This letter was written in response to a "JR from Illinois" who seemed to take me to task for my article in the September 1999 issue of Combat Handguns.

March 1, 2000

Combat Handguns
1115 Broadway
New York, NY 10010
Attn: It Happened to Me

Dear Sirs,

I trust this missive finds you and those at Combat Handguns faring well. I write to you regarding a It Happened to Me in the May 2000 issue.

I am writing in response to the letter from JR, Illinois that appeared in the May 2000 issue. In this letter JR takes me to task for my handling of a robbery incident that occurred at my supermarket, Customer Service by S&W in the Sept. 1999 issue.

I will start by agreeing with JR, it is a good thing I wasn’t in Illinois. I was in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the city of Richmond. A locale where I am all too familiar with the laws pertaining to my special police powers. Having stated that I have to wonder what JR’s point was since it should be obvious to anyone who takes the time to analyze the situation that the laws of each state may vary. This is certainly the case here. Perhaps JR doesn’t think that anyone, aside from a sworn police officer, has the right to intervene in such a matter as an armed robbery.

I would assure JR, and you the readers of this magazine, that the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the City of Richmond, do indeed allow me to take such action. Now, lest you think me some untrained bumpkin who just wants to shoot someone, please allow me the opportunity to point out that I have received years of training in the use of firearms and deadly force. In fact I have been certified by the Department of Criminal Justice Services as an instructor in firearms (handgun/shotgun) and self-defense techniques. This is no easy status to achieve here let me assure you.

JR should also know that my police powers extend to all properties owned by the supermarket in question. This means the lot of property that we owned next door to the store as well as the building itself. Should any crime occur on said property I was authorized by the city and the state to respond. Including, if necessary, persuing any suspects off of the property should they attempt to flee. As long as the crime occurred on the property it fell under my jurisdiction. It is further worthy of note that this same authority extends to Private Security Services businesses in the Commonwealth. Any infraction of the law that occurs on the property a security company is under contract with may be met with the arrest of the perpetrator by a security guard. The key to this is the training the guard has received.

I hope that this allays any further concerns that JR may have about my authority and abilities. I appreciate his concern for my welfare and that of my supermarket, but I assure you I continue to work within the parameters of the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Sincerely,

Floyd C. Bayne