhaps he recognized the wrongness of the encounter, but the victim lacked the initiative and willingness to employ his weapon to save his own life. One thing is certain, however, by the time a cigarette was requested, this encounter on the streets of Garland Texas could only have been stopped through the use of deadly force.

Butler is survived by his wife Jamie, and two children. "I hope that whoever did this that they would come to know Christ," Jamie Butler said tearfully. "I hope and pray that my husband gets a chance to meet them in heaven and gets a chance to shake their hand and gets a chance to forgive them himself." May the souls of Matthew Butler and Stephen Swan rest in peace, and may we learn from their mistakes.

Below is a jailhouse confession from James Broadnax. James Broadnax, Confessed MurdererDo not watch this video if you want to remain ambivalent about carrying the means for your own self protection. In the video you will see a sociopathic killer blaming his victims for causing him to "go into dat mode" and causing him to kill them. You will see utter and unmitigated lack of remorse. You will see stupefying excuses for a life that he himself wasted, his own, but which he takes absolutely no responsibility for. You will see not only total disregard for the human lives he destroyed, but also the most vulgar contempt for the grief of the families left behind. You will see inexcusable evil personified. You will see the evil that walks among honest citizens in every city in the U.S. You will see why I carry a gun, and why I train to use it to protect my life.



The confession of Demarius Cummings can be viewed here.

Update: Stephen Swan did indeed leave his gun at home that night.
Read his CHL instructor's letter here.

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70 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Texas justice will prevail. I just hope it doesn't take long.

"ya know what I'm sayin'"

6:53 AM  
Blogger the pistolero said...

I saw that video over at Keyboard And A .45 a couple of weeks ago. Frightening and enraging, it was. And to think there are those out there who would have us remain defenseless against predators like these...

7:38 AM  
Blogger José Giganté said...

You think your life was hell? You ain't seen nothin' yet.

8:10 AM  
Blogger Bruce said...

Reminds me of the people who thought I was being paranoid for wanting to GTF out of Dodge (or Oakland, to be more precise) when approached in a gas station parking lot at half-past dark in the morning.

It's 5:00 on a Sunday morning. You're in Oakland, California on your way to the airport to catch a flight with your wife and kids, when you pull into a gas station parking lot to top off the tank in the rental car (your wife's driving as the car is in her name).

The gas station parking lot is well-lit, but there's no traffic on the road, other than yourself. As you pull into the lot, you see a couple unsavory-looking characters loitering on the sidewalk nearby. You pull up to the pumps at the far side of the lot and begin to pump your gas (gas tank is on the passenger side of the car).

Just as the pump shuts off, one the guys from across the way approaches you from your wife's side of the car and asks you if you have any spare change. He's clutching the left outer pocket of his jacket.

8:52 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Although his cold-bloodedness does not surprise me, I am still nearly speechless. I am not outraged, merely deeply saddened in my soul. To see that a human being can sink so low as to be nothing more than an animal is almost too much to bear, even though I know it is far from uncommon.

Thanks for posting this cautionary tale of woe. It's good to be reminded, graphically, to never let your guard down completely while in public, and to have the means at hand, as well as the will, to repel predators.

May the victims families find the strength to work through this tragedy.

10:57 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

WOW, not much else to be said!

11:58 AM  
Blogger DouginSalcha said...

I did watch the interview and his was one of the mostly coldly evil countenances I've ever seen. Cold, selfish, and remorseless.

This is what makes CCW necessary and the mental exercises that prepare the CCW holder to use deadly force worthwhile.

My condolences to the families.

12:09 PM  
Blogger Thernlund said...

I think he's remorseful somewhere inside. I think he wishes he hadn't done it. I think he'll forever be sorry.

I also think it doesn't matter now. I think he'll never say he's sorry. I think he'll never SHOW his remorse. I think it doesn't matter anymore what he's got inside. He chose to present to the world only what was on the outside. It's done now and he'll pay the consequences.

I'm not so cynical to be unable to spot a person regretful of his own actions, however masked that regret is. But I am cynical enough to not really give a damn about it.

"It's done now. Fuck it." - James Broadnax

Indeed.


-T.

1:03 PM  
Blogger MauserMedic said...

I'm amazed this was allowed to make it out to the public. Enough exposure like this, and people will start thinking there might be a chance of something bad happening to them.

