Elderly Man With Firearm Levels Playing Field Against Two Attackers
(Hat tip to Dan Gifford.)
World War II veteran and 87-year-old Los Angeles resident Jack Goodwin was in bed listening to the Lakers game Tuesday night, when he heard what he described as: “Boom, boom, boom, it was real loud, like a jackhammer.” He grabbed his pistol and “ran and ran to see what it was.”
With bum knees, Goodwin cannot move quickly. He’s lived the past 40 years in the Baldwin Village home, where he finished raising three daughters with his beloved wife Ruby. She passed away a few years ago.
One attacker is in the hospital in critical condition, the other remains at large.
Media reports call him an Army marksman, but video notes that was in “Carbine”, not pistols.
His interview with CBS is instructive. When asked if he was afraid, he said: “Not at all.” When asked if he could do anything differently, he said he “could run, run out the front door probably…” And this:
Goodwin says he has no regrets about how it all went down and probably would do it again the same way.
Police went on record as saying this was self-defense and plan to file no charges against Goodwin. However, the District Attorney could still do so, which is why, as in the case of another elderly man in Marin County, California, it’s a bad idea to take your 15 seconds of fame on TV.
California is anti-rights, and Dan Gifford told me about a meeting he went to where a LAPD Sergeant warned residents suffering from a spike in burglary against taking the law into your own hands, or some such silliness.
The bottom unvarnished line is that the LAPD will try mightily to find some reason to charge any homeowner with a crime for using a gun against an intruder. And since California has so many petty gun laws and technical violations, there are plenty to choose from. Charges for using unwarranted deadly force are another matter.
(By the way, self-defense isn’t “taking the law into your hands.” Each state has provisions in their laws delineating when the use of lethal force is appropriate to save yourself from grievous bodily harm or death.)
Here’s the crooked cross:
- You say you weren’t afraid. Then why did you shoot if you didn’t feel you were in danger?
- You say you could have run. Why didn’t you avoid confrontation?
- You have no regrets about shooting somebody? Are you some kind of Dirty Harry vigilante?
- You said you would do it again the same way. Do you intend to shoot people?
Good shooting, Mr. Goodwin. Let’s hope the DA does the right thing, instead of pimping for votes.
Good questions. 87yr old limping WWll vet in front of jury.
1.You say you weren’t afraid. Then why did you shoot if you didn’t feel you were in danger? I said I wasn’t afraid, however my evaluation indicated grave danger…
2.You say you could have run. Why didn’t you avoid confrontation? Bad knees..
3.You have no regrets about shooting somebody? Are you some kind of Dirty Harry vigilante? I was at home minding my own business watching a ballgame when I was attacked in my home. jab, jab, Bam!
4.You said you would do it again the same way. Do you intend to shoot people? At my age son, I don’t know how many sunrises I have remaining in my home and I prefer to spend them in peace, however uninvited guests will get what they project…
Excellent responses. It being California, I get concerned about a DA making policial capital by appearing tough on crime by going after elderly men defending their lives. In Texas, this guy would be getting free dinners for at least a month at local restaurants. “Here, let me pick up that man’s tab.”
Actually, I’d rather not answer those questions at all.If the Castle law does what statistics suggest, fewer people around here will have to answer those questions.
I heard somewhere that a judge just told Kalifornia to let ‘em all loose due to inhumane overcrowding. Have several nice days Kalifornia.
In New York, it’s incumbent on the homeowner to determine whether the intruder intends bodily harm AND if a weapon he’s carrying isn’t a gun before a shooting is considered justified. How stacked a deck is that? Not surprised CA is giving homeowners a hard time.
I hope this man is left in peace.
•You say you weren’t afraid. Then why did you shoot if you didn’t feel you were in danger?
“I felt I wasn’t in danger because I was shooting those two fellows whou would have placed me in a world of danger had I not had my pistol fool.”
•You say you could have run. Why didn’t you avoid confrontation?
“I guess you must have missed the part about where I was in MY house. Why should I run and avoid confrontation when I’m in MY House?”
•You have no regrets about shooting somebody? Are you some kind of Dirty Harry vigilante?
“Excuse me? A Vigilante goes out and finds people to shoot. I was sitting in MY HOME minding My Own business. Anyone who comes into MY Home is taking the tacit risk that I am going to shoot them. I have no regrets because they chose to enter MY Home uninvited and got what they deserved.”
•You said you would do it again the same way. Do you intend to shoot people?
“If they come into my home uninvited and unannounced, YES!”
“Listen, Idiot Reporter Person, those people can do what ever they want when ever they want and have absolutly nothing to fear from me. They will remain healthy and unperforated if they do ONE simple thing. Stay Out Of My House!”
Good responses.
Remember if the intruder is dead, they cannot testify.
“In New York, it’s incumbent on the homeowner to determine whether the intruder intends bodily harm…”
That’s not the case in California. It’s automatically assumed that the legitimate conditions for using deadly force exist, if someone breaks into your house (unless it’s your wife or husband, etc.). And, you’re under no legal obligation to retreat.
