This is why Americans should be armed. Do you think it is an accident that these guys set up shop in California, where they know that any average person they come across has no chance of being armed and able to mount an adequate defense?
The founders of our country saw the need of a well regulated, and well armed militia who was able to defend themselves and their country against impending threats. If defending yourself against illegal aliens, who are growing illegal drugs, and threatening Americans citizens on public lands, isn’t what they had in mind, then I have know idea.
When I commented on the original site that this was “One more reason to always be armed,” a guy named Joe responded:
“Yeah, your single handgun/rifle is going to be real useful against pot farmers with five high powered rifles, equipped with rifle scopes and numerous rounds of ammunition, not to mention greater numbers and a familiarity with the area.
“Good way to get yourself shot, more like.”
Since they moderated my reply (I guess I was too extreme for them) I give the basics of it here. Yes, my “single handgun/rifle is going to be real useful against pot farmers with “five high powered rifles, equipped with rifle scopes and numerous rounds of ammunition.” In fact, that sounds a lot like what I carry in my truck, and my camper.
The fact is that criminals are lazy and unlikely to have adequate training with their weapons. I, on the other hand, took my last Elk on the run at 600 yards and can empty two 13 round magazines into the center of a target at 25 yards in under 12 seconds with my .45 ACP. I’m not bragging, because that doesn’t make me special. Many people I know can do the very same thing.
The point is, the pot growers would have never confronted the campers had they thought the campers posed even the remotest threat, which is why they choose to set up shop in places like California, where they know the public has a 99.99% chance of not being armed.
As I’ve said before, being armed is about making the choice yours. If only your attacker has a weapon, he makes all the choices. If you are armed, you make your own. That doesn’t even mean that you have to defend yourself, and it doesn’t mean you have to shoot anyone. In many situations, caution would dictate that you still comply, and never attack. But, even then, as long as you have a .45 tucked neatly into your waistband, the choice is yours.
This week really wasn’t planned to be an all-pot kind of week, it’s just working out that way. (Today’s the stoner new year, right? But if you’re stoned, isn’t every year basically 1976?) Regardless, in Los Padres National Forest, California, two pot farmers scared off some campers in a high-speed dirt road rally that ended with arrests and confiscation of $26 mill in herb. The Santa Barbara County sheriff’s report reads better than I could rewrite, so here it is in its entirety:
New Cuyama – On Friday, 04-17-09, at approximately 11:30 a.m., two adults, who had been camping in the Aliso Park area west of New Cuyama, came across an active marijuana garden. While in the area, the campers were approached by two Hispanic male adult subjects who were tending to the marijuana garden.
The subjects attempted to converse with the campers, however due to a language barrier, they were unsuccessful. The subjects requested that the campers remain in the area, until the arrival of the ‘boss’ who spoke English. The campers became fearful and packed up their gear and left the area. While the campers were driving down the dirt road, they were approached by a pick up truck traveling the opposite direction. As they passed the truck, they noticed the occupants seemed very interested in them. The truck stopped and the driver exited and waived for the campers to come back. They ignored his request and kept driving, believing he was the ‘boss’ that the two subjects had referred to earlier. The driver returned to his truck and began chasing the campers down the mountain. During the chase, the truck came dangerously close to the campers’ vehicle several times.
Once the campers reached the paved road, they were able to distance themselves from the truck and contact law enforcement. A Santa Barbara County Deputy Sheriff obtained the information from the campers and quickly disseminated it to local agencies. A short time later, a Taft Police Officer spotted a truck, matching the description provided by the campers. A traffic stop was conducted and as a result Javier Barragan (DOB 1/31/69) and Jose Lopez (DOB 5/3/71) were contacted. Both subjects were positively identified by the campers, as the persons who chased them down the mountains. The two were taken into custody and a search of the vehicle was conducted. During the search, five high powered rifles, equipped with rifle scopes and numerous rounds of ammunition were found.
United States Forest Service and Santa Barbara County Sheriff personnel responded to the marijuana garden to eradicate the plants. Once there, a large scale marijuana garden was found containing 13,300 growing marijuana plants. The estimated street value of the plants is approximately $26,600,000.
Barragan and Lopez were booked into the Santa Maria Jail for marijuana cultivation. Pending further investigation, false imprisonment and/or weapons charges may be added. Their bail is set at $50,000 each. Barragan resides in Maywood, Ca. and Lopez from Paramount, Ca.
The Sheriff’s Department and US Forest Service cautions hikers, campers and hunters that marijuana growing season is upon us. Most outside gardens are located in remote areas of the National Forest and are tended by Mexican Nationals who are usually armed. Do not attempt to make contact with them. Any suspicious activity should be reported to the Sheriff’s Department or the US Forest Service.
Print This Post
Trackbacks
33 comments so far
Leave a reply
Identity Verification: If you wish to verify your commenter identity, so no one can steal it, click the below button: