Fear & Loading: Nothing Funny About A Nail Gun Attack

by
posted on July 10, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
gsagi2015_fs.jpg

A Cary, N.C., man suffered facial and head injuries when he squared off with nail gun-wielding home invader on July 2. Thankfully, the victim escaped to his front yard where first responders treated him.

Fortunately, law enforcement detected the stud-launching culprit in a bedroom and fastened the handcuffs before he hammered anyone else. The perpetrator has been charged with attempted murder, bond was set at 300 million penny nails and, if convicted, faces up to 30 years of boredom in jail.

The puns are tacky, but not nearly as painful as how the crime probably unfolded. The odds are good the accused didn’t bring a nail gun to the crime. The homeowner, in the middle of a huge and exhausting project, may have left it out for the night and it was grabbed for a weapon once the invader knew he was detected. Even smaller and innocent-looking versions are deadly enough that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a downloadable brochure on their safety. Someone armed with a tool capable of launching 2" nails at velocities some claim rival those produced by .22 rimfires is no laughing matter. A blank-digesting Ramset is more terrifying.

Criminals will use anything they find in or around your house to their advantage—ladders, bricks and yard tools, among other things. Galvanize your routine by cleaning up after those chores to minimize the chances of your gear being stolen or used against you.

It’s easier said than done, though. I’d love to tell you I’m not guilty of leaving stuff laying around after a tough day of work, but once upon a time a home invader I intercepted at the door decided to swing my heaviest rake at my head, multiple times. Despite my gun and threats to let their air out, the criminal didn’t leaf, either.

Latest

Gotw Rra Lar 22 Tactical Carbine Web
Gotw Rra Lar 22 Tactical Carbine Web

Gun Of The Week: Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine

This week, we're on the range with the Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine, a rimfire variant of the AR-15 that's designed for reliability and gives enthusiasts a way to shoot affordably.

The Armed Citizen® July 11, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Japanese Last-Ditch Small Arms Of World War II

The crude assortment of fighting tools used by the Japanese during World War II give clues of an unprepared and unmatched last-ditch fight that ultimately lead to Allied victory.

Federal Ammunition Awards 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H shooting sports teen ambassadors.

2025 Optic Of The Year: Burris Eliminator 6

Even as new generation after new generation of Burris Eliminator continued to add more advanced technology and functionality, it remained odd-looking—until the launch of this year’s sixth-generation product, which is the first in the line that can mount atop a rifle using standard 34 mm scope rings.

I Have This Old Gun: Star Model B

Of the many Spanish-made firearms to emerge throughout the 19th and 20th century, one of the most recognizable is the Star Model B, largely due to its similarity to the Colt Model 1911.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.