Woman pulls gun to keep smart meter out

[tommyd]

It's a political rant, so I felt like ranting...

[BogT]

Taking her off the grid, as stipulated in the contract, can be acceptable if it's allowed by law (in some parts of Europe, the electric company can not disconnect you until a specific procedure is respected - they can not do it in winter for example; some Public Utility Commission was mentioned in the article, so I assume is not as simple as terminating a TV cable contract).

Installing a device on a private property, without the owner consent is not OK! Especially when she told the guy to stop. So I don't see the fuss about. And since she is not in jail, I guess the law is on her side!

[LineDoggie]

As part of the contract you have when you sign up for electric power and gas you accept that the company providing the service needs to enter your property to take meter readings, perform maintenance and upgrades on their equipment on the property. You dont own the meter or lines coming in from the street.

It is Ridiculous to pull a gun on a worker and is assault. If anything it shows this person should NOT have a Gun Permit and SHOULD be prosecuted. She gonna shot a 5 year old trick or treater for going on her property next?

[Corrupt]

The next thing they'll be doing is telling you when to go to bed, when to get up, how much toilet paper you can use to wipe your ass....etc. When do you take a stand?

"They" being the company you're buying electricity from? If you don't like their terms, switch to another supplier.

[Dirtydiaper]

It's a political rant, so I felt like ranting...

Bless you, dear.

[seraosha]

I had one of these meter jockies install a smartmeter, she was nice and polite.

She could have been an al queda bomber for all I knew, but a little politeness goes a long way, here in Texas. If she had acted like an ass, pushed me or my wife, I'd have siced my dog on her.

That woman needs a big, mean dog tied to the meter...just sayin.

[BogT]

As part of the contract you have when you sign up for electric power and gas you accept that the company providing the service needs to enter your property to take meter readings, perform maintenance and upgrades on their equipment on the property. You dont own the meter or lines coming in from the street.

It is Ridiculous to pull a gun on a worker and is assault. If anything it shows this person should NOT have a Gun Permit and SHOULD be prosecuted. She gonna shot a 5 year old trick or treater for going on her property next?

Any contract conflict is resolved in a court of law. It's still her property.

If the worker was in his right, he should of called the cops and waited. The fact that he pushed her away (as she claimed) is not ok.

[Laconian]

What is wrong with people?
If the meter guy pushed her to get access to the meter, he was wrong. Plain and simple. But pulling a gun on a guy who is trying to put in meter reader, her judgement is abysmal. Especially since the company made the installation of the thing mandatory.

I am not in favor of these mandatory things, but pulling a gun on worker is way over the top.

[BlackFlag]

Pulling a gun is going way too far.

If the dude won't leave, and pushes you away: call the police.

[wagon]

Whilst she should have get the gun inside and such, I agree that 'smart meters' are a terrific way for power companies to make more money. It's happened in Australia, also.

[Dominique]

A lot of people feel it is a violation of their privacy and smacks of big brother and Nanny State Government intruding into their lives. If you don't want the damn thing installed, you shouldn't have to have it. That's just how a lot of people are feeling these days.

And she doesn't have to have electric power either, as last I checked no one was forcing her to turn her lights on.

[SuchIsLife]

Whilst she should have get the gun inside and such, I agree that 'smart meters' are a terrific way for power companies to make more money. It's happened in Australia, also.

Yeap, and as soon as it was put in my bills sky rocketed. Funny how nothing in my house changed....dogs.

IMO we are going to hear alot more of these stories, call it what you will, the little people are starting to get very tired of being constantly don't what and what not to do.

It is going to be a very big problem.

[Dominique]

You don't want the meter, take the electric company to court, you don't pull a gun and threaten the guy doing the instal. What if this guy had been armed and shot her, what then?

[TheKiwi]

And she doesn't have to have electric power either, as last I checked no one was forcing her to turn her lights on.

Yes and no. A lot of places make it very difficult to go off grid and supply your own power. While a lines company can put up large (and ugly) pylons everywhere, try getting planning permission to put up your own wind power generator or cover your roof in solar panels and you'll run into a great deal of burocratic resistance. It's even worse if you want your own reactor...

Likewise my last house was in an area with vast yearly rainfall and which also had a local council owned water supply company with pipes to all houses. The council forbad local homeowners from self supplying with water.

[junglejim]

Yes and no. A lot of places make it very difficult to go off grid and supply your own power. While a lines company can put up large (and ugly) pylons everywhere, try getting planning permission to put up your own wind power generator or cover your roof in solar panels and you'll run into a great deal of burocratic resistance. It's even worse if you want your own reactor...

Likewise my last house was in an area with vast yearly rainfall and which also had a local council owned water supply company with pipes to all houses. The council forbad local homeowners from self supplying with water.

Seriously? And you guys are fine with those types of control?