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Links I Like
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.
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From:
The American Rifleman
March, 1998
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. Send clippings to: "The Armed Citizen," 11250
Waples Mill Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030
Juanita Marcum of Bessemer City, North Carolina, is glad she was armed. After her
ex-husband broke into her home and attacked her and her daughter with an ax, she drew her
pistol and fatally shot him. The man had a history of domestic violence abuses. Police did
not charge either woman. (The Gazette, Gaston, NC, 11/4/97)
Geneva Littlefield, 61, and her 95-year-old mother are quiet women who keep to
themselves in their East Hall Georgia, home. Geneva keeps a .38 cal. revolver in case
others don't do the same. After cutting the phone lines of the elderly women's home, a man
broke in early one morning. Geneva heard him coming and was waiting for him. He began to
choke her mother, so she shot him in the groin. Unable to call police and unwilling to
leave her mother alone with the wounded burglar, she held him at gunpoint until she could
alert passing neighbors. (The Times, Gainesville, GA, 10/18/97)
After 11 years of mental and physical abuse, Elizabeth Johnstone finally summoned the
courage to leave her husband. When his harassment continued, she filed a restraining order
and purchased a .44 cal. revolver in case he violated it. He did. The man broke into her
West Melbourne, Florida, home one morning and threatened to kill her with A 12-ga.
shotgun. The couple's little boy grabbed his father's legs, begging him not to hurt his
mother. The man ignored his son and began dragging his estranged wife through the house.
He had succeeded in handcuffing her left wrist when the woman's great-grandmother handed
her the .44. Several shots later, the abusive husband lay on the floor, dead. (Florida
Today, Melbourne, FL, 10/23/97)
Three young bandits found out the hard way that crime does not pay. Breaking into a
Lawton, Oklahoma, home, the trio found the homeowner hiding in her bedroom. When they saw
that she was armed, they pointed pistols at her, but she opened fire first, forcing the
group from the home. Outside, they encountered a police officer whom they also tried to
engage, but the officer was a better marksman. One suspect was killed and a second
wounded. The third was arrested. (The Daily Oklahoman, Lawton, OK, 10/23/97)
Warren, Ohio, music store owner James Pugh thwarted a robbery attempt in his store late
one evening. A man entered the store and acted as if he had a gun. He demanded money, but
Pugh pulled his own gun, sending the would-be robber running. (The Vindicator,
Youngstown, OH, 10/25/97)
When her ex-boyfriend forced his way into her Greenville, South Carolina, apartment,
Alexcia Fant knew he was not there to reconcile. He threw her to the floor, began choking
her and threatened to kill her. In response, she drew a .38cal. pistol and fired twice
fatally hitting him. The man had a history of assault charges. (The News, Greenville,
SC, 10/29/97)
After being held up several times, a Bronx, New York, music store owner Got a 9 mm
Beretta pistol to thwart further attempts. Late one morning he buzzed a supposed customer
into his store, but once inside, the man produced a pistol and demanded money. A struggle
ensued, and the owner drew his own firearm, whereupon he fatally shot the bandit. (The
Times Union, New York NY, 10/30/97)
While withdrawing money from a Memphis, Tennessee, TN, Bobby Holland was approached by
two men, one of whom was armed. The two demanded money, but Holland, a concealed-carry
permit holder, drew a pistol instead and shot them. Police are investigating the two
suspects in connection with other area robberies. Holland will not be charged. (The
Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN, 10/17/97)
Lyle Torpey of Enumclaw, Washington, awoke to hear his basement door being broken in.
An intoxicated youth entered the home and began to come up the stairs. Torpey called 911
and warned the intruder that he was armed and would fire if the youth continued his
advance. The young man wisely retreated downstairs, where police found him and arrested
him. He was charged with burglary and is being investigated for driving while intoxicated.
(Valley Daily News, Kent, WA, 10/4/97)
When an enraged neighbor broke down the door of his Kramer Junction, California, home
and threatened to kill him, Kenneth Oliver suspected he did not want a cup of sugar. He
told the intruder he was armed and not to enter, but the housebreaker ignored the warning
and proceeded inside. Oliver shot the intruder once in the upper chest, killing the man. (Daily
Press, Victorville, CA, 9/30/97)
When she heard her pet parrot making noises early one morning in The living room of her
Delray Beach, Florida, home, Gail Ennis went to investigate. She found a 7' 3 "
alligator pressed against the window. In the time it took to dial 911, the reptile pushed
its way through a screen and into the house. Her husband, Howard, grabbed his .357 Mag.
Revolver and shot the beast, killing it instantly. (People, 10/14/97)
The customer strolled into the Enfield, North Carolina, convenience store, paid for a
pair of latex gloves, put them on, and with a laugh told clerk Elton Gillikin, "In
just a minute, we're going to have some fun 'cause I'm going to rob you. "The
convenience store clerk, a former security officer, didn't wait for clarification from his
assailant. Gillikin immediately pressed the store's silent alarm and drew his .38 cal.
pistol. The clerk then held the no-longer-laughing, would-be robber until police arrived
and took him into custody. (Daily Herald, Roanoke Rapids, NC 9/26/97)
If you have had a firsthand “Armed Citizen”experience,
call NRA-ILA Grassroots at (800) 392-8683.
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