Saturday, March 22, 2014

Does The Marissa Alexander Case Merit The Legalization Of Warning Shots?

I have written on the subject of warning shots a few times over the years. In every blog post on the subject, I have consistently derided the practice of "warning shots" as a bad idea. Well, this past Friday the Florida House joined the Florida Senate in approving legislation that would allow warning shots by citizens when faced with either great bodily harm or death.

The approved legislation was obviously inspired by the Marissa Alexander case. In that case, Alexander was convicted on firearms related offenses as a result of her actions in the aftermath of an altercation with her allegedly abusive and estranged husband. Under mandatory sentencing guidelines, she was sent to prison for twenty years.

It had been consistently reported that her husband blocked her egress from a room one day during a disturbance. Alexander left the home by going in another direction and entered the garage to retrieve a handgun from a vehicle, and returned into the home to fire warning shots.

Of course, we all know that at that time that warning shots were illegal in Florida at that time. Once Alexander removed herself from the home and entered the garage, she was "safe" and certainly had an opportunity to leave the premises if she wanted to do so. If she was under any reasonable threats of imminent danger in the house earlier, those circumstances were treated as a separate incident.

She created a new incident by coming into the home with a firearm and intentionally firing at least one warning shot to put her husband into a state of fear. Her actions were clearly illegal and led to her conviction. Warning shots are ill-advised and are usually illegal in all states because a person can never predict where discharged bullets will come to rest.

A firearm operator is responsible for every bullet that exits his firearm. If any discharges lead to the destruction of property or an injury to a person who did not reasonably put the shooter in fear of at least great bodily harm, the shooter will face a long list of criminal charges.

In addition, the legalization of warning shots could put operators under a greater degree of scrutiny in the aftermath of a bona fide self-defense shooting. It could be possible that prosecutors could then be able to ask shooters why did they shoot a rapist instead of "warning" him.

The biggest point in all of this discussion is that this new legislation probably would not have helped Alexander in her case. After all, she walked into a home with a gun and faced a person who did not pose at threat to her - at that time - and then fired her gun. That act would have still been illegal. Toss in the facts that innocent people could be unintentionally injured and that victims would have to correctly decide whether a warning shot is preferable to actually shooting a would-be rapist and it is abundantly clear that this new Florida legislation is a huge train wreck just waiting to happen.

Owning a firearm is a grave and huge responsibility. Knowing the law is part of that responsibility. Legalizing warning shots because of the Alexander case defies reason.

About The Author
Rick Ector is a National Rifle Association credentialed Firearms Trainer, who provides Michigan CCW Class training in Detroit for students at his firearms school - Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit.

Ector is a recognized expert in firearm safety and has been featured extensively in the national and local media: Associated Press, UPI, NRAnews, Guns Digest, Tactical-Life, The Truth About Guns, The Politics Daily, Fox News Detroit, The Detroit News, The Detroit Examiner, WJLB, WGPR, and the UrbanShooterPodcast.

For more info about free shooting lessons for women and Michigan CCW Classes, please contact:

Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit
Web: http://www.detroitccw.com.
Email: info@detroitccw.com
Phone: 313.733.74

If this information was useful for you, would you please make a small recurring donation to support this site?

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

In Defense of Good Boys: Rapists, Robbers, and Jackers

In Defense of Good Boys: Rapists, Robbers, and Jackers

That young man and his buddy who just pulled a firearm out of a coat pocket and pointed it at your head do not deserve to be shot and possibly killed. 

After all, nobody really knows if he would really shoot if you refused to be a victim. I mean, come on, he didn't just shoot you first and then victimize you while you were laying dazed and confused on the pavement. 

Are you really afraid that this dude - too immature not to keep his pants pulled up - means business when he threatens you with rape, robbery, or death? I bet at least four of his family members can attest to his fine moral character. Peer pressure to commit violent acts is a lot greater when you were reared. You have no idea of what it is like to be young, dumb, and stupid these days.

Young people today are lost, misguided, and are in need of correction. We need to at least give them a fighting chance for a future by forcing their victims to turn their back on the clear and present danger posed by these confused souls. 