1:43 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Since, in his own words, they wanted to rob rich white folks, where are the folks screaming about the injustice of racism? Are there any charges pending for "hate crimes"?

Or do those laws only apply to white folks?

3:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How ironic-- two pieces of crap being assigned a total of two million dollars in bail.

I wish the State of Texas would take the two bucks they stole and buy a couple of .50 cal shells for immediate use.

3:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Xavier:

I've long admired your articles on victim selection and recognizing threats.

Can you suggest further resources on these topics?

5:13 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

When will the bleeding heart liberals wake up? I fear that it may be too late for us...Watching our country being eroded is painful and may lead to some very terrible consequences...

8:02 PM  
Blogger dropdownstairs said...

I folund more evil
can you carry in a park?
http://tinyurl.com/6jamj6

8:42 PM  
Blogger Fletch said...

Beyond chilling.

Thanks for posting it.

I'll watch it whenever I falter.

9:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

In response to Thernlund's comment, I would have to agree - the young thug probably is remorseful inside, probably is regretful that it even happened - but I tend to think that whatever remorse he may have is not for the victims of his crimes, but for himself.

I would bet money that the sadness he feels over this incident and his resulting prison term stem from the fact that he and his partner in crime were caught, and that they will no longer be allowed to walk the streets that they call home.

And, like Thernlund, I couldn't care less. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

9:20 PM  
Blogger Mark Horning said...

And because we are a civilized nation we no longer have public hangings.

Too bad that. I can't think of better candidates.

11:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dal357, these guys are subhuman - not animals. Do not diminish animals by comparing these two pieces of detritus to them.

9:07 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

dropdownstairs: The establishment is posted "Valleyfair prohibits guns on these premises" but under MN law one can legally carry there until asked to leave by the staff.

9:29 AM  
Blogger nature223 said...

nothing cleanses like fire,I'd burn this two POS's gladly at the stake....slowly,while keeping the fire going very very low so they can enjoy their slow demise.
wont be much of an adjustment where they're going

1:57 PM  
Blogger Matt G said...

"What do you want to say to the families of the two men you killed?"

"Fuck 'em. Straight up."

Oh. Well, thank you for that. This will make the trial go a whole lot easier.

5:13 PM  
Blogger 10% said...

"In response to Thernlund's comment, I would have to agree - the young thug probably is remorseful inside, probably is regretful that it even happened - but I tend to think that whatever remorse he may have is not for the victims of his crimes, but for himself. "

I agree Jay, he regrets getting caught, not doing the deed.

8:30 PM  
Blogger phlegmfatale said...

Unconscionable.

12:57 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Can someone tell me what language this poor excuse for a human being is speaking? His life of hell may have been the result of his inability to speak English.

8:30 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Several times while in the Illinois legislature Obama voted against harsher sentences for trash like this. He wants judges to give these types a break. He would eliminate your ability to defend yourself altogether. Things are bad and crime will rise. Think about it and this video when it comes time to vote in November.

8:31 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The demand by the radical pacifists and gun grabbers that we should accept brutalization and death at the hands of criminals and psychopaths for the sake of their notion of "safety" is irrational to the point of being demonic. If being raped and murdered by a crack head is someone’s idea of spiritual development, then count me out.

8:33 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

There are criminals among us who are both homicidal and incorrigible. Their parents took a shot at civilizing them and failed. Their school teachers took a shot at them and failed. The odds are overwhelming that government welfare programs and penal institutions took a shot at them and failed. If it ever becomes your turn to take a shot at them, don't fail.

8:36 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Was a LEO for 26 years,retired LOD injurys as of 12-30-07,I truly know and preach the reason to be armed and I am a life member of the NRA.Until you have looked in the dead eyes of a street predator and understand the sociopathic mentality and their ability to do FAST and pemanent harm to you - THEN you know to not let them into your 'space' EVER !!.EDCing a gun does not make you 'bulletproof' you HAVE to be armed in the mind first !.

8:43 AM  
Blogger Billy said...

You think life on earth was hell... when he dies, hell will have a whole new meaning.

8:51 AM  
Blogger mrb302 said...

This is exactly why I maintain my carry permit. This is exactly why I believe in packing a .45. This is exactly why I don't rely on others to protect me and my family.

9:39 AM  
Blogger Brian Opalewski said...

My 90% of the time carry just went to 100%.

Thanks for posting this, I'm now a subscriber.

