The so-called P.D.C. Posse has received most of the press coverage, thanks to Carey Hart’s promotional work, but armed citizens of all kinds are reportedly refusing orders to evacuate fire-ravaged areas so they can protect their neighbors’ homes from looters.
And early returns indicate the mere threat of running into law-abiding gun owners—because everyone knows the police can’t patrol the area as a preventive measure—is serving its purpose of making would-be looters think long and hard before stealing at whim.
Hart, who is married to the pop star Pink, did his best to warn off would-be looters, posting a picture of about a dozen men posing with guns behind a sign that says: “Looters will be shot on site [sic]. P.D.C. Posse.” Now, we’re not one to advocate shooting someone for theft of belongings that are replaceable—that’s not a legitimate use of a firearm. But if armed patrols deter evil-doers from committing property crimes, that’s reward enough.
When Hart, a motocross celebrity, posted the picture, he included a comment: “It’s unfortunate that some people take advantage of others in a crisis. While the Malibu [sic] fires have been burning, some locals have been fighting off and defending their property against the fires. There have been sightings of looters breaking in to homes. Well, if you are a looter, think twice if you are heading back into malibu. #DefendYourLand #2ndamendment.”
The threat of running into a gun-toting civilian who is dedicated to protecting his neighborhood in time of crisis seems to be working. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has reported few instances of looting in that area, though other parts of the state, where armed citizens are less active, seem to be having problems.
The anecdotal evidence certainly seems to fly in the face of California’s “no one should even be able to have a gun” attitude. See, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom: law-abiding gun owners do serve a good purpose. They can step in when law enforcement is overburdened and help law and order prevail.
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