Outspoken critics willing to voice their paranoia of citizens owning firearms, particularly concealed carry, will have a hard time discounting three recent cases—two involving the aid of a law enforcement officer—that make it obvious armed, law-abiding citizens often make a lifesaving difference.
Bastrop County (Texas) Deputy Dylan Dorris told reporters, “I’m alive today because of him,” when describing the actions of Scott Perkins on Jan. 16. The veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, who saw two tours of duty in the Sandbox, told reporters, “Anytime somebody is in need of help you should assist them. It doesn’t matter whether your life is in danger or not, you should always assist anybody who is in need.” When the officer suffered injuries serious enough to require medical attention during an attack during a traffic stop, Perkins intervened by pulling his concealed gun and commanding the criminal to, “Freeze!”
In a Pennsylvania incident this month, Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood summarized, “There were 40 kids … If it wasn’t for the good Samaritan stepping forward, he’d have been dead meat.” The 35-year-old, unnamed gun owner with a carry permit, calmly walked out of his house and stopped a group of high school thugs as they beat a police officer—without ever pointing his firearm at anyone. Here’s the complete story.
In Michigan, a woman was being stabbed in a parking lot this month, when a valet with a carry permit intervened. The victim is in critical condition, the perpetrator was arrested and, unfortunately, there seems to be something of a debate as to whether to man who did the good deed still has a job.
I don’t expect the anti-Second Amendment zealots to acknowledge these cases, but maybe it’s time we adopt one of their strategies and share these stories until they’re viral. The appearance of a gun in the hands of a law-abiding and trained citizen can be a lifesaver and, more often than not, without so much as a single shot being fired.
