Rancher on horseback lassoes would-be bike bandit in Walmart parking lot

[Vol Texan]

Surprised I haven't seen all the mind your own business having a horse and a rope doesn't make one a cop or batman comments.

Again, I am thankful for those that are willing to help others in time of need in spite of risk to themselves. Our country needs more people like this man.

Amen to that. Where are the comments about, "a horse and a saddle don't make you a lone ranger"? Seems to happen every time someone offers a hand while carrying a handgun.

I get it - I have my Sig for the protection of my family and me. If someone else needs protection, they really should have their own. But I cannot with good conscience stand by and watch very bad things happen to good people.

I suppose that if the bike were a display bike in front of the store for sales purposes - that's not a big enough reason to step in. But if it's some lady's bike, and she's trying to run the guy down (it may be her only means of transportation), I'd be more inclined to offer assistance.

As Andy C's sig line says: Remember Kitty Genovese. Yeah, murder is a much bigger thing to overlook than simple petty theft, but the idea is just the same.

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke

[TXBO]

Surprised I haven't seen all the mind your own business having a horse and a rope doesn't make one a cop or batman comments.

Again, I am thankful for those that are willing to help others in time of need in spite of risk to themselves. Our country needs more people like this man.

Amen to that. Where are the comments about, "a horse and a saddle don't make you a lone ranger"? Seems to happen every time someone offers a hand while carrying a handgun.

....

I would never advocate not helping someone who's life was in danger but there's a big difference in potentially taking a life and giving somebody a little rope burn. I wouldn't have pulled my gun to save a bike either.

[ScottDLS]

But a lasso could be "deadly force". What if it caught bad guy around the neck and the horse dragged him? Is it worth the life of a "gentle giant" over a bike or some cigarillos? Better to just let the police do their job and look the other way. Just because you have a horse and a lasso doesn't make you the Lone Ranger... WalMart should sue the horseman for assaulting their "customer" on their property...right?

[mojo84]

Surprised I haven't seen all the mind your own business having a horse and a rope doesn't make one a cop or batman comments.

Again, I am thankful for those that are willing to help others in time of need in spite of risk to themselves. Our country needs more people like this man.

Amen to that. Where are the comments about, "a horse and a saddle don't make you a lone ranger"? Seems to happen every time someone offers a hand while carrying a handgun.

....

I would never advocate not helping someone who's life was in danger but there's a big difference in potentially taking a life and giving somebody a little rope burn. I wouldn't have pulled my gun to save a bike either.

Nobody is saying someone should pull a gun to save a bike. Where did you come up with that?

[TXBO]

Surprised I haven't seen all the mind your own business having a horse and a rope doesn't make one a cop or batman comments.

Again, I am thankful for those that are willing to help others in time of need in spite of risk to themselves. Our country needs more people like this man.

Amen to that. Where are the comments about, "a horse and a saddle don't make you a lone ranger"? Seems to happen every time someone offers a hand while carrying a handgun.

....

I would never advocate not helping someone who's life was in danger but there's a big difference in potentially taking a life and giving somebody a little rope burn. I wouldn't have pulled my gun to save a bike either.

Nobody is saying someone should pull a gun to save a bike. Where did you come up with that?

I didn't say anybody did.

[dlh]

This IS Texas!
Maybe the D.P.S. should expand the "range" requirements for our CHL to demonstrate one's ability to tie a Honda Knot and lasso skills...(humor).

[flintknapper]

But a lasso could be "deadly force". What if it caught bad guy around the neck and the horse dragged him?

He wouldn't have been dragged unless the rancher wanted to. He is 'dallying' off on the saddle horn, not tied hard and fast. He could release the pressure at any time.

But the sarcasm/humor is appreciated just the same.

[Vol Texan]

All fun aside, lassoing a person is a bit more "hands on" than other things we've seen (for instance the CHL instructor who just tried to read a license plate last week). The instructor's actions caused the BG to get violent and then, to get dead.

