Category: Self Defense

SKYROCKETING MURDERS IN MAJOR CITIES UNDERSCORE GUN CONTROL DISASTER

BELLEVUE, WA – Skyrocketing murder rates in several major American cities with strict gun laws offer hard evidence that gun control isn’t just a failed policy, it’s a disaster, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms said today.

More than 700 people have been murdered in Chicago so far this year. Baltimore’s total is above 335, and Philadelphia has logged more than 450 slayings. Even relatively benign Seattle has nearly doubled the number of homicides it reported for all of 2019, a fact not lost on CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb. So far this year, the Jet City has seen 55 murders, while 2019 produced 28 slayings.

“Seattle is a textbook example of horribly failed policies,” Gottlieb said. “The city council just slashed the police department’s budget following months of civil unrest, vandalism, property destruction and rising crime. Five years ago, the city adopted a gun and ammunition tax to finance a so-called ‘gun violence reduction’ program that drove business out of the city and obviously hasn’t prevented any violent crime. The city adopted a ‘safe storage’ mandate for gun owners. It has also obviously failed, and is currently being challenged in court by the Second Amendment Foundation and National Rifle Association.

“Ironically,” he noted, “the city is headquarters to a billionaire-backed gun prohibition lobbying group that has bankrolled two extremist gun control initiatives. The rising body count is proof positive their anti-gun-rights crusade has been an unmitigated failure.”

CCRKBA checked Seattle homicide data back more than a decade. Over the 12-year period from 2008 to 2019, the city averaged just over 24 slayings annually.

“It’s time for the gun control lobby to admit its schemes have all failed, and for the city, and the state, to change course dramatically,” Gottlieb said. “Laws that penalize honest citizens while being ignored by criminals don’t accomplish anything and they should be scrapped.

“Seattle anti-gunners like to boast about how progressive they are,” he observed. “If doubling the number of murders is their idea of progress, maybe we should all go back to living in log cabins.”

CCRKBA Director of Operations Julianne Versnel said there may be a “silver lining” to Seattle’s foolish response of cutting police funding and pushing stricter gun control.

“People living in adjoining communities will see criminals going into Seattle to commit crimes,” she said, “and leave suburbs alone.”

Resident of Home Shoots and Kills Armed Suspect in the 17600 block of Fenton

DETROIT, MI – On Monday, November 30th, 2020, at approximately 7:00 p.m., in the 17600 block of Fenton, the 22-year-old male suspect, armed with a long gun, entered a home without permission.

Once inside, he confronted an occupant of the home at gunpoint. At some point during the incident, the resident, who is a CPL holder, produced his handgun and fired multiple shots at the 22-year-old male suspect, striking and fatally wounding him.

Medics responded to the location and pronounced the 22-year-old man dead at the scene. Officers recovered both weapons from the scene.

The homeowner was detained for questioning. The circumstances surrounding this incident are still being investigated.

Detroit woman shoots home invader in attic after warning

Detroit — A 19-year-old man was shot in the leg Tuesday night on Detroit’s east side by a homeowner who allegedly found him in her attic, police said.

Shots were fired about 9 p.m. in a home on the 16600 block of Fairmont, said Latrice Crawford, a spokeswoman for Detroit Police Department. That’s north of East State Fair and west of Kelly.

A man was allegedly spotted on surveillance camera entering the home earlier in the day, but was never seen inside or found.

That night, the homeowner, 38, heard noises. She grabbed a gun and moved toward the sound.

It was coming from the attic.

Police say she entered the attic and warned whoever was there to show themselves. When he did not, and she saw movement, she fired and struck the man.

When officers arrived, they applied a tourniquet and then medics transported him to a hospital. He is listed in stable condition and is in police custody.

When medically able, police will transport him to Detroit Detention Center.

Carjacking victim shoots, kills 14-year-old suspect in Jennings

JENNINGS — A 14-year-old boy suspected in an attempted carjacking has died after being shot by the car’s owner, police said Monday. The boy was identified as Damaurio Thomas of the 5100 block of Lexington Avenue in St. Louis.

The attempted robbery occurred at 9301 Lewis and Clark Boulevard in Jennings, on the parking lot of a gas station. Police were notified about 3:45 p.m. Sunday and found the car’s owner and Damaurio near Jennings Station Road and Lewis and Clark Boulevard. Police said the man who fired the fatal shot was 53 years old. He was taken into custody by police and was cooperating with investigators, St. Louis County police Sgt. Benjamin Granda said.

