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Book Review:
“The Man Who Hated Work and Loved Labor — The Life and Times of Tony Mazzocchi” This is a fascinating book about a labor leader who has had tremendous influence on our lives, but whose name is not even known by millions of Americans. Please read my review.

From:  The American Rifleman  March, 2000

Evading a months-long manhunt that canvassed two north Florida counties, Brian K. Franklin – whose criminal pursuits reportedly included drug manufacturing, car theft and home burglary – finally met his demise at the hand of a homeowner intent on self-preservation. Franklin brazenly walked onto the back porch of the Mayo, Fla., home with a handgun by his side but was momentarily halted when the victim’s wife locked the interior door. Undeterred, Franklin broke in and reportedly raised his gun at the woman. That’s when the woman’s husband leveled a 12-ga. shotgun at Franklin’s chest and pulled the trigger. The mortally wounded ruffian retreated from the house and expired a short while later in a nearby wood. (Branford News, Branford, Fla., 12/23/99)

Stanley Horn and his wife were at their home in Cumberland County, Tenn., one evening when a knife-wielding man forced his way inside and proceeded to tie up the couple and lead them upstairs. But the home invader apparently didn’t do a thorough job on Horn’s knots. Horn was able to free his hands and shot his tormentor three times, killing him. (The Knoxville News-Sentinel, Knoxville, Tenn., 12/22/99)

Bail bond agency owner and former police officer Juliet Williams stopped by her office early one morning on business and was immediately faced with a life-or-death situation. Judas Lewis Caudle, a career criminal intent on theft, was inside and had already stacked up a load of office equipment near the front door. When Caudle came at Williams with a crowbar, Williams fought back, firing once from the handgun for which she has a carry permit and mortally wounding Caudle. (The Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, N.C., 1/2/00)

Huntington Beach, Calif., homeowner Larry Spahr awoke to a loud banging at his back door early one morning only to find the door nearly kicked in and a hand reaching inside. After tussling through the opening with the man to whom the arm belonged, Spahr heard an accomplice say, “Move away from the door.” Four shots rang out, sending splintered glass toward Spahr who retreated to his bedroom and grabbed a .357 Mag. handgun. He fired back, and the inept home invaders fled. (The Orange County Register, Santa Ana, Calif., 12/24/99)

Reynaldo Batista had just given a man and his female companion a ride in Phoenix, Ariz., when the man pulled a gun while the woman relieved Batista of his wallet, watch and car keys, according to police. As Batista and the man became engaged in a struggle, Batista pulled his Glock handgun and fired twice. The would-be robber – who had a lengthy criminal record including several outstanding felony warrants – died from his wounds. (The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Ariz., 12/24/99)

Clinton, N.C., convenience store owner Ali Odeh suspected something was wrong when he saw a customer enter his store leaving one hand inside his jacket pocket and continuing to keep his face turned away. Odeh later told police the man then approached him, pulled out a hammer and demanded, “Give me your money!” Odeh promptly upped the man’s ante by producing a gun. The fleeing would-be robber was caught by police soon afterward. (The Sampson Independent, Clinton, N.C., 12/24/99)

Garnett Campbell had left home early one morning in order to withdraw cash from a bank’s automatic teller machine. He had no idea he was in for the rudest of greetings. As Campbell stood at one machine waiting for his cash, a man standing at the next machine made a threatening gesture and ordered, “Give me all your money.” A brief struggle ensued during which the two wrestled on the ground. Finally, Campbell drew his licensed handgun and fired, mortally wounding the would-be robber who fled and shortly thereafter crashed his vehicle into a convenience store. (Miami Herald, Miami, Fla., 12/18/99)

When Betty Kulas turned out the Christmas lights and went to bed one evening in her Tampa, Fla., home, she placed a.25-cal. handgun nearby. Not long afterward, the 62-year-old widow and grandmother of 16 was awakened by a crashing sound. Arming herself, she went to the living room to investigate and noticed a man’s shadow move through her kitchen. “I just squeezed,” said Kulas of firing at the intruder, who was wounded before fleeing into a nearby field. Police charged the man with burglary of an occupied residence. He reportedly later told his mother, “I am so tired of this. I really want to go straight” (St. Petersburg Times, St. Petersburg, Fla., 12/22/99)

Shooting suspect James Michael Smith made a poor choice of hideouts one afternoon when he ducked into Tom Campbell’s Standard Wilson Glass Co. in Knoxville, Tenn. Attempting to evade police, Smith ran into a supply room at the business where Campbell caught him reaching into his pocket. Campbell drew his .40-cal. pistol, held it against Smith and told him not to move. “He came awful close to meeting his maker,” said Campbell. Police were following closely behind and took Smith into custody. “I am a glass merchant that would like this trash off the street,” Campbell said. “I was glad I was able to help.” (The Knoxville News-Sentinel, Knoxville, Tenn., 12/11/99)

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Last Updated — June 20, 2008