PA Bill Number: HB2235
Title: Providing for regulation of the meat packing and food processing industry by creating facility health and safety committees in the workplace; ...
Description: Providing for regulation of the meat packing and food processing industry by creating facility health and safety committees in the workplace; ... ...
Last Action: Referred to LABOR AND INDUSTRY
Last Action Date: Apr 25, 2024
One Company Got Tired Of The Anti-Gun Media And Took Matters Into Its Own Hands :: 03/18/2016
Liftable Media, Inc., the parent company of Western Journalism, paid for its employees to go through a concealed carry certification course over the weekend.
About half of the staff took the company up on the offer and participated in four hours of teaching by active and former police officers with Arizona Defensive Firearms Training.
Recently retired Phoenix police officer Sgt. Stephen Wamsley provided the primary instruction, which included not only classroom training, but time on the firing range where each student was taught basic gun safety and shooting techniques.
One of the main lessons the retired cop, who has had to take others’ lives in the line of duty, sought to drive home is that “Putting a bullet in another human being is not all it’s cracked up to be.”
He ran through several scenarios explaining when the use of deadly force is justified by the law. In summary, if you reasonably believe you are being put in threat of death or serious bodily injury to yourself or others, you can fire your weapon to stop the threat.
The retired officer emphasized the goal is to stop the threat, not necessarily kill the assailant. If the perpetrator is down and you determine he or she poses no further immediate danger, you are not justified in going over to “finish the job,” by firing off more rounds.
Wamsley noted that gun owners are responsible for every round that leaves their weapon, not only criminally, but civilly. In other words, just because you are cleared of criminal liability, you may yet face a civil lawsuit by the person you injure or by the family of the person you kill, if your actions are not justifiable in the eyes of the court.
The policeman encouraged people to consider whether their actions pass the “headlines test,” judging not only if the law would allow you to fire your weapon, but whether you should do so. “I still have to meet my Maker and explain that I did everything I could” to avoid taking another’s life, Wamsley said.
If you do make the decision to fire in self defense or defense of another, the police veteran offered these instructions:
1. Check and make sure the bad guys are no longer a threat.
2. Check yourself for injuries.
3. Call 911 and describe what happened and what you are wearing.
4. Remember everything you say is being recorded and may potentially be used against you in a court of law.
5. Wait for the police, putting your weapon down if you can.
6. When the police arrive, immediately identify yourself and keep your hands in plain view.
7. If you had to use your weapon to detain the bad guys, follow police instructions. They will likely tell you to place the weapon down immediately.
Liftable employee Kaitlyn, who showed herself to be a good shot on the firing range, said she took the class for self-protection purposes. “I’m looking to move into an apartment soon, so I just wanted to make sure that I’d have a way to protect myself if anything should ever happen,” she said.
“I liked that a lot of the trainers are cops or former cops, so I found that to be really helpful, that they were really knowledgeable,” Kaitlyn added.
Ryan shared Kaitlyn’s sentiments. “It was definitely very informative. To have someone who has been on the police force 35 years and actually had to use a gun in potentially lethal scenario” makes a difference.
After going through the training, Heather, who had never fired a handgun before, thought the instruction was so good, it really ought to be mandatory for gun owners. “I think if you’re going to purchase a firearm, you should have to go through a class like that. If you’re going to have something with that much power, you should also take responsibility to know how to use it,” she said.
Liftable COO Ford Jordan explained the reason the company decided to make the opportunity available. “We thought it was important for us to practice what we preach. And we believe that guns are good for personal defense, safety and a right to defend ourselves as Americans,” he said, adding how important it is for people to responsibly carry firearms.
Regarding the value of the concealed carry training, Wamsley said, “Any time you learn more about the law, then you become a better citizen. Understanding what your rights are and what your limitations are [is important]. The use of lethal force should not be done lightly.”
Currently, thirty-six states offer reciprocity for concealed carry permit holders.
