Albuquerque Shootout

More than likely, you’ve heard about the Albuquerque shootout at a Motel 6 that involved CNN news correspondent and former Headline News anchor Lynne Russell. Her first-hand account in this Fox News story is worth reading, and it addresses criticism from her liberal colleagues about exercising her Second Amendment rights. If she and her husband had left their guns at home, the story would be an obituary, rather than a frightening reminder that criminals strike any time, and any place.

I particularly like how she handed her purse (with the gun inside) to her husband and then asked if he saw anything inside to give the armed robber. I’m not that composed when staring down the business end of a gun. Years ago, an armed robber told me to clean out the cash register and I asked, “Did you bring a bag or do you want one of ours?” My mind was elsewhere, probably pondering how a tiny little guy could possibly raise a revolver that big over the counter.

We know Russell’s handgun is chambered in .380 ACP, a cartridge that’s often viewed with skepticism for self-defense. It worked and there are plenty of effective loads available today, including Federal Premium 99-grainers, Hornady Critical Defense’s 90-grain load, 95-grain Winchester W Train & Defend, and many more. The petite size of the handgun also begs for daily carry, especially if you’re tired of feeling like an Arizona Ranger who carries “Big Iron” on his hip (good luck getting that Marty Robbins tune out of your head today).

Thankfully, it didn’t take a huge caliber to get the job done, her husband shared the contents liberally and there’s one less life-threatening criminal roaming the streets. If you have a permit, carry early, carry often and expect the unexpected, including tiny bad guys.