Page 12 - American Rifleman (February 2020)

THE ARMED CITIZEN ®

man and his mother were working at an Akron, Ohio, beauty supply store
when two alleged armed robbers wearing masks and gloves entered
A around 7 p.m. on Nov. 15. Both employees were behind the counter of the
glass-fronted store. During the alleged robbery, the son pushed his mother back
to protect her, drew his handgun and fired a few shots at the masked men, fatally
wounding one in the head. The dead robber’s handgun, found on the floor nearby,
was loaded. The other suspect crouched down, crawled out of the store and
fled. The alleged robbery was recorded on store security cameras. Days earlier,
the armed citizen’s father suggested he bring a firearm to work after noticing
a suspicious man enter the store. The other suspected robber was still at large.
(Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, Ohio, 11/20/2019)

IF YOU HAVE Chicago man, 30, was leaving a firefighter (also a reserve deputy
A FIRSTHAND Abusiness Dec. 1 at 4:45 p.m. when Aconstable) was working on his home
“ARMED CITIZEN” two men approached, at least one of under construction May 2018 in Zachary,
whom was armed. With his handgun
La., at 3:30 a.m. when an armed male, 23,
EXPERIENCE, drawn, the one suspect allegedly approached him while riding a bicycle. The
CALL NRA-ILA PR/ demanded that the man hand over his robber demanded money, but when the
COMMUNICATIONS property. Instead, the armed citizen, firefighter said he had none, he was forced
AT (703) 267-3820. who has a valid concealed-carry license, at gunpoint into his vehicle and told to drive
drew his own handgun and fired at the to multiple ATMs, where he withdrew cash,
Studies indicate that firearms armed man, who fled on foot with his according to sheriff’s deputies. Unhappy with
are used more than 2 million accomplice. No arrests were made, and the amount of money, the robber told the
times a year for personal the suspects were still at large, according firefighter to go to his residence and get his
protection, and that the to Chicago Police. (Chicago Sun-Times, wife’s ATM card. The firefighter asked the
presence of a firearm, without Chicago, Ill., 12/2/2019) man to wait outside because he had large
a shot being fired, prevents dogs inside that would attack. The robber
crime in many instances. 23-year-old masked man allegedly agreed but threatened to kill the man and
Shooting usually can be Aentered a Fort Wayne, Ind., his family if he didn’t return to the vehicle.
justified only where crime
apartment March 31 at 4 p.m. after Once inside, the firefighter told his wife
constitutes an immediate, breaking down the front door. Hearing to call 911 and armed himself. The robber
imminent threat to life, limb, breaking glass, the resident, in his became impatient, entered the house and
or, in some cases, property. bedroom with his girlfriend, realized was promptly shot once by the armed citizen,
Anyone is free to quote or it was the front door. He grabbed his who disarmed the robber and detained him
reproduce these accounts.
AR-15 platform pistol, took a position until police showed up. The robber was
Send clippings via email to on one knee and aimed at the bedroom briefly treated for injuries from the gunshot
armedcitizen@nrahq.org, doorway, according to court documents. and released from the hospital. He was then
or by mail to “The Armed The suspect, wearing all black, came into booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison
Citizen,” 11250 Waples Mill the doorway pointing a semi-automatic and convicted Oct. 31 of aggravated burglary,
Road, Fairfax, VA 22030- handgun. The resident fired at the armed robbery and aggravated kidnapping,
9400. For bonus features, intruder, who retreated into the living the last of which carries a mandatory
visit “The Armed Citizen Blog” room and then to the kitchen, where they sentence of life in prison. (The Advocate,
at americanrifleman.org. exchanged gunfire. The suspect ran out Baton Rouge, La., 11/1/2019; wafb.com,
Share this column online at of the front door bleeding, left a trail of Baton Rouge, La., 5/7/2018, 6/27/2018)
nrapublications.org. blood through the parking lot and fled
in an SUV with a group of men. Local law n Oct. 22, a Virginia man allegedly forced
enforcement arrived shortly afterward Ohis way into an apartment after 9 p.m.
and were notified about an SUV matching when a tenant shot him in the leg, according
a bystander’s description that had run red to the Scott County Sheriff’s Office. The
lights. The officers located the suspect suspect, who fled the scene on foot, was
at a nearby emergency room, where he apprehended nearby by police less than
was being treated for a gunshot wound to an hour later. After being treated for minor
his upper thigh. Police charged him with injuries, the suspect was charged with breaking
burglary with a deadly weapon, carrying and entering with intent to commit larceny.
a handgun without a license, residential The suspect reportedly knew the tenant and
break-in and criminal recklessness had a criminal history. The armed citizen is
committed with a deadly weapon. The disabled and acted in self-defense, according
suspect was held in a county jail without to investigators. (wjhl.com, Johnson City,
bail. (The Journal Gazette, Tenn., 10/22/2019; wcyb.com, Bristol, Va.,
Fort Wayne, Ind., 11/21/2019) 10/23/2019)
10 FEBRUARY 2020 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN