Everyday since I saw her on the news and blogged about her story, I'd search for updates on her case and her condition.Last night I read that 18 days after being savagely attacked while taking an afternoon walk in the park, Chevonne Ecclestone died in the hospital, surrounded by those who loved her. She had never regained consciousness after suffering massive head injuries.
I didn't know her or her family but my heart breaks for them today. She was a stranger to me but I have cried for the senseless horror that ended her happy life and snuffed out her shining spirit.
Now for the rest of my days, in moments of self-doubt, moments where I say to myself, "You're being paranoid" I will remember that bright smile, stolen forever - and I will go to the range and practice until the calm finds me.
Teach the women you love how to shoot. Today.
Now for the rest of my days, in moments of self-doubt, moments where I say to myself, "You're being paranoid" I will remember that bright smile, stolen forever - and I will go to the range and practice until the calm finds me.
Teach the women you love how to shoot. Today.
12 comments:
That is why Lady D carries Kimber Pepper spray, Fox Pepper Spray, A kubaton, a Surefire 6P defender, & a spyerdco, when she is in places that have those "No Goodguy" signs up. The rest of the time she has all of the above & her SIG
One of the photos was from the victims wedding, not at all like KIT's http://crasch.livejournal.com/684990.html#cutid1
I'm still really ambivalent about the whole gun thing.
If everybody had one we'd all be evenly matched, but since lots of people get out of control mad at the drop of a hat, with a gun in everyone's hand it might get a little scary.
Teach the woman I love to shoot....
I'd love to. She won't take part. She only tolerates my guns. I hope and pray that she is never proven wrong.
I ask you, how do I convince her?
Mr Fixit
Unfortunately if you're wife teaches at a major University she's not allowed to carry when she's most exposed; crossing campus after dark.
Chevonne's stepdaughter is in my math class.
This is horrible. I don't understand how people can be so senseless. Its horrible.
It's good to be armed. It's better to have the right mindset and to be aware of your surroundings.
@ captain:
it's best to have both.
I might not always be able to carry a gun on me, but you can be absolutely certain I'm never completely defenseless.
My heart goes out to her and all who knew and loved her. I've gotta sign up for that chl class right away.
I would rather all good people be armed all the time, good people aren't the ones that are the problems. But then the government would want to decide who was good people, and miss the whole point of trust. Never be defenseless, pay attention and keep friends close.
While Chevonne and other victims like her are in no way responsible for the criminal actions of another, we all must assume basic responsiblity for our own safety.
First and foremost, I'm all about the inalienable and non-negotiable right to self defense.
Regardless of what some would have you believe, the government (specifically the police) have no duty to protect you. Their JOB is to prevent crime and to respond and intervene when possible, but they have no civil DUTY to do so. It's a best-effort thing with no guarantees and no liability for the failure or inability to perform.
Can you imagine any government being held civilly or criminally responsible for its failure to perform?
In a "shall issue" state, the government must issue you a CCW permit if you're not otherwise disqualified by law from obtaining one. It doesn't matter who you are, what you do for a living, what your name is, who you voted for, whose campaign you contributed to, how long you've known the mayor, what you blog about, or whether the authorities "believe" you have a legitimate need for said permit and that it's in the best interest of the public. In the absence of any adverse information, you are deemed trustworthy and need not prove yourself... you already have.
Contrast this to the hypocritical "may issue" state.
If you live in a state that issues permits and you choose not to obtain one, or if you make the conscious decision to disarm yourself when not required by law to do so, then you've decided the wolves won't get you that day.
These colleges and universities, shopping malls, etc. are simply using the weapons-free zone as plausible deniability in the event of crimes against persons on their premises. All they have to say is "Hey, we posted the signs. Weapons aren't allowed here. We have guards/cameras/whatever. It's not our fault the wolf killed the sheep." If someone gets killed there, the property owner might not be held liable.
On the other hand, if they don't prohibit weapons, or if they allow the possession of weapons by permit holders, they might be found liable if someone convinces the jury that the permit holder somehow contributed to or prolonged the carnage by actively engaging with the wolf.
Or maybe they're just ignorant and think that a license to carry a weapon is a license to use it and that an otherwise law-abiding citizen who happens to be armed is going to use his/her "semi-automatic assault pistol" to spray gunfire at the crowd at the first sign of trouble.
In any case, they've determined that a certain number of sheep are expendable (adj. more easily or economically replaced than rescued, salvaged, or protected). Think about that next time you see a gun-free zone.
Breda... Keep up the good work in your quest to move the chicks to the "with guns" column.
This is why I carry. Men may look at Ms. Ecclestone and see a beautiful woman who was murdered.
All it takes is a tour of an ICU at the right time to understand that anyone, male or female can suffer the same fate.
Once the cards start to fall, the only chance one has is by way of the gun.
Godspeed Ms. Ecclestone.
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