The Armed Citizen® April 28, 2025

Armed Citizen® Today

A garbage truck driver working in the early morning hours of Friday, January 31, on Chicago's west side fended off two armed robbers, according to police.

The 28-year-old truck operator, who possessed a valid Illinois Firearm Owner ID card and an active concealed-carry license, was approached by two men in the 900 block of the city's South Homan Avenue. One of the men pulled out a gun and announced that the driver was being robbed. The driver then drew his own firearm, and an exchange of gunfire occurred. 

The armed driver's shots found their marks, with one of the suspects, a 42-year-old man, suffering a gunshot wound to the head and the other suspect, a 20-year-old man, suffering a gunshot wound to the neck. The 42-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene, and the 20-year-old was transported to a local hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. The garbage truck driver was uninjured in the altercation. (ABC 7 News; Chicago, Ill.; 1/28/25)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives – May 1960

Bartender Curtis H. Scott closed his East St. Louis, Ill., tavern for the night, walked past the nearby alley, and was accosted by robbers. The thieves forced him at gunpoint to return to the saloon.

Pushing the bartender inside, the bandits grabbed the cash box containing $823 and were about to leave when the burglar alarm went off.

Scott pulled his .32-cal. revolver and fired. The panicky bandits abandoned the loot in their haste to reach the getaway car. They made good their escape, but two surrendered to police shortly after dropping off their bullet-wounded companion at a local hospital. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)