Calfornia Penal Code
“197. Homicide is also justifiable when committed by any person in any of the following cases:
1. When resisting any attempt to murder any person, or to commit a felony, or to do some great bodily injury upon any person; or,
2. When committed in defense of habitation, property, or person, against one who manifestly intends or endeavors, by violence or surprise, to commit a felony, or against one who manifestly intends and endeavors, in a violent, riotous or tumultuous manner, to enter the habitation of another for the purpose of offering violence to any person therein…”
and…
“198.5. Any person using force intended or likely to cause death or great bodily injury within his or her residence shall be presumed to have held a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great bodily injury to self, family, or a member of the household when that force is used against another person, not a member of the family or household, who unlawfully and forcibly enters or has unlawfully and forcibly entered the residence and the person using the force knew or had reason to believe that an unlawful and forcible entry occurred.”
Thanks for posting the exact codes. California has somewhat of a Castle Doctrine. It also has an anti-rights media and DA’s whoring for votes among the prevalent anti-rights voters who put anti-rights Senators Feinstein and Boxer in Congress.
all Americans are Subjects to the Parliament under the King/President..
so the courts have ruled..
it’s too late.. it’s over.. America the land of the Free is DEAD
No you’re not a troll. Just a pessimistic person ignoring any data that counters your thesis, believing that if you post enough times on one article you will prove your reality exists. Have you considered therapy? It sounds like you are very unhappy.
anchor babies are natural born citizens..
do you feel ‘optimistic’ about the intent the Founders had for America?
———–
don’t worry.. I will be back for more America bashing.. America destroys itself..
When questioned by police after shooting someone in self defense your only statement should be something to the effect of “I was attacked, I’ll make any further statement through my attorney.”
To the media your only statement should be something to the effect of “F### off!”
all American Law is subservient to English Common Law which has no Constitution..
Whims matter.. that is the state of today’s Law in America
Sorry, you’re wrong. England has a Constitution, but like common law it’s just not written down.
a judiciary trained by marxists will invariably side with the tenants of feudalism..
America is a cooked goose.. no remedy will be found within the judicial branch..
there is no respect for the Founders.. there is no America.. it’s over
Dan Gifford in that you have such a morbid fear of weapons I suggest that you refrain from ever visiting the great State of Arizona. You see mr. gifford, in Arizona we have Constitutional Carry. We allow all legal citizens of proper age to carry weapons to protect us from the criminal element that you are breeding int CA. and from the bad influence that invades our state from south of the border.
With Constitutional Carry instituted crime has gone done dramatically, fewer people’s homes are being invaded, fewer rapes as our women enjoy carrying weapons to allow rapists to sleep with dirt blankets, shop owners do not have to call the police as often because they can rely on their customer base to help protect their businesses in a time of need.
All the while people like you continue to let criminals destroy your state, murder your citizens, rob businesses, hold your citizens hostage, break into homes to steal, rob and terrorize everyone from the young to the elderly.
Kudos to Jack Goodwin for remembering his WWII training and protecting his home and life. It is a shame that someone in the legal community does not have the balls to commend this man for his actions, instead of being cowards who want to destroy America with trivial BS.
Nuff said, God Bless you Mr Jack Goodwin may you enjoy the rest of this life in peace and mr. gifford may you get to experience what Mr. Goodwin experienced on a weekly basis.
Not sure where you get your angst against Dan Gifford. He’s the one who promoted Mr. Goodwin’s success. He also referred to a meeting he attended where LAPD threatened law-abiding citizens for defending themselves. That’s what pro-rights reporters are supposed to do: expose the anti-rights, big-government bureaucrats so that we can use that knowledge to take our power back through political action, before we either have to choose between armed revolution or fade slowly into the night of feudalism.
my Hope is quashed..
I am now the pessimistic commentator..
you may think I am of the ‘left’, but I am only pointing out the reality of the current state of affairs
watch as I am claimed to be a troll.. No, I am just a defeated free man..
there is no clawing back.. not without the natural right to abolish the current Progressive living Law
van, be of better cheer. There is more legal carry now at any other modern time. True, Hillary is working with the UN to try to introduce more international and national registration and restriction by treaty, according to Sen. Rand Paul. But Sen. Paul is also working with the National Association for Gun Rights to fight this treaty in the Senate. (BTW, they could use support and funds for this effort. Honesty in commenting: I am not associated with that organization other than supporting it.)
Blahst! “…now than at any other…”
‘Get off my law……rug.’
Even here in Arizona – with the most favorable self-defense and firearm laws in the country – the best advice is to give no statement to the police or anyone else until you have consulted with an attorney.
For what it’s worth, from a 33-year veteran cop…reporters are NOT your friend.
I woke up. He was dead. That’s all I know.
Before you do interviews with the media, you have to understand how they work, and with patience, skill and composure set things right. Most people cannot do this, and the media traditionally looks for bubbas with stains on a t-shirt as representative of gun owners. To get a good idea of how the game is played, check this advice to a person facing an “interview” set up by a political rival:
http://www.gunlaws.com/HostileInterviews.htm.
Intro: “You know the media plays “gotcha” journalism, lies about their intent, twists things to reach their pre-made conclusions, uses deception, distortion and downright unethical techniques. When they’re coming after you, prepare to win.” Alan.