The Armed Citizen® January 11, 2012

Hard-working attorney Curt Crowley was at the office late one evening when he heard a filing cabinet open and close. Knowing he should be the only one in the office, he retrieved his .40-cal. handgun, peered out the door and discovered a burglar rifling through cabinets. “I told him to freeze, but not in language you can repeat,” Crowley recalled. “He ended up begging me not to kill him.” Crowley held the suspect at gunpoint until police arrived. (The Clarion-Ledger, Jackson, MS, 10/10/11)

The Armed Citizen Extra
(The following account did not appear in the print version of American Rifleman.)

A Virginia gas station employee had closed up shop for the night and made his way out to his car to warm it up before heading home. While sitting in the driver's seat, the man made a phone call. Just then, two men opened his door and grabbed him, zapping him on the arm with a stun gun. A concealed carry permit holder, the man pulled out his handgun and fired two shots at his would-be attackers who fled on foot. (PW Pulse, Woodbridge, VA, 12/23/10)

From The Armed Citizen Archives
January 1966:
In his Newark, N.J., home, Edward W. Williams, who was watching television, was alerted, first by his growling dog, and then by a woman's screams. He heard: "Don't let the man kill me..." Grabbing a rifle Williams ran outside the house and saw a man hitting a woman and dragging her toward some tall weeds. Williams shouted for his wife to call the police and then trained his rifle on the man. He held the would-be attacker until police arrived. Newark Chief of Police Charles M. Zizza recommended Williams for an outstanding public service award. (Newark Star-Ledger, Newark, NJ)

Share |

Comments

ADD YOUR COMMENT

Enter your comments below, they will appear within 24 hours


Your Name


Your Email


Your Comment

13 Responses to The Armed Citizen® January 11, 2012

Nathan wrote:
July 29, 2012

In theory, you should be able to hit every shot. I can tell you from experience that when it's a confrontation, armed or not, the dynamics change. I'm right handed and I tend to shoot high left under stress. It's common to miss, that's when you turn to the old gunfight principles. You old jarheads know what I'm talking about. ;-)

GL Dwight wrote:
February 22, 2012

Invalid: I'm one that really would like to be the armed guy that just stands by watching you beg for someone to help when you're the victim!! What disappoints me most about these stories is to read the: "victim shot and missed!!" Come on folks, IF you're gonna shoot, learn to hit!!

ditto wrote:
January 26, 2012

As much as I hate to admit it, "User name invalid" KNOWS what he is talking about. Mind your own business. Too many "heroes" end up dead, or in prison, and broke. Remember, it's a "system", and smart people do their best to avoid it. Watch "Don't Talk To Cops" on YouTube. Your life and freedom may depend on it.

User name invalid wrote:
January 26, 2012

Joe: You used a gun to stop 'drug encounters'? What does that even mean, and why would you point a gun at them for such a trivial thing? I emphasize: if one is armed, one should mind his own business. Protect your own life and your loved ones lives yes, but don't play country sheriff or it will bring you much more trouble than its worth.

User name invalid wrote:
January 26, 2012

Written on my phone: I'm of the opinion that a gun should be used only in the most dire cases of personal danger. I'm not a cop, and I don't carry to do their job for them. These days one is more likely than not to be taken downtown and have his dignity and liberty stripped (if not his body as well) for being a good samaritan instead of getting a pat on the back by the cops. The police are not your friends, they're not there to protect your rights, protect you, or sympathetic to the right to keep and bear arms and they are hostile to anyone who presumes they can confront criminals, right or wrong they call them 'vigilantes'. I shouldn't have to say there are exceptions (at the local level only), but this should be the basic operating principle for any shrewd mature concealed weapon holder. Frankly I don't care enough about random people to risk my life and liberty to intervene on their behalf. In this 'diverse' era chances are that I'd have nothing in common with them, and I don't believe in the innate value of EVERY human life anyway. Call me callous, call me a coward, but in the real world (so at odds with the online world full of sentimentality and bravado) restrained circumspection is essential if one is not going to be chewed up and spit out by the establishment. A notice to the naïve: It doesn't matter what YOU think the law is or what your rights are, its what the cop who has the state at his back says that goes, on the street and in the court, mistaken though he may be. Go ahead and get a lawyer (if you want the trouble and can afford the mucho $), and you'll learn the truth behind the old aphorism 'you can't fight city hall'!

joe wrote:
January 15, 2012

I'm always encouraged by neighbors who get involved and stop crimes. I've been a victim and now keep a weapon with me. I've stopped a shooting and several drug encounters. Being armed is the only way to deal with criminals.

Byron Frye wrote:
January 14, 2012

about a week ago a car went off the road(river) in Idaho and 3 passers by came to the rescue. They used a hand gun to break a window and save kids.

Bob wrote:
January 13, 2012

Sean or whoever made the last comment are you serious. I think you need to just keep you mouth closes and pray no one talks to you. It is people like you that give responsible gun owners a bad name.

Sean McClendon wrote:
January 13, 2012

YOU NEVER HEAR THA SHOT KILLS YOU, AS YOU DROP THE PEOPLE OR ANIMALS AROUND YOU HEAR THE BULLET THEN MOVE!

Amos Elvis wrote:
January 13, 2012

I had an attemped robbery on me in Winston Salem,NC ten years ago, but it never hit he papers. The criminal slipped up behind me and grabbed my cell phone out of my Shirt pocket,we fought to the ground and I beat him pretty good. I thought to myself, I'm 50 years old and too old to be doing this, so I got myself up from the ground and kicked him in the chest. I said stay there don't move. I went to my truck and got my pistol and some tie wraps to detain him. He got up and ran. Then he returned with five or six others to get me. I announced, " you have made me mad and which six of you are willing to die first". None but the Criminals wanted any part of my actions.Those six left for fear of being shot. The remaining guy had a long wooden stick in his hands and swinging it saying " I will cap You". Just before I had to use my weapon, the Police drove up to take chase to him. They caught him in about 5 minutes. I identified him and they arrested him. Thanks to the Winston Salem PD. He got 9 months in Central Prison for his actions. I was lucky it turned out this way, but I was confident and was a CWP holder from the first month N.C. allowed concealed carry.

Georgio wrote:
January 13, 2012

Anyone who stops a crime in progress, especially a forcible felony such as this, deserve a key to the city.

Sgt. Mack wrote:
January 12, 2012

HOOAAHH!!! These people should ALL get awards for stopping the "in progress" crime and contributing to the deterrance of future crimes. There is no more effective deterrant than hearing a bullet whistle by, except the bullet that hits. Keep up the good work & practice. A hit is MUCH better.

Ivan R. wrote:
January 12, 2012

As one of my favorite comic characters used to say, "You betchem, Red Ryder !!!" More to the people that carry, & get involved !!!!