Some of us are Not Safe at Home

I write about armed defense every week. We record those stories on the Self-Defense Gun Stories Podcast. This week, the stories were about people being attacked in and at their homes. As simple as these stories sound, there is a lot we can learn from them. Text of the discussion is on the podcast episode webpage.

Please leave me a note and let me know what you think. RM

First story- Are you armed at home?

You are at home on a Friday afternoon. You are arguing with your child’s father. He grabs you by the throat. He has attacked you before. Today your armed. Your attacker squeezes your throat and tries to push you to the ground. You present your firearm from your coat pocket and shoot your attacker twice. Now he lets go of you. You step back and call 911.

You put your gun away. You talk to the police when they arrive. EMS takes your attacker to the hospital for treatment.

The neighbor across the street is a retired law enforcement officer. He gave a statement to the press about what he saw, but it isn’t clear if he also gave an official statement to the police.

The police say the investigation is ongoing.

Second Story- Are you a defender at home?

You are at home with your mom on a Saturday evening. So are your brother and your sister. Your dad argued with your brother and then your dad left. Your dad comes back at about 9 at night and threatens your brother. Next, your dad shoots him. Your mom steps between your brother and your dad to stop your dad from shooting your brother again. Now your dad shoots your mom. You and your sister step forward to take the gun from your dad. He fights you for the gun and you shoot your dad. He falls. You step away and stop shooting.

It isn’t clear which one of you called 911. EMTs transport your three injured family members to the hospital for treatment. Police arrest you and your sister. Your mom and your brother are expected to recover. Your dad died at the hospital.

You and your sister are held until the police receive statements from your brother and your mom. You and your sister are released and the shooting was declared to be in self-defense.

Third story- Are you armed at home in the middle of the day?

You hear something outside your house just before 1 on a Friday afternoon. You follow the sound and see someone under your car. You start calling 911 and go outside to tell the thief to get out of there. The thief crawls out from under your car and runs toward you. You back up. The thief grabs you. You present your gun and shoot your attacker. Now he lets go of you and you stop shooting. You back away and call the police.

You holster your gun before the police arrive. You meet the police and show them where your attacker is lying on the ground. EMS treats your attacker’s wounded leg and takes him to the hospital. You give a statement to the police. The police tell you that the thief was stealing the catalytic converter from your car.

The police submit the case to the District Attorney.

Fourth story- Are you armed at home in the middle of the day?

It is a few minutes after noon on a weekday when you hear a crashing sound from the front of your home. You walk toward the sound and see an unexpected stranger in your home. You’re armed. You present your firearm and shoot the intruder until he turns away. You stop shooting. You step back. You call 911 and ask for help.

You put your gun away when the police arrive. EMS declares your intruder dead at the scene. You give the police a statement.