Paris Ainsworth had just arrived at her Detroit, Mich. home
after working two shifts, when she spotted two men approach. Ainsworth
retrieved a .45 caliber pistol and put it into her pocket. One of the
men said to Ainsworth, “Don’t pull it,” and fired at the grandmother,
striking her three times. Ainsworth responded by drawing her pistol and
firing at the men, striking at least one. The men were captured while seeking medical attention at a local
hospital. Ainsworth’s also received medical attention and has been
released from the hospital. Following the incident, Ainsworth told a
local media outlet, “If I wouldn’t have had my gun I would be dead
today.” (WDIV, Detroit, Mich. 05/06/14)
Barbara
Haley was at home in Omaha, Neb. when she was awakened by her dog
barking. Suspicious, Haley retrieved a .45-caliber pistol and went to
investigate. Initially, Haley didn’t find anyone in the home and
went back to bed. However, another noise roused Haley again, at which
point she discovered an intruder in a bedroom closet. Haley ordered
the man to stay still and held him at gunpoint in the closet until
police arrived.
Following
the incident, Haley told a local media outlet, “I’m glad I had
that gun… And I’m thinking they (burglars) won’t try this again
anytime soon.” (The Omaha World-Herald, Omaha, Neb. 09/02/14)
89-Year-old
Arthur Lewis was working at his store, the Jewelry Exchange, in Palm
Beach County, Fla. when a man entered the shop and pretended to need
his watch fixed. The man then drew a gun and attempted to rob Lewis.
Lewis responded to the threat by grasping the criminal’s firearm
and drawing a pistol. After a physical altercation, Lewis shot the
robber, which prompted the thief to flee. Police caught up with the
robber when his getaway driver sought police assistance for the
wounded criminal.
The
armed robber targeted the wrong person. Lewis is a veteran of World
War II, and previously defended himself against an attempted armed
robbery in 2010. (The Palm Beach Post, Palm Beach, Fla. 08/25/14)
A
man was asleep at home in Albuquerque, N.M. when a trio of armed
robbers attempted to gain entry to the residence by claiming that
they were police. The criminals ultimately broke down the door and
got inside the home. The resident responded by retrieving a gun and
firing at the home invaders, striking and killing one, and wounding
another. The surviving intruders fled the home, but were later
captured by police.
The
surviving home invaders have been charged with the murder of their
accomplice. Albequerque Police Department Public Information Officer
Tanner Tixier shared some advice for would be intruders with local
media outlet KRQE, stating, “What people need to understand is if
you join your buddy to go commit a felony and your buddy dies you can
be the one who gets charged with murder.” (KRQE, Albuquerque, N.M.
08/20/14)
A
man approached a woman in her vehicle in Phoenix, Ariz. and asked if
he could use her phone. When the woman refused, the man dragged her
from the vehicle. A woman who lives nearby noticed the situation and
went to investigate. While the neighbor was near the car, the
carjacker accelerated, injuring her. The neighbor’s husband
responded by firing at the carjacker, striking him.
The
wounded carjacker fled the scene, but was captured a short time late,
after he crashed the stolen vehicle. The carjacker died after being
taken to a hospital. (KTVK, Phoenix, Ariz. 08/15/14)
Four
men, at least some of whom were armed with guns, broke into an
apartment in Garland, Texas. The resident responded by retrieving a
gun and firing at the criminals, striking and killing one, and
causing the rest to flee.
Police
suspect the deceased intruder also recently robbed a nearby
convenience store. (KDFW, Dallas, Texas, 08/08/14)
80-year-old
NJ Logan was recovering from hip surgery at home in Holmes Beach,
Fla. when she became aware of an intrusion. Logan responded by
retrieving a revolver, calling 9-1-1, and warning the intruder.
According to Logan, while on the phone with police, she was told to
“put the gun down,” to which she replied, “I’ll put the gun
down when I see the police.” The intruder left the home without a
direct confrontation.
Following
the incident, Logan told a local media outlet, “I believe in guns
inside your house, because I don't think anybody has the right to
break into your private domain. I'll definitely have the gun up there
that is for sure.” (WTVT, Tampa Bay, Fla. 08/01/14)
A
psychiatric patient armed with a revolver and several rounds of
ammunition entered Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby, Pa. for a
scheduled appointment. The patient then proceeded to fire upon
hospital staff, killing one woman and wounding Dr. Lee Silverman.
Silverman responded to the rampage by retrieving a pistol and firing
at the patient. Three of Silverman’s shot struck the patient which
allowed for other hospital employees to detain the killer.
Following
the incident, Silverman has been hailed as a hero. Delaware County
District Attorney Jack Whelan stated, “If Dr. Silverman did not
have the firearm and did not utilize the firearm, he’s be dead
today… and other people would be dead.” (The Philadelphia
Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pa. 07/27/14)
Victoria
Davison had just parked her vehicle in Milwaukee, Wisc. when a pair
of criminals approached and ordered her to hand over her car keys.
Then one of the men said, “Go get the cannon,” which prompted
Davison to act. Fearing for her life, Davison, a Right-to-Carry
permit holder, retrieved a gun and fired at the criminals, striking
one of the robbers. Police eventually captured both of the criminals,
whom they believe are linked to other crimes in the area. (The
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Milwaukee, Wisc. 07/12/14)
64-year-old
Donald Sacco was waiting at a bus stop in Orlando, Fla. when a man
armed with a knife approached, attempted to steal Sacco’s property,
and began stabbing him. A passerby in a vehicle spotted the attack,
retrieved a gun, and rushed to Sacco’s aid. The armed citizen
ordered the criminal to halt his attack and held him at gunpoint
until police could arrive. A former paramedic was also on the scene
and rushed to help Sacco, who is reportedly in stable condition.
Local media are referring to the passersby as “good Samaritans.”
(MyFOXOrlando, Orlando, Fla. 07/16/14, The Orlando Sentinel, Orlando,
Fla. 07/16/14)