The Armed Citizen February 2009

landlord was horrified when his tenant was victimized—raped by a convicted sex offender. In addition to repairing a damaged window and installing security devices, the landlord bought the tenant a shotgun. The latter move probably saved her life. Just a week later, as police prepared to file charges against the rapist, he returned to the scene of the crime. Likely angry his victim had gone to the authorities, the rapist cut the power to the house and crashed through the basement door. But the woman inside was not about to be a victim again. She fired her shotgun for the first time, killing her rapist. "I'm glad I had something to protect me," the woman said. "When your life is in danger, you just do what you have to do." (Southeast Missourian, Cape Girardeau, Miss., 11/01/08)
DEAN WOODLING WAS stopping by his fathers property when, according to police, he saw a robber loading a truck with stolen items. Woodling, who is a hunter, had a shotgun in the vehicle. "I jumped out with the shotgun as he was coming out of the barn," Woodling explained. "To say he was scared was an understatement." Woodling, who has a concealed-carry permit and likes to keep a firearm handy, held the suspect at gunpoint until police arrived. "The way the world is, its like American Express," said Woodling. "I never leave home without it. Police cannot be everywhere all the time." (Pocono Record, Stroudsburg, Pa., 11/14/08)
BRIAN BERTHIAUME WAS walking his dog when he saw a large man acting suspiciously. The man had entered the neighbors garage through the garage door, which construction workers had accessed earlier in the day, but Berthiaume decided home renovation was not this man's goal. Police say Berthiaume feared for his neighbor, a woman with two young children, so he ran home for his 40-caliber pistol and told his girlfriend to call police. When he returned, the suspect was carrying away a large saw. He confronted the man, who was already on probation for burglary. After a brief standoff, the 240-pound suspect sprawled out on the ground and waited for police. Berthiaume's neighbor lauded his actions, saying, "One of the reasons my family has stayed in New Orleans [following Hurricane Katrina] is because of neighbors who watch out for you, like Brian." (The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, La., 11/13/08)

MARK C. JOHNSON HAD been arrested 33 times since 1986, including charges of robbery, larceny and battery, according to law enforcement records. Some would suggest he should have been in jail. Unfortunately for sixth-grade reading teacher Juanita Enzor, he hoped to prey upon yet another victim. Police say Enzor, who lives alone, heard Johnson burst through her front door. Grabbing her gun, Enzor hid in the bedroom, and when Johnson entered the room, she shot him. Johnson attempted, albeit briefly, to attack Enzor before falling dead. (St. Petersburg Times, St. Petersburg, Fla., 10/24/08)
ALEJANDRO SALINAS WAS paying for his gas when the clerk warned him he'd seen several suspicious men outside. On his guard, Salinas walked to his truck, but before he could close the door, one of the men put a gun to his neck. "Get out of the truck. I'm going to take it and I'm going to kill you," the suspect said, according to police. But Salinas executed a classic tactical move: In a fast, fluid motion, he pushed away his assailants gun while drawing his own 9 mm pistol and shooting the assailant twice. The wounded suspect fired once into the air as he fell to the ground. His accomplices grabbed him and took him to a hospital, where he died. Salinas has a concealed-carry permit. (The Monitor, McAllen, Texas, 11/10/08)
THERE WERE ABOUT 15 people enjoying a game of bingo at a gaming hall when a masked man wielding a shotgun ran into the room. The armed robber fired a round into the ceiling and demanded money. According to police, that's when bingo hall manager Chad England decided to take action. England retrieved a pistol from an office and shot the masked man, possibly preventing several tragedies. The suspect died en route to the hospital. (Pensacola News Journal, Pensacola, Fla., 10/25/08)

If you have hud a firsthand "Armed Citizen" experience, call II.A/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.