In a split second we are going to require victims to find the best and safest path to freedom. Their physical reaction to a threat will be analyzed in pain-staking detail to ensure that no attempt to vainly survive actually starts until the thugs have had sufficient time to reconsider the possible consequences of their actions. 

Moreover, we are going to shield the predator from his perilous transgressions by focusing on the behavior of the victim. If the victim clearly chose the wrong way to run or did not sufficiently run enough steps, the victim should be justly prosecuted for injuring this future pillar of the community. Rapists and jackers deserve every opportunity possible to turn his life around before he can be lawfully shot - even while he is trying to take your life or violate your body.

The bottom line is that four lives - home invaders and jackers - were sadly cut down over the last two weeks because their misunderstood acts of violence against lawful gun owners were met with force instead of hugs of compassion and empathy. Those poor souls were just "acting out" and wanted attention.

Not only should these guns owned by CPL-holders be strictly controlled but the laws governing their use must be so confined that it should be virtually impossible to lawfully use them for self-defense. This statement should in no shape or form be considered and interpreted as anti-gun or anti-Second Amendment because the Constitution clearly says that gun ownership is a right.

Jackers and rapists are people. They have families. They deserve a future. Shooting them because they unjustly put another's life in imminent danger is wrong. Do it for the misguided and lost children. What if that jacker or rapist was your child?

Repeal "Stand Your Ground." Too many thugs are dying and their victims don't care.


About The Author
Rick Ector is a National Rifle Association credentialed Firearms Trainer, who provides Michigan CCW Class training in Detroit for students at his firearms school - Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit.

Ector is a recognized expert in firearm safety and has been featured extensively in the national and local media: Associated Press, UPI, NRAnews, Guns Digest, Tactical-Life, The Truth About Guns, The Politics Daily, Fox News Detroit, The Detroit News, The Detroit Examiner, WJLB, WGPR, and the UrbanShooterPodcast.

For more info about free shooting lessons for women and Michigan CCW Classes, please contact:

Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit
Web: http://www.detroitccw.com.
Email: info@detroitccw.com
Phone: 313.733.74

If this information was useful for you, would you please make a small recurring donation to support this site?

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Local Detroit Critics of Guns Rights and Self-Defense Are Noticeably Silent

Local Critics of Guns Rights and Self-Defense Are Noticeably Silent 

In the aftermath of an unusual two weeks in Detroit, I can't help but to notice that the staunchest anti-gun advocates in our community are silent. You already know their names. There is no sense in naming them now. 

I presume that with their most stoic poker-faces, they realize how absurd and stupid they would look if they said something negative about the five brave local citizens who used their firearms to protect their lives, their homes, and their families.

It is apparent to even the most casual observer that the aforementioned citizens were in great peril. In fact, many of the bad guys who were neutralized or driven away from their planned invasions were given verbal warnings to not proceed further. Yet, they forced their way into those homes anyway.

We live in a day and age in which brazen predators have no qualms about entering an occupied residence. Any person crazy enough to attempt that feat is presumed by anyone with common sense and the state of Michigan statutes as being a credible threat of great bodily harm, rape, or death.

Responsibly used firearms save lives. Over the past couple of weeks, five gun owners and their families were protected. Furthermore, other people were protected because four of these bad guys are permanently no longer around to terrorize the local community. Nobody just decides on a whim to commit a home invasion. By the time these animals are stopped, they have already criminally violated several other people in the city.

Critics of gun rights and self-defense will remain silent until they hear of a criminal act done with a firearm before they muster up the courage to once again speak. These folks somehow equate the actions with criminals with the legally approved and morally justified act of self-defense.

The silence is noticeably deafening and I hope it continues for at least a while longer.



About The Author
Rick Ector is a National Rifle Association credentialed Firearms Trainer, who provides Michigan CCW Class training in Detroit for students at his firearms school - Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit.

Ector is a recognized expert in firearm safety and has been featured extensively in the national and local media: Associated Press, UPI, NRAnews, Guns Digest, Tactical-Life, The Truth About Guns, The Politics Daily, Fox News Detroit, The Detroit News, The Detroit Examiner, WJLB, WGPR, and the UrbanShooterPodcast.

For more info about free shooting lessons for women and Michigan CCW Classes, please contact:

Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit
Web: http://www.detroitccw.com.
Email: info@detroitccw.com
Phone: 313.733.74

If this information was useful for you, would you please make a small recurring donation to support this site?

