From cut-off to sawed-off in 60 seconds
Let me see if I understand Miss Silverstein’s Zero pick from last week correctly. The zero is the judge who dismissed charges against Dr. James Simon? Or perhaps it was Mr. Simon himself? Clearly it was not Bill Osenton, the man who after a minor traffic altercation, followed the 72-year-old doctor and his elderly wife home, then followed Simon threateningly into his driveway, then into his garage (Simon attempted to close the garage door, but Osenton’s car blocked the door), continued the pursuit after Simon retrieved a gun and fired a warning shot, and even continued after he was shot once in the abdomen, only stopping the assault after a second shot to the abdomen. Yeah, that sounds like Simon was way out of line. Calling 911 is not the solution to an immediate threat; the police don’t appear like a lightning bolt; it takes time. In that time what are you supposed to do? Honey, just relax the police are on their way. I’ll tell you what, if someone followed me and my wife into my garage after following me home threateningly, my second shot with my legally owned firearm would not have been in the stomach, regardless of whether I was in Texas or in California, or anywhere on Earth for that matter. It also seems to me that the zero in this equation is neither Dr. Simon nor Judge Simmons—it is Mr. Osenton, or perhaps even Miss Silverstein herself. Take your pick.
Jeff Burkhart, Novato
ED,
Sadly, I must agree with the letter from Jeff in Novato. I know by law that we all have the right to self defense.
If anyone believes and practices Non-Violence I applaud them and wish we could all handle our conflicts this way.
Sadly, I would not have the patience to practice Non-Violence at the point I was threatened, followed into my property and frightened with eminent assault.
I have the Right under law to own a weapon and to use it for self defense. Ms. Silverstein is wrong on this.
Dino in Marin
Though Nikki Silverstein is certainly entitled to her opinion, but emotions and opinions seldom have legal merit in court. California P.C. 198.5 clearly lays out what is legal, and the SCOTUS has advised the public that law enforcement is not required to provide protection to a citizen. waiting for help when calling 911, may not be soon enough.