Category: Self Defense

ND: Burgum designates North Dakota as a ‘Second Amendment Sanctuary State,’ signs bills protecting gun rights

Gov. Doug Burgum on April 26, signed a proclamation designating North Dakota as a “Second Amendment Sanctuary State,” reinforcing the state’s support for the constitutional right to keep and bear arms.

Burgum signed the proclamation during a ceremonial signing with legislators for several bills approved this session to protect the rights of North Dakotans to possess and carry firearms.

“Both the U.S. Constitution and North Dakota Constitution recognize our citizens’ inalienable right to keep and bear arms, and designating North Dakota as a Second Amendment Sanctuary State sends a strong message to Congress and the White House that we will firmly resist any attempts to infringe on those rights,” Burgum said. “We are deeply grateful to all of the legislators who sponsored and supported these bills and worked to strengthen North Dakota’s commitment to the Second Amendment.”

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Paper carrier acted in self-defense in Waterfront Vancouver shooting

The Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has declined to file criminal charges against a contract newspaper carrier who fatally shot a man last month at The Waterfront Vancouver.

The man who was killed, identified as 29-year-old Kin K. Bossy, had been attempting to steal the carrier’s car April 17 when he was shot multiple times, according to investigative documents related to the case.

The independent contractor newspaper carrier for The Columbian, identified by police as 35-year-old Justyn Vallandingham, fired at Bossy after finding him inside his vehicle.

In a letter Thursday to a Vancouver police detective, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Jeff McCarty wrote that Bossy appeared to be committing a felony offense against Vallandingham, who feared imminent danger or death.

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I figure shooting lots of holes as fast as possible in a bad guy qualifies.

Why Doing the Unexpected Aids in Self Defense

One of our patrolmen, on night shift, was checking the business houses in his district when he spotted a burglar inside an auto parts store at about the same time that the burglar spotted him. The immediate problem was to somehow cover the front door and the back door until backup could arrive. So our enterprising police officer simply turned on his red lights & siren and drove around and around the building just as fast as he could.

Later, when the burglar was asked why he didn’t make a run for it before reinforcements arrived, he said, “Are you kidding? That maniac might have run over me!”

In another incident, a ranch woman was fixing breakfast long before daylight when a home invader kicked in the kitchen door and made his entry. The woman just grabbed a big old coffee pot off the top of the stove and threw it in his face, hot coffee and all. The crook left so fast that he may have set the record for the all-time shortest home invasion.

The thing to remember is that crooks tend to visualize what is going to happen much like we have encouraged armed citizens to do. The only trouble is that the crook’s visualization tends to take the form of fantasy. They see themselves as super tough and they see you, the citizen, as standing there with your mouth open and your hands up.

We can often turn the tables on the criminal by doing the unexpected. Instead of freezing, we jump right in their face. We throw something at them. We shove furniture in their way. We run at them instead of away from them. In short we do anything that will throw them off balance and give us time to get our defensive firearm into action.

The real key is to not only do the unexpected, but to do it quickly. And don’t hesitate. It is a good idea to keep in mind that the crook has started the ball rolling, and it is OK for you to get as aggressive as you need to.  “Cloud up and rain on him” is an old saying that seems particularly fitting. Just like the bobcat that jumped on the porcupine…he needs to realize that he has taken on more of a task than he ever expected. Think outside the box and turn his day into the worst one he’s ever had.

Be aware of your surroundings and all of the defensive tools that may be at hand. True personal defense comes from between the ears, not from the gun on the hip. Do the unexpected and wreck his day!

Intruder shot by homeowner in Gardnerville

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has identified the suspect who was shot early Wednesday morning after authorities said he broke into a home on Alicia Circle and Tilman Lane in Gardnerville.

The sheriff’s office said the homeowner confronted Christian Gorham around 4 a.m. and shot him. The homeowner detained Gorham until authorities arrived. Gorham was taken to Carson Valley Medical Center and treated and released.

He was booked into the Minden Jail for Burglary.

The sheriff’s office said they do not believe the incident is related to a trespassing shooting that happened Tuesday, May 4 in Wellington.

Intruder shot, killed after kicking in door, charging occupant with a knife

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — On May 4 just after 5 p.m., Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 8400-block of James Taylor Lane in reference to a disturbance complaint where someone had been shot.

