The Armed Citizen

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Studies indicate that firearms are used more than 2 million times a year for personal protection, and that the presence of a firearm, without a shot being fired, prevents crime in many instances. Shooting usually can be justified only where crime constitutes an immediate, imminent threat to life, limb, or, in some cases, property. Anyone is free to quote or reproduce these accounts.

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Concealed-carry permit holders in South Carolina stopped an angry man from assaulting employees and customers at a car dealership, proving that good citizens with guns can, indeed, help curtail crime. The suspect, who was apparently unhappy with the service at the Stateline auto sales business, showed up at the establishment with a pipe wrench in hand. He reportedly made death threats to at least two of the employees, then shouted, “Watch this!” and smashed windows and the bodies of three vehicles to further intimidate nearby people. At that, two customers who had permits to carry drew their guns, telling him to stop wreaking havoc. They held the vandal at gunpoint until the police arrived. The police used a stun gun to subdue the suspect and a scuffle ensued, but he was arrested and charged with five felonies, including attempted murder. One dealership employee testified at a bond hearing that the defendant had backed him into a corner, waving the wrench in a threatening manner, before unleashing a tirade of verbal threats and damaging the cars. (The State, Columbia, S.C., 1/14/18)

Three miscreants against one bystander are not good odds, but a gun can level the playing field for the would-be victim, as a recent break-in near Atlanta shows. Three burglary suspects gained entry to a man’s residence during a Georgia home invasion in early January. While the homeowner investigated a noise he heard around 3 a.m., he spied the three intruders, at least one of whom was armed. Gunfire was exchanged, but the armed citizen was more accurate, killing one of the thugs. The other two exited the house and fled in a car. The resident was shot in the leg during the gunfight. (Gwinnett Daily Post, Gwinnett, Ga., 1/9/18)

AHouston woman who woke up and saw a strange man standing in her bedroom early Jan. 1 didn’t think he was there to wish her a Happy New Year. She grabbed the handgun she keeps by her bed for defensive purposes. When the meddler stepped toward her as she aimed the gun, she fired. The police did not charge the resident of the home. (chron.com, 1/2/18, Houston, Texas)

Indianapolis prosecutors have determined that a woman, who was arrested in connection with a shooting death, won’t face murder charges because she was ruled to have acted in self-defense. Officials originally sought the armed citizen in connection with possible murder charges because she wasn’t at the scene when the police showed up. After she learned that she was a person of interest in a death investigation, the woman turned herself in. Witnesses, under later questioning, informed police that they had seen a fight that, at one point, resulted in the woman being pinned against a fence. Gunshots were heard after that point. (IndyStar.com, Indianapolis, Ind., 1/18/18) P oliticians in Chicago might have a noted antipathy toward guns, but one city resident is alive today because he stood by his Second Amendment-protected right staunchly enough to get a carry permit. A 58-year-old man was accosted by an armed thug on the street one day. The bad guy allegedly pulled a gun and demanded his would-be victim’s valuables. Instead, his quarry drew his lawfully carried handgun and shot his assailant. The 23-year-old robber later died. Police found the gun the dead man apparently used at the crime scene. (Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago, Ill., 1/10/18)

For those who say armed citizens don’t prevent crime, tell them about an Ohio case that illustrates just that. A resident heard a tapping noise early in the morning that he figured was someone trying to get into his home, so he grabbed his gun and met the intruder at the front door. At the mere sight of a gun, the interloper turned tail and ran. After the armed citizen called the police, they investigated and tracked down the suspect and charged him with aggravated trespassing. (Sandusky Register, Sandusky, Ohio, 1/16/18)

When a man in Merced, Calif., kicked in the door of a home of a man armed with a shotgun, it proved to be a deadly mistake. The intruder apparently had been out drinking and thought he was forcing his way into the home of an acquaintance with whom he had a beef. It was after 10 p.m., and the homeowner fired a shot in selfdefense, investigators said, after the stranger approached the armed citizen, even though the gun was at the ready. The alleged burglar was taken to the hospital where he later died. (Merced Sun Star, Merced, Calif., 1/4/18)