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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
April, 1993

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

Retired Las Vegas deputy police chief Larry Bolden initially tried to defend himself with a steering wheel bar lock when a criminal attacked him in his car. But then the intruder wrestled it from him, Bolden pulled his pistol and fired several times, wounding his attacker and stopping the incident. "He was just a citizen defending himself," a police official said. (The Review-Journal, Las Vegas, Nev., 11/11/92)

A pair of teenaged robbers armed with a sawed-off shotgun and handguns took the day's receipts from Brooklyn bodega owner Hector Martinez. As they made their getaway, Martinez grabbed his registered 12-gauge shotgun and gave chase. When one fired, Martinez returned three blasts, slightly wounding his assailants. They fled but were apprehended when they sought medical attention. (Newsday, Long Island, N.Y., 01/05/93)

A sign posted on the door of Roman Paras' shop reads "The owners of this property are armed and highly skilled to protect life, liberty and property from criminal attack." Apparently, a pair of robbers didn't pause to read it as they threatened Paras' wife in their Oxnard, Calif., convenience store. Hearing her scream, Paras grabbed his .38, ran to the front of the store and shot it out with the masked and armed men, killing one criminal. (The Times, Los Angeles, Calif., 12/04/92)

Anne Marie Sullivan was showering in her Portland, Oreg., home one morning when she heard the front door crash in. She jumped out of the shower in time to see a man entering the home. Running to the bedroom, Sullivan retrieved her boyfriend's pistol and fired two shots, mortally wounding the intruder. The dead man had a lengthy police and prison record. (The Oregonian, Portland, Oreg., 01/07/93)

Mike Baranelli would have let two robbers who burst into a Birmingham, Ala., barber shop keep his money. But the 75-year-old retired teacher was unwilling to surrender his life. When the intruders ordered Baranelli, the shop owner, and another man to lie on the floor, Baranelli pulled his pistol and shot both men in the head, killing one. "I felt sure there was going to be three dead people in there. I think I had some divine help," Baranelli said. (The Sunday Advertiser, Montgomery, Ala., 01/03/93)

Believing an elderly Harvey, Ill., couple would again be easy prey, a knife-wielding home invader instead met death when the 76-year-old homeowner loosed three rounds from a semi-automatic pistol. Police said the dead man had been charged several times for thefts from the couple's home. (The Star, Chicago Heights, Ill., 01/07/93)

The criminal's profile was scheduled to appear on "America's Most Wanted," but his shot at fame was abruptly canceled by a Hallandale, Fla., service station clerk. The Michigan prison escapee walked into the station and announced a robbery. Instead of cash, he got bullets in the head and chest from station clerk Gary McVey. Police said McVey acted in self-defense and would not face charges. (The Sun-Sentinel, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., 12/04/92)

A Bridgeport, Conn., oil delivery man handed over the few dollars he had. But the thug, apparently unsatisfied with his take, turned his gun on his victim and demanded more money. Instead of more cash, the deliveryman instead pulled his own pistol and fired, mortally wounding the robber. Police said the dead man had held up a nearby market just before the fatal incident. (The Courant, Hartford, Conn., 01/13/93)

After repeated burglaries at her San Marcos, Calif., home, Joan Vessel, 64, was ready with a .38 and a cordless phone when she heard glass breaking one afternoon. When she found two teenagers attempting to get into her woodshed, Vessel fired a warning shot over their heads, marched them into the front yard and called police. (The Times Advocate, Escondido, Calif., 12/25/92)

Angry that his auto insurance had been canceled, a client used brass knuckles to take it out on Brandon, Fla., agent Steven Taylor. When his assailant walked out of the office, Taylor grabbed a pistol kept there and held the former client at gun- point until police arrived. (The Tribune, Tampa, Fla., 01/14/93)

Dozing one evening at his Exeter, Pa., office, Jim Pisano was awakened by the barking of his dog. Sitting in stunned amazement, he watched as two men smashed out his office window, reached in and grabbed one of his hunting rifles. Reaching a pistol on his desk, Pisano fired several shots, apparently wounding one of the burglars, and putting them to flight. (The Times-Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., 12/09/92)

Trying on a pair of shoes was just an act for a criminal who then pulled a knife and demanded money. When the man advanced, the Flint, Mich., shoestore owner drew his pistol and fired, critically wounding the would-be robber. (The Journal, Flint, Mich., 01/13/93)

Disarmed and pistol whipped after struggling with a pair of shotgun-toting thugs, Brooklyn, N.Y., pharmacist Soel Melero continued fighting and managed to retrieve a second — also licensed — hidden pistol. Firing three times, the druggist killed one of his assailants. The other fled empty-handed. (The Daily News, New York, N.Y., 01/18/93)

If you have had a firsthand “Armed Citizen” experience,
call NRA-ILA Grassroots at (800) 392-8683.

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Last Updated — June 20, 2008