Gun Owners To The Rescue

by
posted on February 11, 2016
gsagi2015_fs.jpg

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. 

Latest

250 Years Of U.S. Infantry Ammunition
250 Years Of U.S. Infantry Ammunition

From Paper Cartridge To PMAG: 250 Years Of U.S. Infantry Ammunition

Any survey of military firearms isn’t complete without also discussing the development of ammunition across this past quarter-millennium. From a conceptual standpoint, very little has changed.

Review: IWI Carmel

Initially introduced in 2019 to the international military market in a select-fire format, the IWI Carmel is a modular, durable and thoroughly modern sporting rifle.

Ruger Reaches New Milestone In Support Of Youth Shooting Sports

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. became the first Blue Diamond level sponsor of the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) in 2024 by supporting the youth shooting sports program with more than $75,000 a year.

KelTec’s PR57: Thinking Outside The (Detachable) Box

KelTec has brought the stripper clip back with the thoroughly unconventional PR57—a carry pistol with an uncommon chambering, an unusual action and no box magazine.

The Armed Citizen® June 9, 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.

More Western States Opening Large Shooting Ranges

A number of states in the western U.S. have opened or are planning to open large, versatile ranges to serve the growing need for publicly accessible shooting spaces.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.