[Vinny]

In Smith & Wesson I trust!

[graciegirl]

But what if Mr. Smith or Mr. Wesson shot off his mouth and it was only someone who bungled into the women's shower by mistake.

I'm just sayin.............

[redwitch]

Gracie -- I'm with you. I wouldn't trust Messrs. Smith or Wesson to not shoot an innocent. Ms. Glock (my "toy") comes out to be cleaned, comes out to practice at the range; stays well hidden otherwise -- don't even show her to others. Like you, I'd be afraid of shooting the wrong person if I started thinking it is the best method of protection.

While we can't always protect outselves from every incident, our best protection is being aware. Walk with your keys in your hand (not only does it get you into your vehicle quicker, it can be used to gouge a mugger). Take note of your surroundings. Don't park where it is dark. If someone is belligerent in the Squares, walk away and get help. And so on and so forth. Just be aware! That will save you more times than any gun.

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by Vinny

In Smith & Wesson I trust!

Valrico, Florida is just East of Tampa. Last Sunday in an upscale neighborhood, a handsome young air force veteran (just back from Afghanistan) was playing basketball with his 6 year old daughter. They were on a neighborhood court. There was also a young skateboarder near-by.

A neighbor came out to chase the skateboarder away. The air force guy defended him. The dispute erupted into a shouting match. Then the unthinkable happened. The neighbor pulled out a gun and shot and killed the air force guy in front of his daughter.

Because of a gun in the hands of an angry, untrained individual, two families have been ruined forever. One family will live without a husband and father and a 68 year old retiree faces 25 years in prison.

Many people think a gun is the "great equalizer" but it isn't. Even in the hand of a well trained police officer, a gun often causes more trouble than it resolves.

I am a lifelong gun owner and advocate, but am terrified when ordinary citizens with no experience think that owning a gun provides them with some kind of invisible shield or special authority.

If you wish, here's the story:

Valrico shooting victim remembered at vigil

JLK

[nitehawk]

Originally Posted by Taj44

The thing is, we are already paying amenity fees for the people who staff the gates, and not getting any security out of it.

I agree with snowbirdtobe:

The cameras at the gates reading license plates.
See AAC minuets July 14th 2010

The age and residency requirements enforced for pools and rec centers

All alcohol laws enforced even if driving a golf cart
This is a requirement for selling alcohol everywhere even in TV and I
don't want to be driving through a tunnel with a drunk traveling toward me.

Published rules for "guest passes" enforced

maybe we should add to this list nobody should carry a gun unless he or she has police officer status not peace office status.
also stay out of tunnels

[The Shadow]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

But what if Mr. Smith or Mr. Wesson shot off his mouth and it was only someone who bungled into the women's shower by mistake.

I'm just sayin.............

It is so hard to conceal a weapon in the shower.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by The Shadow

It is so hard to conceal a weapon in the shower.

That's not a Villages shower!

Yoda

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Yoda

That's not a Villages shower!

Yoda

Well now, I just have to share that THAT is a picture of ME and I will sign it next time we all get together.

That's my Dale Evans gun. I lost the holster.

[mulligan]

Man o man, the subject of this thread got tossed out like a day old donut

There are actually a few Villagers that look like that silhouette-- without the rifle though.

Pepper spray is probably a better option for warding of peeping Toms in Villages showers.

There was a crime prevention group which spoke at one of the Villages Computer Club meetings which praised pepper spray rather highly. Even said that it had probably saved a senior's life who had used it at a rest stop between here and Ocala.

This crime prevention group talks to employees at local banks, restaurants, and others.

Here's a link for that group--
http://www.metrocrimeprevention.com/

[jannd228]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Well now, I just have to share that THAT is a picture of ME and I will sign it next time we all get together.

That's my Dale Evans gun. I lost the holster.

Gracie you are my favorite on here, so funny, and I remember Dale Evans

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Well now, I just have to share that THAT is a picture of ME and I will sign it next time we all get together.

