In rural parts of the country, it happens from time to time; a person appears uninvited on someone's property, and the landowner tells them that "elsewhere" is a better place to be. Typically these confrontations are benign in nature, even when on occasion either the property owner or the trespasser turns out to be armed.
Such was the case in Texas this past weekend when a Danish reporter wandered into the yard of an elderly Texas woman, and she shooed him off, a gun apparently in hand.
CNN's Ed Henry made quite a big deal out of the incident, promoting it as a near "international incident" writing in the lede that the Dane came "this close to getting shot."
He characterized the confrontation this way:
"I was just so occupied dictating my story that I didn't really see where I went," Svensson told me later. "I was just walking and talking."
What Svensson didn't realize was that he had stopped walking a couple hundred feet away, on the front lawn of an elderly woman. An elderly woman who looked through her window and didn't like that a strange man was standing outside her house. An elderly woman who had, um, a gun.
Next thing you know the woman is outside, no more than a few dozen feet from the journalist, demanding that he leave. "Suddenly she comes out and she says, 'Get off my property. You're trespassing,'" recalled Svensson.
Svensson was too preoccupied to notice the pistol, and was not aware that Texas law gives homeowners leeway on using a weapon when someone is trespassing on your property. All of us journalists across the street were too far away to see the pistol at first, until a Danish photographer with a telephoto lens announced to a bunch of us that there was indeed a weapon in the elderly woman's right hand.
Henry, of course, had no way of knowing if the journalist was actually in any danger, and he apparently was not. The citizen's interaction with the reporter seemed to have been limited to verbally warning the reporter off her property. She never raised the weapon or pointed it at the Danish journalist, and the one photo of the incident shows that the firearm was pointed at the ground. The journalist reported that he didn't even see a weapon when told to leave, according to Henry's own account.
And so it seems shocking to Henry that an elderly person has the right to be armed when confronting someone trespassing on their property, not knowing if the person wandering towards their door is a wayward Danish journalist, a petty thief, or someone with much darker intentions towards a seemingly frail victim.
That an elderly woman in a rural area warning off an intruder had the common sense to arm herself in case the intruder's intentions were something more than an innocent mistake never crossed his mind.
But, Henry, apparently, had the story he wanted. That being armed is a prudent decision for some in certain circumstances never crossed his mind.
Cross-posted at Confederate Yankee.
Photo at top right byKaare Sørensen/Avisen.dk was not including in the CY post.
—Bob Owens is an investigative blogger who writes at Confederate Yankee.
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Go Granny Go! Ed Henry
March 4, 2008 - 14:22 ET by bigtimerGo Granny Go!
Ed Henry has always been a pathetic clueless wanna' be for years and years...I just wonder if he had a granny in the same situation and she did the same thing to protect herself and her property not knowing who or what the intruders intentions was... if he would defend her right to do so...and be glad of it.
Leftists are so pathetic adn hypocritical to-boot in most cases if it came down to their families, they would just never admit it...or just let the situation turn into losing one of their own family members since they seem to believe one doesn't have the right to protect oneself...and property.
I'm kinda upset at the lady in the story
March 4, 2008 - 14:48 ET by UndercoverConservativedidn't she get the "shoot on sight" orders for media drones? Gangsters and robbers aren't nearly as dangerous.
tho, this reporter is from the country that printer Mo-bomb-hed cartoons twice, so perhaps the warning was appropriate.
"to call an illegal immigrant an "undocumented alien" is the same as calling a streetcorner drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist".
Danes and CNN disappointed
March 5, 2008 - 09:40 ET by jrichCNN and all other gun-grabbers (people who despise self-defense and firearms) had much rather see the elderly (granny, and everyone else in society helpless, defenseless, and/or dead.
Except of course genocidal governments, thugs, and psychopaths; the gun-grabbers obviously want all of these types sufficiently armed, because they continue to facilitate them with mindless cries for more gun-laws (aka gun confiscation from law abiding citizens).
Defenseless victims attacked by murderers makes much better ledes then any of the estimated 2.5 million times a year someone in the USA defends themself or other innocent persons with a firearm.
Gun-grabbers love murderers and love to report on their activity. Gun-grabbers hate self-defense and refuse or despise reporting it.
