woberto Report This Comment
Date: September 05, 2008 06:12AM

Gunman killed invading Texan couple's home

smh September 5, 2008 - 10:01AM

When two gunmen smashed through the glass front door of her Texas home, Kellie Hoehn didn't think twice.

The 34-year-old mother of two grabbed a shotgun that had been pointed at her face, starting a struggle that ended with one intruder killed with his own weapon and another in the hospital.

"I wasn't going to let them get to my babies," she said, recalling the moment on Wednesday when she pushed up the muzzle of the shotgun, pointing it away from her children's rooms at her home in Fort Worth.

Although the intruders told her to keep quiet, she screamed for her husband. She told her 12-year-old son, who was awakened by the sound of the shattering glass front door, to get his 5-year-old sister and hide.

"It was like a horror movie," her husband, 32-year-old Keith Hoehn, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "I thought I was a dead man. We're fighting for our lives."

With Kellie Hoehn clinging to the weapon's muzzle, her husband tackled the man who held the shotgun. She knocked the intruder in the head with a jar candle, giving her husband a chance to wrest the shotgun from the intruder.

By then the tussle had spilled out onto the front lawn. Keith Hoehn shot one of the men who had a pistol, police said. Wounded, that man ran away.

Then the intruder who initially had the shotgun charged Keith Hoehn.

Kellie Hoehn told The Dallas Morning News that she screamed at her husband, "Shoot him, shoot him, shoot him."

Her husband fired the shotgun and the man fell to the ground. Then the shot man lunged a second time.

"Well, I shot him again, and I guess that was it," Keith Hoehn said.

Dakota Scott Benoit, 20, of Richland Hills, was pronounced dead at a hospital. John Garland Pierson, 25, of Haltom City, was in critical condition and in police custody at the hospital.

"I am not happy that someone is dead," Kellie Hoehn said. "But I am glad that my family is alive."

Police said Pierson was shot in the left arm and the bullet pierced his diaphragm and other organs but his condition was improving. He will face charges of burglary of habitation with intent to commit another felony, police said.

Investigators say the couple were just defending their family and probably won't be charged.
[www.smh.com.au]

90130_ Report This Comment
Date: September 05, 2008 03:12PM

Defend your family and home in this same manner in the UK, Canada, or Australia and you'll be the victim of oppressive firearms laws that deny you this basic right.

Mrkim Report This Comment
Date: September 05, 2008 03:46PM

^^^^ They didn't use weapons THEY had in their home ^^^^ They took away the intruders weapon and used it against them.

Sometimes irony is sooooo sweet

Anyone tryin somethin similar at my casa won't have to worry about me gettin their weapons. They'll be better served duckin and dodgin the bullets headed their way

tjbustem Report This Comment
Date: September 05, 2008 06:02PM

Amen to that MrKim. It wouldn't be the first I time took up arms to protect what was lawfully and rightfully mine. Although I've never had to pull the trigger, twice I've had my finger on it with the safety off.

woberto Report This Comment
Date: September 06, 2008 04:46AM

Let's not start the firearms law thing again, my point of interest is that outside of Texas the homeowner could probably be charged with the wrongful death of the intruder, of whatever legal crap, you know what I mean. I hope this does not end up that way, I would love to meet the husband and wife and buy 'em a drink!

fossil_digger Report This Comment
Date: September 06, 2008 05:50AM

shouda left Texas outta the title then 'berto

woberto Report This Comment
Date: September 06, 2008 06:33AM

I normally think Texans are the epitome of gun-toting lunatics but this story has made me think that there is an upside to that. I'm impressed that these people were tough enough to fight back and shoot back. I'm also impressed that the home owners probably won't be charged, even though they killed a man. If this happened in California then the surviving home invader would probably be suing the home owners for using excessive force.

jgoins Report This Comment
Date: September 06, 2008 10:32AM

Which is why intruders should be killed and not just wounded. There should be no such thing as excessive force when someone breaks into your home with a weapon. If someone breakes inot my home the coroner will have to remove them.

quasi Report This Comment
Date: September 06, 2008 11:28AM

It used to be in Florida thet you could only lawfully shoot an intruder if he was in your home but a few years ago that was extented to your property.

About a year or two ago, about 30 miles from here, a guy was in his suburban driveway when two men attempted to rob him. One of the thieves had a gun which the homeowner wrestled away. When the thief continued to attack the man he was killed with his own gun and at least the other crook had the sense to run away. No official charges were filed against the homeowner though the dead man's sister said the death was racially motivated as the shooter was white and her brother was black. Yeah, right, sister.

quasi Report This Comment
Date: September 06, 2008 11:36AM

Oh yeah, almost forgot, just the other day in this county two scumbags broke into the home of a man they knew to be a paraplegic with the intent to rob him because he was an easy target. There were no firearms involved but the there was an unexpected houseguest who beat the crap out of both intruders, sending them to the hospital before their trip to jail. In my opinion they should've been shot anyway. Wonder if they can be charged with a hate crime for picking a handicapped victim?

Mrkim Report This Comment
Date: September 06, 2008 03:43PM

Gun totin lunatics? Ever heard of the concept of irrational generalizations 'berto? Just a guess, but I'd reckon the percentage of homeowners havin a gun in their home is problee like 60-70%, but the percentage of those legally empowered to carry a weapon is likely less than 30%, and .... since the "right to carry" concealed weapons law and the licenses began being issued a few years back, if you're found in public with a weapon there's a nearly ZERO tolearnce policy in place if you DON'T have a permit to carry it.

A buddy of mine in Georgia recently related an interesting tale about the town he lives in REQUIRING every citizen to own a gun by way of a city ordinance. Anyway, several years back a guy had kidnapped a woman in Florida and just happened to stop for gas in my buddys home town.

Two other customers having seen his pic on Tv and a description of his car confronted him when he came out after payin for his gas. He tried to draw his weapon on 'em but was a bit slow as they both pulled out their guns and filled him full of holes. When the dust settled they popped the trunk to find the woman inside and luckily still alive.

Though I've never had to even draw a weapon on anyone, and hope I never do, if someone breaks into my business or my home I can't see how they can expect any mercy, and they're not likley to get any either

fossil_digger Report This Comment
Date: September 06, 2008 03:45PM

3 blk kids drove a stolen suburban through the roll up door of a frinds car radio install shop. what the 3 kids didn't know was he was renovating his home living in the back of his shop for the last month. when the truck went through the door he came out of the back with 2 glocks blazing, killed 2 and wounded the other bad enough he couldn't leave. all 3 were armed.
i don't think my friend will ever be the same again. that all being said, i still and will always support our constitutional right to bear arms.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/09/2008 03:46PM by fossil_digger.

tjbustem Report This Comment
Date: September 06, 2008 04:17PM

I grew up around guns and thanks to the teachings of a safety believing father, I have a healthy respect for what they can do. And believe me, I got a serious ass-chewing one time when we were squirrel hunting just because I took the safety off sooner than he thought I should have.

Most people that are against owning a gun have never been around them and are scared to death of them. I don't possess a CHL but have enough fire power in my home to stop any wannabe intruders. I already stated that I'm not afraid to cap one either.

GAK67 Report This Comment
Date: September 06, 2008 07:20PM

I'm pobably gonna open a can o' worms, but...

Firstly, in regards to the original story, I hope the homeowners do not get prosecuted. I liked the mothers attitude - sorry somebody is dead, but rather the invaders than her family (paraphrased).

Secondly, (and here's the can o' worms) reading the rest of your posts I am glad I live in a country that does not have the freedom of firearms ownership that the US does! The level of crime involving firearms here in New Zealand, where police do not even carry side arms (most police vehicles have a lock box in the trunk with firearms in for when necessary), is relatively low. You all seem to be living in fear, not freedom!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/09/2008 01:25PM by GAK67.

quasi Report This Comment
Date: September 06, 2008 09:43PM

We don't live in fear, just believe in being prepared. I have a fire extinguisher in my kitchen, but I'm not afraid there's going to be a fire; in the event of a fire, if I wait for the local firemen to get here my home may be destroyed so I am my own first line of defense should the need arise. As with the firemen, should there be an event requiring the police, by the time they get here the damage will most likely be done so again I am my own first line of defense. It seems that current gun laws in New Zealand are due in great part as a reaction to the Aramoana massacre but it appears to me that if some private citizen had had a firearm with which the gunman could have been stopped, there would have perhaps been far less loss of life. The rank and file cops at that scene apparently had to wait for armed policemen to arrive too - how lame is that? Seems to me there should be more people around who know how to use a gun to put a stop to those who would otherwise try to harm innocent victims. Just the knowledge that average citizens are packin' should be a deterent to the criminal element.