Damaurio had an accomplice who got away, authorities said. Police have not released a description of the accomplice. After being shot, Damaurio tried to run away but was found by officers near the scene suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was taken to a hospital where Granda said he died hours later.

Granda said police recovered guns from the man and the boy. He said it wasn’t clear if the suspects fired a weapon.

The man’s car was a Cadillac CTS and officers “believe the suspects entered the vehicle but did not leave the property in it,” Granda said in an email.

Suspect in attempted carjacking dies after being shot by motorist, hit by vehicle in Compton

A man suspected in a carjacking attempt in Compton died after being shot by the intended victim and then run over by at least one vehicle Sunday night, authorities said.

Deputies responded to the intersection of Compton Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue shortly after 8:30 p.m. when someone reported hearing gunshots in the area. A man was found lying in the intersection and pronounced dead at the scene, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department stated in a news release. The unidentified man had at least one gunshot wound and had apparently been struck by at least one vehicle, according to the release.

Investigators believe the man, who was armed with a handgun, had tried to carjack a vehicle that was stopped for a red light when he was shot by the motorist. The shooter stayed at the scene and was talking to investigators, Sheriff’s Department Lt. Alfred said.

It was unclear whether the suspect was hit by one or more vehicles. The driver or drivers did not remain at the scene, Alfred said. Officials have not determined whether the man’s death was the result of the gunfire or being struck by a vehicle.

It’s also unknown if the motorist who shot the suspect was legally carrying their firearm.

Philadelphia customer walks in on robbery at takeout restaurant, shoots suspect dead

A customer who walked into a robbery happening at a Philadelphia takeout restaurant shot and killed the armed suspect and will likely not face charges, authorities said.

Police said three employees were inside the Wingstop in northeast Philadelphia Sunday when a 53-year-old man walked in wearing a mask and gloves around 10:30 p.m. The suspect allegedly pointed a gun at them and demanded the employees hand over the money from the cash register drawer.

Investigators said that’s when a customer, identified by police only as a man in his late 20s, walked in talking on the phone, likely not noticing a robbery was taking place, WPVI reported.

The suspect then turned and pointed his firearm at the customer, demanding he turn over his cell phone.

The customer pulled his own gun and fired one shot at the perpetrator, striking him in the neck, said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident remains under investigation and police are reviewing surveillance video.

The customer remained at the scene and was cooperating with authorities. He is not expected to face criminal charges.

“The customer who was also a victim because he had the gun pointed at him remained on scene, did cooperate with police,” Small said, according to KYW-TV. “We do have his weapon we know that just one shot was fired from that customer.”

Robbery suspect fatally shot by victim in Lauderdale Lakes

LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla. – A man was fatally shot by the victim he was trying to rob last week in Lauderdale Lakes, authorities said.

According to Broward Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Carey Codd, the unidentified man and another suspect, identified as Litanis Alcira, 41, of Margate, committed an armed robbery around 10:30 p.m. last Friday in the 3900 block of Northwest 34th Way.

Codd said one of the robbery victims fired his gun and shot Alcira’s accomplice.

Alcira drove the man away from the scene and called 911, Codd said.

She said deputies responded, as well as Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue personnel.

The man who was shot was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died.

Alcira was arrested on charges of murder and two counts of armed robbery.

The case will be forwarded to the Broward County State Attorney’s Office to review the circumstances of the shooting by the robbery victim, Codd said.

Resident shoots 2 suspects in Lynchburg home invasion

The Lynchburg Police Department is investigating a home invasion that occurred on Wooldridge Circle early Wednesday morning, Nov. 25.

According to police, at 1:40 a.m., officers responded to the 100-block of Wooldridge Circle for a report of a burglary in progress.

They say two men knocked on a residence and assaulted the resident before trying to enter the home. The resident shot both suspects who suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

27-year-old James Franklin of Roanoke is charged with breaking and entering and assault and battery and 26-year-old Alan Douglas Mould of Lynchburg is charged with breaking and entering and assault and battery.

 

Clerk shoots robbery suspect in Tuscumbia

TUSCUMBIA, Ala. — A robbery suspect was airlifted to Huntsville Hospital Monday after being shot at a Tuscumbia gas station, police said.

Tuscumbia Police Chief Tony Logan said the robbery happened at the Fuel City on Highway 72 around 11 a.m. A clerk shot the suspect as he was trying to get away, Logan said.

