The Bull caught the following on the Fox News website…
ST. LOUIS �?? A St. Louis city leader frustrated with the police response to rising crime called Tuesday on residents to arm themselves to protect their lives and property.
Alderman Charles Quincy Troupe said police are ineffective, outnumbered or don’t care about the increase in crime in his north St. Louis ward. St. Louis has had 157 homicides in 2008, 33 more than last year at this time.
“The community has to be ready to defend itself, because it’s clear the economy is going to get worse, and criminals are getting more bold,” Troupe, 72, said Tuesday.
Troupe said that when he and residents approached a district police commander last year, they were told “there was nothing he could do to protect us and the community … that he didn’t have the manpower.”
Police did not immediately return requests for comment. Chief Dan Isom told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he understands Troupe’s frustration but doesn’t support citizens arming themselves.
Carrying guns, he said, is not a “recipe for a less violent community.”
The Bull sincerely hopes that the St. Louis populace has enough sense to listen to the Alderman and not this village idiot, Dan Isom, calling himself the Chief of Police!
It’s the usual sad story. After decades of the cops riding around with “To Protect and Serve” stenciled on their cruisers and telling the everyone to just dial 911, the Truth is sinking in that the police can NOT protect anyone. Hell, most of the time they can barely protect themselves! And now that crime is spiking a bit the higher-ups are getting scared about losing their high-paying jobs.
Before anyone starts, I’m not bad-mouthing the street cops. I know many, like damned near all of them, am good friends with a couple, and once even was engaged to one.
Those guys & gals in blue earn FAR more than they are paid. Moreover, they do a damned good job at what they were meant to do. That is to investigate crime and remove the perps from our streets. Sure, they also have the duty to stop the crimes they know about ahead of time – and they do. Problem is that no one has a crystal ball to tell them which house will be broken into or where the muggers will be tonight. That whole “To Protect…” horse shyte is just something cooked up by politicians to lull the ’sheeple’ of society into a more complacent mindset.
The fact is that the police can not protect everyone at all times. The idiot was right in saying he doesn’t have the manpower. Do guarantee the public’s protection he would need two cops to bodyguard every single citizen 24 & 7. One per 12 hour shift for every man, woman & child.
Well, the politicians got what they wanted. The good people of St. Louis looking to them for help when times are rough in their neighborhoods. The shame is that the politicians can never come through – they overplayed their hand.
And the criminals know it!
That’s why crime is so high and why it won’t go down until the thugs have reason to stop. And this is where the idiot was wrong…
Armed citizens can – and DO – deter crime! In every single jurisdiction where citizens can and do legally carry guns you find less crime and fewer shootings than in areas with strict anti-gun laws. Every time. Don’t listen to the idiots that want you vulnerable. Don’t believe me either. Do the research yourself.
To the Good Citizens of St. Louis:
- First off, GET TRAINING!
- Next, ALL guns come with some sort of child-proof lock now days. Some a good, like the one on my Ruger, are great but it is up to YOU to teach your children and keep firearms out of the hands of the untrained.
- As for the guns, I recommend a 20 gauge or 12 gauge Mossberg Model 500 Persuader® shotgun with the 18 inch barrel for every home loaded with Winchester Super-X® buckshot. These long guns are easy to use, durable, safe, 100% American made, and fairly priced for the average family. The #1 buckshot (in the 12 gauge) is highly effective and gives 16 holes per trigger pull into the bad guy if you do your part. Lots of folks see my sidearm and ask if I’m expecting trouble. my reply is always the old standby: “No. If I were expecting trouble I’d have brought my rifle.” Rifles in urban areas are problematic, so go with the shotgun. You won’t need the penetration of the rifle round and the power of a shotgun is undeniable thug-stopper.
- For a carry handgun I always say carry the most you can handle and never skimp on reliability. That said, I’d recommend a strong double action revolver over a semi-auto for the new shooter. I’d go with a Ruger SP101® chambered for either the .357 Magnum or the new .327 Federal Magnum. The revolver is very reasonably priced, is damned near indestructible, easily cared for, and again – it is American made. Both cartridges are solid performers for minor caliber bores and both give the option of firing a lower power round for practice or until the confidence level has gone up. You won’t go wrong with Federal Premium ‘Hydra-Shok®’ ammo in either caliber. Just remember that a personal protection handgun is not a primary battle weapon. It is great for getting you the heck out of a bad spot or for fighting your way to your long gun. What you’ve seen in the movies is Hollywood shyte that will get you killed.
- …and you’ll never go wrong having a damned good knife somewhere for the ‘just in case’ moments. Choices? What suits you so long as it is GOOD steel and is ALWAYS sharp.
I know, I know… That bit on handguns is a case of ‘do as I say and not as I do‘, but for good reason. I grew up shooting, especially single action revolvers, and I’m used to big bore weapons and their quirks. Most non-shooters and new shooters are intimidated by the mere sight of the hulking .45 (long) Colt case. They will refuse to fire a round regardless of how powerful (or not) the load may actually be.
Get armed, stay armed. Protection is your duty – not the cops. More importantly, it is your RIGHT as an American under our Constitution. Exercise your Rights.
Bull, out! 