This forum was full of people blasting the instructor for "getting involved" but he did no such thing. He did not go hands on, but was forced to defend himself anyway. This rancher this week did go hands on, and it ended well, but I wonder where the naysayers are. "Having a horse and saddle doesn't make you the Lone Ranger".

I personally think both people did a good service to their community. Doing so does carry a risk, but it in no way makes a person into a "cop wannabe".

[Javier730]

But a lasso could be "deadly force". What if it caught bad guy around the neck and the horse dragged him? Is it worth the life of a "gentle giant" over a bike or some cigarillos? Better to just let the police do their job and look the other way. Just because you have a horse and a lasso doesn't make you the Lone Ranger... WalMart should sue the horseman for assaulting their "customer" on their property...right?

[krieghoff]

But a lasso could be "deadly force". What if it caught bad guy around the neck and the horse dragged him?

He wouldn't have been dragged unless the rancher wanted to. He is 'dallying' off on the saddle horn, not tied hard and fast. He could release the pressure at any time.

But the sarcasm/humor is appreciated just the same.

[mojo84]

Surprised I haven't seen all the mind your own business having a horse and a rope doesn't make one a cop or batman comments.

Again, I am thankful for those that are willing to help others in time of need in spite of risk to themselves. Our country needs more people like this man.

Amen to that. Where are the comments about, "a horse and a saddle don't make you a lone ranger"? Seems to happen every time someone offers a hand while carrying a handgun.

....

I would never advocate not helping someone who's life was in danger but there's a big difference in potentially taking a life and giving somebody a little rope burn. I wouldn't have pulled my gun to save a bike either.

Nobody is saying someone should pull a gun to save a bike. Where did you come up with that?

I didn't say anybody did.

Many people do advocate just being a good witness even when someone else's life is in danger because of the danger and potential liability.


You did say you "wouldn't have pulled my gun to save a bike either". Nothing was said about pulling a gun so, why even go there? Just trying to understand your point.

[TXBO]

Surprised I haven't seen all the mind your own business having a horse and a rope doesn't make one a cop or batman comments.

Again, I am thankful for those that are willing to help others in time of need in spite of risk to themselves. Our country needs more people like this man.

Amen to that. Where are the comments about, "a horse and a saddle don't make you a lone ranger"? Seems to happen every time someone offers a hand while carrying a handgun.

....

I would never advocate not helping someone who's life was in danger but there's a big difference in potentially taking a life and giving somebody a little rope burn. I wouldn't have pulled my gun to save a bike either.

Nobody is saying someone should pull a gun to save a bike. Where did you come up with that?

I didn't say anybody did.

Many people do advocate just being a good witness even when someone else's life is in danger because of the danger and potential liability.


You did say you "wouldn't have pulled my gun to save a bike either". Nothing was said about pulling a gun so, why even go there? Just trying to understand your point.

The comment has no hidden meaning. Feel free to agree or disagree.

[sugar land dave]

What a strange story. Does the rancher take his horse around fully saddled with rope at the ready or is the police response and the criminals escape exceedlingly slow? It is a great feel-good story, but one that puzzles me when I consider the time management of the characters in this adventure. Well at least it ended well with the hero on his horse riding into the sunset while the villain, vanquished and in custody of the lawman, angrily looks on.

Around here it's not unusual for horses to be transported in trailers saddled and bridled. I have seen them parked in parking lots while the riders are eating or shopping.

Am I the only one on the board with an appreciation and understanding of comic soliloquy? I thought you guys were wound a little too tight after the events of this past week, so I tried to lighten the mood. I guess it just doesn't play well outside of my keyboard.

[LucasMcCain]

Thanks for this truly excellent story. I needed something to lighten the dark cloud that has seemed to be over me this week. That picture is absolutely priceless. I so wish I could have been there to see this all go down in person.

[Countryside]

This cowboy is NOT a professional...very sloppy.

He didn't jump off, run up and tie the guys arm and leg together.

I mean...if ya gonna start something...finish it!