Once on scene, deputies found a 54-year old male deceased from an apparent gunshot wound to the head. The residents inside the home told investigators the man kicked in the front door, and once inside, he armed himself with a knife, yelling he was there to harm his children’s mother. He went room to room searching and threatening the occupants who had retreated to a bedroom in the rear of the house. He then confronted a woman in the rear bedroom, who, fearing for her life, shot the man twice.

At the time of the incident, the suspect had an active domestic violence injunction filed on him. He was also reportedly on his way to anger management treatment when the incident took place.

***WARNING: This video contains extremely graphic language, profanity and violence.***

Since the deadhead took a sizeable amount of time kicking the door in, I actually expected the video to show the guy getting whacked by the lady cutting loose on him just as he entered the house.

NW OKC Business Owner Shoots At Suspect After Armed Robbery, Pistol Whipped

KLAHOMA CITY – A good Samaritan helped Oklahoma City police track down a suspected armed robber. Police said Christopher Parker, 19, was arrested shortly after he held up a business near Northwest 63rd Street and Meridian Avenue last week. Investigators continued to look for Parker’s accomplice.
The owner of the auto shop that is tucked behind a northwest Oklahoma City strip mall was still shaken up days after the robbery. He came face-to-face with the armed and masked suspect.

Near the end of the day last Friday, the owner of Flash Auto Repair and his employee were confronted by an unwelcome guest. Parker was caught on a security camera approaching the business from a neighborhood to the west.

He ran into the garage and allegedly demanded money and pistol whipped the owner.

“The victim’s actually thought it wasn’t a real gun and while they complied with the demands, the suspect shot multiple times into the air,” said Sgt. Megan Morgan, Oklahoma City Police Department.

Scared for his life, the employee ran to another business for help. The owner went for his gun and ran after Parker. The owner said he fired back at Parker but missed the teen as he sprinted back to the neighborhood where his getaway driver was parked.

People in the area heard the gunshots and called 911………

The witness was able to get their tag information that later led police to Parker.

“He was booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center on multiple counts to include armed robbery,” said Morgan.

Police investigating home invasion and fatal shooting

ROWAN COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) – Police are investigating a home invasion that turned into a deadly shooting.

At 1:17 a.m. on Thursday, Kentucky State Police in Morehead received a call from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Department about a home invasion on Dawson Way.

Troopers say detectives learned Cody Elliott, 27, from Hillsboro, and another man went inside a residence. Elliott and other people inside fired several shots.

Elliott was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries.

Donavan Kilburn, 21, from Clearfield, was also hurt in the shooting incident. He was taken to the hospital. Kilburn lives at the home where the shooting happened.

Rowan County EMS and the Morehead Police Department also responded.

Learn to Think like Someone who Chose to be Unarmed

People in the gun culture often express amazement about people who want them disarmed. They ascribe the desire to hostility and malice. It may be true for a minority of those who actively wish for a disarmed population.  A significant number, likely a majority, have made a voluntary decision to be unarmed.

It is important to know your opponent and to understand their motives.

Three years ago, this correspondent wrote an essay on how to understand people who want a disarmed population. It was popular, but did not appear on AmmoLand.

I have updated the essay for current conditions.

There is an easy way to understand people who wish you to be unarmed.

It takes a little discipline. You may have  a little mental discomfort. It is not particularly difficult.  For the ability to understand the other, assume you have deliberately chosen to be unarmed.

Choosing to be armed is more difficult. It requires action. It requires training. It requires an investment in money and time. You think about unpleasant realities and plan for unpleasant possibilities. You devote time and money to be armed. A higher level of responsibility is required.

Once you internalize the decision to be unarmed, arguments on the other side become understandable. The voluntarily unarmed people we are attempting to understand are those who have moved from the decision to be unarmed, to the policy statement “guns are bad”.

Armed people have a power advantage over unarmed people. People do not want others to have a power advantage over them. It makes them uncomfortable. To prevent this, the voluntarily unarmed often want everyone else to be unarmed.

It is why many who are voluntarily unarmed dislike concealed carry, but violently abhor open carry. Open carry presents them with a reality they cannot easily ignore. It destroys their comfortable fantasy.