Placelowerplace Report This Comment
Date: September 06, 2008 10:59PM

I have to say, besides Law enforcement persons I personally know, there are a few doctors, a few lawyers and a mess of commercial pilots, that I personally know and spend time with that carry and legally own multiple firearms. Berto, I am insulted buddy. It is proven in states that have the least restrictive laws on firearms the violent crime rate is lower than the states with "positive" firearm restrictions. Florida allows for concealed weapons to be loaded. I'd think twice about a mugging in Florida, little ol' lady will produce a fire arm faster than most. It is also in the United States Bill of Rights, Second amendment. Its there for protection from our own government. Kinda fucked but civil war would suck with out guns on the "We The People"'s side. Anyway Berto, stop watching our TV programs, it will cause you to become insane. I encourage everyone to not watch American Television.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/09/2008 11:01PM by Placelowerplace.

woberto Report This Comment
Date: September 06, 2008 11:23PM

GUN DEATHS PER 100,000 POPULATION (for the year indicated)

COUNTRY_________________HOMICIDE__SUICIDE__OTHER(Inc Accident)

USA (2001)______________3.98_______5.92_______0.36
Italy (1997)_____________0.81_______1.10_______0.07
Switzerland (1998)______0.50_______5.80_______0.10
Canada (2002)___________0.40_______2.00_______0.04
Finland (2003)___________0.35_______4.45_______0.10
Australia (2001)_________0.24_______1.34_______0.10
France (2001)___________0.21_______3.40_______0.49
England/Wales (2002)____0.15_______0.20_______0.03
Scotland (2002)__________0.06_______0.20_______0.02
Japan (2002)_____________0.02_______0.04_______0

Data taken from Cukier and Sidel (2006) The Global Gun Epidemic. Praeger Security International. Westport.

Mrkim Report This Comment
Date: September 07, 2008 12:46AM

About like I figured ... I just looked at 4 different sets of stats and found 4 different reported figures. If you look this up and research it, you can find lotsa different answers.

One absolute truism though is that our crime rates are high, which means the number of victims is too, so here's an absolute .... if being unprotected in the event of having a crime perpetrated against you sounds like a great idea then be the criminals best friend and ally and be sure to lobby for gun control laws

Gotta keep one thought absolutely forefront 'berto, :

PEOPLE kill people, not guns

the author Report This Comment
Date: September 07, 2008 12:52AM

You won't like this at all, but, take out the black murderers of the group and our numbers would plummet.

I use to read those kind of stories in the front of American Rifleman, I learned early.

I think I told this one before, it was in the city.... a burglar tried to break into a house coming off of a front porch through a window and woke the lady up that lived there, she came down with a gun and shot him coming through the window, he fell out of the window back onto the porch, she called the police and had one show up right away, she told him everything that happened and he explained to her that the burglar wasn't in her house and that she could be charged with murder, then, told her to help him get the guy back through the window... into the house. Now that's a good guy!

Here's something to help you get by and hopefully understand that black comment above.

[www.youtube.com]

quasi Report This Comment
Date: September 07, 2008 02:10AM

Damn, those are some scary statistics, woberto; now I am afraid. Time to go get some more ammo & hunt down those dirty, rotten murderers.

Hey, speaking of ammo, did you hear about the shortage of ammo in Alabama a couple of weeks ago? Seems that when the Alabamans heard the Russians had invaded Georgia they loaded up on ammo so they could fight off the Russians if they tried the same thing with them.

90130_ Report This Comment
Date: September 07, 2008 02:54AM

No need for words. You guys said it all.

Hey, 'Berto, next time you're in the US, stop by Portland sometime. We have an awesome machine gun shoot south of here that is quite simply the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

You can shoot full auto MP5s, M60s, and just about everything else you can think of. Even a old civil war Gatling gun.

Nothing better IMHO than an M230 Chain gun on an Apache. [hk.youtube.com]

Damn, I sure miss those days.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 07/09/2008 06:41AM by 90130_.

jgoins Report This Comment
Date: September 07, 2008 11:23AM

If you will watch the news you wil soon noiice that most gun violence is perpetrated by blacks against blacks in this country.

The link above supplied by The Author was refreshing to see a black person express the truth about his own race. If more blacks were like him then I would not have to be a rascist any longer. The black people he talks about are the ones I call niggers, people like him I call sir with the utmost respect.

