Intersting story from newspaper advice column

dks01 · August 28, 2002, 02:13 PM

This appeared in our local paper on Monday. I think its the column that replaced Ann Landers:

Dear Annie: I am a single mother and work as a freelance photographer in the Midwest. Last week, I was in Chicago and noticed I was low on gas. I stopped at a filling station in a rundown part of town. When I got out of my car, a large man came out of the shadows, waved a knife in my face and grabbed my arm. He said he would hurt me if I yelled, and ordered me to get into the car and give him my keys.

I was frightened to death and could think only of my little girl and never seeing her again. I reached into my purse for the keys, but instead, felt the handgun my father had given me for protection. I pulled out the gun and pointed it at my attacker. He took off running.

I was numb and shaking. I got into my car and drove home, but realized later I should have reported the incident to the Chicago police. I have a good eye for detail, and this man's features are burned into my memory. I am certain I could create an accurate picture of him. My father, however, thinks I should keep quiet. I have a license to carry a gun, but not in Illinois. He's concerned I could go to jail.

My mother says I owe it to other women in Chicago to report this predator and I shouldn't mention the fact that I possess a gun. But I'm sure the police would be suspicious of how I managed to escape, and it would be hard for me to lie.

I don't want to go to jail, but I would not be able to live with myself if this man attacked another woman because of my silence. -- Scared But Alive in Indiana

Dear Scared: We contacted Patrick Camden, deputy director of news affairs at the Chicago Police Department. He said the police are more concerned about a man accosting women at gas stations and stealing their cars than they are about your handgun. He assured us that you would not be arrested -- provided, of course, that you do not bring the gun with you when you report the crime. He also recommended that you make the report as soon as possible. It will give the police an opportunity to catch this man and will also ease your conscience. Please do it.

here's the link to the column

WOW, so the Chicago PD is more concerned with stopping criminals than with citizens carrying guns. What a concept! I guess they'll be pushing for CCW in Illinois now, right?

Blackhawk · August 28, 2002, 02:22 PM

Dear Scared,

Listen to your father. If Chicago was interested in preventing attacks on women, guns wouldn't be illegal there.

No4Mk1 · August 28, 2002, 02:31 PM

No, really, trust us.... we won't arrest you.... it's for the children....

DMK · August 28, 2002, 02:40 PM

Of course, that's what the police are going to say on public record in a newspaper.

However, if she went in to the Police station with her story first, the response may have been different and she would have been asking for advice about getting a lawyer.

Even without charges, I find it hard to believe that they would let her keep a so called "illegal handgun."

**Mike Irwin** · August 28, 2002, 02:45 PM

"He assured us that you would not be arrested -- provided, of course, that you do not bring the gun with you when you report the crime."

Oh, just lovely...

Sure we need you to come down to report this crime, but you must be DEFENSELESS to do so.

Also, I do NOT, in any way, shape, or form, believe this puckering a-hole when he says that she wouldn't be arrested.

If I'm not mistaken, carrying a concealed firearm in Chicago without a (hahahah) license is a felony.

Anyone else buy that the police are going to let someone who admits to commiting a felony walk out of the police station?

I'm sorry, but this woman has NO "obligation" to the women of Chicago. The people of Chicago have created the festering ****hole in which they live, so let them deal with it.

C.R.Sam · August 28, 2002, 02:54 PM

Father right.

Sam

pdmoderator · August 28, 2002, 04:27 PM

She's been lucky once.

Pushing luck inadvisable.

Chicago's gun laws keep criminals on the streets and make honest citizens fear the police.

- pdmoderator

rock_jock · August 28, 2002, 06:01 PM

Yes, I can see this type of conversation:

"Ma'am, what kind of gun was it you were carrying, when do you carry it, and which way do you drive home?"

Waitone · August 28, 2002, 06:07 PM

She owes citizens of Chicago nothing.

She is an idiot if she goes to the police.