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

The Armed Citizen November 2009

THE ROBBER WHO burst inside a food market waving a gun seemed surprised to find eight shoppers inside. He ordered everyone to the floor, firing shots in the customers' direction and twice shooting store owner Mustapha Kassou. Police say that's when a man with a concealed-carry permit leapt to his feet and drew his 45-cal. Colt revolver. He told the robber to drop the gun. When the robber didn't comply, the armed citizen shot him, took his gun and held him for police. Onlookers encouraged the armed citizen to shoot the robber again, but he kept his cool and exercised better judgment. Kassou is recovering from his injuries. "[The armed citizen] saved a lot of lives," he said. "He was like an angel who came to save everybody." (Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond, Va., 07/15/09)
Two MEN LEARNED their neighbor had just filled a prescription for painkillers and quickly hatched a plan to steal them. Perhaps the men shouldve thought things through a little more carefully; they were aware that their victim owned a handgun. One of the men waited in a car while his accomplice entered the home and began viciously punching and choking the homeowner. Battered, the homeowner retrieved his handgun and shot the intruder, killing him. The other suspect was nabbed shortly thereafter. The homeowner was treated for injuries. {The Evening Sun, Hanover, Pa., 08/08/09)
AN ELECTRICIAN WAS asleep with his wife when they were awakened by a knock at the door. The man feared something wasn't quite right about the early morning visitor, so he put a handgun in his pocket just in case. As he opened the door, police say two suspects tried to push their way inside. The man drew the gun from his pocket and fired twice, hitting both suspects. The suspects fired a return shot as they fled. One of the suspects died nearby. Police were seeking his accomplice. (News Sentinel, Knoxville, Tenn., 08/06/09)
Hawes fired a shot. "He went down like a tree," she says. "I didn't want to hurt him but I didn't want him to hurt me."
WHEN A YOUNG woman ran to 70-year-old Virginia Hawes' home and said her boyfriend was assaulting her, Hawes phoned the police. Authorities say the young woman waited with Hawes, but her rampaging boyfriend showed up before police could arrive. Hawes warned him to stay off her property, but he ignored her. Hawes's 23-year-old grandson picked up a shovel and tried to block the boyfriend's advance, but he pushed the grandson and took the shovel. With the situation quickly escalating, Hawes ran inside to get her .38-cal. revolver. "I put the gun up and told him to get back or I will shoot," she recalls. "He called me an old [expletive] and he kept coming at me and holding the shovel." Hawes fired a shot. "He went down like a tree," she says. "I didn't want to hurt him but I didn't want him to hurt me." (Lansing State Journal, Lansing, Mich., 08/23/09)
POLICE SAY HENRY Ward was lucky to be armed when a home invader attacked him with a piece of concrete. The bizarre event started when the suspect drove his pickup into a creek early one morning. He ditched the vehicle and began pounding the door of Ward's home. When Ward answered, the suspect began beating him with a piece of concrete. The assailant entered the home and approached the bedroom, where Ward's wife was calling 9-1-1. Ward quickly retrieved his .380-cal. pistol. He ran inside and shouted at the suspect, who charged him. Ward shot the suspect three times. The intruder ran outside and collapsed on the lawn. He'll face charges after his release from the hospital. (Stilwell Democrat-Journal, Stilwell, Okla., 08/29/09)
AN INTOXICATED MAN got into a fight with his girlfriend as she was driving him home from a comedy club. He demanded to be let out of the vehicle and his girlfriend complied. He walked to a rural residence and pounded on the door, claiming to be a police officer who wanted to ask them a question. When that didn't work, he said he had a knife and would stab the home's occupants. The male homeowner replied he had a gun, and he would shoot the suspect if he came inside. "The only smart decision he made was not to enter that home," Johnson County, Ind., Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Doug Cox said. "He's alive today because he didn't enter that house." Police found the suspect stumbling down the road. He told officers he would beat them up and claimed to be an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation looking into a crime. Police checked with the FBI—the suspect is not an agent, (WISH-TV, Indianapolis, Ind., 08/13/09)

If you have had a firsthand "Armed Citizen" experience, call U.A/PR Communications at (703) 267-1193. Studies indicate that firearms are used over 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. Send clippings via email to armedcitizen@nrahq.org, or by mail to "Vie Armed Citizen," 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400.
12 AMERICA'S 1" FREEDOM | November 2009