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Gun Standoff Ensues During Protest Between BLM Activists And Restaurant Patrons Who Just Weren’t Having It

Black Lives Matter activists and patrons brandished guns at each other after a demonstration entered a restaurant’s dining area Saturday evening in Louisville, Kentucky, according to police.

Approximately 50 protesters stopped at La Chasse restaurant and began to harass restaurant patrons, according to a Twitter video. Video footage captured a man pointing his gun at the protestors from the outdoor dining area, the Courier Journal reported.

An unidentified woman was filmed as she physically moved protesters away and shooed them from the restaurant tables. Several protesters took videos on their phones as she repeatedly shouted “keep going” and gestured them to move away from an armed man.

The Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) arrived at the restaurant at about 8:35 p.m., five minutes after the protesters arrived, the Courier Journal reported. La Chasse restaurant is about five miles northeast of Churchill Downs, according to TheBlaze.

LMPD said to Daily Caller that they received a call from a restaurant employee about a group of protesters. The employee also told police “that multiple armed protesters entered the … outdoor dining space. During the encounter both patrons and protesters brandished firearms.”

About 20 minutes prior to the confrontation at La Chasse, police officers arrested at least three protesters for refusing to leave the roadway, Courier Journal reported.

7 REASONS WHY SHOTGUNS ARE GREAT FOR HOME DEFENSE

Shotguns – versatile, easy to operate, and powerful. They just may be the perfect home defense firearm. Some shotguns are specifically designed for home defense purposes, while others can pull double duty as a hunting gun or sporting clay gun. Further, there are plenty of affordable shotguns for home defense, making them an ideal choice for someone on a budget. You just need to pick the one that’s right for you and practical for your needs.

For instance, it’s easy to fall in love with the classic look of double-barrel shotguns, but they have some serious drawbacks. The over/under or side-by-side shotguns generally hold only two shells at a time, whereas a semiautomatic shotgun can hold upwards of six or more at a time, depending on the model and design. Double barrels can still be effective, but you need to train to overcome these limitations.

Mossberg 500 Home Defense
For home defense, you may want to explore shotguns that offer higher capacities like this Mossberg 500. (Photo: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)

Since shotguns are also very common, you may already own one that’s just sitting in your safe waiting for hunting season, so let’s explore some reason why these guns are good for home defense.

Here are seven great reasons why shotguns are good for home defense:

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Suspect in Ardmore dispensary robbery shot dead

ARDMORE, Okla. (KXII) – A suspect is dead after getting shot during an armed robbery at an Ardmore dispensary.

It happened around 8 p.m. Friday at the Highest Choice dispensary on Grand Avenue and H Street in Ardmore.

Police say the suspect went inside armed with a handgun, and the employee got out a gun. They say shots were fired and the suspect was shot and died on scene.

Police arrested a woman who was in the suspect’s car, Melissa Love . She was booked into the Carter County Jail for conspiracy to commit robbery. Police say the employee was not injured.

The suspect’s identity isn’t being released at this time.

Woman shoots man in the head to defend herself according to Colorado Springs Police

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Colorado Springs Police were called to a shooting early Friday morning.

It was about 2 in the morning when a man called 911 claiming he was shot in the head. This happened in the 5000 block of Ridenour Dr. just northwest of the Colorado Springs Airport on the southeast side of the city.

According to police, the investigation revealed the man had strangled the woman and threatened to kill her. The woman was able to get a gun and shot the man one time, “fearing for her life,” according to police.

The suspect, Morgan Chess, survived the shooting and was taken into custody. The woman was released after she was questioned by detectives. The woman and man knew each other, 11 News is choosing not to share the relationship between the two to help keep the victim’s identity from the public.

The incident remains under investigation

Man trying to burglarize Ocala home held at gunpoint by homeowner

A woman held a man at gunpoint after he tried breaking into her residence, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office reported. The man was arrested once deputies arrived.

The homeowner said she was in her residence, located off Southwest Second Place, when she heard a noise by her back door. The woman said she grabbed her handgun and confronted the would-be burglar.

The woman said the man ran and she followed him. She told deputies she fired a warning shot into the ground. The suspect went into a vehicle that was on the victim’s property. She called deputies.

