Houston: Don't bring scissors to a gun fight

[seamusTX]

In Houston Thursday, a police officer fatally shot a purse-snatcher who lunged at him with a pair of scissors—all reportedly, allegedly, etc.

The suspect, riding a bicycle, snatched a purse from a woman in a parking lot near West Bellfort and South Post Oak. Witnesses alerted the police, who put out a bulletin. The suspect was subsequently identified and fled. When a police officer found him (with the assistance of a witness), the suspect threw a jacket in the officer's face, then lunged at the officer with scissors.

The officer fatally shot the suspect, who died on the scene.

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas ... 318390.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

What can we learn from this?

Deterrence doesn't work perfectly. The guy attacked a cop in uniform, who he knew was armed and likely wearing a "bulletproof" vest. This kind of thing frequently results in being shot. A suspect arrested alive is guaranteed a long prison sentence for something like attempted capital murder.

The deceased man may have been mentally ill or had brain damage.

And BTW, plenty of people just like this suspect are still on the streets.

- Jim

[Edited to correct title—must drink more coffee]

[Excaliber]

In Houston Thursday, a police officer fatally shot a purse-snatcher who lunged at him with a pair of scissors—all reportedly, allegedly, etc.

The suspect, riding a bicycle, snatched a purse from a woman in a parking lot near West Bellfort and South Post Oak. Witnesses alerted the police, who put out a bulletin. The suspect was subsequently identified and fled. When a police officer found him (with the assistance of a witness), the suspect threw a jacket in the officer's face, then lunged at the officer with scissors.

The officer fatally shot the suspect, who died on the scene.

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas ... 318390.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

What can we learn from this?

Deterrence doesn't work perfectly. The guy attacked a cop in uniform, who he knew was armed and likely wearing a "bulletproof" vest. This kind of thing frequently results in being shot. A suspect arrested alive is guaranteed a long prison sentence for something like attempted capital murder.

The deceased man may have been mentally ill or had brain damage.

And BTW, plenty of people just like this suspect are still on the streets.

- Jim

And a determined guy with scissors can kill you just as dead as someone with a gun.

[jmra]

Hopefully he didn't succeed in reproducing prior to his departure.

[seamusTX]

And a determined guy with scissors can kill you just as dead as someone with a gun.

This is true with the correct tactics, but if didn't work for the deceased suspect in this case.

The purse-snatching victim might have come out much worse if she had resisted.

- Jim

[Excaliber]

And a determined guy with scissors can kill you just as dead as someone with a gun.

This is true with the correct tactics, but if didn't work for the deceased suspect in this case.

The purse-snatching victim might have come out much worse if she had resisted.

- Jim

Another rule of knife fighting:

It's bad juju if you bring a knife to the fight and the other guy comes out with a bigger one.

Illustration here.

[seamusTX]

That guy has guts, but his job description stinks.

- Jim

[Jumping Frog]

That guy has guts, but his job description stinks.

- Jim

When you live in Massachusetts where a legal handgun is not an option, the human will to survive will find other means.

He needs to seriously work on his draw, however!

[Wodathunkit]

This man was just running around trying to give free haircuts and some nut job with a gun goes and shoots him! Glad I turned in all my guns a long long time ago.

[seamusTX]

When you live in Massachusetts where a legal handgun is not an option,...

I didn't catch what state he was in.

It is possible to acquire a handgun legally in Massachusetts, assuming the guy is otherwise legal to own firearms. I understand it takes jumping through bureaucratic hoops. They even issue a fair number of concealed-carry licenses, though it depends upon whose posterior is kissed.

It's apparently much easier to get a permit for a shotgun.

BTW, most states that have "gun control" also have repressive knife laws and ban other weapons such as nunchucks.

- Jim

[JJVP]

Guess the DHS will have to edit their Active Shooter video, since it looks that their suggestion to "use a pair of scissors" to defend yourself against an active shooter does not work.

[texanjoker]

Sad. Having been in a OIS I feel for what this officer is now having to go through. It is pretty stressful.

[seamusTX]

Guess the DHS will have to edit their Active Shooter video, since it looks that their suggestion to "use a pair of scissors" to defend yourself against an active shooter does not work.

Scissors wouldn't be my first choice.

If (and this is purely hypothetical) someone had to be in a "victim disarmament zone" and remain legal, there would be a hammer—a good-quality framing hammer with a rubber grip. Because you never know when there might be a loose nail that needs to be pounded back in for safety reasons.

- Jim

[Keith B]

Guess the DHS will have to edit their Active Shooter video, since it looks that their suggestion to "use a pair of scissors" to defend yourself against an active shooter does not work.

Scissors wouldn't be my first choice.

If (and this is purely hypothetical) someone had to be in a "victim disarmament zone" and remain legal, there would be a hammer—a good-quality framing hammer with a rubber grip. Because you never know when there might be a loose nail that needs to be pounded back in for safety reasons.

Stanley_51-124_200.jpg

- Jim

If you are gonna use a hammer, you need a fully automatic version so you are not out-nailed by the BG's.

[Piney]

Guess the DHS will have to edit their Active Shooter video, since it looks that their suggestion to "use a pair of scissors" to defend yourself against an active shooter does not work.

Scissors wouldn't be my first choice.

If (and this is purely hypothetical) someone had to be in a "victim disarmament zone" and remain legal, there would be a hammer—a good-quality framing hammer with a rubber grip. Because you never know when there might be a loose nail that needs to be pounded back in for safety reasons.

Stanley_51-124_200.jpg

- Jim

If you are gonna use a hammer, you need a fully automatic version so you are not out-nailed by the BG's.

[ Image ]

Great ! You had to tell folks..... Now Im off to Sears to buy up all the cases of nails.. Thanks guys....