That's my Dale Evans gun. I lost the holster.

But where's the horse???

[JimJoe]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

Valrico, Florida is just East of Tampa. Last Sunday in an upscale neighborhood, a handsome young air force veteran (just back from Afghanistan) was playing basketball with his 6 year old daughter. They were on a neighborhood court. There was also a young skateboarder near-by.

A neighbor came out to chase the skateboarder away. The air force guy defended him. The dispute erupted into a shouting match. Then the unthinkable happened. The neighbor pulled out a gun and shot and killed the air force guy in front of his daughter.

Because of a gun in the hands of an angry, untrained individual, two families have been ruined forever. One family will live without a husband and father and a 68 year old retiree faces 25 years in prison.

Many people think a gun is the "great equalizer" but it isn't. Even in the hand of a well trained police officer, a gun often causes more trouble than it resolves.

I am a lifelong gun owner and advocate, but am terrified when ordinary citizens with no experience think that owning a gun provides them with some kind of invisible shield or special authority.

If you wish, here's the story:

Valrico shooting victim remembered at vigil

JLK

Before you assume anything about what happened and why it happened, always realize there are two sides to every story and to wait till you hear both sides before reaching conclusions.

I read the article in this link:
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/sep...driving-schoo/

According to the report:

Dooley saw James give permission and came out of his house armed with a firearm and told the teen he was not allowed to skateboard there.

James pointed out that there were no signs prohibiting skateboarding.

Dooley then left his driveway, walked across Partridge Point Trail and approached James.

As Dooley walked over to him, James stepped off the edge of the basketball court and walked toward Dooley in the grass.

Dooley showed James the handle of the firearm in his waistband and kept insisting no skateboarding was allowed.

When Dooley realized that James was not going to tell the teen to stop skateboarding, he cursed at James and started walking away.

James called out to Dooley, asking why he was showing his gun.

Dooley turned around, pointed the gun at James, who lunged forward to grab the weapon.

The two men struggled over the firearm, then fell to the ground and the gun went off, striking James once in the chest.

James told his daughter to call an ambulance. He then collapsed.

A witness ran to help James and called 911.

Dooley remained at the scene and unloaded his weapon before deputies arrived.

[redwitch]

JimJoe, your recount of the event is even more frightening than the TH's original post. Why would the man take a gun to something like this and display it in such a manner? He could have called the police. The weapon was absolutely unnecessary, especially when he was told the neighbor had given the boy permission -- this showed the boy had some respect for the neighborhood and the people in it. Personally, I hope the shooter gets the maximum sentence. Barring Alzheimer's or a brain tumor, there is absolutely no excuse for what this man did.

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by JimJoe

Before you assume anything about what happened and why it happened, always realize there are two sides to every story and to wait till you hear both sides before reaching conclusions.

I read the article in this link:
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/sep...driving-schoo/

According to the report:

Dooley saw James give permission and came out of his house armed with a firearm and told the teen he was not allowed to skateboard there.

James pointed out that there were no signs prohibiting skateboarding.

Dooley then left his driveway, walked across Partridge Point Trail and approached James.

As Dooley walked over to him, James stepped off the edge of the basketball court and walked toward Dooley in the grass.

Dooley showed James the handle of the firearm in his waistband and kept insisting no skateboarding was allowed.

When Dooley realized that James was not going to tell the teen to stop skateboarding, he cursed at James and started walking away.

James called out to Dooley, asking why he was showing his gun.

Dooley turned around, pointed the gun at James, who lunged forward to grab the weapon.

The two men struggled over the firearm, then fell to the ground and the gun went off, striking James once in the chest.

James told his daughter to call an ambulance. He then collapsed.

A witness ran to help James and called 911.

Dooley remained at the scene and unloaded his weapon before deputies arrived.

I don't see any difference from the account that I gave. The shooter had no reason to have a gun at the playground. The version the police believe is such that they charged him with manslaughter.