Category: Self Defense

Washington…………..D.C. And we see one of the results of the Heller case.

More Details on Monday Morning Shooting in Petworth, Arrest Made, Suspect Shot by Complainant, who has a Firearms Registration Certificate and Concealed Carry Permit

“The Fourth District officers responded to a sounds of gun shot call in the 800 block of Randolph Street, NW (11:21am). A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect pulled a handgun out and threatened the complainant. The complainant, who has a Firearms Registration Certificate and Concealed Carry Permit, drew his weapon and fired two shots striking the suspect twice, with non life threatening wounds. The suspect was transported to a local hospital and placed under arrest for Felony Threats While Armed and Carrying a Pistol Without a License.”

Fatal shooting ‘justifiable

BIRCH TREE, Mo. (AP) — A southwestern Missouri sheriff said a fatal shooting appeared to be justified.

KYTV reported that the shooting happened Saturday night near the small town of Birch Tree in Shannon County. The name of the victim has not been released.

Sheriff Darrin Brawley said the man killed and the shooter were relatives.

Brawley said a man showed up and began firing shots into a mobile home. The homeowner fired back, striking and killing the man

Man shoots, kills home invader

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) — The Bay County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at about 6:05 am on Tuesday, May 26th in reference to a home invasion burglary,” officials wrote in a news release. “Deputies responded to 2307 Mound Avenue in Panama City, to find a man, shot, on the floor inside the home.

EMS responded and pronounced the man dead at the scene.

The residents, an elderly man, and another woman in the home told deputies that the male homeowner had been outside in front of the home when he saw the man walking down the street, acting erratically. He was screaming and swearing, and, according to witnesses.

The man walked down the homeowners’ driveway and approached the homeowner. Then he went inside to get away from the man on the street.

The stranger then followed, beating on the door to the house. Later busting in the glass door and breaking in.

The stranger knocked the woman to the ground and began beating her on the head. The homeowner stated he felt he could not physically stop the intruder so he went upstairs to get his firearm.

He shot the firearm multiple times, ending the threat, deputies wrote.

The woman was taken by EMS to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries.

They have identified the intruder as Nathan Jerrell Edwards, 31. Initially, it was reported that Edwards was a local. Deputies later clarified that Edwards was from Georgia and was staring in a short-term rental about a block away from the scene of the incident

It’s Noo Yawk. Fuggetaboudit

Grocery store worker arrested after man with knife shot in Brooklyn

EAST NEW YORK, Brooklyn (WABC) — A grocery store worker in Brooklyn is in custody after police say he shot and killed a man armed with a knife.

It happened just after 11 p.m. Monday at Rose Family Grocery Store in East New York.

Police say 25-year-old Edwin Candelario attempted to attack the worker with a knife during an argument.

That’s when the 34-year-old worker pulled out a gun and police say he shot Candelario several times, killing him.

It appears the worker was not licensed to have the gun.

Apparent burglar shot, killed after breaking into Hesperia home

HESPERIA, Calif. (KABC) — A Hesperia man was shot and killed after he forced his way into a home in the middle of the night, authorities said.

Sheriff’s deputies say Julian Robert Sanchez Garcia, 31, of Hesperia, forced his way into a home on Balsam Avenue around 2:49 a.m. Monday.

Two men who were home at the time say they heard yelling and pounding on the front door at the time. They said Garcia then forced his way inside the home.

A shooting occurred and Garcia was struck by gunfire and later pronounced dead at the scene.

The two men said they did not know Garcia. They were brought to the San Bernardino County sheriff’s station in Hesperia and were cooperating with investigators.

No arrests have been made.

Not the ‘baddest part of town’ by any means.

Man in serious condition after Springfield resident shoots intruder

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Springfield Police are investigating an overnight shooting in the 1100 block of North Missouri.

The Springfield Police Department tells us the shooting happened Saturday night as one person tried to break into the shooter’s home.

One of the residents fired a warning shot and the intruder continued, so a second resident shot him.

Police say after the shooting, both residents fled the home.

One of them returned home, saying they dropped the other off near Atlantic and Broadway. Police are still looking for that person.

The suspected intruder is in serious condition, and police have not released any names.

APPEARS TO BE SELF-DEFENSE, SAYS EPD, ABOUT THIS MORNING’S SHOOTING DEATH

Press release from the Eureka Police Department:

On May 22nd 2020, at approximately 2:40 a.m., officers from the Eureka Police Department were dispatched to the 1300 block of West Avenue on a report of multiple subjects involved in an altercation.

During the altercation, an occupant of a nearby residence confronted the subjects from his porch and advised them to leave the area. The subjects then confronted the resident and became hostile toward him and entered onto his property.

The resident attempted to use pepper spray to deter the subjects, with no success, as he entered back into his home. At least one subject entered the residence and attempted to assault the resident.

During the altercation inside the home, the resident fired multiple shots from a handgun, which he had retrieved from inside the residence, striking the subject who was assaulting him. This subject was pronounced deceased at the scene.

A second subject, who was on the porch, was struck in the leg by gunfire. This subject was transported to St. Joseph Hospital for treatment. This injury is believed to be non-life-threatening. Officers were able to locate and detain everyone who was involved at the scene, including the shooter. The individuals involved in this incident were unknown to one another.

EPD Detectives responded to the scene, along with Evidence Technicians, and took over the investigation, which is still ongoing.

At this point in the investigation, Detectives have completed their interviews with everyone who was on scene and involved. After completing the interviews and upon initial review of the evidence at the scene, the shooting appears to have been done in self-defense. The Lead Detectives have conferred with the District Attorney’s Office and based on the investigation no arrest will be made at this time. The completed report will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office for review.

Bob, just what in the wide wide world of sports is going on out there?
People just not have it cross their minds to carry a gun while in the wild?
One of the first things I did when I was posted to Ft Lewis was head to the Sheriff’s office in downtown Tacoma and get a CCW so I could carry anytime I was off post.

Cougar Attacks Mountain Bikers Near Seattle, Killing One and Injuring Another

SEATTLE) — The two mountain bikers did what they were supposed to do when they noticed a mountain lion tailing them on a trail east of Seattle.