GAK67 Report This Comment
Date: September 07, 2008 01:41PM

Mrkim Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> PEOPLE kill people, not guns

Agreed, but people with guns kill more people than people without guns!

quasi, I am impressed by your knowledge of NZ events, but the gun laws in NZ have very little to do with the Aramoana incident as they have changed little since then, although I think the police have changed their procedures because of it.

place, glad to hear you would think twice about mugging somebody in Florida (remind me to keep my distance when you are elsewhere), but if I was going to get mugged I would rather get mugged in a state/country with tough gun control laws as my mugger is less likely to shoot me considering they wouldn't have a gun!

fossil_digger Report This Comment
Date: September 07, 2008 03:48PM

someone post the number of fatal shootings for any reason perpetrated by the use of deadly force by a legal gun owner vs. illegal gun owners. true more guns means more deaths, but that is nowhere near an argument for the abolishment of a right. .

Mrkim Report This Comment
Date: September 07, 2008 10:44PM

GAK you seem to be missing one important thought in your discussion. Criminals don't care whether guns are legal to own or not. In fact, if the law abiding population doesn't have a right to own weapons and then don't, it only improves the criminals success rate when they're armed.

I much prefer having a weapon I don't need than I would the reverse and have the need for one I don't have and hence fall easy prey to a criminal who does

Until we get to the point where we stop killing one another all together (which ain't really a very likely scenario all things considered), the fact I can more effectively protect myself and my property with a pistola will assure I'll continue to lobby against gun control, and ..... even if we were ordered to turn in our firearms, they ain't gettin mine

woberto Report This Comment
Date: September 07, 2008 11:17PM

Yes yes yes, life is a rich tapestry. etc ad nauseam.
I kinda like guns and I can shoot 'em any time I want in Oz, we have shitloads of guns, just not as many as the good ol' US of A.
Please cliick on on previous threads and read them before repeating yourselves here (that goes for me too!)
I think you'll find these good fun.
*

[plus613.net]
*

[plus613.net]

GAK67 Report This Comment
Date: September 08, 2008 01:32AM

Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of guns here in NZ too. We are a rural based economy and nearly every farmer in this country would have a rifle or shot gun. There are large numbers of hunters here too (mainy because the huntings pretty good), plus there are active gun clubs in most large towns and cities. Also, I am not anti firearms. I have shot targets, furry creatures, potential carriers of bird flu, etc. I have worked with a guy who was an avid gun enthusiast at the local gun club and did not think he was about to be the lead story of the evening news for killing us all in the office! What I am advocating is control of those firearms, especially hand guns.

MrKim, I have to completely disagree with your assertion that "Criminals don't care whether guns are legal to own or not". Evidence clearly shows that criminals are more likely to arm themselves if their victim and/or pursuers are likely to be armed. Sure, there are criminals who arm themselves here in NZ despite the extreme difficulty to legally own hand guns, but is it worth escalating the number of criminals who do so, thereby making our society even more dangerous? Most petty criminals are lazy and like to do things the easy way (one of the reasons they are petty criminals) so if it is difficult to obtain a firearm, most will not be bothered to do so.

I realise it is a different arguement in the US as you have the constitutional right to bear arms, and I like the founding fathers reasoning behind that (to take down the Government if they overstep the mark), but I stand by my original post in that I am glad I don't live in the fear that you guys seem to be living in!

Nice pic of the can o' worms woberto!



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 08/09/2008 03:33AM by GAK67.

fossil_digger Report This Comment
Date: September 08, 2008 03:46AM

i don't see it as living in fear, but i guess i see how someone could mix that up easily.

pro_junior Report This Comment
Date: September 08, 2008 04:03AM

Living in fear?
No...I have guns...

Placelowerplace Report This Comment
Date: September 08, 2008 05:21AM

I don't like guns. I do however like the right to have one or several if I wish to.

zxz555 Report This Comment
Date: September 08, 2008 09:24AM

is a gun that thing with a handle and a shiny bit i am not allowed to touch that i use to cut stuff? all these comments you guys have written just confuse me.

jgoins Report This Comment
Date: September 08, 2008 12:16PM

It is not living in fear, it is just being prepared just like having insurance for your car, house or yourself. You buy car insurance not because you plan on having a wreck but just in case you do and do you drive your car in fear everyday, I don't think so. I do not always own a gun because sometimes I need the money but when I do onw a gun I am not living in fear and when I don't own a gun I am not living in fear then either.