When you’re out doing your daily shopping and minding your own business, the very last thing you expect is to be tackled to the ground by a complete stranger and put into a choke hold until the police can tear your attacker off. Nevertheless that’s exactly what happened in Hillsborough, Florida yesterday at a local Wal Mart. A man was legally carrying a concealed weapon, and was attacked without warning by a civilian bystander. The local news picks up the story from there . . .
According to the sheriff’s office, Michael Foster, 43, saw Clarence Daniels, 62, in the Walmart parking lot with a gun holstered under his coat.
Foster followed Daniels into the store, put him in a choke-hold and brought him to the ground, the sheriff’s office said. He then started yelling that Daniels had a gun.
A struggle ensued, with Daniels yelling that he had a permit. Security detained both men until deputies arrived.
They confirmed Daniels had a permit for the gun, and arrested Foster.
He is charged with one count of battery.
Personally, I am amazed at the restraint this concealed carry holder displayed. An unknown assailant causing physical harm is pretty much the textbook case for an escalation of force, but the gun remained in the holster and everyone walked away — despite the actions of the freaked out attacker.
It’s a pretty short line of thought to connect this incident to Moms Demand Action and their constant drumbeat against concealed carry in public places. They have whipped up their followers into a thick foamy frothing pile of anti-gun hatred and fear for anyone openly displaying a firearm, and no doubt that attitude contributed to this event.
The one fact that I find most damning is that this person decided to play the hero and tackle the individual himself rather than alerting the local law enforcement or security guards about his concern. And the gun control freaks say we have a hero complex…