CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY WON'T STOP AN AMBUSH

There are many states who like to brag about their constitutional carry laws. If you have a pulse and no criminal history, you can purchase and carry a firearm. Fair enough, although I'd have concerns about the lack of training and qualification for gun owners in these states. But thats for another story.

In Arlington Texas, a hard working 36 year old husband and father of six children was arriving home on an early February morning around 0515hrs. As the victim was pulling into his driveway, he was ambushed by an armed individual who fired multiple rounds into his vehicle. The victim

was struck multiple times. In video footage of the crime scene we can see that the victim's vehicle came to rest on the grassy area between the sidewalk and curb. It appeared the victim may have tried to turn the vehicle away from his attacker, however the rounds fired hit their mark and the victim traveled only a short distance off the driveway and came to rest on the sidewalk in front of his home. The victim did not survive. He died at the scene. The victim's pregnant wife was the first to come outside and discover her husband dead in the vehicle. Witnesses saw the gunman run from the scene. 

A short time before the shooting video footage shows two suspects walking along the street,

approaching the victims residence. The suspect in the background is seen in the driveway next door to the victims home. As the victim began pulling into his driveway, the suspect had crouched down a short distance away and began shooting at the victim's vehicle.

While constitutional carry may be seen as an advantage to some for self-defense, it is no match for an unsuspecting ambush as occurred here on Pentice Street in Arlington. The victim had no prior warning the attack was imminent. Even if he was carrying a firearm for personal protection, he would not have had time to pull his weapon before the rounds began slamming through his vehicle window. 

Based on the position of the victim's vehicle where it came to rest, it appeared he approached his home from the west. This direction of travel would have the victim coming up from behind the suspects seen in the video walking down the street.

Did the victim see the suspects as he approached his residence? There was ample lighting in the area due to a street light adjacent the victim's home. We'll never know. However, there is a fair chance that the victim may have seen the suspects or at least one who was nearest the street light at the time. In either case, this provides a good learning opportunity.

Do not develop a false sense of security simply because your state may have a constitutional carry law.

If you are arriving home, don't let your guard down, especially at night. Your safety does not improve until you are in your home and locked behind closed doors.

If you see individuals walking on your street, near your home, keep driving. Don't stop. You will be at a disadvantage inside your vehicle. Your vision is reduced, it's dark and raining. You will not have a good understanding of the threat. Keep driving and circle the block. Call police and advise them of the suspicious activity.

If possible, call your residence, have someone look out the windows to see if the suspects remain in the area. Only proceed back to your home when you know the threat has departed the area. Let the police determine if it was simply people out for a walk or suspects looking to commit a crime.

This is Monday morning quarterbacking I know. The victim is dead, we can't change that. But, we can learn from the circumstances of the situation. Our hearts go out to the victim, his family and the neighborhood impacted by the violence. 

Keep reading, keep learning.

Take care,

One Eagle