EMPLOYEES AT TEXAS Components were stunned when the daughter of an employee entered the business armed with archery tackle and a realistic-looking toy gun. Police say the crazed woman drew her bow and fired an arrow into an employees chest, then pointed the fake pistol at others. Fearful for their lives, two employees, both of whom had concealed-carry licenses, drew pistols and shot the woman several times. She fled to an office and police were called. When the woman pointed an arrow at a responding officer, he shot her once more. The suspect and injured worker were both listed in stable condition at the hospital. (The Houston Chronicle, Houston, Texas, 01/20/09)
POLICE SAY TWO suspected burglars have already been dealt a great deal of punishment. First, a homeowner caught the suspects rifling through his garage. "I asked him what the hell he was doing and he said, 'Cleaning the garage,'" the homeowner recalls. The homeowner ran inside to get a gun, and the suspects fled. Police caught one of the men hiding under a nearby vehicle. His accomplice was arrested after he brazenly broke into a second home. In that incident, the homeowner shot the suspect with a shotgun and held him for police. (The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, Okla., 12/20/08)
NINETY-YEAR-OLD Berlie Mae Johnson was watching the evening news with her husband when two men burst through the back door. "Be quiet. Don't say a word. Don't move!" demanded one of the intruders as he put a gun to her head. "It's terrible. You expect at any moment..." she said, her voice cracking. "My nerves are shot. He'd probably have killed me." But her husband, Charles, age 91, came to the rescue. He grabbed his .38-caliber revolver from under a sofa cushion. One of the intruders fled immediately. "He saw the gun and, boy, he was gone," Mr. Johnson recalls. The other intruder was still threatening his wife, but a single shot from Johnson's revolver sent him running. Johnson said he has a message for others: "Be prepared. Keep
The other intruder was still threatening his wife, but a single shot from Johnson's revolver sent him running. Johnson said he has a message for others: "Be prepared. Keep your doors locked. And be alert." His wife added, "And have a gun ready."
your doors locked. And be alert." His wife added, "And have a gun ready." (Orlando Sentinel, Orlando, Fla., 12/25/08)
THE OWNER OF Midwest Grillz and Jewelry, Andre McKesson, let two men into his store while a third man waited outside. The men expressed interest in purchasing a decorative mouthpiece known as a grill, but an argument ensued. The man outside recalls hearing, "Why you playing games with us, man? Where's our teeth? Can you give a refund? Then give me my teeth!" Police say one of the men pulled a gun and fired two shots into the wall where McKesson had been standing. McKesson grabbed a semi-automatic rifle from behind the counter and killed both assailants. (Omaha World-Herald, Omaha, Neb., 01/17/09)
WHILE FETCHING WOOD from her garage one evening, a 70-year-old woman heard what sounded like people fighting. "I looked over into the road to see what was going on, and about that time a guy comes running around the house," she explained. The woman ran inside, got her gun and dialed 9-1-1. The man circled the house, pounding on all the windows. He broke through the living room window and knocked over the television. The woman can be heard on the 9-1-1 tape yelling at the man, "You stay right where you're at!" Police say she aimed her gun at the intruder and told him, "If you come any closer, you're going to be dead." She then ordered him to the floor and he obeyed, collapsing into a fetal position. He remained that way until police arrested him. (South Bend Tribune, South Bend, Ind., 01/06/09)
A FREQUENT CUSTOMER at a
convenience store noticed a man looking around the store as if casing it. Suspicious, he decided to go to his vehicle and call for help. "As soon as I touched my cell phone, I heard [the store clerk] screaming, 'Help, help, help!" the customer explained. The 5-foot-4 man grabbed his Smith & Wesson 40-caliber pistol from the vehicle and bravely ran back inside the store. Surveillance video shows the suspect hitting the female clerk with a beer bottle and wrestling her to the ground. The customer fired two shots, killing the suspect. Police found a knife and a wad of cash on the attacker. (Orlando Sentinel, Orlando, Fla., 01/08/09)

If you have had a firsthand "Armed Citizen" experience, call II.A/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 "Vic Armed Citizen" 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400.