The clerk, Miranda Mullins, told News 19 she was suspicious of the man when he came into the store because he had his hood up and was wearing sunglasses.

Mullins said the man demanded money at gunpoint. As he was leaving, Mullins said she pulled a gun from under the counter and shot him in the shoulder.

The suspect got into a vehicle with a woman, who drove off and then was involved in a wreck at Avalon and Montgomery avenues, near Helen Keller Hospital, Chief Logan said. The woman was not injured in the crash, he said.

The suspect was airlifted from Helen Keller to Huntsville Hospital. His condition was not immediately available Monday afternoon.

Mullins continued working her shift after the incident.

Authorities are investigating the possibility that the suspect is connected to other armed robberies across the Shoals.

Robbery Attempt Leaves One Man Dead

One man is dead and another was shot after an apparent home invasion and robbery attempt went bad early Saturday morning in Elk City.

25-year-old Isaiah Johnson was arrested Sunday on a complaint of second degree murder for his role in the crime.

According to authorities with the Elk City Police Department the shooting took place inside a home in the 600 block of N. Watkins. The home owner would tell police that two men, Johnson and 39-year-old Samuel Castro Junior had entered his home and approached the victim in his bedroom. He would say that Castro would point a gun at his head and demanded money. Fearing for his life, the homeowner would successfully overpower and take the gun from Castro and stated that he shot Castro multiple times until he fell to the floor. Castro died at the scene. The homeowner stated that Johnson would flee the home.

Later, police were contacted by the Great Plains Regional Medical Center to report a man that was being treated for a gunshot wound to the chest and arm. The man, Johnson, was treated and released to the Elk City Police where he was transported to the Elk City Police Department for questioning.

Police say after a lengthy interview, Johnson would allegedly confess the he knew that Castro had a handgun before entering into the home. Johnson would tell police that he was inside the room where the shooting occurred and would flee the scene after being shot in the chest and arm. He stated that he then walked to the hospital for treatment.

Johnson is currently being held in the Elk City Jail on a $1 million bond.

And with the states where the citizenry doesn’t need to have a permit to carry concealed, the author gets the point that this is is a minimal number.

There Are Nearly 20 Million Concealed Carry Permit Holders in USA

There are nearly 20 million concealed carry permit holders in the United States and perhaps untold millions more who carry every day in the 16 states that don’t require such permits.

The NRA-ILA reported figures from the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) showing there are over 19.48 million concealed carry permit holders in the USA, including 820,000 permit holders who were added in 2019 alone.

The near-20 million permit holders represent a 34 percent increase over 2016 figures.

In 14 states, more than ten percent of the adult population has a permit to carry. Those states are Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia.

On November 2, 2020, Breitbart News reported that October was the tenth consecutive month of record firearm background checks. That means every month in 2020, beginning with January, set a record for the most background checks performed in that given month.

In other words, more checks were performed in January 2020 than in any January on record, and more in February than any February on record, and more in March, and in April, and so on, all the way through October.

On November 17, 2020, Breitbart News reported National Shooting Sports Foundation numbers showing Americans own a total of 434 million firearms.

 

75-year-old Meals-On-Wheels driver shoots teen in self-defense in Northeast Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — A 75-year-old Meals-On-Wheels driver shot a teen in self-defense during an alleged robbery, police say.

The shooting occurred around 11:10 a.m. on Nov. 20 in the 1200 block of East 18th Street.

Columbus Police said one of the teens, a 14-year-old, pulled out a gun while the other, believed to be 15-years-old, entered his car and stole the driver’s cell phone and wallet.

The driver pulled out his legally-owned gun and shot the 14-year-old.

Medics arrived and transported the teen to Nationwide Children’s Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

The 14-year-old has a criminal record for similar crimes. Police said the boy was arrested in August of 2020 for Theft of a Motor Vehicle, a felony, and in July of 2020 for two counts of Robbery and Kidnapping, both felonies.

Police are not charging the driver, but are charging the 14-year-old. Officers are still searching for the other suspect who fled the scene.

LifeCare Alliance President and CEO Charles Gehring sent a note to LifeCare Alliance stakeholders Friday afternoon.

According to what we know,” Gehring said, “he is legally allowed to carry the weapon and, again, the young person pulled a gun on our driver. Our driver was not hurt and is home and resting. Like all of our drivers, he passed our extensive background checks.

Man shot and killed after breaking into Phoenix apartment

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) — A 22-year-old man is dead after breaking into an apartment in Phoenix.

