Mother Stands By Son
Despite Aiming Gun At Police
By Daniel Muniz

Like so many mothers, Debra Murtagh adamantly stands by her son Michael Anthony McCracken, despite the fact that he pointed a MAK-90 assault rifle at a police officer. She insists that the sole reason he carries around the semi-automatic weapon while walking down the sidewalk is for protection. And no, this is not downtown Baghdad or any other place in Iraq but in the quiet city of San Antonio, Texas.

At the time of the incident, the police was actually chasing down a totally different man who had just fled a routine traffic stop. McCracken was coming around a street corner when he chanced upon Officer Michael Garza who was still trying to apprehend the original suspect.

The San Antonio Police Department stated:

And of the incident itself, his mother defiantly claims:

So your son wasn’t going to hurt anyone even though he is toting around an assault rifle on a public sidewalk in broad daylight. I am sure that keeps the muggers away.

And I wonder if he visits all of his friends carrying a MAK-90? And what exactly is the etiquette for stepping into a friend’s house with a MAK-90? Do you put it in a coat closet or do you have it slung around your back while you are watching the game and putting down a few beers?

Luckily for this thug, he was only shot in the arm. Pointing a gun at a police officer could have immediately ended McCracken’s life. And pointing an assault rifle at a cop, I am surprised that McCracken’s body wasn’t riddled with bullets. And by the way, how are the police supposed to know that he was just on a leisurely stroll in the neighborhood to hang out with a few buddies?

As for the incident itself, the police immediately suspected that McCracken was on his way to shoot up a house with the MAK-90. The chance encounter probably prevented the shooting for the time being. And no, they don’t buy McCracken’s story however his mother still takes her son at his word. An acquaintance of mine had this to say:

Momma obviously has NO clue what a MAK-90 even is. Where did he keep it? In the waistband of his pants?

I was kind of wondering about that myself. That is not the kind of weapon that you can stick down in the front of your zipper or easily conceal no matter how baggy your pants are. And I wonder if McCracken’s mother even knows much about the kind of firearm he was carrying. A MAK-90 actually stands for:

Modified AK-1990

It is based on the AK-47 assault rifle since the ones with folding stocks, pistol grips, and threaded muzzles, and bayonets were banned from importation to the United States. Because of the modification, that is where the “M” comes from. Although the ban began in 1989, the “modified” AK rifles were then imported in 1990, hence the “90” designation. Also, the new imports sported a one piece wooden thumbhole stock that replaced the pistol grip for a kind of sleek design.

And because of its enormous popularity due to the import ban, there are more MAK-90s from China than from any other country. And a handful of thugs like them too.

Another acquaintance of mine had this to say:

Why is this newsworthy? Every mother believes her son can do no harm..... and is a good boy at heart. Comes with being a mother.

I have always wondered about that too. There was once a day that parents actually sided with teachers, police, and authority figures instead of covering for the shameful behavior of their own offspring. While I was growing up, my mother often explained me that she would never stick up for me if I ever got into any kind of trouble like that. As a result, I would be pretty much on my own but I have to admit that there are plenty of mothers who actually do believe that their children can do no harm.

However, the police did end up catching the original suspect they were looking for. And since the police never bought McCracken’s story, he is facing quite a number of charges. As for McCracken’s mother, I hope the day comes that there are fewer parents like her.

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