Easy Mark?

The Gaston Gazette has full details of the incident, which took place on Thursday night. Two men outside were trying to pry off the lock on his door when he strapped a .45 on his walker, announced he was armed and greeted them at the door.

The criminals were tripping all over themselves to escape, according to the Marine Corps veteran. He told the newspaper, "This neighborhood has really changed….It used to be I knew everybody."

He lives in a home built in 1901 by his grandfather, and the statement reflects the plight of many retired or disabled lawful citizens-areas that were once a vibrant part of the community slowly decay and those living on fixed incomes may not have the financial means to escape or necessarily want to leave a home with so many family memories.

When I was doing search and rescue work years ago, Radio 1 was our main communications link. Volunteer Jack Richardson manned that VHF rig, 24 hours a day, sleeping at the desk so he wouldn't miss a vital call when necessary.

He had a butter-smooth bass voice, and when things got bad in the field, oozed calm through those transmissions. He used a walker, too, and on each side carried a pristine Colt .45.

I only wish more lawful senior and handicapped citizens would come to grips with the fact that criminals are opportunistic predators, and physical challenges or age offer no immunity.