They got off their bikes. They faced the beast, shouted and tried to spook it. After it charged, one even smacked the cougar with his bike, and it ran off.

It wasn’t enough, authorities said.

As they stood trying to catch their breath, the cougar returned, biting one of them on the head and shaking him, Capt. Alan Myers of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police said Sunday.

The second cyclist ran, and the animal dropped the first victim and pounced on him, killing him and dragging him back to what appeared to be its den.

“They did everything they were supposed to do,” King County sheriff’s Sgt. Ryan Abbott said. “But something was wrong with this cougar.”

The attack Saturday near North Bend, in the Cascade Mountain foothills 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Seattle, was the first fatal cougar attack in the state in 94 years. Myers said Sunday that the cougar was underweight — about 100 pounds (45 kilograms), when a typical 3-year-old male in the area would be 140 to 180 pounds (63 to 81 kilograms).

The 31-year-old Seattle man who was bitten first, Isaac Sederbaum, survived. Rescuers flew him to a hospital, where he was in satisfactory condition Sunday, Harborview Medical Center spokeswoman Susan Gregg said.

Myers identified the deceased victim, a 32-year-old Seattle resident, as S.J. Brooks.

After the cougar attacked Brooks, a badly bloodied Sederbaum managed to get on his bike and ride off. He rode for 2 miles (3 kilometers) before he could get a cellphone signal to call 911.

When rescuers arrived, it took about half an hour to find Brooks, who was dead with the cougar on top of him in what appeared to be a den-like area. An officer shot at it, and it ran off. Several hours later, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife agents used dogs to track it to a nearby tree. They shot and killed it.

Authorities plan to match DNA taken from the animal with DNA from the victims to be certain they killed the right cougar. They sent the animal’s carcass to a veterinary lab at Washington State University for a necropsy to determine what might have been wrong with it.

There are an estimated 2,000 cougars in Washington. Until the 1960s, the state paid hunters a bounty for killing them. Now, it allows 250 to be hunted in 50 designated zones.

While they are sometimes known to kill livestock or pets, and though one even found its way into a park in Seattle in 2009, encounters with people in Washington state are rare.

Attacks have become more common as people increasingly encroach on the animals’ territory. In North America, there have been about 25 deadly attacks and 95 nonfatal attacks reported in the past century, but more attacks have been reported in the U.S. West and Canada over the past 20 years than in the previous 80, according to Fish and Wildlife.

Experts say that people encountering the big cats in the wild should stop and pick up small children immediately. Because running and rapid movements can trigger the animal’s prey drive, don’t run. Instead, face the cougar, speak firmly and slowly back away — appearing as large as possible, such as by standing on a rock or stump or opening a sweatshirt or jacket.

Keep your eyes on the animal and become more assertive if it doesn’t back off. And if it does attack, fight back.

“The idea is to convince the cougar that you are not prey, but a potential danger,” Fish and Wildlife advises on its website.

 

Homeowner shoots man during attempted home invasion in Fort Worth

A homeowner shot one of three men police say were trying to break into a house in north Fort Worth on Sunday morning.

At 6:22 a.m., a homeowner called police and said men dressed in black kicked in the front door and tried to come into the house in the 2700 block of Northwest 34th Street, police officer Jimmy Pollozani said.

The homeowner shot two rounds and hit one of the men before they ran away. Officers found two of the three suspects and took them into custody; neither was injured.

Shortly after the home invasion call, a woman called police and said her father had been shot. The father was the third suspect and had been shot by the homeowner, Pollozani said.

Why Gun Rights Are Essential In a World of Uncertainty and Scarcity
Firearms are the most practical and effective way for the average American to secure his or her life, liberty, and property.

A common joke in the American gun community goes something like this:

Q: Why do you carry a gun?

A: Because carrying a cop is too heavy.

This humorous quip should not detract from the fact that many individuals in the United States (including me) own and carry a firearm for purely pragmatic reasons. The simplest case for the right to keep and bear arms can be summarized in one sentence: You are ultimately responsible for your own safety and security.

This sobering pill can be difficult for many people to swallow but that’s reality. Evil exists in this world. Under the right circumstances, people can and will do unspeakable things to each other as any student of history or psychology will know. Those fortunate to live in gated communities and can afford armed security are often oblivious that most other people do not enjoy the same luxuries.

Many violent crimes take place and are over in a matter of seconds (and stopped in seconds that prevent the worst). As another popular saying goes, “When seconds count, the police are only minutes away.” In the United States, depending where you live, police response time ranges from nine minutes to over an hour. Right now, one in five New York police officers are currently out sick due to COVID-19. Police in multiple states have announced they will no longer respond to theft, burglary, and break-ins. Given the current climate, it’s not unreasonable to assume police will take much longer to arrive, if they do at all, should someone dial 911.

Furthermore, Americans need to understand there is no legal obligation for the police to protect you, which is affirmed by the Supreme Court and multiple lower courts. (See Castle Rock v. Gonzales, Warren v. District of Columbia, and Lozito v. New York City). Should the police fail to arrive or protect you when needed, you can’t even sue for neglect.

Thus, given the legal and logistical realities, taking the initiative to protect yourself should be as sensible as any other proactive measure such as having a fire extinguisher in the home or jumper cables ready in the back of the car. Should disaster strike, preparedness will make all the difference in the world. Protecting your one and only life deserves no less preparation and investment, especially in our increasingly complex and uncertain world.

Americans are fortunate to live in a country with mostly stable institutions. But there are vivid examples when segments of society break down, many in not-too-distant memory. In widespread civil disturbances such as the 1992 LA riots or the aftermaths of Hurricane Katrina, Florence, and Harvey, the authorities were overwhelmed and unscrupulous individuals took advantage of the chaos to prey on others.

Going by sheer numbers, almost all of us will encounter at least one black swan in our lifetime. The current COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath are already the most trying times on the lives and livelihoods of Americans since the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the financial crisis of 2008-2009.

Should an even deadlier natural or man-made catastrophe take place, if the authorities haven’t been incapacitated, displaced, or destroyed completely, whatever personnel and resources are left will be prioritized to protect high-ranking government officials, their inner-circle, and critical government facilities and infrastructure.