Torquemada · August 28, 2002, 06:09 PM

She isn't a resident, so as long as her handgun was unloaded and in a closed container she was OK. Upon "brandishing" it she can be charged with:

1. $200 and/or 6 months for carrying a dangerous weapon
2. Impounding of her vehicle = $500 + towing + storage
3. Unlawful to carry, another $500
4. Confiscation of her handgun per #1

Since the city is having a budget crisis as usual, I don't think they'd pass up the opportunity. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DEFEND YOURSELF IN CHICAGO!

Richard the First: "The policeman is not there to create disorder. The policeman is there to preserve disorder." <---Quote played often on the Mike North show, AM670.

foghornl · August 29, 2002, 09:04 AM

I would phone in the report..........from somewhere like Evansville, Indiana

ojibweindian · August 29, 2002, 09:38 AM

No corroborating witnesses, then it never happened. The woman should, sadly, keep her mouth shut.

HankB · August 29, 2002, 10:17 AM

.

Quote:

He assured us that you would not be arrested...

This assurance has NO legal standing AT ALL. As soon as she signs her statement, it can be presented to the DA or the Grand Jury and she could be in a world of (legal) hurt

Quote:

...make the report as soon as possible. It will give the police an opportunity to catch this man...

ROTFLMAO! Lady, they most likely want YOU!

aikidoka - mks · August 29, 2002, 12:28 PM

I would not report the incident because of the reasons already mentioned. I had an ex-girlfriend who lives in chicago ask some cops in a bar about her carrying a concealed weapon for protection. This was around the time that there was a series of rapes in a neighborhood near where she walked home from the train. They said something along the lines of - your a white professional looking female we wouldnt be concerned about you having a gun. Yeah sure - anyone want to take a chance on that?!

Mark

August 28, 2002, 02:31 PM	#3
No4Mk1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 431	No, really, trust us.... we won't arrest you.... it's for the children.... __________________ The beauty of Grace is that it makes life not fair.... http://www.guncollectorsforum.com

August 28, 2002, 02:40 PM	#4
DMK Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2001 Location: Over the hills and far, far away Posts: 2,295	Of course, that's what the police are going to say on public record in a newspaper. However, if she went in to the Police station with her story first, the response may have been different and she would have been asking for advice about getting a lawyer. Even without charges, I find it hard to believe that they would let her keep a so called "illegal handgun." __________________ DMK - Homeland Security begins at home: Support your Second Amendment. - Remember to support friends who support us: http://www.gunowners.org/ - http://www.nra.org/ http://www.jpfo.org/ - http://keepandbeararms.com/ http://www.2asisters.org/ http://www.grnc.org/ - http://www.ncrpa.org/

August 28, 2002, 02:45 PM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 33,102	"He assured us that you would not be arrested -- provided, of course, that you do not bring the gun with you when you report the crime." Oh, just lovely... Sure we need you to come down to report this crime, but you must be DEFENSELESS to do so. Also, I do NOT, in any way, shape, or form, believe this puckering a-hole when he says that she wouldn't be arrested. If I'm not mistaken, carrying a concealed firearm in Chicago without a (hahahah) license is a felony. Anyone else buy that the police are going to let someone who admits to commiting a felony walk out of the police station? I'm sorry, but this woman has NO "obligation" to the women of Chicago. The people of Chicago have created the festering ****hole in which they live, so let them deal with it. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 28, 2002, 04:27 PM	#7
pdmoderator Registration in progress Join Date: November 6, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,202	What C.R. Sam said She's been lucky once. Pushing luck inadvisable. Chicago's gun laws keep criminals on the streets and make honest citizens fear the police. - pdmoderator __________________ Give up no state. Give up no ground.

August 28, 2002, 06:07 PM	#9
Waitone Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2000 Posts: 2,904	She owes citizens of Chicago nothing. She is an idiot if she goes to the police. __________________ "Given a choice between good intentions and human nature, I'll go with human nature every time."--Me, 2002.

