Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

vaberella

(24,634 posts)
17. But your situation and her situation are entirely different.
Sun Apr 1, 2012, 10:46 AM
Apr 2012

She wasn't being harmed directly. As a matter of fact she stayed in her house, as she should have. She's speaking about the if she had a gun when the boy was screaming for help. There is a sense of invincibility with the gun. Because her having the gun might have helped the situation...adding that to her entering the fray with the gun. Who would she be pointing it against? Trayvon or Zimmerman and if the other 13 year old Black boy entered the situation with his dog. Who would be the enemy?

I'm not looking at her in a life or death situation where her person or those close to her are hurt. I'm speaking about this situation. I remember in the Arizona shooting of Gabrielle Giffords...a man had a gun on and he said that if he wasn't careful he would have shot someone who was saving the day because he was the one he saw with the gun not realizing that the gun man was down. I believe he said he thanked God he hesitated and has yet to really touch the gun since. His response in the situation could have made it worse because he thought his gun would help save the day. Instead the gun could have or would have caused far more problems if he used it.

I think her feeling stems from the helplessness of immediate response... hlthe2b Apr 2012 #1
Well stated. n/t Foolacious Apr 2012 #3
No she calls after the gun shot. The boy is already dead. vaberella Apr 2012 #6
If she meant it that way she would already have a gun lunatica Apr 2012 #10
That doesn't negate my point at all... hlthe2b Apr 2012 #15
the police can't get there in time magical thyme Apr 2012 #2
I agree with your thoughts on the 13 year old boy...who is Black. vaberella Apr 2012 #9
I think most nonviolent type people would be reluctant to shoot either one magical thyme Apr 2012 #22
I'm going to assume that she saw the police as some sort of protective source since she Arkansas Granny Apr 2012 #4
No that's not what I mean. vaberella Apr 2012 #5
It's "fight or flight" thinking, and I've had the exact same reaction EFerrari Apr 2012 #8
Pretty much the same thing I said in post #10 lunatica Apr 2012 #11
But your situation and her situation are entirely different. vaberella Apr 2012 #17
Imo, it doesn't matter what the situation is but what your brain tells you it is EFerrari Apr 2012 #19
We don't know that her first thought was if she had a gun. She mentioned that Arkansas Granny Apr 2012 #14
Valid point. The gun thing entering our minds during a stressful situation is a problem I think. vaberella Apr 2012 #18
I think you're right. EFerrari Apr 2012 #20
I would possibly enter a situation like that magical thyme Apr 2012 #23
The police certainly are NOT a protective force. They are a reactive force. slackmaster Apr 2012 #7
Excellent point lunatica Apr 2012 #12
I taught my kids to NOT trust cops. alphafemale Apr 2012 #16
I am over 40 and the police have NEVER helped when i have called them, in 7 different states slampoet Apr 2012 #24
She just feels bad Life Long Dem Apr 2012 #13
There was another woman who called 911 HockeyMom Apr 2012 #21
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»The crying woman on the 9...»Reply #17