AMERICA'S 1" FREEDOM

April 2009 25

The Armed Citizen May 2008

I
t was a terrifying night that refused to end. Edith and William Stevens, both in their 80s, had already scared away an intruder. According to the sheriff's department, deputies completed an investigation and left, but two hours later the couple heard gunshots outside their home and glass breaking. William got his handgun and investigated. Finding an intruder in the hallway, he opened fire and the intruder returned it. "Had Mr. Stevens not had that handgun, I don't know what could have happened," said Maury County, Tenn., Chief Deputy Ashley Brown. The couple locked themselves in the bedroom and tried to phone police, but the lines were cut. The intruder, who police believe was after money for drugs, fired once more through a window. After discovering the intruder had fled, the couple phoned police from a neighbors house. (The Daily Herald, Columbia, Tenn., 02/10/08)
SUDDENLY AWAKENED BY the sound of someone rapping on a window, Matthew Kovschak called 9-1-1 and grabbed his .357 caliber handgun. According to police, Kovschak warned the prowler that he had a gun and police were on the way. The noise stopped, but only momentarily. Kovschak heard a commotion and then he saw a hand reaching through a broken window pane trying to unlock the back door. After one more warning, Kovschak fired four shots, twice striking the female intruder. Police believe a second suspect fled the scene. (The Ledger, Lakeland, Fla., 01/22/08)
WHEN ERIC MACFARLANE saw three teenagers kick in his neighbors door, he got his pistol and told a neighbor to call police. Fearing his neighbors small children were endangered, he ran to the scene. Police say two of the teens immediately fled, but MacFarlane found one in the doorway. "I told him to step back and lay down if he wanted to live," MacFarlane recalls. "Then I talked to him about what direction his life was going in." The teen said he broke in for money. MacFarlane told him he's lucky the decision didn't get him shot. "I just hope this young man has learned a lesson," MacFarlane explained, adding that he doesn't believe in violence. "[MacFarlane] did a really great job," said Midwest City, Okla., police Capt. Sid Porter. "We're probably going to issue him a commendation." (The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, Okla., 02/21/08)
UPON WITNESSING A man yelling at a woman and pushing her into a van, a passerby tried to be a Good Samaritan. Police say he asked the woman if she was okay and told her she didn't have to get into the man's vehicle. While stopped at a traffic light moments later, the van's driver confronted the man. Both men exited their vehicles, and the van's driver knocked the Good Samaritan to the ground. Two women, including the woman the victim tried to help, exited the van and began stomping on him. A passing motorist witnessed the scene and quickly stopped. He drew a firearm and ordered the three suspects to halt the beating. Police received reports of a man holding people at gunpoint, but quickly determined he had a concealed carry permit and arrested the three suspects. (Ann Arbor News, Ann Arbor, Mich., 02/14/08)
ELWOOD PICKETT JUST wanted to be a good neighbor, so when two young men asked to use the phone, he handed it out the door. Then he grew suspicious. "They used the phone and left, but when they came back the second time, I was ready for them in case there was trouble," the 80-year-old Pickett explained. He handed the phone out a second time, but he says one of the men "pushed through like an elephant and pounded me with a knife. He ... stabbed me half to death, and I thought it was time." But it wasn't. Police say Pickett, a World War II vet and lifelong hunter, drew his .38 caliber pistol and fired three shots, striking one of the men and causing both to flee. One suspect went to the hospital; the other to jail. Pickett was badly injured but is recuperating. (Hood County News, Granbury, Tex., 02/13/08)

