Armed Defense- Details Matter in Self Defense
We have four new stories this week. These defenders saved their lives, but there are many things the news reporters left out of the story. Details matter about when, where, and how we should defend ourselves and others.
The longer discussion of what we should do, and what we should avoid, is on the Self Defense Gun Stories webpage. For now, here are the stories and the links to the original news sources.
How should you protect the people you love?
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Tucson, Arizona- Are you armed at home? and here.
You are at home on Thursday afternoon. You hear someone banging on your door. They are trying to break in. You grab your handgun and shout for the intruder to go away and that you’re armed. The intruder tries to smash his way through one of your windows. You shoot through the window, but miss your intruder. Now your attacker reaches through the broken glass and tries to grab you. You shoot him several times until he moves away. You stop shooting. You get your phone and call 911 for help. You stay inside your home.
Arriving officers find your dead attacker on your driveway. You put your gun away and give the officers a statement of what happened. Police identify your attacker.
Your attacker is a registered sex offender. He was sentenced for felony sexual assault and had another prior conviction for domestic violence. You are not charged with a crime.
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Houston, Texas- Are you armed as you drive?
You own a check cashing business. You went to the bank to deposit checks and withdraw some cash. You park next to your business and get out of your car. Two men follow you inside your store and they hit you in the head from behind. You fall to the ground. You roll over and see two men wearing masks over their faces and wearing gloves. You present your firearm and shoot your attackers. One of your employees sees your attack and he shoots your attackers too. Your attackers run out of your store. The getaway driver drives his car from your parking lot.
The news reports aren’t clear if you or one of your employees called 911 for help. You and your employees put your guns away. All of you give statements to the police. Police find your attackers dead in the parking lot.
You were robbed before. It isn’t clear if you have security video inside and outside your store, but the police have the license number of the get-away car. The police think your attackers followed you from the bank. You and your employees are not charged with a crime.
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Carmichael, California- Do you have a firearm nearby at night?
You are in bed in your apartment. It is about 1am on Sunday morning when you hear someone beating on your front door. They are hitting the door really hard. Fortunately the door stays in place. You grab your gun and walk out of your bedroom. You see a stranger outside. He beats on your windows until he sees you. Then, he shoots at you through your window. You move and shoot back. Your attacker runs away and you call the police and ask for help. You put your gun away when the police arrive. You give a brief statement to the police. You show them your legally owned firearm.
Officers find your attacker outside. He has a gunshot wound to the torso. The police call for Emergency Medical Services. The officers also find a stolen firearm with an illegal extended magazine. EMS takes your attacker to the hospital in serious but stable condition.
A police spokesman said you were a hero. You faced a violent attack and defended yourself until officers could respond. All your shots hit your attacker.
You found out that the attacker was looking for his girlfriend and thought she was in your apartment. You don’t know her and she never lived there as far as you know.
You are not charged with a crime.
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Chicago Illinois– Are you armed at work as you drive?
You are driving for a rideshare company. You pick up two customers just after midnight. Both the man and the woman get in the back seat. You start to drive when the man puts his gun to your head. You put on the brakes and get out of your car while it is still rolling.
Your attacker gets out of the car and shoots at you. You shoot back. You keep shooting as he gets into your car and tries to drive away. The car stops because you have the keys in your pocket. Both of your attackers run away.
It isn’t clear who called the police because your phone was in your car. So were the two cellphones of the robbers.
You reholster your firearm and show the officers your Firearms Owners Identification Card and your carry permit. The officers find your attacker a block away. The female has a graze wound to her arm and the male was shot in the leg.
Crime is surging in Chicago. Your attacker was out on probation for carjacking. This time he is held without bond. Politicians said that the problem isn’t the courts, but that cars are too easy to steal. You are not charged with a crime.
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Preparation saves lives and keeps us out of jail. Learning armed defense is a series of well worn milestones. You take a firearm safely class. You study marksmanship and learn how to hit a target. You learn how to carry a firearm on your body in public. Next, we study the laws of the court and the laws of the street. You obtain your carry permit. You keep practicing because there is always more to learn.
It is a great trip to share with you. Thank you for making all of us safer. RM
SlowFacts 