A Girl and Her Gun: Summer

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Summer

This time of year is an even busier time for me than usual. 3 of my 4 kiddos have swim team practice first thing in the morning and then the rest of the day involves arduous tasks like picnics, running kids to friends house, entertaining their friends here, trips to buy fresh fruit and veggies for the grill, etc, etc, etc. Doesn't leave a lot of time for blogging. Plus with the 'ol rib injury I am not shooting, sparring or any other gun bloggin kind of thing.

Quickly I will say that my ribs hurt. Not whining just saying. After the first day I decided not to take the Vicodin because I have to drive and the whole carrying a gun thing, so I was just taking Motrin. That took enough of the edge off for me to function as long as I didn't move too fast, cough or sneeze. Sneezing has become my biggest fear. Anyway, the other day my daughter E had a friend over, her mother is a nurse. She saw the bruise on my arm, asked about it, I told her what happened and what I was taking for the pain. She suggested I also take Tylenol along with the Motrin. That was brilliant. That really has helped tremendously. What is strange to me is that the 7th rib is lower(I think) on my body than where I feel the most pain. I feel it high up into the rib cage and even when I am not "in pain" there is a kind of an annoying dull ache that radiates around my chest. Again, I am not complaining, I am fine, just explaining for the folks that have asked. I go to see my regular doctor next week for new x-rays or a CT or both not sure, but I am going to ask to see the film(do they still call it film) to get a better idea of exactly what I did to my body. As an aside, I have been a very good girl. Lynne can tell you I behaved myself at the NTYDTTRD. I took it easy and didn't lift a thing all while still performing my assigned duties. I have not shot a single round or ran a single step.

Since I am short on time I am going to send you around the blogosphere...

Yesterday Eric left a comment on the blog with a link to a story of a woman who handled a situation that could have gotten dicey, but her wit and preparedness made sure it didn't.

Old NFO posted a list of places that donate a good deal of their money to either Democrats or Republicans. While that might not be the only piece of information you use to decide whether or not to spend your money at a certain place, I think it is nice to know.

Brigid has a great post(always does) that is really worth the read.

**EDIT**And that will teach me to write a post before I do my daily check of MSgt B's blog.

49 Comments:

At June 14, 2012 at 5:01 AM , Broken Andy said...: Healing takes time. Take it easy.

That woman must be a bad ass, if the everybody's first thought was that the perp needed medical attention.
At June 14, 2012 at 5:08 AM , agirlandhergun said...: I know...I am thinking of ditching Arete and seeing if I can learn to be her:) Very cool story.
At June 14, 2012 at 5:23 AM , Old NFO said...: Recovery is always a slow process... Hang in there! And make sure you're eating when you take the Motrin/Tylenol, that stuff will EAT your stomach lining!
At June 14, 2012 at 5:28 AM , Anonymous said...: Our best weapon is located in between our ears.
At June 14, 2012 at 5:29 AM , agirlandhergun said...: Thanks. I am:)
At June 14, 2012 at 5:30 AM , agirlandhergun said...: That is true.
At June 14, 2012 at 5:43 AM , lotta joy said...: When you breathe in, your diaphragm moves downward toward your damaged rib. Breathe out and it LIFTS against the damaged rib. The muscles in your chest press, and lift. Enough to cause soreness and radiating pain.
At June 14, 2012 at 8:29 AM , RabidAlien said...: Heh. Reminds me of an old remedy for the flu/cold season....take a double (or triple) dose of Ex-Lax when you feel a cold coming on. In about ten minutes, you'll be too scared to sneeze!

Glad to hear everything's goin good for y'all!
At June 14, 2012 at 10:06 AM , Anonymous said...: Eric here. Away from my home computer, and I don't remember my google account info.

WRT pain, the wiring of the body can express pain in odd ways. "Referred pain" is when the source is in one spot but the pain is in another.

Of particular interest to your recent activities are the fact that injuries to abdominal organs can result in pain in the shoulders or back. Thus what feels like an overtorqued shoulder might be a more serious problem. It is not automatic that his happens, or even a probability, but it is a possibility with a bad consequence.

You have already been checked out, so I don't think it is a worry now. But, don't be excessively tough in the future, either. Fall on your shoulder and it hurts, then probably just a shoulder injury. But take a body shot or two on your way to falling on your shoulder, maybe don't dismiss it so fast.

Good article on referred pain here:
http://anatomynotes.blogspot.com/2006/10/referred-pain.html
At June 14, 2012 at 11:13 AM , NotClauswitz said...: I popped a couple ribs while out on a MX track where I didn't really belong (as a mere trail-rider). The jumps were awesome fun sling-shots into the sky, but I over-cooked one and missed the landing - actually I fell over and hit the handle-bar of a kid (12 or 14) who tried to ride underneath me. Using a handle bar-end to break your fall only works if your dirtbike armor is all in place to absorb the impact - otherwise it's three broken ones. Ibuprofen was my friend, there was nothing to do for it really since where I broke the ribs they "float" anyhow.
Good luck and time heals all things!
At June 14, 2012 at 11:25 AM , Jacked Up Glock Mom said...: Its no fun being injured, especially when the kids are all home and its up to you to run them everywhere... I too was going to suggest the tylenol with motrin.. i learned that when i had my hand operated on, and didn't like how incapcitated I felt taking the presription stuff.
Feel better soon!
At June 14, 2012 at 12:30 PM , agirlandhergun said...: Could be. I was told too breath deeply twice an hour so I would not develop pneumonia. I don't like breathing deeply, but I believe I would dislike pneumonia more:)
At June 14, 2012 at 12:32 PM , agirlandhergun said...: The only time I really cried was after I sneezed the other day. Really was very painful. I'm gonna skip the ex-lax...
At June 14, 2012 at 12:33 PM , agirlandhergun said...: Eric, you are a wealth of information!! Extremely interesting article. Thank you!
At June 14, 2012 at 12:34 PM , agirlandhergun said...: Fun stuff...huh:)

Thanks!
At June 14, 2012 at 12:37 PM , agirlandhergun said...: Thanks!! My kids have been super sweet.
At June 14, 2012 at 12:54 PM , Beth of Red Barn Farm said...: I hope your doctor talked to you about your diet while on the mend. Before everyone thinks I'm calling Girl heavy, certain foods will allow your body to heal faster. Push the protein in (big juicy steaks), make sure you are getting your daily dose of calcium and add fresh fruit especially apples which help in the absorpion of calcium. Wouldn't hurt to research a handy little herb called boneset.
At June 14, 2012 at 12:59 PM , Beth of Red Barn Farm said...: Also try a poultice of yarrow, Warning it is a blood thinner and should not be used by people on blood thinners or clogging agents. Yarrow is a multi purpose herb that will help with any bruising.

More info here :http://thepracticalherbalist.com/component/content/article/40-herbal-compendium/102-yarrow-the-magical-wound-healer.html
At June 14, 2012 at 1:18 PM , agirlandhergun said...: Nope. No one talked to me about diet. I did not know that. I have been worried about taking all these meds. I am not a med girl. I am very, very healthy. Maybe get one mild cold a year and normally I am on nothing more than a multi-vitamin and fish oil pill that I take daily. My blood pressure, cholesterol, liver etc everything is stellar. I keep thinking my liver is going to be a mess by the end of these 6 weeks, but I have tried not taking any, but I can't endure the pain.

Thank you for the info and links. I will check into it.
At June 14, 2012 at 1:29 PM , MSgt B said...: Beer and sour mash help as well. Always been my go-to for broken bones.

Was wondering where all that traffic on my site came from.

Get well soon.
At June 14, 2012 at 2:23 PM , Granny D said...: So glad to hear you are getting some rest. I know how bad those ribs can hurt when you sneeze or cough but glad to hear you could at least get off the vicodin and take something else. Just take it slow and you will feel better
sooner than you think.
Granny D.
At June 14, 2012 at 4:08 PM , NotClauswitz said...: I just dealt with it by taking the clinical-level dose of Ibuprofen, I don't know that other stuff is and Tylenol doesn't do anything for me.
At June 14, 2012 at 4:42 PM , agirlandhergun said...: Lol, also very good for the liver.