The economist Thomas Sowell reminds us, “The first lesson of economics is scarcity: there is never enough of anything to fully satisfy all those who want it.” Security also happens to be a scarce resource. There’s simply not enough boots on the ground that can guarantee all 300 million Americans will be protected at all times from all threats. In every emergency, tough decisions will have to be made. From what we know about past and present “continuity of government” plans, ruling elites will be evacuated to a secure bunker in some undisclosed location while John Q. Public will be left to fend for himself.

Every American schoolchild is taught that everyone is equal before the law. Given this fundamental axiom, it’s not unfair to demand that the average American citizen have access to the same means of security and protection that government officials—who are our servants, not overlords—insist on having for themselves (while using taxpayer money). Under the American political system, the right of self-defense cannot be limited to only a privileged few. No one, regardless of their socioeconomic status, can deny fundamental rights to others.

The right to life is closely intertwined with the right of self-preservation. John Locke, a major influence on the philosophical foundations of the US Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, described the right of self-preservation as a “fundamental law of nature” in his Second Treatise of Civil Government:

The state of war is a state of enmity and destruction: and therefore declaring by word or action, not a passionate and hasty, but a sedate settled design upon another man’s life, puts him in a state of war with him against whom he has declared such an intention, and so has exposed his life to the other’s power to be taken away by him, or any one that joins with him in his defence, and espouses his quarrel; it being reasonable and just, I should have a right to destroy that which threatens me with destruction: for, by the fundamental law of nature, man being to be preserved as much as possible, when all cannot be preserved, the safety of the innocent is to be preferred: and one may destroy a man who makes war upon him, or has discovered an enmity to his being, for the same reason that he may kill a wolf or a lion; because such men are not under the ties of the common-law of reason, have no other rule, but that of force and violence, and so may be treated as beasts of prey, those dangerous and noxious creatures, that will be sure to destroy him whenever he falls into their power.

The political philosophy of John Locke and other Enlightenment thinkers contributed a unique element to American political theory: Fundamental rights do not come from the government. Human beings possess them already simply by virtue of being free and that includes a pre-existing, natural right of self-defense and self-preservation. As the Declaration of Independence memorably emphasizes, these natural rights are “unalienable” which means they cannot be taken or given away. They are permanent and apply in all times and all places to all human beings, with or without the Second Amendment or any other statutory pronouncement.

“Self-evident truths” and similar conclusions are found in other schools of thought. The ethical intuitionist philosopher Michael Huemer also highlights an interlocking relationship between the right of self-defense and the right to own a gun:

It is possible for a right to be both fundamental and derivative. Derivative rights are usually related to fundamental rights as means to the protection or enforcement of the latter, though this need not be the only way in which a right may be derivative. I claim that the right to own a gun is both fundamental and derivative; however, it is in its derivative aspect—as derived from the right of self-defense—that it is most important.

Even without the existence of absolute rights (which Huemer declines to acknowledge for guns or any other right), he nevertheless persuasively argues:

  1. There is a strong prima facie right to own a gun
  2. Prohibiting private gun ownership constitutes both a major interference in gun owners’ plans for their own lives as well as a significant violation of their right of self-defense

Using a memorable thought experiment, Huemer shows how gun control laws that prevent a person from accessing or exercising the means of self-defense is akin to a criminal accomplice who holds a victim down while the actual murderer carries out the foul deed. By preventing the victim from escaping or exercising his right to self-defense, the accomplice’s action is still “if not equivalent to murder, something close to murder in degree of wrongness, even though he neither kills nor injures the victim.” In a follow-up thought experiment, Huemer adds:

…except that the victim has a gun by the bed, which he would, if able, use to defend himself from the killer. As the killer enters the bedroom, the victim reaches for the gun. The accomplice grabs the gun and runs away, with the result that the killer then stabs his victim to death.

Most reasonable individuals will intuitively recognize what the accomplice did was morally wrong. In both scenarios, the accomplice’s actions purposely prevented the victim from defending himself. If gun control laws have the same effect, it logically follows that they are “about equally serious as a violation of the right of self-defense.”

Fortunately for Americans, most of us still have access to a wide range of choices when it comes to self-defense. While it is understandable to be reluctant to pick up a gun, it is worth mentioning alternatives such as martial arts, tasers, and pepper spray are often severely limited by range, efficiency, or effectiveness.

Even if she is proficient in martial arts (which requires years of training), a 5-foot, 100-pound woman will be overwhelmed if she faces multiple attackers who weigh twice as much. On the other hand, she can ably defend herself with an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle, which is a popular weapon for many Americans, including women, because of its light weight, low recoil, accuracy, reliability, ergonomics, and ease of customization to fit any shooter regardless of size and stature.

Compared to other options, firearms are the most practical and effective way for the average American to secure his or her life, liberty, and property. As I emphasized in a previous essay:

From the colonists winning independence from Great Britain to African-Americans vindicating their civil rights, the role of the gun is inseparable from American identity. The gun is the ultimate multipurpose tool that empowers its user with the means to put food on the table, as well as preserve one’s life, whether against common street criminals or government tyranny.

In these uncertain times, both the pragmatic and philosophical case for gun rights are as strong as ever.

Many Americans, especially minorities, have realized the need for self-protection in times of social upheaval and breakdown. It is unfortunate that it took a tragedy as extreme as the COVID-19 pandemic to remind people that we should never take peace, prosperity, and freedom for granted. But millions have now taken the first steps to defend themselves and their loved ones. They should know they are in good company.

From what I’ve witnessed firsthand and experienced to date, the American gun community is strongly supportive and always welcoming towards first-time gun owners and anyone remotely curious about firearms regardless of their background. (See our plethora of welcome and orientation videos for newcomers brought in by the recent gun-buying surge). Our country’s gun culture and people’s civic virtue reinforce each other. In the spirit of Tocqueville, civil society has stepped up in the COVID-19 pandemic and demonstrated exemplary acts of charity. It’s only natural that the gun community is also actively participating by sharing knowledge with their fellow Americans and ensuring new gun owners are comfortably onboarded.

