Watchmaker...Gunfighter

KenpoTex

Senior Master
Joined
Jan 24, 2004
Messages
3,001
Reaction score
144
Location
Springfield, Missouri
If anyone has never hear the story of Lance Thomas, it's worth a few minutes of your time...A great example of mindset and preparation in action.

Video:

Article (more details than the video): http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_156_26/ai_82533205/

His story and many others can also be found in this book...well worth a read by any martial-artist (unless of course you find the martial part distasteful).
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Deaf Smith

Master of Arts
Joined
Apr 25, 2008
Messages
1,722
Reaction score
85
Massas Ayoob had a real good article on him and his gunfights.

You will notice he used .38s in the first one, then graduated to 9mms, and after the second fight, went to .45s. Now Lance, as far as I know, was not a trained combat shot. At least no formal gun schools.

What he did was remarkable but also it costed him. He was shot a few times and he sold the store after threats to his life.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_156_26/ai_82533205/

You can read about him there.

Deaf
 

Sukerkin

Have the courage to speak softly
MT Mentor
Lifetime Supporting Member
MTS Alumni
Joined
Sep 15, 2006
Messages
15,325
Reaction score
493
Location
Staffordshire, England
My impression of the man from the YouTube video is very good. I certainly wouldn't have his determination and nerve.
 

searcher

Senior Master
Joined
Mar 15, 2005
Messages
3,317
Reaction score
59
Location
Kansas
OP
KenpoTex

KenpoTex

Senior Master
Joined
Jan 24, 2004
Messages
3,001
Reaction score
144
Location
Springfield, Missouri
Good to see it worked out for him, so far. I would seriously think about relocating ...

I believe the video mentioned it, but it's my understanding that some of the dirtbags he killed were gang members and the gang subsequently put a price on his head. He closed his business both for his own safety and to avoid being the cause of more violence in the area.
 

searcher

Senior Master
Joined
Mar 15, 2005
Messages
3,317
Reaction score
59
Location
Kansas
it's my understanding that some of the dirtbags he killed were gang members and the gang subsequently put a price on his head. He closed his business both for his own safety and to avoid being the cause of more violence in the area.



This is what always gets me worked up. Gang members attempt to rob or harm you, you kill one or two of them, and the rest of the gang seek revenge for you protecting yourself. This type of warped thinking is why we must stick together(law-abiding citizens) and protect ourselves, as a group. This goes beyond the pro/anti firearm thing and comes back to a unity thing.

Even if it starts with us as MAists banding together and working to stop this crap. I am not fully suggesting we go vigilante, but maybe in some smaller part.
 

Guardian

Black Belt
Joined
Nov 11, 2007
Messages
635
Reaction score
23
Location
Wichita Falls, Texas
One very brave man and made the right decision to get out while he could after all that went down. Sooner or later, they would have got him. Smart move.
 

Carol

Crazy like a...
MT Mentor
Lifetime Supporting Member
MTS Alumni
Joined
Jan 16, 2006
Messages
20,311
Reaction score
541
Location
NH
One very brave man and made the right decision to get out while he could after all that went down. Sooner or later, they would have got him. Smart move.

The article from Massad Ayoob also mentions his concerns for his customers. He was smart enough to protect himself but also wise enough to know that bullets don't always land in their intended targets. I suspect this was also one of his concerns for his fellow shopkeepers when he mentioned that getting a gun and having it nearby was not enough.

Even so, its a terrible picture of how gangs can control the landscape of ordinary, law-abiding people. Mr. Thomas had his store for 14 years before the string of attacks. In retail, that kind of establishment and longevity can't be bought or brokered, it can only be earned with time on the street and enough business savvy to be able to use the laws of supply and demand to one's advantage.

He did escape with his life, but still suffered a terrible loss. :(
 

chinto

Senior Master
Joined
Apr 18, 2007
Messages
2,026
Reaction score
38
to bad more merchants are not willing to go that way. I think a lot of armed robbers would choose other means of making a living.
 

Latest Discussions

Top