A Dallas Gem Dealer Fired on His Robbers, but Now He's Fighting for His Gun License

[SecularMotion]

Howard Marcon had just finished stowing shopping bags in his trunk following a trip to the Russell Stover store in Oklahoma City when he was stopped by a man approaching from the front of his car. The man was dressed in all black and wore a mask, and he demanded that Marcon hand over the sapphires and rubies, some $350,000 worth, he was carrying in his pocket.

Marcon refused. The masked man pulled out a gun, put it to Marcon's face, and again demanded the jewels. As Marcon backed away, he was grabbed by two other men, also wearing masks. He tried to force his attackers into the candy store, where he could get help, but they managed to reach into his pocket. Jewels in hand, they threw Marcon to the ground and jumped into a car driven by a fourth man, who gunned the engine and pulled away.

Marcon, 66, has been an independent gem dealer for more than three decades. He's heard any number of stories from colleagues and news reports of South American gangs that target dealers such as himself, robbing them as they travel around the country carrying large quantities of precious stones.

In other words, Marcon was prepared. He pulled out his concealed handgun, for which he had a Texas license, stepped into the street, and got off five rounds, two of which struck the fleeing vehicle and one of which hit one of the occupants. Another bullet struck a passing Porsche. Soon after, police found the car abandoned in a parking lot a few blocks away.

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2012/11/gem_heist.php

[ileus]

1. Must have been a crappy revolver, only getting off five rounds.

I highly recommend a G26 or 27, he could have got off several more rounds and maybe hit a few more suspects.

[Remmah2]

2. The gun saved the guys life.

The police should be focusing on solving the robbery rather than punishing the victim. Mandatory handgun accuracy training would be a more suitable punishment. Sort of like driving school.

Spray and pray is bad, government and citizens should be held to the same standards.

[Warren Stupidity]

3. The gun did not save his life, not according to the article posted.

He drew his gun after the robbers had left, firing at their vehicle. The idiot shot somebody else's car, apparently managed to hit one of the robbers, and they all got away. He did not act in self defense. At the time he drew his gun and fired at the car, his life was in no danger at all. Fortunately he only shot somebody else's car, and didn't harm any people besides the robbers, but he should lose his license for his misuse of his firearm.

[Trunk Monkey]

5. Gotta agree with Warren on this one

The Robbery was over , the criminals were fleeing and (I'll be my ass) those gems were insured.

I don't see how he could have been justified in firing at a fleeing criminal on a busy street.

[Schema Thing]

6. why did you say? did you even read the op?

[oldhippie]

4. He would have been legal shooting at escaping robbers in Texas .....

Unfortunately, he was in Oklahoma. Gotta know the law where you are.

[GreenStormCloud]

7. When you are that big of a target you should be more ready.

The first robber was wearing a mask. Marcon should have already been reaching for his gun. He lost his situational awareness. With $350K in gems his situational awareness should have been extremely high. He should have been constantly scanning and been able to get to his gun quickly. Oklahoma allows open carry so he could have had the gun uncovered and ready.

He was reckless in the shots that he fired. He started shooting after the robbery was over. One of his shots struck a passing Porsche. He was lucky that someone in the Porsche wasn't hit.

Sorry, but he should not be carrying at his present level of training and risk. He should get training and practice and become a expert with his gun.

[aikoaiko]

8. Well, he did shoot an innocent porsche.

[rrneck]

9. Moron.

350k in gems in his pocket and he's shopping? And how did the robbers know he had them? And then go shooting up the street because you're too stupid and/or lazy to make expensive gem transport a dedicated trip and pay attention to what's going on around you?

[JoeyT]

10. Firing wildly at fleeing robbers

down a street that contains innocent bystanders? Yeah, I don't have a lot of sympathy for him.

Had they actively been threatening him or had the street been clear of bystanders, it would be different. I'd be on his side if either condition were met. Taking shots at someone that isn't currently a threat when you could potentially hit someone that isn't involved means he isn't responsible enough to carry a firearm.

[Starboard Tack]

11. Priceless! What an idiot!

Marcon feels like he's gotten railroaded. Reached briefly today by cell phone, he lamented the irony of a situation in which he was getting charged with a crime while the men who robbed him got off scot-free. He acted in self-defense, and he thinks Texas should recognize that, no matter what Oklahoma court records say.

"I .... think Texas law ought to have a little more leeway."

He claims he acted in self-defense

Boy, you've gotta be really fucked up to lose your permit in Texas.

[gejohnston]

12. he hasn't read the gun blog

usacarry.com it is his responsibility to learn the laws of states he was traveling. He was charged with what is a felony in Oklahoma, I doubt Texas, or any other state, will overlook that or has a "unless not a crime here" clause in any law. His grasp on such things is as lacking as his other flaws already pointed out.

[AtheistCrusader]

13. Doesn't pass the smell test.

How did the robbers know what was in his pocket?
Why was he casually carrying around so much?

Under the table deal/possible stolen goods sale gone wrong?
Insurance fraud scheme gone wrong?