Here in the peoples
March 5, 2008 - 10:38 ET by ahusserHere in the peoples socialist republic of Maryland. Some anti-gun delegate in Baltimore introduced a bill to have all ammunition sold in the state to have micro serial numbers on cartridge and bullet plus a 5 cent tax on each cartridge. The bill would have allowed the State Police to keep extensive records on who purchased ammunition. The ammo manufacturers testified that it would cost 10 million dollars to implement the technology. They stated that a box of 38 special would be priced around 50 dollars a box not including the tax. If the bill was passed all non-serialized ammo was to be turned in by jan 09 and use of non-serialized ammo would be prohibited except shotgun ammo. This bill purports to be a crime fighting bill but we all know it is just backdoor, crackpot attempt to disarm law abiding citizens. Fortunately the bill failed in committee, this time. Believe it or not Arizona is next to go through this legislation.
and then the pellets
March 5, 2008 - 13:27 ET by wizardjrYou just know the next step is to require micro stamping of all the pellets in a shotshell. I'd like to see that with number 9 shot!
What if she had a --- pocket knife !!!
March 4, 2008 - 14:23 ET by desertdwellerCome on, now. Grow up.
Whew! That was clooose!
March 4, 2008 - 14:23 ET by Mica the MagnificentWonder if Chris Cuomo thinks those reporters were expendable?
We support the granny, but not her mission - - - DNC position concerning this incident
Nice line, Mica.
March 4, 2008 - 14:34 ET by Ken ShepherdNice line, Mica.
She probably thought it was
March 4, 2008 - 14:41 ET by kgShe probably thought it was one of those crazy anti-war protesters who do not respect anyone or their property that she already has had to deal with.
"Forget change, I want improvement!"
Some of the comments
March 4, 2008 - 14:25 ET by MagCynicSome of the comments following the link are hilarious.
"All i can say to this is stupid Texans!!! This is why we need very strict gun laws in this country."
"america the land of gun nuts….way to go rednecks. I am so glad i live
in europe now where this kind of thing is not tolerated even the least
little bit.."
"Wow! Talk about taking America's image in the world down a notch!"
You got us, Magcynic
March 4, 2008 - 14:32 ET by Mica the Magnificent"Wow! Talk about taking America's image in the world down a notch!"
That's the plan.
As soon as the world thinks we're a bunch of toothless gun-toting yahoo's, we send in the stealth fighters, occupy their country and steal their oil.
Bwahahaha!!!!
Thank you for
March 4, 2008 - 22:47 ET by Cape Conservativeleaving this country you apparently have no respect for. America now has one less jerk.
Too bad some of the celebs who kept saying they were going to move away didn't have the guts to do so. Guess it wasn't so bad here after all for them.
Please stay abroad - and urge some of your like-minded friends to join you!
MagCynic... "...I am so
March 4, 2008 - 22:56 ET by Clear thinkerMagCynic...
"...I am so glad i live
in europe now where this kind of thing is not tolerated even the least
little bit.."
Glad to see Europeans don't like trespassers either.
"Abstain from McCain"
I say go granny go.
March 4, 2008 - 14:27 ET by Dan The Man 2I say go granny go. Granny’s got a gun and willing to use it. I saw it was near the President’s Crawford ranch and I suppose she has had many “intruders” on her property, especially during the Code Pink debacle.
It is interesting if I saw some yahoo talking into a phone wandering up to my property I might warn him off too. A little lesson in manners was learned for that punk Dane.
I hope the Secret Service congratulated the woman for chasing punks off here property.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
CNN, the new home of white hating liberals.
March 4, 2008 - 14:35 ET by dronetekLook at all the stereotyping and bigoted comments made by
those people. Lots of jabbing at the culture and intelligence of Texans based
on their color and geographical location.
Don't Mess With Texas
March 4, 2008 - 14:31 ET by m36b1It's funny to see all the "Damn Texans - I'm glad I live in a state with stricter gun laws" comments over at CNN. Never mind that violent crimes in places like Washington D.C. are so much more prevalent. Good for Granny - Don't Mess With Texas! Yes, Texans can still defend themselves and that's a good thing. She was prepared, didn't wave the gun in his face - heck he didn't even know she had a gun until he was shown a picture later. Since she lives somewhere near President Bush's ranch, I suppose she's seen her fill of Cindy Sheehan / Michael Moore type moonbat/wackos who you just never know about...
MSM & Guns
March 4, 2008 - 14:48 ET by MaximusBraveheartMany people are scared to death of guns. The schools and media taught them this. They don't even want to touch one so when someone is holding one they freak out. Funny they don't freak out when they see police have one. Well your fellow citizen may save your life easier than a police miles away. Yeah that "glad I live in a state with stricter gun laws" statement is too funny. They likely have higher crime because ONLY the crooks are armed. Who is the moron then? THAT is the power of the MEDIA!
Don't mess with Texas
March 4, 2008 - 14:55 ET by greenfairieThose wimpy libs would probably wish the gun toting Granny was around if they're ever mugged on the streets of their "gun-controlled" town.
