Got a couple of thugs locked up

[Guest Rick O'Shay]

Yesterday evening while driving home I saw a couple of Memphis' finest denizens push a street bum into the street (a very busy street at that) and then punch him, knocking him to the asphalt. It appeared that the thugs did it to steal his cigarettes. I pulled around the corner and called the police. Where I was parked I could see all three of them through some trees. The victim got to his feet and staggered up the sidewalk. The two thugs actually stayed right where they were and were actually high-fiving each other and reenacting the assault having a high time of it. The cops showed up pretty quickly and had the two spreadeagled in no time. I pulled my car back around, got out, and stood by my car - well back from the entertainment. One of the three responding cops saw me and mimed a phone call. I nodded yes, and then he pointed at the two with a questioning look. I nodded yes. He smiled and pulled out his cuffs.

After a minute or so he walked over to me and asked what I had seen. I told him, and then said, "In case you notice, I don't want ya'll to get freaked out but I have a carry permit." He seemed surprised and looked closely at me, and then asked, "Where is it?". I replied, "On my right hip" (.45 Kimber Pro-Carry Stainless in a Crossbreed Supertuck with my shirttail out).

The cop seemed uncertain on how to proceed, or what he should do, so I volunteered to lock it up in the safe under my car seat. Relieved, he said, "That's a good idea" and walked back to the BG's.

A couple of minutes later he walked back telling me they couldn't find the victim but were going to lock the guys up anyway, for panhandling.

We traded cards, thanked each other, and went on our merry ways.

The two thugs got a good look at me and my car (white Volvo with Auburn stuff on it), so I may have to keep a lookout for them when in the area.

The cop never asked to see the pistol, nor the HCP.

[BrasilNuts]

Good job Citizen Rick!

[titan14]

Aside from the auburn stuff;).........nice job bro!

[dkd83]

Sounds like a good job done by all involved...

[Guest redbarron06]

Way to step up to the plate. The sad part is some sissy judge will have them back out in 10 minutes.

[Guest MR. E]

Every little bit helps!

[TripleDigitRide]

Congrats and Great Job!

And just imagine how many others saw the very same incident, but didn't bother calling 9-1-1 or to stop and check on the victim. Just everday business for too many folks in Memphis. It's a real shame.

[Guest Jcochran88]

Great job Rick! If everyone would man up and do this they would eventually get the point.

[Guest Rick O'Shay]

Congrats and Great Job!

And just imagine how many others saw the very same incident, but didn't bother calling 9-1-1 or to stop and check on the victim. Just everday business for too many folks in Memphis. It's a real shame.

I thought the same thing about my fellow Memphians.

There was a lot of traffic, and frankly the street bum was very fortunate he wasn't run over when he was shoved into the street.

For fellow Memphians, this happened on Union Ave just west of the downtown 240 overpass. The corner of the on-ramp actually.

The victim actually walked right past my back bumper, and through the corner of my eye, I saw him checking me out sitting in my car with a phone to my ear and watching the thugs. I guess he figured out what I was doing and made himself scarce before the Po-Po showed up.

Edited July 22, 2009 by Rick O'Shay

[56FordGuy]

Good job Rick. It's too bad more people don't take the time to actually do things like this.

[Mike.357]

nice you helped a bum out, but I am curious as to why you would volunteer permit status to the cop. it was not really pertinent.

I am not ripping on you but I would have not said anything.

[billkill]

^If the cop was unsure how to proceed when the OP informed him he was carrying; imagine how the officer would have reacted if the OP was printing, or the gun was exposed while reaching for his card, etc.

We were taught in our HCP class that it is better to advise the officer of your armed status during the initial contact than to surprise them.

ETA Where did that quote on your sigline come from?

Edited July 22, 2009 by billkill

[Guest Arko]

Good deal. Just keep up the SA and watch for them looking for your car.

[Mike.357]

the whole inform thing is a conumdrum. I don't think I wouild have said anything, but I know for a fact I am not printing too. And I pretty much am not getting involved with cops unless I have no choice, LOL.

The quote is from the book "Origins of the right to bear arms".

I believe Aristotle first said this. It was also in the book Political Disquisitions (1774).

John Adams was quoted as saying that this is a book that should be in every home.

[Guest db99wj]

I use to work at the Regions Bank at Union and Claybrook, behind Tops BBQ, I would be willing to bet, I know (or have seen or have had run ins) with the bum and the other two as well. That area has some of your typical homeless bums, then they have a bunch of panhandlers that live in a "home" of some sort over off of Madison.

Some of them are very aggressive, thought I was going to have to shoot one, one night, but he changed his mind, while running at me, when I told him to "GET THE F^*& BACK" and had my hand back, on the grip of my gun. Didn't know a person could stop that quick while in a full speed run. There is also a heard of gay transvestite hookers in that area. Talk about stopping business, they would walk by, everybody in the bank would be going WTF. Man I do miss midtown....some times. I do miss my customers down there.

[Mike.357]

There is also a heard of gay transvestite hookers in that area.

So memphis does have some redeeming value

[craglawnmanor]

Good job, Rick.

And "War Eagle"!!!! (I graduated in '85).

[Chucktshoes]

I use to work at the Regions Bank at Union and Claybrook, behind Tops BBQ, I would be willing to bet, I know (or have seen or have had run ins) with the bum and the other two as well. That area has some of your typical homeless bums, then they have a bunch of panhandlers that live in a "home" of some sort over off of Madison.

Some of them are very aggressive, thought I was going to have to shoot one, one night, but he changed his mind, while running at me, when I told him to "GET THE F^*& BACK" and had my hand back, on the grip of my gun. Didn't know a person could stop that quick while in a full speed run. There is also a heard of gay transvestite hookers in that area. Talk about stopping business, they would walk by, everybody in the bank would be going WTF. Man I do miss midtown....some times. I do miss my customers down there.

I love my Neighborhood, Midtown IS Memphis.

[LagerHead]

Good job Rick. We as HCP holders need to ensure that we get involved where we can, and let the officers know that you are carrying so they get to know that HCP holders are on their side.

And to dkd83, I say "All the way."

[Guest db99wj]

I love my Neighborhood, Midtown IS Memphis.

What does that mean? I still see some of the bumper stickers, but not so much anymore.

Oh, I do like midtown, interesting place. Loved Tops BBQ, love Neil's (Neil is a great guy), love Tuckers Pizza. You just got to be careful down there.

[Chucktshoes]

What does that mean? I still see some of the bumper stickers, but not so much anymore.

Oh, I do like midtown, interesting place. Loved Tops BBQ, love Neil's (Neil is a great guy), love Tuckers Pizza. You just got to be careful down there.

It's Memphis, you have to be careful everywhere.

[Guest pharmtecher]

Glad you were safe. I would not of told the cop anything other than answers his questions politely. You are not obligated to tell them that. I have had several face to face conversations with police and they did not know.

[Guest pharmtecher]

Rick, give me a call some time and we can meet at Rangemaster to shoot. I will buy you a box and I got range fees for us.

Jason 729-7492

[Guest db99wj]

It's Memphis, you have to be careful everywhere.

No kidding, I live and work in the safe area of East Memphis (Real East Memphis, not just the media's perception (White Station/Walnut Grove) and it's funny how people around here think that it is so safe in this area....

[Guest SMZRU275]

What does that mean? I still see some of the bumper stickers, but not so much anymore.

A friend whipped some "201 is Memphis" stickers.