Thanks!
At June 14, 2012 at 4:43 PM , agirlandhergun said...: Thank you!!
At June 14, 2012 at 4:46 PM , agirlandhergun said...: In general meds, caffeine etc do not effect me too much. Tylenol is not something I would have thought to take, but somehow the combo of Motrin and Tylenol has helped tremendously.
At June 14, 2012 at 8:09 PM , God, Gals, Guns, Grub said...: We know summer-busy in our home... hope you keep on the mend...

Dann in Ohio
At June 15, 2012 at 1:44 AM , Tactical Tom said...: AGirl, I followed the link to that woman's story and read your comments. I hope that you are not encouraging people to flash guns at someone b/c they are scared!? That surely doesn't sound like your usual sage advice.
Showing your gun to someone to try to deter them can get you into real hot water! Fear is not sufficient reason to pull a gun on someone and telling the judge "well he looked like a crackhead" is not solid defense.
While I'm gald she is okay and everything turned out well, I think she handled that situation poorly.
At June 15, 2012 at 3:14 AM , agirlandhergun said...: Hey, I will go back and read her story again, but when I read it the first time I got that she asked the guy to stop he didn't, she got in her car told him to stop he didn't, so got her gun. She didn't shoot him, she told him to go away and then she called her boss and the police. Not being there, on the surface is appears good to me.

My comment was having her wits about her to say stop and when he didn't to get her gun, but not to shoot him. I might not have drawn my gun and might have some suggestions, but I didn't see anything in her post that made me think she was careless.
At June 15, 2012 at 3:44 AM , Tactical Tom said...: I didn't think she was careless but IMO you should never use your gun to try and deter someone from doing something. That isn't what it is for.
If you draw your weapon it is with the intention of using it. If you don't have a solid justification for using it then you set yourself up for a bad situation.
Of course I'm Monday Morning Quarterbacking. I wasn't there and an argument could be made that she is female and he is male and so a threat but my point is that flasing your gun w/o cause can lead to you being charged w/ a crime.
I just don't want people buying guns as an intimidator thinking they can just scare people off and never actualy have to use it!
At June 15, 2012 at 4:00 AM , laser sights for pistols said...: The way I read the article it sounded like she was was concerned for her safety, he attempted to open her door. I think she stopped the situation from escalating and prepared herself if he took the situation to the next level. While reading the article, at no time did I feel like she pulled the gun out without the intent of using it. Thank you for sharing the story a GirlAndHerGun.
At June 15, 2012 at 4:21 AM , Tactical Tom said...: I got the impression more from some things that were said in the comments than from the story.
At June 15, 2012 at 4:22 AM , agirlandhergun said...: I agree completely agree that one should just whip out there gun everytime a situation is a little scary and I do agree that if a person draws their gun they should be prepared to use it, but I can think of a times when brandishing or posturing and even drawing without firing would ba acceptable. It is impossible to list every right way, but I have taken several advanced courses where we have practiced different scenarios that fit drawing, but not firing.

I think your comments are good though. Look at a situation and discussing it is very helpful for us all to become better, more prepared gun owners. I really appreciate your thoughts!
At June 15, 2012 at 4:31 AM , agirlandhergun said...: Laser sights for pistols, that is what I got from the story also. I prefer her ending to mine, but I think TT, has a good point. In an effort to show her support some people, including myself, might have been a little to flippant.
At June 15, 2012 at 5:40 AM , Broken Andy said...: The man acted aggressively toward her, including closing distance to intercept her at a fast pace and attempting to get into her car. This wasn't just a "she was scared because he looks scary" situation. He acted aggressively. In fact, in many states his attempt to gain access to the car while she was in it is covered under Castle Doctrine and she would have been well within her rights to plug 'em with a few slugs to prevent it.
At June 15, 2012 at 5:44 AM , Broken Andy said...: Brandishing is considered the act of suggesting you will use a firearm. Whether you wave it around in somebody's face, draw to the ready, simply put your had on the gun while in the holster or just say you have a gun and will use it, that is all considered brandishing.
At June 15, 2012 at 5:47 AM , agirlandhergun said...: I understand that is the law here, but not in every state. In some states simply printing through your cover garment can be considered brandishing which is why I listed out the scenarios where such and such might be acceptable.
At June 15, 2012 at 5:54 AM , Broken Andy said...: To be considered brandishing, I would imagine the printing would have to be intentional, and without some other act would be hard to prove in court.