When deputies arrived, the man refused to come out; instead, he hid under a rug. Deputies managed to get the man out. He ran and was subdued with a Taser. The man, later identified as Domonique Travion Hargraves, 28, of Tallahassee, was handcuffed by deputies.

Hargraves faces several charges including loitering and prowling, trespass and resisting an officer without violence.

As of Wednesday, Hargraves remained at the Marion County Jail with bail set at $7,500.

For your contemplation.

The Need for Combative Skills as a Handgunner

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard the same outrageous quip: “I would just shoot’em.” Or, equally troubling, “I carry a gun so I don’t need to fight.” This will ruffle some feathers, but if you carry a gun so that you don’t need to know how to fight, the gun is a talisman rather than a tool. The operative word in “gunfight” is fight, not gun. A firearm is only a force multiplier, a tool to more effectively accomplish a given task. In the world of violence and personal protection, relatively few tasks fall into the scope of where the firearm is justifiable in use. The gun should be a tool in the overall defensive toolbox, not the toolbox. Unfortunately, many gun carriers lose sight of this and focus too heavily on the particular tool.

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Concealed-carry permit holder acquitted in fatal shooting at Far East Side gas station

A Franklin County jury decided Friday that a 32-year-old man with a concealed-carry permit was acting in self defense when he fatally shot another man during a confrontation at a Far East Side gas station.

Nehemiah Martin of the Far East Side was acquitted of murder charges in the Jan. 22 shooting death of 31-year-old Brandon Clark.

The jury deliberated for less than three hours before returning the not-guilty verdict to Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Colleen O’Donnell.

Although murder cases rarely go to trial in less than a year even without the Covid-19 pandemic, Martin refused to waive his statutory right to a speedy trial while in jail on a $1 million bond, which meant prosecutors had to bring the case to trial within 90 days.

“Nehimah was in jail on a sky-high bond,” his attorney, Sam Shamansky, told The Dispatch. “We felt that we would be fully available to proceed within the speedy trial guidelines and felt a delay would be prejudicial to my client. Usually the passage of time works to the benefit of the defendant, so this was counterintuitive.”

Shamansky, a veteran Columbus defense attorney, said he has never tried a murder case so soon after the date of the incident.

Testimony during the weeklong trial revealed that Martin went to the Shell station in the 5900 block of East Main Street, near McNaughten Road, on Jan. 22 for a pre-arranged meeting to pick up his twin boys from the children’s mother.

Martin testified that he was trying to remove the children from their car seats when he was assaulted by Clark, the mother’s live-in boyfriend, who had accompanied her to the gas station.

Martin, who was lawfully carrying a concealed handgun, said he was being beaten so savagely by Clark that he pulled his gun and fired one shot in self-defense.

Clark was struck in the abdomen. He was transported in critical condition to Mount Carmel East hospital, where he died the next morning.

After the shooting, Martin went to his grandmother’s house, where Columbus police arrested him after he called 911 to report the incident.

The mother of Martin’s twin boys testified against him and in support of her late boyfriend during the trial.

Clark had been released from prison just four months before his death after serving a six-year sentence for a kidnapping conviction in Franklin County, court records show.

3 suspects held off in home invasion when mother unlocks gun in Walled Lake

FOX 2 – Intruders broke into a family’s Walled Lake home in the middle of the night. A mother jumped into action to protect her children.

The woman got the family’s gun out, as they waited for police to arrive to protect her children. Police ended up arresting the three suspects, while tense moments were caught on video inside.

In the video you see two young boys wake up suddenly just after midnight on Monday. Their father had just left the family home near South Commerce Road and Indianwood Trail when his wife calls him to say that someone was breaking in.

Three suspects – two men and a woman kicked in the family’s front door with several dogs in tow.

On the video, you can see one of the man’s sons picks up a phone to call 911.

This husband and father remained on the phone with his wife rushing back home but said he overheard “We’re going to kill you (n-word).”

That’s when this man says he told his wife to “get the gun.”

Moments later that gun goes off and you see on video the two boys ages 9, and 13, run for cover………

Myrtle Beach homeowner shoots at burglary suspect

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — The Myrtle Beach Police Department is investigating after a homeowner in Myrtle Beach shot at a burglary suspect Monday morning.

