NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans police say an Uber driver has shot and wounded one of two men he told authorities had tried to carjack him.Local media organizations say the Uber driver reported to police that two men jumped into his car about 1:20 a.m. Monday shortly after he let a passenger out. Police say at least one of the two men was armed and pointed a gun at the driver and told him to drive, according to the driver.Authorities say the men subsequently forced the driver out of his car. But the driver tuned out to be armed as well. Police say the driver fired at the two suspects, wounding one. Both suspects got out of the car and ran away.

Source: Police: Uber driver reports carjacking bid, wounds 1 suspect | Star Tribune

When I read about cases like this, my brain goes back to the Ayoob Files and Gunfight in a Taxicab: The Mark Yuhr incident and if I am not mistaken happened in 1988. A Miami taxi driver who saved his live because he had a gun with him because he was taking advantage of Florida’s recent Shall Carry law and had his permit and two guns when one Orlando Barroso (recently imported from Cuba via the Mariel boatlift) tried to rob him at gun point. Barroso lost the encounter, but Mr. Yuhr was suspended without pay by the cab company and the Dade CountyTaxi Regulation Bureau wanted to fine him.  Miami PD had declared the shooting as self-defense and so did the State Attorney’s office which was not precisely ran by the most pro gun individual back then, you might remember one Janet Reno?

So almost 30 years later, we are still seeing this kind of punishing behavior by companies which make no sense. If anything, it should be if not encouraged, at least ignored the fact that Uber Drivers (and Lyft drivers and Pizza delivery people) may or may not carry guns and other devices for self-defense. Basically to obtain a degree of herd immunity or at least make the bad guys consider that instead of a bland victim up front, they may be risking life or grave bodily injury by trying to rob a well-heeled individual.

I guess some things take longer than expected to fix.

And it is dated, but still a great reference book. Just got to Mas’ Amazon page and select this and the rest of his extensive library.

Hat tip to Mark C.