I am confident these new gun owners will learn how to handle their weapons responsibly, discover the joys of shooting, and become future staunch defenders of the Second Amendment (and hopefully the rest of the Bill of Rights as well). Our past is full of inspiring examples of Americans emerging stronger and freer after overcoming crises that tear the fabric of society and test our ideals. In these “times that try men’s souls,” let us not forget the precious legacy bequeathed to us.

Thugs come in all species.

Platte County looking for escaped dogs

SMITHVILLE, MO (KCTV) — When we heard Platte County authorities were searching for six “wolf hybrids” that escaped a property near Smithville, we had to send KCTV5’s Emily Rittman to find out more.

When the dogs first escaped, they were originally reported to the sheriff’s office as six wolf hybrids. Since then, the Missouri Department of Conservation tracked their lineage and found they are not wolf hybrids.

At last check, the two dogs are still roaming the area.

Many neighbors who live near State Route 92 and Hornback Road have pets and livestock, which they try to protect from predators.

One owner discovered one of the six escaped dogs on their property, though. “One of them ended up attacking some goats in the area and was killed by the property owner,” explained Major Erik Holland with the Platte County Sheriff’s Office.

After that, and out of an abundance of caution, the sheriff’s office shared photos of the dogs on social media asking the community to report sightings of them.

“We have had some reports of livestock that they’ve already killed, that is why we are treating this a little differently than your average dog that ran away from a house,” said Holland.

“Anytime you are dealing with an animal they may be friendly with their owners or people they know,” Holland said. “We don’t know how they will react to people they don’t know or if they are scared. We are just asking people to try not to catch them. Stay away from them and call us.”

Fayetteville man arrested after shooting

FAYETTEVILLE — Fayetteville police say a man was arrested after he exchanged gunshots with another man Thursday night.

Manuel Navarro, 25, was arrested in connection with aggravated residential burglary, aggravated assault and tampering with physical evidence, according to a news release.

A man at 1469 N. Timbercrest Ave. called police at 10:52 p.m. to report he shot a man who entered his home.

Officers were told Navarro went into the house because his girlfriend refused to come outside. Once inside, Navarro pulled a handgun from his waistband and he and the caller exchanged shots, according to the release.

Navarro was shot on the right side of his body and fled the area, according to the release. He arrived about 45 minutes later at Washington Regional Medical Center where he was arrested.

A spokesman with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said Navarro would remain in the hospital until he could be transferred to the Washington County jail and a deputy was assigned to guard him.

Vineyard man shot, killed intruder in self-defense

VINEYARD Utah— Police have identified a man shot and killed in an apparent act of self-defense during a home invasion robbery.

Robert Jalil Williams, 20, of Salt Lake City, was fatally wounded Tuesday after Utah County sheriff’s deputies say he and a group of at least six others attempted to rob a Vineyard resident.

Police were originally called to the Concord at Geneva apartments, 125 N. Mill Road, about 6:20 p.m. A group of several people listed as homeless in a police affidavit had traveled from Salt Lake City to Vineyard “to rob and assault the intended resident,” whom they believe had previously assaulted one of their friends, the affidavit states.

The man living in the apartment shot and killed Williams.

“This appears to be an act of self-defense,” Utah County Sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Cannon said Friday.

Six people were arrested, including two teenagers. Baboucarr Trawally, 27; Diego Fuentez, 18; Gabriel Little Hawk Trane, 21; and Sarh Sone Jabbah, 18, were each arrested for investigation of robbery

Man shoots and kills alleged home intruder in Scottsdale

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Police have identified an 18-year-old man who was shot and killed Wednesday night by a homeowner in Scottsdale after he was found naked inside the victim’s residence.

Scottsdale police say the incident happened around 10:45 p.m. near Pima and Happy Valley roads.

The homeowner was reportedly doing work on the property when the family dog alerted him to some type of disturbance. When the father of the family entered a room to investigate, he found that one of his children had been confronted by a naked man, identified Friday as Cameron Yoe.

Police say Yoe was holding a large piece of wood in a threatening manner and charged at the resident. The resident then pulled out a gun and shot Yoe twice, killing him.

The 41-year-old resident was home with his wife and three children at the time. No one else was injured at the time of the shooting.

Police say that earlier in the evening around 9 p.m., officers were also called to a separate home in the area for a report of an attempted home burglary, but a suspect was not found. Police say the description of the male intruder in the first attempted break-in matched the description of the man shot and killed in the second incident.

No arrests have been made in the case as police continue to investigate.

From my experience, and from some others I worked with who use guns for the most extreme circumstances, if you go with dot sights on your self defense handguns, you go totally dot sight on them.
Between irons and dots, there’s enough difference on how the gun has to be presented to acquire your sight picture, that switching back and forth will cause you to take extra time to get on target.
And since time is of the essence if you need to use a gun to defend yourself, you can’t afford to waste any chasing the dot down.
So, it’s one or the other. Don’t mix them for your self defense inventory.

Results of a 4 Year Handgun Red Dot Study by Sage Dynamics

 

A good reasonable argument. I might make the choice between a shotgun and a rifle moot by having both, but that’s just me.

Three Firearms for Emergency Preparation

A firearm that is kept specifically for self-defense is akin to a fire extinguisher: it is life-saving emergency equipment maintained for rapid and unexpected deployment to mitigate a threat. A safe home should have both tools readily available to authorized users, and both should be maintained regularly. For those of us that are firearms and shooting enthusiasts, guns become more than just life-saving equipment; they may be our hobby or even integral to our lifestyle or work. Regardless, let us remember the most essential role of the firearm.

During this current pandemic, which has been declared a national emergency, we are experiencing something rather unique in the lifetimes of most currently living. While civility has, for the most part, been maintained thus far, people are scared. This is manifest by the current panic buying of firearms and ammunition, among many other commodities. First-time gun buyers have stripped the shelves bare of firearms inventory and ammo at a rate we have not witnessed in a while. This current situation has served as a reminder that our stability in firearms supply is as delicate as our supply in any other commodity, perhaps even less so.

