Wednesday, January 19, 2005

Compare and Contrast

Compare this story out of Hollis, New Hampshire with the story in my previous post about the home invasion in Boston, Massachusetts, where the resident was arrested for having the nerve to save his wife's life (our mayor would, of course, prefer that he and others be more "progressive" in their thinking and allow their loved ones to be killed).

Here's the Cliff Notes version:

Man breaks into neighbor's house, in a violent, alcohol and drug-fueled rage.

Homeowner confronts intruder armed with a .45-caliber Smith & Wesson, calls police.

Homeowner's daughter comes downstairs to help Dad, carrying a .357 magnum Ruger wheelgun.

Bad guy is subsequently hauled off by the police and faces a felony burglary charge, punishable by up to 7½ to 15 years in prison.


Here are some other interesting bits from the article.

"This could have been a tragedy, and fortunately for all of us, it wasn't," Narkis said. "I was told specifically from police, 'It's a good thing you have a gun, because it could have been very bad for you.'"


Like so many other people around the world pursuing their dreams, I too long for the day when I can move with my family to America.

Narkis had reached the living room when he heard someone breaking into the kitchen, he told police. Narkis fired his .45-caliber Smith & Wesson twice by accident, while trying to cock it and chamber a round. The first shot hit a lamp in the living room, and the second hit a grandfather clock near the front door, police reported.


A little more range time, Donald, would not be a bad idea.

But, the best part of all of this:

Camplin began to get up while Narkis was on the phone with police, however, and Narkis fired a round toward his legs, thinking that at worst, he would wound him, he said. Police found the shot lodged in the floor, near Camplin’s legs, Mello reported.

Camplin was still on the floor when Mello and officers Christopher Bonin and Kevin Irwin arrived, Mello reported. While police cuffed him, Camplin yelled something to the effect that "psycho tried to shoot me," Mello reported.

Narkis broke no law, Darling said, and police have no plans to charge him. State law gives people the right to use deadly force against intruders who threaten them in their own homes.


Side note: Mr. Narkis lives less than three miles from Massachusetts.