Reason #534 why I love Texans.
We Texans have the toughest
March 4, 2008 - 15:13 ET by ConservativeRexWe Texans have the toughest trespassing laws in our beautiful country. We mean it, we are serious about it, and we never fool around about it.
It does not matter if you have a 10,000 acre spread or 10 feet of frontage, it is YOUR land. The ONLY way anyone is ever permitted on it (other than family, and in some cases them too!) is strictly by WRITTEN permisson by the landowner. No exceptions! If you're caught on land with out permission, you will go to jail (if you're lucky).
There are other exceptions
March 4, 2008 - 15:23 ET by Dan The Man 2There are other exceptions such as easement priviliges and such. Look at your deed sometime and see all the exceptions.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
Makes me proud to be a
March 4, 2008 - 15:05 ET by Free ThinkerMakes me proud to be a Texan!
Hooray for Grannie's with
March 4, 2008 - 15:06 ET by RickTaLifeHooray for Grannie's with guns! :D hehe, that'll teach him...nothing scarier to a liberal journalist than a granny with a smith & wesson. :-)
Someone should tell this
March 4, 2008 - 15:07 ET by Ruths husband BenSomeone should tell this Granny that it is doughnuts that are supposed to have holes in them, not danishes.
She's had enough
March 4, 2008 - 15:10 ET by TjexciteShe has had to put up with the press and protesters for at least 7 years. Only the Press would complain. I do not think this is the first time that someone has gone where they are not welcome, all in their effort to get closer to the western white house or not looking where they are going. It may happen every time the Pres is out there or even when he is not, daily occurrence of trespassing.
If he got hit by a car when walking they would have blamed the driver over him walking into traffic.
I take issue
March 4, 2008 - 15:09 ET by seaniepI take issue with a lot of the comments I am seeing on that story on CNN . . . they keep saying "only in texas"
well I live in Florida, and if some idiot was trespassing on my lawn, ignoring me, and offering no explanation as to why they were doing so, I might get my gun out too
so these fools who are unaware of the world that they live in should have written "yes in texas, but possibly in florida too if they go into sean's lawn, or you know what, I bet there are a lot of places who don't like pretentious journalists"
Life imitates Monty Python. Again!
March 4, 2008 - 15:11 ET by Jack BauerOnce again, life imitates Monty Python...
I remember...!
March 5, 2008 - 13:31 ET by wizardjr<ROFL> I remember that episode. Very Monty Python!
There are many lefty's the world over
March 4, 2008 - 15:12 ET by R D HelmThere are many lefty's the world over who just cannot understand the concept of "private property."
You go granny!
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
The Real Story
March 4, 2008 - 15:27 ET by YahooWatcher"and was not aware that Texas law gives homeowners leeway on using a weapon when someone is trespassing on your property."
Complete ignorance on the part of the media.
old people
March 4, 2008 - 15:28 ET by WesenI'm not sure the situation warranted "brandishing" a firearm. I don't think a gun should come out until one is ready to shoot. None the less, I like the idea and hope to have the chance to do it myself sometime.
wesen... Hope to have
March 4, 2008 - 15:37 ET by bigtimerwesen...
Hope to have the chance to what exactly yourself?
Not quite sure what you are saying you hope to do.
clarification
March 5, 2008 - 01:13 ET by WesenHi Gramps, now that you asked I'd say what I meant was, someday I hope to reach a ripe old age and still be able to have a gun to shoot... that's right, that's it.
Yes, it did warrant it
March 4, 2008 - 17:18 ET by ironchefofmunchiesIn Texas you can "brandish" a firearm on your property if you want to. It's YOUR property and YOUR right.
Your state may have regulated away that right. Texas has not. Period.
Get it?
"I'm not sure the situation
March 4, 2008 - 19:37 ET by ckc1227"I'm not sure the situation warranted "brandishing" a firearm. I don't think a gun should come out until one is ready to shoot."
I'm pretty sure she was ready to shoot had the need arose, lol. And to address your first sentence, she probably wasn't sure either, but she was prepared in case it was.
I'm guessing you probably felt it wasn't necessary to evacuate New Orleans ahead of time either, lol.
»→ ckc
March 4, 2008 - 19:44 ET by Cool ArrowNow that's funny.
touche'
♣ a seal
There is some guy on your
March 4, 2008 - 20:55 ET by ahusserThere is some guy on your property. Excuse what are you doing here. Oh, you are here to attack and rob me wait right here while I get my gun. If you point a gun at someone there should be a good reason. But having it at your side or in a holster is not brandishing and so what.