The answer to such periods of high demand and low supply should be obvious: we should be sure to have stocked what we need before such catastrophes happen. What we need to keep on hand will vary extensively from one individual to another. Most non-gun enthusiasts are probably well enough served by having a pistol and a box of ammo in the drawer. For those of us that consider firearms an essential part of our preparation, however, we are looking at more equipment than that.

How much is enough?
How many guns and how much ammo should you have on hand? This is an endless debate. If you are relatively new to firearms, or if perhaps you are a hobby shooter but not yet squared away in regards to a dedicated arsenal of personal protection, you might be trying to figure out where to start. Obviously, having a single pistol and a box of ammo may well be all you ever need, but those who are motivated to prepare seek to equip themselves beyond this. While we would all love to have dozens of guns and tens of thousands of rounds of ammo on hand for our preparation and range entertainment, this is not realistic for most, nor necessary.

3-Gun Emergency Setup
I truly believe in a three-gun setup for emergency preparation as a starting point. This is a realistic place to begin and is more obtainable than having a huge safe full of guns. And it will likely fill all self-defense needs for those who never go beyond these three guns. What I suggest is as follows:

#1. Primary Defensive Pistol
First priority: a primary defensive pistol, preferably a full-size service pistol or compact version thereof. Think Glock 17 or Glock 19, Smith and Wesson M&P full size or compact, Sig P320 full size or compact, etc… A double-stack auto loader chambered in 9mm is hard to beat for most. This gun can be carried and is formidable enough to serve as a good home defense pistol as well. While a dedicated concealed carrier may need a smaller option as well to provide deep concealment, the full-size or compact pistol serves as an ideal go-to handgun option.

#2. Duplicate Primary Pistol
Second Priority: A duplicate of your primary pistol. That’s right, a backup to this primary defensive weapon. Perhaps your primary is a full size, and the secondary is the same gun, but the compact version. This would work well as it allows magazine compatibility between the two. A backup to your primary pistol is in order to be truly prepared.

#3. Defensive Long Gun
Third Priority: A defensive long gun. Rifle or shotgun, the choice is yours. The bottom line is that a long gun brings far greater ballistic capability to a fight. So having a dedicated defensive long gun that is ready for home defense makes good sense.

Simplify Your Defensive Arsenal
If you are a new firearms owner and want to acquire a minimum defensive arsenal that will serve your needs, these three weapons should do so quite well. Even if you are a gun person, and perhaps you shoot as a hobby, but you have found that your selection of weaponry is disorganized, then settling on these three options and prioritizing them as your go-to defensive weapons is in order.

Ammo and Magazines
With the selection of these three weapons, you realistically have to stock only two forms of ammunition, and two kinds of magazines (unless your selected long gun is a tube fed weapon such as a shotgun). This will greatly simplify your preparedness for such emergencies, like the one we are currently witnessing, in which firearms and ammunition is now hard to come by due to panic buying. Having only a single pistol caliber and a single long gun cartridge to stock for your defensive purposes will make maintaining a needed supply of ammunition easier. Even if you are a gun collector, with multiple pistols in all of the various chamberings, settle on your primary platform and be sure you have enough magazines and ammunition always on hand for that particular platform.

How much ammo is enough?
Everyone will have a different answer. But I will propose one that I believe is more realistic for most people who live within a budget that must be spread across not only firearms but all other preparation concerns as well. My suggestion for an initial goal to work towards is to have 1,000 rounds on hand for your defensive handguns, and 1,000 rounds on hand for a defensive rifle. Premium defensive ammunition is expensive. So having perhaps 200 rounds of premium hollow point ammo for each is in order. You can back this up with ball ammo. This is not ideal for defensive use, but a lot better than no ammo in a crisis. Always keep your defensive firearms loaded with the premium ammunition. If your long gun is a shotgun, having 200 rounds of buckshot on hand is in order. 1000 rounds of buckshot is quite bulky and expensive.

These weapons and ammunition are for emergency use, be it everyday self-defense or for the event of an extended emergency. If budget allows, keeping a year’s supply of practice ammo on hand makes sense as well. But defensive ammunition is first priority, of course.

Keeping Parts on Hand
Want to go a step further? Maintaining a parts kit with the most likely parts that break for your handguns makes sense. For a long gun, you can do the same. Keep a spare bolt carrier group for an AR15 on hand. This allows you to drop in a replacement for any of the most likely issues.

Prioritize this small, yet capable, assemblage of weaponry for the next emergency. This will give you confidence in at least that part of your preparedness.

Texas County, Mo. investigators say deadly shooting near Summersville was self-defense

SUMMERSVILLE, Mo. — The Texas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting of a man south of Summersville as a case of self-defense.

Michael R. Eschrich age 63, of Mountain View, Mo. died in the shooting.

Deputies responded to the area in the 1700 block of State Highway 17 Wednesday. They found Eschrich dead from a gunshot wound. The shooter cooperated with investigators on the scene. A preliminary investigation indicate Eschrich approached the shooter with a dangerous object in an aggressive manner.

This investigation is active and upon completion the results will be presented to the Texas County Prosecuting Attorney for review.

Yes, it’s tough when it’s a little kid, but his mommy & daddy should have taught him better.

7-year-old shot while attempting to burglarize St. Louis home with other boys

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – A 7-year-old was shot during an attempted burglary at a home in the 1800 block of North 20th Street in St. Louis. The child was with two 12-year-olds during the attempt to break into a home Tuesday evening.

St. Louis Police say that a 23-year-old man [heard, I guess, ed.] banging and glass breaking from the rear of the home. He found the three boys coming into the home through a broken window. Police say the man fired a shot from his weapon in the direction of the suspects, fearing for his safety. The three boys started to run away.

The 7-year-old was struck in the leg by a projectile. A 12-year-old was struck in the wrist by a fragment of the debris. The other 12-year-old was not injured in the incident. The 23-year-old man was also not injured.

EMS took the injured 7-year-old and 12-year-old to the hospital. They are listed in stable condition.

Home intruder killed in Buffalo shooting

No charges will be filed in a deadly home invasion shooting that left a Buffalo man dead.