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 | May 2008

The Armed Citizen December 2009

DRESSED IN BLACK hooded jackets and black masks, two men entered a Columbus, Ga., area home around 2 a.m. through a lower-level door. Upon hearing noises, the 47-year-old resident (who has been burglarized twice before) went to investigate. When he saw the burglars, the resident called out and the intruders reacted by charging toward him. The resident pulled a .357 Mag. pistol and fired at the men, possibly injuring one before they fled the home via a sliding-glass door. When police arrived, they were able to follow a trail of blood off the property, but the trail was lost in some nearby woods. No arrests were made. (The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, Ga., 09/10/09)
"I DIDN'T KNOW who they were, and they kept asking, 'Where's the money?'" Bradley Fugate recalls of a frightening home invasion incident. Police say the armed suspects burst into the home shortly after Fugate opened the front and back doors to let some cool air inside. One of the men pushed Fugate's niece onto a bed and began rummaging through a safe. "That was enough for me and it allowed me to get my gun from where I keep it. ... I raised up and fired," Fugate said. The shot missed and the struggle led to the kitchen. "He turned around and raised his gun up at me. That's when I shot him," Fugate explained. The suspect was killed. His accomplice fled, later committing suicide during a standoff with police. "I ain't no hero, and I'm broken up about it," Fugate said. "I did what I had to do." (Dayton Daily News, Dayton, Ohio, 09/02/09)
ROCKING HER BABY to sleep one night, a Traverse City, Mich., woman heard her kitchen door open and saw a strange man enter her home. "She's just sitting there in the dead of night... and this guy comes in and scares the crap out of her," Traverse City Police Capt. Steve Morgan said. The woman ran into her bedroom and alerted her husband who retrieved a handgun and confronted the suspect, Aaron TwoCrow of Suttons Bay, Mich. On seeing the gun, TwoCrow ran from the house and was later arrested. Police say he appeared to be intoxicated, but gave no indication as to why he had entered the home. He was charged with misdemeanor illegal entry. (Traverse City Record Eagle, Traverse City, Mich., 09/22/09)
POLICE SAY A club-wielding intruder entered a home's unlocked front door while the residents were inside. He snuck down a hallway, entered a bedroom and began stealing a coin collection. The homeowner heard the ruckus and accosted the intruder, who merely shouted threats and continued taking the coins. The homeowner left the room and returned with a handgun, firing a shot at the intruder. The suspect fled the property, scattering coins as he ran. He was being sought by police. (The Island Packet, Hilton Head, s.c, 09/23/09)
WHEN A GROCERY store manager saw a woman walking away with a stolen bag of meat products, she yelled for the woman to stop. According to police, the brazen shoplifter got into her car. As the manager was writing down the license plate, the shoplifter sped toward her, striking the manager and causing her to fall onto the hood. She held on for dear life as the car sped toward an exit. A bystander saw what was occurring, so he blocked the exit with his vehicle and demanded the shoplifter get out of her car. With the manager still holding on to the hood, the shoplifter tried to maneuver around the vehicle. The bystander, a concealed-carry permit holder, drew his 9mm pistol and yelled at the shoplifter to stop. She again refused. Fearing for the manager's life, he fired a shot through the driver's side window, striking the suspect as she sped off. The car travelled about 200 feet before the wounded driver slowed down. The manager got off the hood unharmed. Police arrested the shoplifter at the hospital. (Kansas City Star, Kansas City, Mo., 09/03/09)
EARLY ONE MORNING, a pregnant woman had no idea she would be targeted by a young adult in the midst of a burglary spree. Police say the suspect had already burglarized several cars and homes when he entered the woman's residence in the early morning hours. She awoke and confronted him with a shotgun, prompting him to draw a handgun. Rather than firing a shot, the pregnant woman explained to the intruder that her gun was larger. He put his gun away and waited for police. (Press-Register, Mobile, Ala., 09/11/09)

If you have had a firsthand "Armed Citizen" experience, call ILA/PR Communications at (703) 267-1193. Studies indicate that fireanns are used over 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. Send clippings via email to artnedcitizen@nrahq.org, or by mail to "Vie Armed Citizen," 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400.
24 AMERICA'S 1" FREEDOM | December 2009

