Links I Like

The Ethical Spectacle
NRA
Fascinating Video Lecture
International Journal
    of Occupational and
    Environmental Health
Students for Concealed
     Carry on Campus

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  April, 2000

Accountant Merlann Bechtel’s heart sank as she watched a robbery unfold on video surveillance in the back of the jewelry store where she worked. Three men – one wearing a ski mask and armed with a gun – entered the business in Lower Paxton Township, Pa., announced a robbery and began strong-arming employees and smashing display cases. Bechtel’s valiant attempt to help her co-workers drew a hail of fire from the gunman, said police, but she ultimately got the drop on the crook after meeting him face to face. Firing twice from her own gun, she shot the man in the abdomen, ending the horrific ordeal. Fleeing suspects dropped off their partner at an area hospital and were later arrested along an Interstate. “We are allowed to defend ourselves against others when deadly force is used or threatened,” said Harrisburg attorney Alan Michael Ross. (The Patriot-News, Harrisburg, Pa., 2/2/00)

James McCullough and his nephew were mending fence one afternoon when they noticed a suspicious vehicle enter their neighbor’s pasture in Hollister, Calif. When three gunshots cracked through the air, the men resolved to investigate. They arrived at the site only to discover a dead heifer in the back of a Suburban whose driver and passenger were about to make a getaway. The two trespassers, who were held at gunpoint until a sheriff’s deputy could arrive, were subsequently arrested and charged with using a stolen revolver to kill the cow. (San Jose Mercury News, San Jose, Calif., 1/26/00)

A band of thugs that accosted and beat a 24-year-old Lafayette, Calif., convenience store customer late one Saturday night appeared to be fearless in their superior numbers. As they kicked their fallen prey about the head, two Good Samaritans rushed in to help even the score. The attackers were undeterred by their decreasing odds of success, however, and continued beating the victim. That’s when one of the rescuers made a move that turned the tide: He racked a pump-action shotgun, sending the assailants fleeing. (Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., 12/15/99)

Sean Green was walking in downtown Atlanta when a man, allegedly armed with a knife and intent on committing a mugging, confronted him. The off-duty security guard ran for his life, but was cornered by his attacker at the entrance to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper office. The incident, recounted in the following day’s edition, ended when Green shot the would-be robber once in the leg. Green had the guard at the newspaper’s lobby call police who soon arrested his attacker. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta, Ga., 1/30/00)

A plan by two men to rob the Po’Kin convenience store in Live Oak, Fla., at knifepoint was foiled by an 11-year-old girl, her armed father, the store’s owner and other customers in an incredible display of community crime-fighting. When the girl realized she had startled the nefarious pair, she ran for her father outside with one of the men on her heels. As that man fled in a vehicle, another customer gave chase. Meanwhile, the owner was struggling inside with the second man who, according to a Suwannee County Sheriff’s officer, was stuffing bills into his pocket. The girl’s father, now armed, entered the store where he and another customer subdued the man and held him for authorities. The first man was captured soon afterward at a nearby bar. (Citrus County Chronicle, Crystal River, Fla., 1/l8/00)

Bricie Tribble heard a strange noise in her Apache Junction, Ariz., home shortly after midnight and decided to investigate. What she found was a man kneeling by a recliner as he rummaged through her purse. According to Apache Junction police, when Tribble asked the intruder to identify himself, he replied, “I’m going to kill everyone in this house, including you:” Tribble, who had armed herself just in case, fired at least one fatal shot with her .45-cal. handgun. Police said the man had begun his crime spree earlier that evening, abducting a woman at a nearby Wal-Mart before driving her to a secluded location and then raping and shooting her. The victim lived and gave police a description of her attacker. (The Tribune, Mesa, AZ, 2/2/00)

Marion, Ind., resident Brian Smith told authorities that when he returned home one Friday night he saw five men leaving his garage apartment. Smith said that when he began yelling at the intruders, one fired shots at him. Smith returned fire with his .357-Mag., scattering the suspects. When police arrived, they found several of the would be home robbers hiding nearby along with a small quantity of drugs. (Marion Chronicle Tribune, Marion, Ind., 12/18/99)

Gun-wielding murder suspect Marc Mealey Holcomb, Jr., had already been shot by one armed citizen when he thrust his fist through a small window in the door of Sandra Rabine’s Albany, Ore., home. Holcomb, who allegedly confronted several other residents seeking a getaway car, pleaded with Rabine for assistance. The terrified homeowner armed herself with a 9 mm handgun and replied, “I’ll get you some help, but you just have to back away from the door. If you don’t, I will shoot you!” At that point, Rabine beat the gun from Holcomb’s hand, sending the fugitive fleeing. (The Register-Guard, Eugene, Ore., 11/18/99)

If you have had a firsthand “Armed Citizen” experience, call ILA PR/Communications at (703) 267-1193.

Studies indicate that firearms are used over two million times a year for personal protection, and that the presence of a firearm, without a shot being fired, prevents crime in many instances. Shooting usually can be justified only where crime constitutes an immediate imminent threat to life limb or in some cases property. Anyone is free to quote or reproduce these accounts, which are condensed from individual newspaper clippings sent to: “The Armed Citizen,” 11250 Waples Mill Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030-9400

 

[ Backwards ] [ Home ] [ Up ] [ Forwards ]

Last Updated — June 20, 2008