No charges will be filed in a deadly home invasion shooting that left a Buffalo man dead.

Union County Sheriff David Taylor said the incident occurred just after midnight Tuesday in the vicinity of 1202 Main St., Buffalo. When deputies arrived they found a man laying in the front yard of a home.

EMS was called to the scene and medics were unable to revive the man later identified as 27-year-old Victor De Andre Tiwo Hair of 1202 Main St., Buffalo.

Taylor said deputies found Hair lying on a weapon when they arrived. Hair had been shot while inside the home after he kicked open the front door brandishing a weapon.

Two children, a man and a woman were inside the home when Hair broke into it, Taylor said. The woman ran down toward the bedroom when Hair started firing his weapon.

Taylor said Hair was met in the hallway by Antwan Manquel Booker, 34, of Union who exchanged gunfire with him. Hair was struck by gunfire and ran from the home falling in the front yard where he died.

Casselton shooter won’t be charged, prosecutor says he acted in self defense

FARGO, N.D. — Last Friday, Cass County deputies responded to a report of a gunshot at Harness Mobile Home Court in Casselton, ND.

“The suspect, identified as William Dittmer Jr. called 911 and explained that there was an argument and physical altercation at his address outside near his vehicle between he and the victim, identified as Duane Turchin,” said Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner.

During the disagreement, Dittmer fatally shot his neighbor and was subsequently charged with murder and taken into custody by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

Dittmer claims the shooting was an act of self-defense.

“Mr. Turchin was a considerably larger man. He had presented himself as a challenge to Mr. Dittmer,” explained State’s Attorney Birch Burdick. “He was present on Mr. Dittmer’s property and challenging him right there at his car. The evidence indicated that when Mr. Dittmer got out of his car, Mr. Turchin put his hand around his throat and was squeezing his throat.”

The evidence includes Sheriff’s Office photographs that show a spilled drink on the drivers side window of the vehicle, which Dittmer Jr. said was thrown at him. Photographs also show faint, red scratch marks on Dittmer’s neck. This was corroborated by Dittmer’s girlfriend, Adrienne Johnson, who saw the altercation from inside the couple’s home.

Upon review of the evidence, the State’s Attorney office made the decision not to prosecute Dittmer and he was released from custody three days after he was initially charged.

“We had concluded that we would not be in a position to disprove self defense beyond a reasonable doubt, which is what we would need to be able to do,” said Burdick. “For that reason, we have declined to charge Mr. Dittmer on this case.”

Burdick says Turchin’s actions of having his hand around Dittmer’s throat and pinning Dittmer against the vehicle legally qualify as serious bodily injury and/or aggravated assault and therefore, they are unable to prove that Dittmer’s use of deadly force in self-defense was unjustified.

 

Burglary suspect fatally shot by North Beach homeowner

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A burglary suspect was fatally shot by a homeowner on North Beach.

Police say a man and a woman entered the home on Snug Harbor Driver overnight, forcing the homeowner to shoot at least once.

Police say he and two women was found a few blocks away on Surfside Boulevard.

His name has not been released.

Kiran Rice is charged with burglary of habitation.

Police say she was inside the home with the man when the shots were fired.

Zulma Zepeda-Antunez was arrested on an outstanding warrant.Investigators say she was inside the car with the suspects.

The Nueces County District Attorney will decide if the home owners will face any charges in connection with the shooting.

Five Key Features of a Good Pocket Pistol

Pocket pistols, or sometimes called backup guns (BUG), are all over the place and are generally really popular. I think there are a couple of reasons for this. They are usually pretty cheap, comparatively speaking, running around $350 or less for the most part. They are also really easy to carry. So easy to carry that people usually don’t have to change anything about how they dress or what they do to be able to carry it. We still rely on these guns to save our lives, though, so here are some things to look for next time you are on the hunt for a new blaster gat to stuff in your pocket.

Sights
Not all pistol sights are created equal, and that is really true when we start talking about pocket guns. Some of them barely even have “sights.” Looking at the Ruger LCP, and almost everyone else who makes a pocket pistol. For most of the pocket-sized guns that do have sights, they are small, and non-adjustable and cannot be changed. If your particular sample of said gun doesn’t shoot to the sights, oh well, too bad. However, there are some exceptions. Seek out those exceptions, and at least give them some consideration. Just because these guns are small doesn’t mean the things we may need them to do are equally small. Having mostly proper sights that can be seen, are adjustable if needed, or can be changed to something closer to our preference, can be a big deal.

Reliable
As guns get smaller, the amount of reliability we expect from them also gets smaller. Or at least it seems that way. Getting an itty bitty machine to run reliably is a difficult job, and sometimes the manufacturers miss. However, we really need these guns to work well because they really only have one purpose, and there are no second chances sometimes. Unfortunately, we can’t tell if a gun will be reliable until after we have bought it and invested enough resources of time and ammunition to find out. It is the way the world is, though.

Manageable Trigger
Most triggers on full-size handguns are manageable. They may not all be to our personal taste, but someone who has a decent grasp of skill can make it work in a pinch. Triggers on pocket guns are not always the same. Again, it comes down to the size of the gun, and getting a decent trigger in that package is apparently a tough thing to do because few seem to pull it off. A good trigger is not the lynchpin that holds good shooting together, but it definitely makes it easier.

Holster Support
Guns that are meant to be carried should be carried in holsters. A gun without holster support is not nearly as useful as a gun with it. There are many pocket holsters out there on the market, but as with most things, they are not all good. In fact, there are probably fewer good ones than bad ones. Before buying a new handgun, I always check to see if holsters are available first.

Parts Support
Everything breaks eventually. Guns are no different. Full-size guns require periodic maintenance. Even more so their smaller counterparts. There are many things that can go wrong on a handgun, especially if it is a small one. Having access to the parts to make it right again, instead of having to send it off to the manufacturer and wait for it to come back, is a worthwhile thing to need a gun

Every handgun also requires periodic maintenance. In larger guns, those intervals are into the thousands of rounds before a gun needs a new spring to as reliable as possible. In pocket-sized guns, those intervals can get really small. As few as 500-1000 rounds in some cases. It is critical that end-users be able to acquire those parts to maintain the highest level of reliability possible.

