In Utah today, the radio is airing a news story that “Super Dell”, founder of Totally Awesome Computers, was charged with “brandishing a firearm” in an argument at his paragliding business. This sounded very fishy to me. I have met Dell on a few occasions and he did not strike me as irrational or one unfamiliar with firearm law. So I called Dell directly and as I suspected, the news got it wrong... again. Here are the facts as told to me directly by Dell:
He was chased by not one, but THREE young men in Draper who jumped out of their car and came towards him in a very threatening manner. One of the young men picked up a rock. In an effort to prepare for the worst, he put his hand on his gun to make sure that it was accessible and would clear his clothing if he needed it. He never even pulled his weapon out of his pants.
However, seeing that he was armed, the three men quickly changed their attitude and no longer appeared to be a threat.
Now, this appears to me to be a clear example of another crime prevented because a responsible citizen chose to exercise their right to carry a firearm. Situations like the one faced by Dell today are a perfect example of why people should carry a gun at all times. Those of you who know Dell know that he is about 150 lbs soaking wet. By contrast, I am 6' 2", 260 lbs. and have studied martial arts. However, If three men chased me, jumped out of their car and ran towards me swearing and picking up rocks, MY gun would be out and pointed directly at their chests immediately. In fact, I challenge you to find a police officer in the world who wouldn’t do exactly the same thing.
Utah law ONLY allows CCW permit holders to brandish their weapon if they believe that their life is in imminent danger and you intend to mortally shoot the perpetrator. However, sometimes, when a gun is produced, the threat immediately vanishes and so does the need to shoot to stop a crime. I would say, without question that Dell was fully within his rights to brandish his weapon. Frankly, I am surprised that he chose not to.
Hopefully, this weak attempt by the media to paint permit holders in a bad light, while trying to harm the reputation of one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Utah history (not to mention one of the biggest advertisers in Utah) will not only backfire on them but will also serve as an opportunity to educate folks on the need to carry and the proper use of personally carried firearms.
What if Dell had not had a gun? What if his attackers had pummeled him with rocks, fists, and boots and then drove off leaving him a broken, bloody mess? Would the police have protected him? Would the police have made any effort to find his attackers? What if it were Dell’s wife who was attacked? Would the media have even covered the story?
The fact is that it is not the job of the police to protect individuals. The fact is that Dell should be commended for having the courage to take personal responsibility for his own safety and well being, and for taking on the responsibility of carrying a loaded gun with him every day. Perhaps if more people did, there would be fewer assaults, rapes, and violent crimes. Rather than the media spinning the story to once again make the gun owner out to be the threat to society, maybe just ONCE, they could present the story accurately. Just once, I’d like to hear a news story like this:
“TODAY, LOCAL BUSINESSMAN AND CONCEALED WEAPONS PERMIT HOLDER, DELL SCHANZE, PREVENTED ANOTHER VIOLENT CRIME. THREE MEN WHO APPEARED TO BE DRUG-CRAZED-LUNATICS OR UNDER THE GRIP OF ROAD RAGE, WERE APREHENDED BY POLICE AND CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED ASSAULT WITH DEADLY WEAPONS. SCHANZE TOLD LOCAL POLICE THAT IT WAS A GOOD THING HE HAD HIS GUN TODAY, OTHERWISE HE WOULD NO DOUBT HAVE BEEN BEATEN, WOUNDED, AND PERMANENTLY SCARRED BY THE THREE MEN WHO ATTACKED HIM WITH ROCKS TODAY. LOCAL POLICE THANKED SCHANZE FOR HIS COOL HEAD AND FOR HIS ASSISTANCE IN AVERTING A CERTAIN ATTACK. THE POLICE ALSO COMMENTED THAT EVERYONE WOULD BE SAFER AND THAT THEIR JOB WOULD BE MUCH EASIER IF MORE CITIZENS WERE WILLING TO ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CARRYING A WEAPON FOR PERSONAL PROTECTION.”
Can you imagine what a field day the media would have had if Dell – the owner of Totally Awesome Guns and Range – had been left for dead by these punks because he wasn’t carrying a gun?
I believe that everyone who has had the misfortune of being harassed by some punk under the influence of road rage owes a debt of gratitude to Dell. I hope his businesses continue to thrive and that his courage will encourage others to take personal responsibility for their own safety.
Fran Tully
www.freewest.blogspot.com
