The best testimony we have to date on the actions of gun shop owner Jon Bieker comes from his wife Becky…
“I have lost my husband in this senseless murder. Although tragic, he saved my life because he carried a firearm.”
There’s no reason I can think of not to take her at her word.
Occam’s Razor–simplest explanation is the best–suggests Becky was beaten before the shootout. Why–or how—would anyone have hit her after bullets started flying?
Let’s assume Jon was in the back. He hears demands being made and wife crying out for help. Does he remain in the back hoping perps will not kill his wife or does he come out?
A survivor remains in back. A man comes out.
Does Jon come out armed or unarmed?
A pacifist comes out unarmed. A man comes out armed.
Does Jon come out pleading or shooting?
A fool comes out pleading. A man comes out shooting.
And remember, Bieker had only seconds to make all these decisions.
He shoots three of these clowns. As a result of his actions, all four are removed from the streets, likely for the rest of their violent years, if not forever. They commit no more crimes, shoot no more people. They sell no guns to other thugs who would likely have used them to shoot more people still.
Yes, Jon died, but had he hid out in the back, presuming the perps did not find him, he would have lived the rest of his life in shame.
God bless Jon Bieker.
Rich Steele is a citizen journalist and head of the NSAAS (Non-Smokers Against Anti-Smoking).
he did what he felt was right at the time.
But there are many circumstances that are not similar to this case.
His wife needed him…he came to save her.
You can call him a hero…or maybe theres more to this story
than we’ve heard (and my sources are saying there is)….
But not all circumstances are like this….each is different with
different circumstances.
What if it wasn’t a gun store and the owner didn’t have a gun…
what happens then. I know many businesspeople who refuse
to have guns.
Was he a hero…in my opinion the word “hero” is used too
much. A bball player making a basket at the buzzer. A reveiver
catcing a pass and runnin in for a score. Those really aren’t heros
to me butto someone else they may.
He reacted in a split second to the situation and we’ll see whether
based on facts and evidence whether he actually was a hero or
a fool.
Have you seen their site…very interesting!
regardless we must do something about this problem and you mr steele
need to stop trying to preach to us. You don’t know the facts or
evidence. when you do get back with me at law4life1000@yahoo.com
because I believe there is more to this story than police have let out.
We’ll see.
have a great day
your friend Harley
by the way the pic on thisstory reminds me jokingly of hearnes reporter getting
stuck under the suv dashboard while observing “suv with big antennas” during
his reporting gig on the huge jewelry heist.
hahahahaha.
Finally your brevity, and word choice, brings some power.
Good post, Rich.
I’m with Stomper.
Great perspective, Rich.
A survivor remains in back. A man comes out.
Does Jon come out armed or unarmed?
A pacifist comes out unarmed. A man comes out armed.
Does Jon come out pleading or shooting?
A fool comes out pleading. A man comes out shooting.
And remember, Bieker had only seconds to make all these decisions.
So Bieker and Steele is the Anti-Herne….
Correction, Word:
Bieker and Steele ARE the Anti Hearne
Actually though, I think Rich makes some good points and represents a school of thought that is obviously out there.
I don’t agree with everything he has to say, but I respect it.
As for Bieker, far be it from me to say for certain, but my hunch is that if he could have a do-over, he’d follow a course of action closer to my thinking than the one he actually did follow.
Which is sad and too bad for him, his wife and all of us. He clearly didn’t deserve to die.
“Bieker and Steele ARE the Anti Hearne”
Your not assuming Bieker would take a different approach if presented with a do over. Your assuming he would risk the sacrifice of his wife for his own.
Jeezus Kee Riste, Coop…
Read Jim Fitzpatrick’s column in the morning and think about hooking up with the 21st Century
How many of us would have the courage to face down three armed thugs to defend our wife? Jon is a true hero and the bad news is that it cost him his life and the three thugs have thus far survived their wounds.
I know you are a fan of Jimmy C, John.
Let us know what you think of his column in the morning, please.
Did the shop owner or the thugs fire the first shots?
Don’t know…really right now…I don’t care.
One good man is dead, while four thugs are alive. That’s all that matters.
810 scoops 610 once again.
Irrelevant to any discussion. The four were engaged in a robbery and someone died, could’ve been the owner, or anyone of them and the charges are the same, felony murder.
That is a key question and the cops and DA are keeping it a secret for now, Jack.
I’m with Jim Fitzpatrick on this though; he was wrong either way if he charged into the tiny room with his gun blazing or merely charged in brandishing it.
Check out Fitz story too.