Phoenix police said officers responded to a shooting call in the area of 40th Street and Thomas Road around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

When officers arrived on the scene, they learned 22-year-old Luis Romero allegedly forced entry into the apartment of a man who was known to him.

According to police, Romero was shot by the resident of the apartment. The 22-year-old man was transported to an area hospital where he died from his injuries.

The man who lived in the apartment remained on the scene and cooperated with police.

Texas already has something similar to this

Tennessee bill would allow use of deadly force for a property crime

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The law in Tennessee is clear: You can use deadly force only in self-defense if you fear for your life or someone else’s, but, what if you could shoot someone who stole from you?

For now — that would be a felony. But a new bill expands the uses of deadly force.

“I think the last year has raised a lot of questions in Tennessee about whether you can use force or deadly force,” said John Harris, executive director of the Tennessee Firearms Association.

Harris said the thinks the destructive demonstrations and looting at the Davidson County Courthouse and the businesses along Lower Broadway this past May raised some concerns.

Now State Representative Jay Reedy has filed a bill that would allow a person to use deadly force to protect their property.

Harris said with police occupied elsewhere, store owners, for instance, under current law could not use lethal force to stop looting, and people are tired of it. Continue reading “”

Ohio Senate Approves Armed School Staff Legislation

There are already dozens of school districts across the state of Ohio that have armed school staff in place, but a lawsuit filed with the help of Everytown for Gun Safety is putting the legality of thousands of vetted and trained school staff in jeopardy. Parents in the Madison school district argue that under Ohio law, teachers and staff need to have the exact same training as police officers before they can legally carry, and the issue is currently before the state Supreme Court.

Lawmakers in the Buckeye State aren’t waiting for the court to decide if the current statutes allow for districts to determine their own training policies for armed school staff. On Wednesday, the state Senate approved legislation that specifically authorizes school staffers to carry without going through hundreds of hours of peace officer training.

State Sen. Bill Coley, a Butler County Republican sponsoring the bill, said the “court went off the reservation” with its ruling. The legislation, he said, would ensure that “school districts in my area of the state can have the same rights that all of your school districts in your areas of the state have.”

Gun-rights groups, including the National Rifle Association, have expressed support for SB 317, arguing local education officials should be allowed to determine the best policies for ensuring their schools are safe. The Madison Local School District put its policy in place after a 14-year-old student opened fire at Madison Junior-Senior High School in 2016, injuring four.

Several Democratic senators spoke against the legislation prior to the bill’s passage in the GOP-dominated Senate. They argued that the bill is unwanted by most Ohioans and makes schools less safe.

“No child in Ohio should have to worry about if there is a gun at school, or if the person with the gun has had proper training,” said state Sen. Hearcel Craig, a Columbus Democrat.

First off, no teacher or staff member in Ohio is carrying without first volunteering, being vetted, and then undergoing several days of training, typically through the Ohio FASTER program, which focuses specifically on stopping armed threats at school. Educators not only learn how to respond to an attack with their lawfully-carried firearm, but they learn de-escalation techniques, first aid, and other strategies to deal with an active assailant and the aftermath. Continue reading “”

Man shot, killed after firing round into home near Tropicana, Pecos

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Authorities say a man was shot and killed after he fired a gun into a home in the southeast valley Monday morning, according to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police.

The incident was reported around 4:15 a.m. in the 3600 block of Villa Knolls East, near Tropicana Avenue and Pecos Road, Lt. Ray Spencer said.

Officers arrived and found a man, who was pronounced dead at the scene

Texas Anti-Gunners File Many Bills

At least 16 gun control bills have already been filed for the upcoming Texas Legislative Session beginning in January, setting the stage for a contentious battle over the gun rights of private citizens.

One of the bills is HB 196, filed by Irving State Representative Terry Meza.  Her bill would remove a homeowner’s legal right under the Castle Doctrine to use a firearm in the defense of their homestead against an intruder.  Meza believes homeowners are too quick to pull the trigger during a home invasion, and HB 196 would essentially gut that provision from the Castle Doctrine.

“I’m not condoning stealing, it is against the law, “Meza says, “but it’s not an offense that is punishable by death.”

Meza claims she’s already become the target of intense scrutiny online.

“People are already attacking me on Facebook saying I’m against the 2nd Amendment,” she says.

Meza says a homeowner would still be able to defend their life, but using a gun would be illegal, thus placing the homeowner in legal jeopardy.

Critics point to what is often a slow response time from police, and argue that there’s very little time to determine whether a person who has broken into a home is there simply to steal, or to commit acts of violence.

Other gun control bills awaiting the next session include:

  • HB 152 and HB 245 would ban the private sale of firearms at gun shows;
  • HB 238 would eliminate the state’s firearm preemption, allowing local governments such as the Austin City Council to pass local gun bans and regulations as they see fit;
  • HB 201 would ban Campus Carry;
  • HB 127 would ban the open carry of long rifles;
  • HB 236 would overhaul the 30.06 and 30.07 signage requirements to make it much easier for a business to ban a legal and licensed gun owner from entering;
  • HB 118 would eliminate family members from being able to transfer firearms among each other, instead requiring a federal license application to process each transaction “at an undetermined fee”;
  • HB 164 and HB 395 relate to Red Flag laws, allowing the removal of a person’s firearm without due process;
  • HB 185 would legally require homeowners to keep all guns locked inside of a safe at all times;
  • HB 231 raises the legal age required to purchase semi-automatic rifles and shotguns;
  • HB 172 and HB 241 would ban the transfer or possession of certain “commonly owned semi-automatic firearms”;
  • HB 178 and HB 234 would ban the sale or possession of any magazine that holds more than ten rounds.

The vast majority of those gun control bills are not expected to pass muster when state lawmakers reconvene.

Van Buren homeowner shoots suspected burglar found hiding inside closet

VAN BUREN, Ark. —
A Van Buren homeowner told 40/29 News, he shot a man he found hiding inside his closet after the man became agitated.

“He opened the door to the closet and he actually saw this person looking at him in the closet,” Van Buren Police Sgt. Jonathan Wear said. “He confronted the man that was in his home. That man became combative and at that point he ended up having to fire shots at him.”

Wear said the suspected burglar was shot in the leg and taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. When released, the man will most likely be facing burglary charges, “He actually had the homeowner’s wallet and pair of his shorts, so we think he was actually in the house trying to steal things from the homeowner.”

According to police, the shooting happened inside a home on Blueberry Hill Street in the city, around 10 a.m. on Thursday.

Coroner identifies man killed during burglary in Harrison Township

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ohio (WDTN) – The Montgomery County Coroner has identified the man who died as 22-year-old Nader Adam, of Harrison Township.

Montgomery County Sheriff Deputies were called to an apartment in the 3300 block of Susannah Ave. after receiving reports of a burglary in progress. When crews arrived, they found the suspect forced their way in through the back door of the apartment after breaking several windows.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office told 2 NEWS the resident shot the suspect who died at the scene. The incident is being investigated by the Special Investigations Unit of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Wilson nails it again

The Importance of Practicing Unconventional Shooting Positions.

While it is true that being able to draw quickly and hit the target quickly and accurately may solve a lot of problems regarding criminal attacks, it doesn’t solve all of them. Criminals are not entirely stupid and they are going to take every advantage that they can. Chances are good that the experienced crook is not going to give you time to take a solid shooting stance and address the target like they taught at that defensive school.  Here are three unconventional defensive techniques that would be worth knowing and practicing.

Shooting with One Hand

There may be a lot of reasons that a person can’t get two hands on his defensive handgun. The support hand, or arm, might be injured at the very outbreak of hostilities. A person might be carrying something, or he might be holding onto something to keep from falling. The support hand and arm also might be busy warding off an attack from an accomplice. It is not enough to just say that, in these situations, one would run his gun with one hand.  It has to be practiced. Shots that would be simple with a two-hand hold are not nearly so simple when only one hand is used.

Shooting from the Seated Position

When a person takes stock of how his waking hours are spent, he is often amazed at how much of that time is spent sitting. The fact is that a lot of our time is spent at a desk, in the car, or in that favorite easy chair at home. And, yet, very few take the time to practice from a sitting position. We may find that our body is holding our handgun against the chair. We may also find, in the car, that clearing the seat belt and our covering garment takes way too much time. Practicing from a sitting position helps the shooter identify problems and gives him time to come up with a better way to respond.

Drawing with Your Support Hand

Finally, we may practice shooting with our support hand, but how many of us practice drawing with the support hand? Just as in the first example, the strong hand may be engaged or taken out of play for a variety of reasons.  Can you reach across the front of your body, or behind your body, to get a grip on the pistol? Do the retention devices on your holster allow you to access the handgun with the support hand? Hint: A gun carried in front of your body, somewhere between the two hip bones, might be much more accessible with either hand.