There you have it. Five things to look for in that new micro-sized handgun. What else do you guys look for in guns that are this size? Hit is in the comments to let us know what we missed

In the Cane Tuckeeeeee!

Shots fired in self-defense after car crash on North Sunrise

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – On Friday, May 8, Bowling Green Police responded to shots fired complaint in the area of North Sunrise.

Multiple officers responded to the area to help after receiving multiple calls.

When one officer arrived, he saw two vehicles in the middle of the roadway – a yellow Camaro and a black SUV that had collided in the 1400 block of North Sunrise.

Police spoke with the driver of the Camaro, who explained that when he was at a friend’s house, an unknown vehicle sped through the area and an unknown male got out.

The driver says the unknown male screamed at a female saying, “Where is Cholo? Where is he at?”

The driver of the Camaro explained the man seemed to be waving a silver firearm in the air, and then got back into his car and drove in the direction of Glen Lily.

The driver of the Camaro circled the block a couple of times to possibly see where the other car went. When he headed back to his friend’s house, the car came back around the corner at a high rate of speed.

The Camaro driver said he threw his car in reverse to avoid a collision but that the other car was accelerating towards him and was going to hit him. The cars collided.

The driver of the Camaro said he feared for his life and pulled out his gun and shot the unknown male, using all three rounds in the magazine.

The driver told police the male said, “One shot got me, and you’re lucky.” The subject then fled the scene on foot.

The unknown subject was later found at a nearby house, identified as William Green. He was taken to the Medical Center after being found to indeed have a gunshot wound.

After further investigation, police believe that the driver did shoot Green in self-defense. Officers went to the hospital to receive a statement from Green. It was determined that Green never pulled a handgun but did have a ratchet on him that could have appeared to be a firearm.

Nearby surveillance footage captured the wreck taking place where the black SUV hit the Camaro, though it’s hard to tell about the shooting incident.

Green has been arrested, charged with Assault, 2nd degree and Criminal Mischief, 1st degree.

Homeowner shoots accused robbery suspect, 3 others arrested

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (WYMT) — Three people are in jail and a fourth is in the hospital following an attempted robbery in Laurel County.

It happened Friday at a home in the Keavy community.

Deputies with the Laurel County Sheriff’s office tell WYMT the group attempted to rob the homeowner, who ended up shooting one of them.

Deputies charged Nathan M. Myers, 20, of London, with first-degree robbery, Logan Simpson, 19, of Williamsburg, with first-degree robbery and Andrew D. Myers, 23, of London with first-degree robbery.

The suspect who was shot was taken to the UK Medical Center. Police have not released any information about them except that they are getting warrants for their arrest.

“I think it was something personal.”

Man fatally shot, another injured in Bonne Terre Friday

An investigation is underway after a man was fatally shot and another man was “slashed and cut” early Friday morning in Bonne Terre.

According to Bonne Terre Police Chief Doug Calvert, officers were dispatched to a residence on South Long Street just before 12:30 a.m. in reference to a stabbing/gunshot situation in progress.

A male subject in his mid-30s, who has now been identified as Nick Wann, had reportedly been shot in the chest.

Calvert said Wann reportedly entered the residence and “slashed and cut” a man at the residence, also believed to be in his mid-30s. Officers believe the injured man then retrieved a handgun and shot Wann. The two men knew each other.

When officers arrived on the scene, CPR was being performed on the man who had been shot; however, he was unable to be revived and pronounced dead on the scene by the St. Francois County Coroner’s Office.

The detective and three officers with the Bonne Terre Police Department processed the scene. An autopsy was performed Friday afternoon.

The man at the residence was transported to the hospital to be treated for the cut. Details of his condition were not available.

The chief said no other individuals were injured. The weapons used in the incident have been recovered and secured as evidence. A report will be turned over to the prosecuting attorney’s office after the case is concluded.

Selecting a Personal-Defense Handgun: Size and Fit.

Selecting a personal-defense handgun is a very subjective endeavor. We may see a certain write-up in one of the gun magazines and think that that is just the gun for us. So we go plunk down our hard-earned cash only to find out that the gun is far from ideal. This is not necessarily the fault of a particular gun so much as it is a case of a gun that just doesn’t suit us.

As a young shooter, I was really impressed with the writings of Elmer Keith. And I quickly decided that a double-action .44 Mag. was just about the only handgun that a fellow would ever need. When I finally got the cash and took home that big DA .44, you can imagine my disappointment when I discovered that I just didn’t shoot it very well at all. The distance between the face of the trigger and the backstrap was just too long to fit my hand size. I tried all different kinds and sizes of grips, but that didn’t help. Because I couldn’t hold the revolver properly, that .44 Mag. cartridge just really beat my hand up. I know that was the case because I continue to enjoy the .44 Mag. cartridge, but in a single-action revolver, which fits my hand much better.

In order to shoot the handgun quickly and accurately, it must fit the shooter’s hand. When it does, the shooting grip feels comfortable and natural. It is this good fit that translates into quick, accurate shooting.

When a defensive shooter sets out to purchase a new handgun, this business of proper fit should be uppermost in mind. If one is not knowledgeable about handguns, it’s a good idea to take someone along who has plenty of experience so they can make sure that only quality guns are being considered. While one might have their heart set on the latest double-stacked auto, they may find that the single-stack version fits better. That experienced helper can also advise when a gun’s fit might be improved by changing to a different size of stock.

When considering a defensive revolver, there are a number of different sized stocks that can change the fit of the gun. If a 1911 might be the choice, there are long triggers and short triggers, thick stocks and thin stocks, all of which make a difference. In striker-fired pistols, the prominent companies have been good about making essentially the same gun in a double-stack version or single-stack. Many have different grip panels or backstraps to better fit the pistol to the individual’s hand.

We are blessed to live in a time when so many good defensive handguns are available for us to choose from. When making your selection, it is a good idea to choose from the best quality guns that you can possibly afford. And, among those guns, be sure to choose the one that fits your hand the best. You will find that you feel more secure with it because your grip feels comfortable and natural, more importantly, you can shoot it quickly and accurately.