Put hey... glad I live in the Old Dominion.
At June 15, 2012 at 5:55 AM , agirlandhergun said...: There is a distinction in VA. brandishing is an unlawful act, but drawing, putting hand on etc, for self defense is not...

Trying to copy something, but it's not letting me. Gonna keep trying.
At June 15, 2012 at 5:58 AM , agirlandhergun said...: 18.2-282. Pointing, holding, or brandishing firearm, air or gas operated weapon or object similar in appearance; penalty.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to point, hold or brandish any firearm any air or gas operated weapon or any object similar in appearance,whether capable of being fired or not, in such manner as to reasonably induce fear in the mind of another or hold a firearm or any air or gas operated weapon in a public place in such a manner as to reasonably induce fear in the mind of another of being shot or injured. However, this section shall not apply to any person engaged in excusable or justifiable self-defense. Persons violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1misdemeanor or, if the violation occurs upon any public, private or religious elementary, middle or high school, including buildings and grounds or upon public property within 1,000 feet of such school property, he shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony.
At June 15, 2012 at 6:04 AM , agirlandhergun said...: Andy, not true. My friend lives in TX and she worries a ton about printing. As she has explained it to me, if she is just minding her business grocery shopping and her gun prints or pops out from under her shirt, it is a brandishing charge.

I know I have readers from Texas...can anyone clarify, correct me, add anything useful???
At June 15, 2012 at 7:19 AM , Broken Andy said...: Is that brandishing or failing to conceal a weapon? I'm not saying that there are states that conflate the two, but those are two very separate things.
At June 15, 2012 at 9:42 AM , Granny D said...: When reading the article it was a lot more than just seeing a "scarey" looking person. When he ran toward her and then tried to open the car door he was the agressor and she did the right thing. Glad she could run faster and get the locked door between them, letting him know she was armed at that time was the right step as I don't feel he was just going to go away.
At June 15, 2012 at 11:56 AM , agirlandhergun said...: Ok, I am getting conflicting info on the brandishing issue. One person says nope, no such law, and another tells me, yep, so I will stick with Va...I know the laws in my state:)
At June 15, 2012 at 12:15 PM , Anonymous said...: Eric (from Texas) here again.

Looks like I have to break this into two or more posts.

Part the First:

"...My friend lives in TX and she worries a ton about printing. As she has explained it to me, if she is just minding her business grocery shopping and her gun prints or pops out from under her shirt, it is a brandishing charge..."

It seems many of my fellow Texas CHL holders are inordinately obsessed over the subjects of "printing" and "brandishing." Given comments on various forums, there are apparently CHL instructors who encourage or are the source of such concerns. Some to the degree that they feel if they even murmur that the might be armed, they have committed a legally prosecutable sin of ...something.

I think this is a product of guns having been demonized for so many years, all the controversy over concealed carry when it first started sweeping the nation, or something like that. Texas, despite its reputation/demonization by others as cowboy-hang-em-high state, has actually had fairly oppressive weapons laws for 150 years or more, that only started to be rolled back in the 90s when one political party began to replace the other as the dominant political force. (And no, those laws were not the result of yankee carpet baggers -- this was a self-inflicted wound).
At June 15, 2012 at 12:16 PM , Anonymous said...: Eric in Texas

Part the Second:

However, back to brandishing and printing:

Legally, there is no such thing as "brandishing" in Texas. In common usage it might mean waving a gun around, but there is no crime of "brandishing."

There also is no crime of "printing."

The actual statutes requiring concealed handguns to be concealed are these:

Government Code, SubChapter H, Sec. 411.171. DEFINITIONS. (3) "Concealed handgun" means a handgun, the presence of which is not openly discernible to the ordinary observation of a reasonable person.