9:45 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What language was that guy speaking?

10:12 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why isn't this video MANDATORY viewing by every anti-gun politition on the Hill? I guess with their bodyguards and armored limos they just don't have to care.

10:19 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is tragic. But, I'm glad it was exposed to the public. Too many liberals feel that the police can help you in this type of situation. This clearly is not true. It's been proven time and time again.

I had a discussion with someone about carrying at church or any church activities. They were adamant about NOT carrying at church, EVER. That was about a month before the murders at the church in Colorado. After that shooting, he has a different outlook. We both agree, if you carry, GET TRAINED!

As for the questions asked about where you can carry, I feel that if you are a responsible citizen, legally licensed to carry, you should NOT be restricted on WHERE you can carry. It's stupid having to lock your gun in your car while running into the Post Office and get checks out of your PO Box. Or, you name it, the restriction is out there...

I believe the following statement: 'I'd rather be tried by 12, than carried by 6' If you're not being stupid, YES, I SAID STUPID, when carrying your legally licensed firearm, no one will know the difference. Those bleeding heart liberals might just thank you for saving their life in an area they pushed to take those rights from you. Then they will sue you...
Carry with caution! XD .45, don't leave home without it...

My condolences to the families.

11:54 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The one comment that thes two were animals,I would like to remind all of you that even animal life does not go this Low!!!!!!!!
R.L.

1:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Throw the switch and fry the scum bags than toss the lifeless worthless bodies to the hunger lions at the closest zoo.

8:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

EYES OPEN, MOUTH SHUT, SAFETY OFF!

9:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jose Gigante sounds like he's right with these animals. Time to open up hunting season.

11:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Matthew Butler is my son. He was an amazing son, a really good man, loved being a father and he loved the Lord with all of his heart, mind and soul. We are heartbroken; there are no words to describe the pain of losing a child. We do have the assurance that Matthew is present with the Lord Jesus Christ and both he and Steve are making beautiful music in the Heavens now. We will be with him again soon.

I pray that these killers turn their lives over to the Lord before they die. I do believe strongly in the death penalty, always have, but more so than ever now. My son took his last breath at the hands of these animals. They confessed - they don't deserve a jury trial, appeals, etc. I wish our justice system would simply allow me and my husband to do the same to these two cold blooded murderers that they did to our son and Steve. Now, that would be justice!!! The sooner they are eradicated, the better off we'll all be. Why waste taxpayer money on one more ham sandwich for either of these scumbags??

Please keep us in your prayers!! Check out my son's website www.zgrecords.com

12:09 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Matthew Butler is my son. He was an amazing son, a really good man, loved being a father and he loved the Lord with all of his heart, mind and soul. We are heartbroken; there are no words to describe the pain of losing a child. We do have the assurance that Matthew is present with the Lord Jesus Christ and both he and Steve are making beautiful music in the Heavens now. We will be with him again soon.

I pray that these killers turn their lives over to the Lord before they die. I do believe strongly in the death penalty, always have, but more so than ever now. My son took his last breath at the hands of these animals. They confessed - they don't deserve a jury trial, appeals, etc. I wish our justice system would simply allow me and my husband to do the same to these two cold blooded murderers that they did to our son and Steve. Now, that would be justice!!! The sooner they are eradicated, the better off we'll all be. Why waste taxpayer money on one more ham sandwich for either of these scumbags??

Please keep us in your prayers!! Check out my son's website www.zgrecords.com

12:10 AM  
Blogger JAFO said...

These pieces of excrement both need to be removed from the gene pool. In fact, end their lives, now.

Come on Texas justice.

12:54 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Wow, just wow. Xavier, thanks for posting this. I am going to share this with friends far and wide. I would gladly take a baseball bat to the skulls of these two a-holes and save the taxpayers a lot of money.

5:38 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't live to far from the Dart Rail Station in Downtown Garland, I taken the train from there. It always amazes me that people try and see the good in cold blooded killers. There is none. My condolenses go out to the families of the victoms, but it's time to give these two killers the biggest damn needle they make.

11:16 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This story got picked up by USCCAs weekly e-magazine. Congrats...You've been published again.

11:45 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Two lives tragically stolen, two lives wasted. There but for the grace of God go any of us.

Been getting lazy with the carry issues this summer. This is a reminder that the unthinkable could be around any corner.

3:10 PM  
Blogger Bodhisattva4.2a said...