August 28, 2002, 02:13 PM	#1
dks01 Junior Member Join Date: July 10, 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 4	Intersting story from newspaper advice column This appeared in our local paper on Monday. I think its the column that replaced Ann Landers: Dear Annie: I am a single mother and work as a freelance photographer in the Midwest. Last week, I was in Chicago and noticed I was low on gas. I stopped at a filling station in a rundown part of town. When I got out of my car, a large man came out of the shadows, waved a knife in my face and grabbed my arm. He said he would hurt me if I yelled, and ordered me to get into the car and give him my keys. I was frightened to death and could think only of my little girl and never seeing her again. I reached into my purse for the keys, but instead, felt the handgun my father had given me for protection. I pulled out the gun and pointed it at my attacker. He took off running. I was numb and shaking. I got into my car and drove home, but realized later I should have reported the incident to the Chicago police. I have a good eye for detail, and this man's features are burned into my memory. I am certain I could create an accurate picture of him. My father, however, thinks I should keep quiet. I have a license to carry a gun, but not in Illinois. He's concerned I could go to jail. My mother says I owe it to other women in Chicago to report this predator and I shouldn't mention the fact that I possess a gun. But I'm sure the police would be suspicious of how I managed to escape, and it would be hard for me to lie. I don't want to go to jail, but I would not be able to live with myself if this man attacked another woman because of my silence. -- Scared But Alive in Indiana Dear Scared: We contacted Patrick Camden, deputy director of news affairs at the Chicago Police Department. He said the police are more concerned about a man accosting women at gas stations and stealing their cars than they are about your handgun. He assured us that you would not be arrested -- provided, of course, that you do not bring the gun with you when you report the crime. He also recommended that you make the report as soon as possible. It will give the police an opportunity to catch this man and will also ease your conscience. Please do it. here's the link to the column WOW, so the Chicago PD is more concerned with stopping criminals than with citizens carrying guns. What a concept! I guess they'll be pushing for CCW in Illinois now, right?

August 28, 2002, 02:22 PM	#2
Blackhawk Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2001 Posts: 5,046	Dear Scared, Listen to your father. If Chicago was interested in preventing attacks on women, guns wouldn't be illegal there.

August 28, 2002, 02:54 PM	#6
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,864	Father right. Sam

August 28, 2002, 06:01 PM	#8
rock_jock Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2000 Location: SE Texas Posts: 1,781	Yes, I can see this type of conversation: "Ma'am, what kind of gun was it you were carrying, when do you carry it, and which way do you drive home?"

August 28, 2002, 06:09 PM	#10
Torquemada Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2001 Location: suburban Illinois Posts: 204	She isn't a resident, so as long as her handgun was unloaded and in a closed container she was OK. Upon "brandishing" it she can be charged with: 1. $200 and/or 6 months for carrying a dangerous weapon 2. Impounding of her vehicle = $500 + towing + storage 3. Unlawful to carry, another $500 4. Confiscation of her handgun per #1 Since the city is having a budget crisis as usual, I don't think they'd pass up the opportunity. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DEFEND YOURSELF IN CHICAGO! Richard the First: "The policeman is not there to create disorder. The policeman is there to preserve disorder." <---Quote played often on the Mike North show, AM670. __________________ Ain't no sense worrying 'bout things you got control over, 'cause if you got control over 'em, ain't no sense in worrying. And there ain't no sense in worrying 'bout things you ain't got control over, 'cause if you ain't got control over 'em, ain't no sense in worrying. - Satchel Paige

August 29, 2002, 09:04 AM	#11
foghornl Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,355	I would phone in the report..........from somewhere like Evansville, Indiana

August 29, 2002, 09:38 AM	#12
ojibweindian Senior Member Join Date: April 21, 2000 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Posts: 1,179	No corroborating witnesses, then it never happened. The woman should, sadly, keep her mouth shut.

August 29, 2002, 12:28 PM	#14
aikidoka - mks Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2000 Location: Indiana Posts: 172	I would not report the incident because of the reasons already mentioned. I had an ex-girlfriend who lives in chicago ask some cops in a bar about her carrying a concealed weapon for protection. This was around the time that there was a series of rapes in a neighborhood near where she walked home from the train. They said something along the lines of - your a white professional looking female we wouldnt be concerned about you having a gun. Yeah sure - anyone want to take a chance on that?! Mark