Penal Code Sec. 46.035. UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN BY LICENSE HOLDER. (a) A license holder commits an offense if the license holder carries a handgun on or about the license holder's person under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, and intentionally fails to conceal the handgun.

That's it. To be in violation of the law, you have to INTENTIONALLY not conceal your handgun. People get wound up about "printing" due to the definition of a concealed handgun, i.e. "not openly discernible," but the actual crime is in intentionally failing to conceal. And AFAIK, no one who ever drew in legitimate self-defense was ever charged with intentionally failing to conceal. :)

That is not to say you won't find a knot-headed cop who will harass you if your shirt pulls up by accident -- there is at least one documented case of this -- but it is certainly the rare exception.

My favorite anecdote, posted on the TexasCHLforum.com, was about the gentleman and his very young son who were in line behind a police officer. The son, fascinated with all the cop gear, asked lots of questions, including of course about the officer's gun. Whereupon son, without warning, yanked up his dad's shirt and told the officer, "My dad has one too!"

The cop's response was to burst out laughing. :)

As to the young lady who deterred the parking lot accoster -- I think she was well within her legal, moral, and tactical rights. Mr. Accoster disobeyed a command to stay away and tried to get into her car. Neither of these are the actions of a "good guy," and unless he was an unusually decrepit specimen of the male species, there was an automatic disparity of force, plus she was in her car. Good on her.

Many trumpet the axiom that you should not draw your gun unless there is justification to use it, and I think this is wise as far as it goes, but it does not follow that having drawn it, you MUST use it.

The goal is to go home safe -- safe from the bad guys, and safe from the judicial and medical systems. If you draw your piece and your would-be mugger suddenly remembers an important appointment across town...hey, that's a WIN. No messy police intestigations, etc etc.

Caveat -- I am not a lawyer and all that. But these are things I have thought through and taken the time to research a bit. Hope it is of use to you.
At June 16, 2012 at 3:46 AM , Tactiacl Tom said...: Thanks to everyone that weighed in on this topic. I have to agree w/ many of the comments and much of what Eric says above.
Taken as a whole, I think this woman did a good job and came out safe. However, had things went just a little differently and she needed to defend her actions in court, I believe it would have been a tough sell.
If she was concerned for her safety, why didn't she call the police?
If her car was a place of safety, why did she need to get the gun out?
Why didn't she immediately start the vehicle and drive away?

These are just some of the questions a good lawyer for the BG might use to put some doubt into the jury's mind. From a legal standpoint and playing devil's advocate, I would be concerned. We have all read the situation that Zimmerman has now found himself in and I beleive it is prudent to examine scenarios like these from all angles. Personally, I would want to go to court with more than 1. he looked like a dirtbag 2. I told him to stay back and 3. he pulled on the door handle after I yelled "I'll F*** you up!"
I think you would get tore apart by a good lawyer.
Thanks to everyone for a pleasant discussion and AGirl for posting the story to begin with.
At June 17, 2012 at 2:35 PM , agirlandhergun said...: As always, great information. That explains a lot about the confusion between folks that live and carry in TX. Truly appreciate it! Thank you!
At June 17, 2012 at 2:40 PM , agirlandhergun said...: Thanks for feeling comfortable to share your thoughts. Nice to be able to have these discusiions!
At June 17, 2012 at 3:38 PM , Anonymous said...: Poniegirl here - Totally agree with Eric. As a TX resident we are fortunate not to have a true brandishing statute. However if you do pull your weapon but don't fire you could be charged with aggrivated assault. As not firing could indicate that you didn't truly feel in danger of your life.

My bigger concern as far as "printing" goes is that I often am out with people who don't share my views on gun related issues or I am not sure of their views. I frequently am getting kids in and out of cars which in its self is awkward much less while trying to conceal a weapon ( this challenge though is for another post). The retired DPS personell who gave us our CHL testing stressed that anyone who did see your weapon could if, they so desired, claim they felt threatened. This is not likely in my area of the state but in some areas (Austin for example) it might not be that impossible.

Summer

A Girl and Her Gun

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Summer

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