Police responded to a home on Beach Drive around 5:30 a.m. to reports of a burglary, according to a report.

Officers spoke with the victim that said the suspect, who is listed as 15, was last seen heading southbound on Beach Drive when he fired his revolver-style pistol while he was outside.

The victim told police he does not believe he hit the suspect and there was no blood trail that indicates the suspect was hit.

After doing a security sweep outside of the home, police determined there were no other suspects on the scene.

The victim provided officers with video footage and consent to search the home.

Investigations are ongoing.

 

19-year-old shot and killed in Rock Hill, officials said shooting was in self-defense

ROCK HILL, S.C. — A disorderly call to an apartment on Saturday morning left a 19-year-old shot and dead, Rock Hill Police Department said. Officials said the shooting was in result of self-defense and the defense of others.

On April 24 around 4:30 a.m. police received a disorderly call to an apartment in the 1500 block of Eagles Place. While on the way to the apartment, officers received information that a shooting had occurred.

Once on the scene officers located a 19-year-old male with two gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

“It definitely gives me an uneasy feeling,” neighbor Ben Cagle said.

During the initial investigation process, officials learned the 19-year-old allegedly initiated a verbal altercation with others in the apartment. Authorities said the altercation then escalated when the 19-year-old began assaulting those in the apartment and threatened to kill them. The 19-year-old strangled a male who he assaulted, officials said, and was then shot by another person in the apartment in an attempt to stop the attack.

Officers said the 19-year-old then turned and started strangling a female in the apartment. He was then shot a second time, then collapsed.

“It’s usually pretty quiet around here, everyone usually just minds their own business and goes about their day. I talk to my neighbors every once and awhile but other than that it’s business as usual,” Cagle said.

Rock Hill investigators said after conducting interviews to collect details of the incident, they reached out to the York County Solicitors Office and it was determined the shooting was in self-defense and the defense of others.

Those involved in the incident will not be charged.

Hartsgrove Township homeowner shoots 26-year-old armed robber in the chest

HARTSGROVE TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WOIO) – A 26-year-old Ashtabula man who opened fire during an armed robbery is in critical condition after the homeowner shot him, the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.

Sheriff William Niemi said deputies were called to the 6000 block of Hurlburt Road just before 8 p.m. on Thursday for a report of a shooting.

The preliminary investigation determined the man and two other individuals went to the home to retrieve some property, according to Niemi.

The man went into the home with a gun and demanded his property, the sheriff said.

A short time later, witnesses who stayed outside heard a series of gunshots before the man ran out with his hand on his stomach, Niemi said.

The sheriff said investigators believe the man fired at the homeowner before he was shot.

Niemi said the man actually suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and was driven to the Windsor Township Fire Department where he was treated before being flown to University Hospitals in Cleveland.

According to Niemi, he was listed in critical condition, but is stable and expected to recover.

No arrests have been made in this ongoing investigation.

Carrying a gun saved my life

I write in response to the April 18 letter from Max Schreiber of Cedar Falls. He laments the recent gun laws in Iowa. He said the Founding Fathers wrote the Second Amendment when firearms were single shot muzzle loaders. So, you are saying the only weapons that fall under the Second Amendment are ones in use in the 18th century? I guess that would also apply the First Amendment. This is the one that protects (not gives) your right to express your opinion. I would imagine you expressed it on a computer. Sorry, those weren’t around in the 18th century, so you had no right to express that opinion.

I have had a carry permit for over 36 years. I have never broken a law with my guns. I once had my life saved because I was carrying a revolver when I caught a guy trying to break into my house. I never even pointed it at him. My training kicked in and the sight of it made him want to leave.

I will continue to carry weapons to protect me and my family. If that scares you I suggest you go to a safe room.

Jim Whitmer, Waterloo

Man acted in self-defense in fatal motel shooting

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Deputies with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office say a fatal shooting near Siegen Lane Saturday night was an act of self-defense.

According to EBRSO, Aaron Hudson, was shot and killed by Kenneth Jobbers April 24.

The shooting happened at Motel 6 on Rieger Road around 7:45 p.m.

Allegedly, Hudson began questioning Jobbers about dealing drugs in his area.

Deputies say Hudson then entered Jobbers’ motel room and pulled out a gun.