Bladen man shoots at suspects who tried to rob him

BLADEN, Neb. (KSNB) Authorities say a Bladen man shot at multiple suspects who broke into his home late Tuesday night.

The suspects who beat and tried to rob the man are still at large.

The state patrol said the suspects broke into the man’s home just before midnight late Tuesday May 5. The suspects beat the man and stole multiple firearms and ammunition. The patrol said the victim fired multiple shots at the suspects as they were leaving the home, after which they dropped most of the stolen property. The stolen firearms were recovered and returned to the victim. The patrol said only some ammunition was still missing as of Thursday afternoon. A patrol spokesperson did not have information about the kind of gun used by the victim to shoot at the suspects.

The patrol said the victim suffered minor injuries during the incident. A spokesperson at Mary Lanning Hospital said the victim was treated and released.

Local4 will not release the victim’s name in order to protect his identity

It’s not clear what injuries were suffered by the suspects. A state patrol spokesperson did not have information about the number of suspects other than to say it was more than one.

The Webster County Sheriff’s office has turned the case over to the state patrol which is still investigating the case.

Neighbors rush to intervene, shoots attacker brutally beating of 86-year-old

BARTOW COUNTY, Ga – Neighbors were forced to intervene in an attack and shoot a man who was brutally beating an 86-year-old Bartow County man with a metal pipe.

Those neighbors, a father and his son, said they didn’t know the 86 year old, they just knew they had to help.

Pauline Gravely has lived next door to 86-year-old Calvin Lee on Floral Drive in Bartow County for almost six decades. She can’t say enough good things about him.

“Just a fantastic person. He and his wife, I just loved them both,” said Gravley.

Gravely said Wednesday evening, a man who lives in the area, knocked on Calvin Lee’s door.

“He pulled him out of his house and started beating him,” said Gravley.

hat’s when the neighbors heard Lee’s wife scream for help and came running.

“Grabbed his gun, came down, tried to intervene and stop the fight,” said Gravley.

Those neighbors say the attacker turned on them. He punched one in the jaw and tried to take the gun away from the other. That’s when they fired two shots, hitting the attacker.

“I think all this was so useless, so awful,” said Gravley.

Both Calvin Lee and the attacker were rushed to the hospital.

Newport homeowner shoots man who was trying to break in

NEWPORT, Maine (WABI) – Police say a Newport man was shot Thursday morning while trying to break into a home in that town.

Officers were called to Hill Avenue around 1:30 a.m.

The homeowner reported a man was trying to come through a bedroom window then started banging on the outside of the home with a hammer type tool.

Police say the 22-year-old man never got inside and was shot in the shoulder by the homeowner before police arrived.

They say the man then went to his own home.

He is not being identified yet.

Police say he’s being treated at a hospital.

Police tell us charges will likely be filed against the suspect but not against the homeowner.

Two errr Three, yes Three For Texas.

Store clerk opens fire on robbery suspects, killing one
A second suspect ran from the scene while two others drove away in a dark-colored BMW.

HOUSTON — A clerk shot and killed at least one suspect when a group of alleged robbers forced their way into a store along Highway 90 in northeast Houston overnight.

This happened around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Exxon gas station located on Maxey Road.

Houston police are reviewing the incident caught on surveillance video. Investigators said four suspects tried to force their way into the store which was locked.

The clerk was in a plexiglass pod when he was approached by the robbers, police said.

The clerk, fearing for his life, opened fire on the suspects, wounding and killing one of the men, police said. A second suspect ran from the scene while two others drove away in a dark-colored BMW.

Police confirmed that a man was found not far from the scene with a gunshot wound but would not confirm whether or not it was the suspect who ran from the scene. The man was transported to a local hospital.

The clerk was not injured in the incident.

Man shoots, kills suspect in shootout during attempted robbery on Pleasure Island
The suspect attempted to rob a couple several miles from where he was fatally shot in a second robbery attempt.

PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Two attempted robberies several miles apart ended in a shootout with an intended victim that left the suspect dead in the street along a Pleasure Island highway Tuesday evening.

Port Arthur Police officers were sent to report a robbery in progress just after 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Island Grocery in the 1900 block of South Highway 82 on Pleasure Island, according to a news release from the Port Arthur Police Department.

As officers headed to the store near the foot of the MLK Bridge, they were told that the suspect had left and was last seen driving east along Highway 82, the release said.

Officers spoke to a man and woman at the Island Grocery who told them a man armed with a rifle had attempted to steal their car, police said.

While speaking to the man and woman officers were informed of a shooting about three to four miles away along South Highway 82.

Officers then headed to the scene of the shooting where they found the suspect dead in the street, according to the release.

The suspect was identified by Port Arthur Police as 25-year-old, Leon Jones III, a resident of Opelousas, Louisiana.

Jones, still armed with the rifle, had attempted to rob a man and woman, who were crabbing, at gunpoint police said.

At some point after Jones demanded money and property from the two, the man was able to get to his car and grab his handgun.

The two men then got into a shootout and Jones was shot several times and died at the scene, police said.

The woman at the scene of the shooting was treated by medics on the scene for minor injuries she received during the shooting, police said.

Jones was driving a car that had been stolen in Louisiana, according to police.

Port Arthur Police are continuing to investigate the shooting.

Man, 24, fatally shot by ex after breaking into her home

SAN ANTONIO – A 33-year-old woman opened fire on her ex-boyfriend moments after he broke into her home Wednesday night, San Antonio police said.

The man, who was 24 years old, died following the shooting at the home in the 10300 block of Lynx Crossing, according to police. He has not been identified.

According to police, the woman was in the bathroom when she heard the man walking up the stairs and went to grab her shotgun. Moments later, she opened fire on her ex as he entered the bathroom.

He was transported to University Hospital, where he later died.

Police said that the woman had changed the locks to her home and that the man had been texting her all day.

Before the shooting, he was waiting for her when she arrived at her home. She told him to leave and he complied, police said.

He allegedly returned, forced a window open and entered the home as the woman was in the bathroom.

No one else was in the home.

The woman is not expected to face charges, police said.