The Armed Citizen October 2009

NRA MEMBER LYNN Bonds Fourth of July holiday did not go as planned. He was expecting a visitor, so he thought nothing of it when he heard someone arrive at his home. As he entered the garage, however, he discovered that a man wearing only boxer shorts was ransacking the place. "I asked him who he was and what the [expletive] he was doing there," Bond wrote in an e-mail to the "Armed Citizen" editor. According to police, Bond ordered the intruder to leave, but he refused. Bond retrieved his 45-cal. semi-automatic handgun and suddenly the suspect found Bond's demands much more persuasive. Police nabbed the suspect nearby and found drugs on him. A .22-cal. rifle belonging to the intruder was later discovered at the scene. (The Coldwater Daily Reporter, Coldwater, Mich., 07/07/09)
POLICE SAY AN 18-year-old carjacker approached August Peters, 74, as he exited his vehicle. "Give me your car or I'll kill you," the carjacker said, putting a knife to Peters' throat. Luckily for Peters, he had an item that made him the physical equal of his youthful adversary—a firearm. Peters grabbed his pistol from inside the car and fired, striking the carjacker at least once. The suspect fled through a nearby home, struggling to run in his baggy pants, which fell off in the kitchen as he ran for the back door. Police caught up with the pantless suspect nearby. (Houston Chronicle, Houston, Texas, 07/23/09)
Two MEN TRYING to enter Cassidy Lockett's home had to be aware it was occupied. They'd likely seen Lockett in the front window as they arrived, and there was a lot of noise as she hurried her three young, frightened children into a bedroom. With the children secure, she phoned police and loaded her .22-cal. semi-automatic pistol. Police say the men, escapees from a nearby state prison, thrust a window open. One of the men leaned inside. "I was pointing the gun at him and, you know, I used a few choice words and told him to get out or I was going to shoot," Lockett said. The men fled the property, only to be caught
The next day Lockett's husband helped her pick out a new home defense firearm. "I'm definitely more prepared," she said. "We bought a 12-ga. shotgun."
within minutes by police. The next day Lockett's husband helped her pick out a new home defense firearm. "I'm definitely more prepared," she said. "We bought a 12-ga. shotgun." (Lewiston Tribune, Lewiston, Idaho, 07/27/09)
A MAN DRESSED like a ninja—with a black shirt, black pants and a blue bandana over his face—allegedly forced his way into Bradley Harvell's home. Police say the man demanded money and shocked Harvell with a stun gun several times, causing him to collapse on his bed. All Harvell could think about was survival. "I'm 82 years old," said the military veteran. "I've made it this far, and I want to keep on living." Harvell gathered all the strength he could muster, retrieved his .357 S&W magnum revolver from under the bed and shot his assailant, killing him. Police arrested three others in connection with the home invasion. (Tallahassee Democrat, Tallahassee, FL, 07/21/09)
MARGARET PARRISH HEARD her puppies barking, so she went to check on them. "As soon as she cracked the door [an intruder] grabbed her by the hair, put the gun in her ear and said, 'If you make a sound I'll blow your brains out,"' said John Parrish, her 83-year-old husband. The intruder bound Margaret's arms and legs witii duct tape. John tried to help her but met the same fate. The intruder left to ransack the home, giving John time to wriggle free. "I had to get my gun," he recalls. Meanwhile the intruder tied up another man, Danny Carlson, and a 10-year-old girl who were also in the home. He had just finished tying up Carlson when Parrish arrived on the scene with his .22-cal. revolver. Parrish fired several shots and believes he hit the intruder, who fled. Carlsons leg was injured when the intruder returned fire, but he would be okay. "I don't know what that guy would ve done if [Parrish] had not come up here," Carlson said. (The Atlanta-Journal Constitution, Atlanta, Ga., 07/16/09)
IT'S BEEN A while since Everett Skinner has been hunting, but he's always kept a shotgun handy to protect his family. "In this case, I'm glad I did," he said, recalling a recent incident in which a bear tore through a screen and climbed inside his Oregon home. His daughter, Nicole, was the first to hear the bear, and she rushed to her parents' room for help. Her father grabbed his shotgun. Skinner says he and the bear saw one another simultaneously. The bear stood up and headed toward Skinner, so he fired. "It didn't even faze him," Skinner recalls. He fired three more rounds, dispatching the bear. "We were very blessed that this didn't go badly;' Nicole said. (Associated Press, 07/29/09)

If you have had a firsthand "Armed Citizen" experience, call ILA/PR Communications at (703) 267-1193. Studies indicate that firearms are used over 2 million times a year for personal protection, and that the presence of a firearm, without a shot beingfired, 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. Send clippings via email to armedcitizen@nrahq.org, or by mail to "Tlic Armed Citizen" 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400.
12 AMERICA'S 1" FREEDOM | October 2009