The Armed Citizen January 2009

23-YEAR-OLD University of Arizona student was at his residence several blocks north of campus kwhen two men knocked on the door. According to police, the knock came at an unusual hour, so the student retrieved a handgun before opening the door. One of the men asked to speak to an individual whose name the student didn't know. At that point, the student noticed the second man was wearing a bandana and holding a handgun. The student tried to slam the door shut, but the men, both of whom had criminal records dating to 1997, forced their way inside. The student drew his handgun, shooting and killing both men. "Had he not done what he did, he probably would have been dead right now," said Tucson police Sgt. Fabian Pacheco. (The Daily Wildcat, Tucson, Ariz., 10/17/08)
PAUL GARNER WAS awakened by shattering glass when, police said, an intruder with a prior burglary conviction attempted to break in through a window. Garner grabbed his .45-caliber, semi-automatic handgun and, when the burglar lifted the window blinds, he fired three rounds. The intruder died at the scene. The incident was at least the fifth time since April that a San Antonio property owner shot an intruder. (San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio, Texas, 10/17/08)
A WOMAN WAS talking on the phone with her son when he yelled that an armed man was trying to break into his apartment. Suddenly, the connection was severed and the woman phoned the police. By the time officers arrived, the woman's son had shot the suspect and was holding him at gunpoint. (The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, Calif., 10/16/08)
Police said four men were intent on committing their second burglary of the evening but, on this attempt, they met with a prepared homeowner. As the four entered the home, the barking of the family dog awakened the homeowner and his family. The homeowner confronted the men, who demanded money. As the homeowner fled back to the bedroom, one of the robbers fired a sawed-off shotgun. The homeowner returned with a handgun, shooting one of the robbers and causing the four intruders to flee the scene. All four robbers were later arrested. (The Lancaster News, Lancaster, s.c, 09/24/08)
WHEN STEVE MANNING'S wife heard someone breaking into her home, she woke her husband, who sprang into action. Manning said a "huge man full of rage" was repeatedly charging the front door with a straight arm and shouting, "Dude, you are going to get yours! Dude, you're going to get it!" But Manning was not about to allow himself or his wife to be harmed. He quickly armed himself with his handgun, shouting to the intruder, "If you come into this house, I will shoot you!" According to police, the man did not heed the advice, forcing the door open. Manning fired two shots, wounding the suspect. Manning said the shots appeared to surprise the suspect and, strangely, calmed him. Police arrested the suspect in a nearby flower bed. (Tulsa World, Tulsa, Okla., 10/18/08)
TWO ASSAILANTS ARMED with shotguns
approached a man sitting in his pickup outside his home, according to police. They ordered the victim out of the truck and, having not entirely formulated a plan, paused to consider their next course of action. "One of the men decided to force [the victim] back inside his residence and told him to get up," said police spokesman Lt. Paul Henderson. "As [the victim] began to stand up, he retrieved a handgun that was concealed in his pants and began slinging lead at the two would-be robbers. One suspect was hit multiple times and immediately collapsed in the street." The wounded suspect died. Police are investigating leads on his alleged accomplice. (Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas, 10/17/08)

If you have had a firsthand "Armed Citizen" experience, call ILA/PR Communications at (703) 267-1193. 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, which are condensed from individual newspaper clippings sent to "Vie Armed Citizen" 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400.
24 AMERICA'S 1" FREEDOM | January 2009