Sickening, simply sickening!
And worse, there are still plenty of sheeple who will insist that this incident points up the need to further restrict gun ownership. You know "we must do something about handgun violence!" will be their recommended solution to this.

1:03 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

First, that the wife of one of the victims says her husband would forgive the piece of crap that did this, and second that she assumes the shooter will go to heaven to meet her husband . . . Amazing. I am sorry for her loss, but she sounds like a future victim as well.

1:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I feel these killers should be paroled .... to the home of some bleeding-heart-liberal or lawyer who doesn't believe in the death penalty for these scumbags. If a killer is proven guilty beyond any doubt they should be immediately marched to an open field and shot. Could I pull the trigger? Sure could and no qualms whatsoever. We taxpayers are shelling out >$45/year to keep these dirtbags in prison so some lawyer can hold up justice for their personal ego trip or finacial gain.

5:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I want to be very clear on this issue regarding these two young men. They are without question ignorant, classless, and without worth, "you know what I am saying".
No real discussion of their sick attitudes, lack of values or motives can be complete without assessment of a Society that produces such worthless humans. They are far too typical of a portion of Black American Culture that claims this trash as victims of circumstance. A society that is repleat with racism, crime, and general dependence on government to succeed in life. They need Jessie, Al or some other civil rights leader to speak of injustice in order that the horror of this act is somehow not a problem of Black Culture. Real men do not need spokesmen, a man can evaluate the facts and conclude right from wrong without some racemonger telling him what to think.
My wife and I both carry handguns (12 years now) and be assured far more likely to use them should we encounter this scum on the streets of our town. We will be watching!!!!!

1:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

He has remorse, but not that he did it. His remorse is that he got caught. Typical of criminals, they are always upset - that they got caught. Had he not been caught he be celebrating the 2 human beings he "bagged" and planning his next human hunting trip. What he expressed is that everyone else is at fault for his inability to obey the rules of society that we all agree to follow. It is interesting that he can describe the killing but moments before says he blacked out. He says he guesses he is sorry he did it but when asked what he'd like to say to the famlies of the 2 men he says "fuck em, straigt up". He is on his way to getting what he has earned, as was stated, hopefully it won't take long. Thus far he has had far more time and consideration than he has given his victims. If you are in an area where you can't carry a gun find other ways to protect yourself, watch for the clues and do not hesitate to act.

5:47 AM  
Blogger Bill McGraw said...

Hang them.

4:22 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

First they should be shot. Then they should be left to rot in the Hot Texas sun like the scumbags they are. No water, no care, no mercy.

6:44 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

WOW, truly amazing to see and hear the cries of urban youth . . . . OH, who the f**k am I fooling? I just hope their families don't want to get "closure" and to "just find out why" because NOTHING will ever be said by this piece of filth that matters.

7:45 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

and to think there are people who are against the death penalty

9:33 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

THIS STORY MAKES ME SICK! IF THE POLICE WOULD LET ME, I WOULD TAKE THIS SORRY PIECE OF SHIT TO THE COURT HOUSE STEPS AND TAKE MY KIMBER .45 ULTRA RAPTOR 2 AND EMPTY THE CLIP ( 8 ROUNDS ) IN HIS HEAD!!! I AM A C.C. PERMIT HOLDER AND CARRY %100 OF THE TIME JUST FOR THIS VERY REASON. PEOPLE, BUY A HANDGUN, LEARN TO SHOOT, GET A PERMIT AND CARRY!!! IF WE (HONEST LAW ABIDING CITIZENS) START DEFENDING OUR SELVES, CRAP LIKE THIS WILL SLOW DOWN OR STOP! I HOPE HE GETS THE CHAIR TODAY!!!!

10:57 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

that punk does not deserve to be called "sir"...ya know wat i'm sayin'?

11:51 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

True pieces of shit! They deserve no trial and should both be publicly executed. I'm tired of these a-holes walking the streets and scoping out people to rob and kill, and then our tax dollars are suppoed to pay for them to rot in prison?? My condolences to the famillies, but seriously "I hope my son gets to shake their hands and forgive them"? Are you f'ing kidding me? There is no forgiveness for such an act....

12:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm really at a loss of words when it even comes to the subject of why the victims were shot. The only reason the dirtbag even consented to a interview, was so he could have a bunch of liberal panty waist do gooders say " oh what a troubled child hood you had" . Not once did he show any sign of remorse for either victim, only because he wasn't smart enough to cover his tracks. Whoever gets to drop the hammer on this T*&D should do like they teach police officers, 2 to the body, 1 to the head !!!! And then let the South Texas buzzards feed on his bleached bones.

1:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm really at a loss of words when it even comes to the subject of why the victims were shot. The only reason the dirtbag even consented to a interview, was so he could have a bunch of liberal panty waist do gooders say " oh what a troubled child hood you had" . Not once did he show any sign of remorse for either victim, only because he wasn't smart enough to cover his tracks. Whoever gets to drop the hammer on this T*&D should do like they teach police officers, 2 to the body, 1 to the head !!!! And then let the South Texas buzzards feed on his bleached bones.

1:51 PM  
Blogger Conn Conagher said...

This is why I carry a .45, and more importantly, why I PRACTICE MY MARKSMANSHIP REGULARLY!

10:28 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'll bet his momma said to the reporters..."Oh he's such a good boy"....

No mercy! Execute them both now!

1:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

as a poster on my gun forum said[

we the jury sentence you to death.
ya know what im saying.

6:21 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hang 'em. Hang 'em soon.
Bill McGraw
Greenville, MS

5:16 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Human garbage to be disposed of and we will not think of it again.

11:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Based on my 37 years in law enforcement, I have learned that those that don't acknowledge that there is evil among us are deceiving themselves. More trained, armed, law-abiding people on the street results in safer streets.

LW

6:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hope everyone is happy with DART and the fact that mass transit has made this type of thing easier. Mass transit is just another way to redistibute.

12:20 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just to let you all know, Steve left his gun at home because he drove to the studio from his day job, where he could not carry a gun or leave one in the parking lot in his car (which he knew would have been irresponsible as a car can be broken into). He didn't "make a mistake", he followed the law and the rules set forth by the company he worked for. Recognition or not, those monsters hunted them down. Don't even start me any further than that... Fault gun control laws (which obviously are only followed by honest citizens). Don't fault my brother for following them.

2:20 AM  
Blogger Xavier said...

Anon (related to Steve),

First, thank you for your insight. So many details such as the one you provided can help provide further food for thought in these tragedies.

Please understand that we, and others who seek to learn from this tragedy are not pointing fingers or trying to assign blame. We are trying to find some redeeming instruction from an incredibly senseless crime and two tragic deaths.

While it may be true that carrying at work when forbidden to do so would be breaking the law, many people are forced to make this decision on a daily basis. The choice of whether to obey the law, as prescribed not by "the law" but rather another employee who happens to be higher in the company echelon, or maintain one's own personal security is a significant one. While "the law" may say no carry at work, it's application is commonly determined by management based on their own prejudices regarding firearms and self defense. One employer in a given industry may lawfully forbid carry on his property. Another may allow it.

In the end analysis, a person must determine whether it is more important to have the means to effectively protect oneself if needed or abide by their employer's decisions restricting their ability to do so. Sometimes this decision can mean life or death. In Steve's case, sadly it meant death.

Ask yourself if would you rather have a deceased brother who obeyed "the law" as prescribed by his employer, or a living brother who disregarded his employer's wishes regarding his own safety. I think I know the answer. If you would rather have the later, then join with gun and concealed carry rights groups to make these difficult choices go away.

One man should not have the right to mandate another man's level of safety. That should be decided on an individual basis only. Laws are made by people to govern ourselves. When the law is wrong, we can work to change it. Would Steve and Matt be alive and well today if Steve would have had his firearm? Nobody knows, really, but he would have had a fighting chance. That chance was one he obviously wanted, given that he had a firearm and had obtained a license to carry it. His employer's decision to forbid concealed carry among his employees and Steve's decision to abide by his employer's wishes regarding his personal safety robbed Steve of the ability to effectively defend himself when necessary.

The criminals from Texarkana are predatory animals with no conscience. There is little hope for them. It is my hope that Steve's employer will bear a heavy burden on his own conscience due to his culpability in this murder and will eventually allow concealed carry among his employees. The decision is the employer's, not the "law."

12:23 PM  
Blogger Wayne said...

EYES OPEN, MOUTH SHUT, SAFETY OFF!

fixed gear

8:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I would really like to see this video, but it has been removed from the sight you mentioned.

8:17 PM  

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