These exercises, and others, are not often taught in defensive schools simply because it is hard to do on a line with other students and avoiding someone covering another with a gun muzzle. It would certainly be a good idea to practice them at home during dry practice with an unloaded gun. And there may be no one single solution to these problems due to the fact that body shapes and agility can be quite different. It is important for the defensive shooter to find a technique that works for him and then to practice it until it becomes a habit.

Working to solve these and other problems can give the defensive shooter a whole new outlook on the type of gun that he carries, the type of holster that he uses, and where he wears that combination.

Biden Wants to Prevent Armed Teachers From Protecting Themselves and Their Students

Preventing teachers from carrying firearms is just one of Joe Biden’s gun control goals. See his other priorities for rolling back Second Amendment rights here.

The idea of arming teachers to prevent school shootings burst into the national conversation after Parkland, when President Trump raised the possibility in listening sessions with grieving parents. Shortly after the 2018 shooting at the Florida high school, he told attendees at the 2018 CPAC that as many as one out of every five teachers should be carrying a gun.

It provoked an uproar. But often lost in the bluster of that moment was the reality that teachers had already been carrying guns in U.S. schools for over 10 years. Trump had just become the policy’s highest-profile advocate yet. The first serious proposals to arm teachers cropped up after the Columbine shooting in 1999, and the first school district to announce such a policy was in Harrod, Texas, in 2008, after Virginia Tech.

The decision to let schools arm teachers is left to state governments. Since the 1990s, 19 states have passed laws and created programs to arm some teachers and other school staff, like principals or superintendents. In 24 states, school boards have the discretion to authorize anyone of their choosing to carry a gun on campus. A 2019 investigation by VICE News found that in the year after Parkland, the number of school districts arming their teachers more than doubled, from around 215 school districts to nearly 500, encompassing hundreds of thousands of students.

President-elect Joe Biden has said he strongly opposes arming teachers, but because it’s up to state legislatures—which stayed resoundingly Republican this election, including in armed-teacher states like Florida, Texas, Ohio, Missouri, and Utah—it’s a policy that may be here to stay.

– Jen Kinney in Biden Hates the Idea of Arming Teachers, But It’s Way Too Late to Stop It

Armed Man Shot By Off-Duty NYPD Officer During Alleged Carjacking Attempt

An off-duty NYPD officer shot an armed and reportedly drunk man in the chest during an attempted carjacking in Brooklyn on Wednesday, police said.

The 28-year-old assailant approached the off-duty cop at around 2 a.m. in Canarsie, knocking on his window before firing a shot that “barely missed” the officer, according to Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison.

“Our member of the service then pulled out his firearm, shooting several times at our perpetrator, striking him in the chest,” Harrison told reporters……

The unidentified suspect was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. The officer was not shot, but taken to a different hospital to be evaluated for tinnitus.

Gun trade groups say more women are becoming licensed firearms owners

Some call it firearm feminism. According to gun trade groups, more women are buying guns than ever before.

One recent survey indicates self-protection is the main reason, but first-time female gun buyers are also citing fear of civil unrest, election uncertainty and the coronavirus as influencing their decision to buy firearms.

Business owner Angela Geotz says she wants to be legally armed if trouble comes her way.

“I just want to be able to protect myself if I have to, my family,” Geotz said.

Geotz is not alone. Jessica Howard is a first-time gun owner.

“There is a lot of crazy stuff going on and I’m a single mother,” Howard said.

Firearm sales to women are up 40% from 2019, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation. The trade group surveyed gun retailers. The survey finds personal protection is the primary reason and semi-automatic pistols are the most popular.

First-time gun owner Vickie Hayes bought a semi-automatic pistol after someone broke into her home.

“It kind of scared me a little bit, so I thought a good way to protect myself would be to get a handgun license. So, I did and I purchased a gun,” Hayes said.

The firearms industry noticed the surge beginning in March with the coronavirus outbreak.

Since then, concern over civil unrest is the biggest reason for the surge, that’s according to a poll conducted by national firearms group A Girl & A Gun:

  • 14% Riots/Fear of Mobs and civil unrest.
  • 12% Concerns over 2020 Elections.
  • 8% Lack of Law enforcement resources.
  • 7% Pandemic uncertainty.
  • 7% Fear of targeted violence/discrimination.

Continue reading “”