Jobbers allegedly retrieved his own gun and shot Hudson.

At this time, the alleged shooter is not being charged for the homicide.

He was arrested on other charges including possession of marijuana and possession of schedule I drugs.

No charges to be filed in deadly New Albany shooting
Prosecutor Chris Lane said Friday the person who shot John Robertson was acting in self defense

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – No charges will be filed following the shooting death of a man in New Albany last weekend.

Police and prosecutors said they believe the person that killed 42-year-old John Anthony Robertson was acting in self-defense.

Floyd County Prosecutor Chris Lane said Friday the victim in the case is actually the woman who pulled the trigger, saying she acted in defense of herself and her family.

“This is the worst outcome possible, and now this family is torn asunder,” Lane said.

Police said Robertson was shot and killed Sunday.

On Friday, the Floyd County Prosecutor’s office laid out the facts of the case, saying there would be no charges filed.

Chief Deputy Prosecutor Evan Bardach said Robertson was the instigator in a fight that took place in the home of a former partner of his. Robertson got physical with his juvenile son, punching him and his ex-partner’s daughter in the face. Bardach added that Robertson also was biting the face of the woman who lived there.

When the fight moved outside, the woman grabbed a gun that was in Robertson’s waistband and shot it four times, hitting Robertson three times.

 

Oklahoma bill signed into law to protect drivers who strike protesters

On Wednesday, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed a bill into law that will provide more protection for drivers who unintentionally injure or kill protesters while fleeing from a riot.

On April 21, Stitt signed House Bill 1674 into law, effective November 1, 2021.

The new law states that:

A motor vehicle operator who unintentionally causes injury or death to an individual shall not be criminally or civilly liable for the injury or death, if:

1. The injury or death of the individual occurred while the motor vehicle operator was fleeing from a riot, as defined in Section 1311 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes, under a reasonable belief that fleeing was necessary to protect the motor vehicle operator from serious injury or death; and
2. The motor vehicle operator exercised due care at the time of the death or injury.

House Bill 1674 also makes unlawfully obstructing a roadway a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $5000.

Rep. Kevin West, who authored House Bill 1674, explained why he created the legislation.

“Last summer, during the height of violent riots that were sweeping the nation, resulting in loss of life and millions of dollars in property damage, a motorist in Oklahoma traveling with his wife and two school-aged children was surrounded by aggressive protestors in the roadway,” West said. “The protestors beat at his truck and threw things at it, scaring both him and his family. The driver was severely chastised for trying to hurt the protesters and he even faced the possibility of criminal charges for his actions in attempting to evade the protestors. This measure would clarify a motorist’s rights in a similar situation going forward. It also would clarify punishments for rioters acting illegally to impede traffic or seeking harm of other individuals during the course of a riot.”………..

 

Armed Civilian Saves Walmart Security Guard.

An armed civilian saved a security guard from being seriously injured or killed on Saturday in Indiana when he shot at a shoplifter who was holding the guard at gunpoint.

The civilian, who is licensed to carry a gun, was shopping at a Walmart in Beech Grove, Ind., when he noticed a scuffle between the guard and the suspect. The guard tried to apprehend the suspect for shoplifting but could not restrain him. The guard then called police to assist, but before they could arrive, the suspect drew a gun and pointed it at him.

That’s when the good Samaritan drew his own gun and fired three shots at the suspect, which caused him to turn away from the security guard and flee the area. The suspect didn’t get far: Another bystander tackled him as he tried to escape.

“Most of the time, civilians and community members call us when they need us,” officer Samone Burris, a spokesperson for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, told WIBC. “So, it is phenomenal that when we needed the community, they were right there with us.”

The armed civilian’s intervention highlights the common but rarely covered reality that Americans use firearms to defend themselves in the real world—often without injuries or even shots fired. Academic surveys have estimated the number of defensive gun uses may be as high as 2.5 million per year. A 2013 survey ordered by the Centers for Disease Control found defensive gun use was significantly more common than violent crimes involving guns.

Police arrived shortly after the ordeal and arrested the suspect, who has two prior warrants, according to WTHR. There were no reports of any injuries.

“It definitely does our hearts good that nobody was injured during this altercation,” officer Burris told WRTV. “We thank the public that witnessed what was going on and jumped into action with us.”