I think I read she wasn't "brandishing" the gun and the reporter didn't know she had a gun until he saw the picture.
Euro weenies
March 4, 2008 - 17:26 ET by ScrapironOnce the Euro weenies realize they are under the corrupt, murdering laws of Islam they'll wish they had kept their gun rights. No one will come to their rescue this time. Don't they remember Hitler? Na, that would destroy they're left wing (Nazi) idea's that have not, and never will work. Too bad they'll die before they find that out.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
"All i can say to this
March 4, 2008 - 19:27 ET by ckc1227"All i can say to this is stupid Texans!!! This is why we need very strict gun laws in this country."
Translation: I have no brain.
"america
the land of gun nuts….way to go rednecks. I am so glad i live in europe
now where this kind of thing is not tolerated even the least little
bit.."
We're glad you live there too. The last thing we need here are more limp-wristed wusses trying to "enlighten" us.
"Wow!Talk about taking America's image in the world down a notch!"
Oh, no, say it ain't so. How will I ever sleep at night....
Love our granny!!
March 4, 2008 - 20:50 ET by spiderdanI can hardly contain my smile -- and pure joy -- at the shudders sent down the spine of gutless wonders (we affectionately call "liberals") when this elderly property owner ordered a trespasser off her land. Here's what most urban dwellers (liberal twits en masse') don't realize: a handgun does wonders with varmints -- snakes, rabid dogs, crackheads, foreign journalists, and anti-war protesters looking for a place to wander aimlessly.
You liberal dolts may believe our dear Granny knows how to use that weapon -- she could have raised it, parted that moron's eyebrows, and still had rounds for a stray copperhead or two.
I've got the best varmint guns available. A couple of high caliber models, too. God bless Texas.
I was just so occupied
March 4, 2008 - 20:55 ET by Uncle DonI was just so occupied dictating my story that I didn't really see
where I went," Svensson told me later. "I was just walking and talking."
I doubt it...he knew where he was and what he was doing. Just sticking his nose where it didn't belong. Won't be doing that again, will he?
Uncle Don... Not if he
March 4, 2008 - 20:58 ET by bigtimerUncle Don...
Not if he has a brain cell left that is working.
The funny part was: "CNN was
March 4, 2008 - 21:04 ET by ApacheThe funny part was: "CNN was not able to reach the woman for comment."
Haha, another good reason to own a gun.
Apache.... ROFLMAO...I am
March 4, 2008 - 21:05 ET by bigtimerApache....
ROFLMAO...I am cracking up laughing here...that was a good one!
Well needed on this end.
3 incidents
March 4, 2008 - 21:18 ET by ahusser1. A young man came to my door asking for directions. While I was attempting to set him right directionwise his compadre was stealing my bicycle off the back porch. I was not armed but it could have easily been a robbery or home invasion. This was at my parent's home which is in a good neighborhood.
2. A drunk was walking down my street arguing with his girlfriend. As he was walking and arguing he was also taking the time to kick the doors of parked cars along the street. I asked my wife to call the local police. I walked onto my front porch. I was a young police officer at the time and took my service revolver with me. I yelled at him not to kick my car. He took umbrage at that screamed and charged up my lawn towards me. As he got close I pointed the gun and told him to stop. He was smart enough to retreat. The cops still had not arrived and I was not in my jurisdiction. This also was a good neighborhood but near a shopping center with a bar.
3. My next door neigbors teenage son was passing out halloween candy. 3 members of the local high school basketball team (a little old for trick or treat) saw the kid was alone opened the door assaulted him and took the all the candy. Laughing as they left.
You never know what can happen and how fast it does.
I Love It
March 5, 2008 - 10:09 ET by JoelCTI absolutely LOVE that picture!
I finally get to share my gun story with Newsbusters. I was on a business trip in Ottawa with a fellow Central Texan. One of the bosses in Ottawa took us to lunch. He was a French-named person from Tobago who grew up in Europe and had recently moved to Canada, so he had never held a handgun, maybe not even seen one up close.
Our lunchtime conversation turned to "life in Texas" and he asked us if we owned any guns, "since we were both from Texas."
I told him I owned seven and his eyes went wide. Then my co-worker, a female, told him, "I own thirteen, because we do a lot of hunting, but that's just mine. I don't know how many my husband has."
I will never, ever, forget the look on his face.
And yes, if that Danish dweeb was standing on my property, I would tell him to "Git" while most likely holding a shotgun. Pointed down at the ground, just like granny in the picture. You can tell from the picture she was raised with guns, and understands gun safety.