The opinions expressed herein are those of the author, and not necessarily those of The New Agenda.

Patricia Maisch is a low key woman whose quick thinking helped save lives on Saturday in Tucson when a Congressional “meet and greet” became a shooting gallery.  In an interview, Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik stated that “for whatever reason, she decided that something had to be done.  She came out of line and tackled the magazine and the gun this guy was holding.  She might have saved many, many lives.”

To hear Maisch recount the events, she was just a bit player in a larger drama.  The 61 year old was standing in line to see Giffords at the “meet and greet,” with whom wanted to discuss what she considered “job killing” legislation.  While standing in line waiting to talk to Congresswoman Giffords, the gunman, Jared Lougher began shooting into the crowd.  Everything happened so fast she said that she did not know if she would be wounded or killed.  For a time, she considered running away.  But she stayed and while Lougher was trying to change magazines after he emptied his first one, according to Dupnik she “went up and grabbed the magazine and tore it away from him while he was trying to put another magazine in.” Maisch claimed that magazine dropped from the gunman’s pocket and she grabbed it from the sidewalk.  The gunman attempted to load another magazine, but the spring and magazine failed.  After that, two other bystanders were able to grab the weapon and subdue him until officers arrived.

Maisch brushed off her actions claiming that “the two men who secured him were the real heroes. I was just an assistant in being able to get that magazine or clip.”  Her assessment of her role in the events was disputed by Dupnik, who said that “this is one of the most heroic acts I’ve ever seen.”