M1 Carbine Used To Stop Crime

[jim c 351]

A question was recently ask on Jouster whether a M1 carbine was ever used in a crime. I didn't answer that question, but instead mentioned the carbines role in bringing to an end the life of Charles Whitman, The U of Texas tower killer. Here is a brief summary of that incident.

JAMES DAMON was a graduate student in comparative literature. A retired real estate investor, he lives in Austin.

My wife was six months pregnant, and she was stuck on the fourth floor of the Tower, in the stacks. I looked around and didn’t see any police, so I went home and got my gun. It was an M1 carbine, which I’d bought for $15 when I was discharged from the Army. I went to the top of the new Academic Center and tried to keep out of sight. That was the closest I could get. I only saw him once, long enough to take aim, but from time to time I would shoot over the ledge of the observation deck and try to hit him.

 

Jim C