Friday, March 7, 2014

Rick Ector Appears on the GOA' "Lock-N-Load Show" to Discuss Detroit Self-Defense Stories

A couple of days ago, Detroit Firearms Instructor and Personal Protection Expert Rick Ector appeared on the Gun Owners of America's "Lock-N-Load" radio show to discuss recent incidents of Detroit residents using firearms for self-defense. The show was hosted by Bill Frady.

Over the past two weeks, Detroit residents in five separate incidents protected themselves:

- A Mom used a rifle to scare off three home invaders.
- A woman used a handgun to fight two armed attackers.
- A man used a firearm to fight two armed home invaders.
- A woman used a gun to shoot a home invader.
- A man used a firearm to fight two armed home invaders.

Listen to the podcast online to hear my thoughts and commentary.


About The Author
Rick Ector is a National Rifle Association credentialed Firearms Trainer, who provides Michigan CCW Class training in Detroit for students at his firearms school - Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit.

Ector is a recognized expert in firearm safety and has been featured extensively in the national and local media: Associated Press, UPI, NRAnews, Guns Digest, Tactical-Life, The Truth About Guns, The Politics Daily, Fox News Detroit, The Detroit News, The Detroit Examiner, WJLB, WGPR, and the UrbanShooterPodcast.

For more info about free shooting lessons for women and Michigan CCW Classes, please contact:

Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit
Web: http://www.detroitccw.com.
Email: info@detroitccw.com
Phone: 313.733.74

If this information was useful for you, would you please make a small recurring donation to support this site?

Rick Ector Appears on the "Polite Society Podcast" to Discuss Detroit Defensive Gun Use

A couple of days ago, Detroit Firearms Instructor and Personal Protection Expert Rick Ector appeared on the "Polite Society Podcast" to discuss recent incidents of Detroit residents using firearms for self-defense. The show was hosted by Paul Lothrop and Rob Morse.

Over the past two weeks, Detroit residents in five separate incidents protected themselves:

- A Mom used a rifle to scare off three home invaders.
- A woman used a handgun to fight two armed attackers.
- A man used a firearm to fight two armed home invaders.
- A woman used a gun to shoot a home invader.
- A man used a firearm to fight two armed home invaders.

Listen to the podcast online to hear my thoughts and commentary.


About The Author
Rick Ector is a National Rifle Association credentialed Firearms Trainer, who provides Michigan CCW Class training in Detroit for students at his firearms school - Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit.

Ector is a recognized expert in firearm safety and has been featured extensively in the national and local media: Associated Press, UPI, NRAnews, Guns Digest, Tactical-Life, The Truth About Guns, The Politics Daily, Fox News Detroit, The Detroit News, The Detroit Examiner, WJLB, WGPR, and the UrbanShooterPodcast.

For more info about free shooting lessons for women and Michigan CCW Classes, please contact:

Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit
Web: http://www.detroitccw.com.
Email: info@detroitccw.com
Phone: 313.733.74

If this information was useful for you, would you please make a small recurring donation to support this site?

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Rick Ector Appears on WCXI's "Classic Country and More" Radio Show - Podcast

Last week, Rick Ector appeared on radio station WCXI's "Classic Country and More with Darcy Day"
radio show to discuss a variety of topics: gun rights. right to carry, Detroit defensive gun use stories, and his gun rights activism in Detroit. Check out the following link to check out the archived podcast:



About The Author
Rick Ector is a National Rifle Association credentialed Firearms Trainer, who provides Michigan CCW Class training in Detroit for students at his firearms school - Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit.

Ector is a recognized expert in firearm safety and has been featured extensively in the national and local media: Associated Press, UPI, NRAnews, Guns Digest, Tactical-Life, The Truth About Guns, The Politics Daily, Fox News Detroit, The Detroit News, The Detroit Examiner, WJLB, WGPR, and the UrbanShooterPodcast.

For more info about free shooting lessons for women and Michigan CCW Classes, please contact:

Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit
Web: http://www.detroitccw.com.
Email: info@detroitccw.com
Phone: 313.733.74

If this information was useful for you, would you please make a small recurring donation to support this site?