Opinion
“It’s not about what people claim. It’s about what the other side believes you might do to them.” ~ John Mearsheimer.
On 8 Feb 24, 2024, at a swank concert in Scottsdale, AZ, a woman (an attendee) noticed an angry, drunken man tearing down barricades at the event’s entrance.
She said something to him, and he responded by charging at her and violently knocking her to the pavement, where she suffered an injury (non-fatal)
He was immediately restrained and arrested by local police at the scene.
Curiously, this perpetrator is a local practicing MD (with an apparent drinking problem). As you might imagine, the doctor is currently “guest-of-honor” in a lawsuit!
Lessons:
- Voluntarily inserting yourself into a situation in which you were otherwise not involved is almost always a bad idea, particularly when you go armed. “Inserting yourself” can be as subtle and non-threatening as politely asking someone to stop what they’re doing, as was the case here!
- “Symbolic barriers” are just that and nothing more. “Gentlemen don’t hit women” is an axiom of chivalry observed only by the honorable.
- Those under the influence of ethyl-alcohol or any number of other mood-altering drugs (legal and illegal) are, if anything, unpredictable. As with wild bears, anyone who thinks he knows what a drunk will do next is already in trouble!
- The “well-to-do” status of certain events provides no guarantee of anyone’s personal safety. Security “theater,” thrown together to minimally satisfy some arbitrary requirement by naive insurance companies (who couldn’t care less about anyone’s safety) or a vague local ordnance (written by people who care even less than that), is little more than a “Dog & Pony Show.” When someone says, “Don’t worry. You’re safe here,” never believe it!
- “Assertiveness,” even when well-intentioned, may be seen by local prosecutors as “provocation.”
Responsible citizens often take exception to those who are behaving badly and (as noted above) subsequently “get involved” in an effort to “correct” the offender. This is surely understandable, maybe even commendable, but extreme risk attaches!
Had the female victim in this case forcibly protected herself from this attack, a local prosecutor might well have charged her with unlawful battery because “she started it” with her comment.
Many gun carriers fail to appreciate how wide a net “provocation” can become in self-defense cases!
“Some people take offense like it’s a ‘limited time offer’” ~ Tim Fargo.
/John
About John Farnam & Defense Training International, Inc
As a defensive weapons and tactics instructor, John Farnam will urge you, based on your beliefs, to make up your mind about what you would do when faced with an imminent lethal threat. You should, of course, also decide what preparations you should make in advance if any. Defense Training International wants to ensure that its students fully understand the physical, legal, psychological, and societal consequences of their actions or in-actions.
It is our duty to make you aware of certain unpleasant physical realities intrinsic to Planet Earth. Mr. Farnam is happy to be your counselor and advisor. Visit: www.defense-training.com
If something is upsetting you so much you feel you need to do something about it and it’s not directly affecting you, your loved ones or property then report it to authorities. Let them sort it out. If it involves yourself, loved ones or property. End it quickly. If you feel there are no witnesses immediately depart the scene. Do not reveal yourself to the authorities they are not there to protect, only prosecute. If it happens on your property dig a deep hole and keep your mouth shut. Very few criminals have family that comes looking for them.
I suppose this might have something to do with why so many people today are quick to video everything with their smartphones while otherwise doing nothing to help. The only safe legal route available. A victim might be stomped to death or whatever while you record, but the surrounding crowd does nothing but get pictures and video to share with others. Non-intervention… just recording events for clicks and likes on social media, and maybe the police might be interested in something once in awhile. Maybe. A passive nation of watchers and viewers, all waiting for someone else to “do something”… Read more »
Mr. Farnham, attorney you are not. If someone is violating tge law and you ask them to stop, that is not “provocation”. If someone is causing a disturbance and you ask them to stop, that is not provocation. As long as you are within your rights and not infringing upon the other person’s rights, it is not provocation.
What a crap article. ” a local prosecutor might well have charged her with unlawful battery because “she started it” with her comment.” – Speaking to someone is not battery even in extreme leftist territories.
The situation is simply a reminder that unless you are a cop, you are not a cop. Not your biz over trivia.