Disabled woman confronted by mugger invokes rule .357

[formercia]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/09/09/wheelchair.shooter.ap/index.html

Woman in wheelchair on way to gun practice shoots mugger
POSTED: 8:32 a.m. EDT, September 9, 2006


NEW YORK (AP) -- Margaret Johnson might have looked like an easy target.

But when a mugger tried to grab a chain off her neck Friday, the wheelchair-bound 56-year-old pulled out her licensed .357 pistol and shot him, police said.

Johnson said she was in Manhattan's Harlem neighborhood on her way to a shooting range when the man, identified by police as 45-year-old Deron Johnson, came up from behind and went for the chain.

"There's not much to it," she said in a brief interview. "Somebody tried to mug me, and I shot him."

Deron Johnson was taken to Harlem Hospital with a single bullet wound in the elbow, police said. He faces a robbery charge, said Lt. John Grimpel, a police spokesman.

Margaret Johnson, who lives in Harlem, has a permit for the weapon and does not face charges, Grimpel said. She also was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and later released.

[longship]

1. Jesus-- 357 in the elbow?

It'd be amazing if there was anything left of his arm.
A 357 is a freaking cannon.

[file83]

No doubt!!! OUCH.

While the story sounds okay, she's gonna get sued by the assailant for SURE. Even though she had a permit, I'm wondering if the gun was concealed. Secondly, prosecuters will challenger her on why her weapon was loaded - she claims she was going to the shooting range, but your weapon isn't to be loaded in the lobby of the firing range UNTIL you are at your firing lane.

So, grandma is gonna have some 'splainin' to do...

Don't get me wrong, the fucker deserved it, but there are legal questions she's gonna have to answer to.

[Pavulon]

4. Regretful

She should be immune from prosecution. She acted in fear for her life.

NY gun laws are insane.

[file83]

5. But honestly, what judge (who wants to keep their job) could possibly rule

against her? I hope my legal questions are wrong - GRANDMA POWER!!!!

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

6. The article said she is not facing any charges.

She probably had a conceal-carry permit.

[file83]

9. Yeah, but even though she didn't violate any civil ordinances...

...the shooting "victim" could still try to build a case against her "pre-meditations". Trust me, our "justice system" is messed up like that. She'll have to fork out for an attorney to protect her while some greedy lawyer trys to milk her for every penny she's got.

I think it's wrong, but it happens to people that try to protect themselves all the time.

[koopie57]

13. had she killed him

would she be better off?

[file83]

18. That's what cops say - if you shoot - shoot to kill. Otherwise....

...you could get sued.

[eleny]

8. Sue her for keeping him from being able to work at mugging people?

:rofl:


edit: my response was meant to be directed to "file83".

[tularetom]

2. RIght on Margaret!!!

I'm an owner of several firearms but I have always questioned the wisdom of allowing armed citizens to walk around the streets. However when I read a story like this, I have nothing but admiration and empathy for this woman. A disabled person who must rely on a wheelchair to get around in a tough neighborhood would be a sitting duck for muggers and needs some sort of deterrent to keep them at bay.

[undeterred]

3. Mugging someone in a wheelchair

Geez, how low can you go. A friend of mine was mugged in Chicago while she was walking down the street with a child in her arms and another at her side. Naturally she was in no position to fight for her purse.

[originalpckelly]

7. I believe my response to this is,

"YOU GO GIRL!!!!!" Poor lady, I cannot believe how sick our nation has become when someone would actually try to rob a person in a wheelchair. Of course I'm not surprised because someone robbed my mother (and she had a fucking CAST ON HER ARM!!!) who has a nerve damaged arm (rendering it completely lame.) Sick bastards.

But that guy probably won't be able to use his arms again, as I know from what happened to my mom, it is a really sensitive area, and she simply fell and broke it, the fella was shot there. Let him feel how it is to be disable the rest of his life.

[file83]

10. Sounds like Grandma needs to learn how to aim better!!

She only got him in the elbow. Then again, she was on her way to the shooting range to practice...:rofl:

[NancyG]

16. Hey. Grandma? I'm 56.

We Baby Boomers don't age.

[file83]

11. I believe they already made a MOVIE about this woman:

[meldroc]

12. I suspect she got some cool cops on her side...

who cooked a few procedures to make sure she got off. "The gun's licensed, maam. You were, of course, on the way to the shooting range, weren't you?" *wink*

Though, yeah, the scumbag may end up challenging that story in court if he decides to sue her. Pity she didn't kill him.

[mitchum]

14. Way to go, Margaret!

[meow2u3]

15. IMO, this is the proper use of a gun

This lady had every right to shoot. She had to have felt her life and/or bodily safety was in danger.

[Taverner]

17. Yup!

Agreed