Two Harbors resident Tim Jazursky's riveting testimony might be the most compelling testimony given at the Legislature in years.Here's what Jazursky said that as so compelling:
I received a call one evening. It was from my wife. That call was that someone had just called my house and had threatened to kill her and my three sons. He said he was going to come and shoot them. My wife called the local sheriff's department, the Lake County Sheriff's Department and asked for protection. The answer she got was quite unique because, you see, our law enforcement doesn't offer protection. After speaking with the sheriff's deputy for quite awhile, she got him to admit that, because this was only a threat over the phone and there was no immediate threat or danger, there was nothing for them to do. And so she said "What you're saying is that, after we're killed, you will find and look for who killed us." And he said "Yes."
As disturbing as that testimony is, it got more disturbing later in Mr. Jazursky's testimony:
My wife's response, because I had taught her how to shoot, because she was understanding of guns to the sheriff was "I have already loaded several guns, including a .308 deerhunting rifle, and if you decide to come to my house to speak with me, you'd better announce yourself, because anyone who walks through the door is in for trouble because I will shoot first and ask questions later." And yes, they did come before I could get there. But because of that statement, they basically told her to unload the guns and disarm herself."
From Gov. Andrew Cuomo to Sen. Dianne Feinstein to President Obama to Gov. Dayton to Rep. Paymar, have asked why anyone needs a weapon with (their words) an oversized clip. Mr. Jazursky just answered their question.
Self defense isn't just a right. In too many instances, it's a necessity. In too many instances, it's the difference between life and death.
The harsh reality is that police departments can't always get to a potential victim's home in time to protect the potential victim. That's when the individual has to take personal responsibility for protecting themselves.
If two gangsters break into a home while a single mom is home with her kids, thoughtful societies should want her to defend her family. In situations like that, that often requires firing lots of shots. A 7-shot clip might not hold enough rounds to help that woman protect her family.
There's no doubt that Rep. Paymar's legislation will pass his committee. That's a foregone conclusion. What's in doubt is whether enough rural DFL legislators will vote for this bill for it to pass the House.
After Mr. Jazursky's testimony, it wouldn't be surprising to hear that rural DFL legislators have decided against voting for Rep. Paymar's bills.
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