GunLink Blog

A mother was in the parking lot of a Family Dollar store in Houston, Texas when a pair of purse snatchers grabbed her bag and dragged the woman, who was still holding the purse, into the middle of the parking lot. A man in the parking lot witnessed the attack, retrieved a handgun, and confronted the criminals, forcing them out of the car and onto the ground. The armed passerby then held the pair at gunpoint until police arrived.

Following the incident, a local media outlet interviewed the manager of the Family Dollar store, who said of the armed citizen, “The guy is something else… He’s a hero.” (KHOU, Houston, Texas 04/28/14)

See more stories of how responsible owners have used their firearms to protect themselves at NRA-ILA Armed Citizen.

After a woman arrived home with her pet pit bull in Exeter Township, Pa., she was attacked by the dog as she tried to remove it from her car. The woman’s partner came to her aid, but was also attacked by the dog. One neighbor described the scene to a local news outlet by stating, “The dog would not let [him] go.”

Other neighbors came to help the couple. When the dog failed to stop after one neighbor hit it with a metal bar, another neighbor shot the dog, ending the attack. The wounded couple was taken to a local hospital. (WFMZ, Allentown, Pa. 05/01/14)

See more stories of how responsible owners have used their firearms to protect themselves at NRA-ILA Armed Citizen.

Three armed men entered Duece’s Smoke Shop in Pharr, Texas and attempted to rob the store. An owner responded to the threat by retrieving a gun and firing at the criminals, striking and killing one, and causing the others to flee.

Police captured one of the suspects shortly after the shooting and have charged him with murder in the death of his accomplice. Pharr Police chief Ruben Villescas told local media that he does not expect the store owner to be charged. (The Monitor, McAllen, Texas 05/02/14)

See more stories of how responsible owners have used their firearms to protect themselves at NRA-ILA Armed Citizen.

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)

See more stories of how responsible owners have used their firearms to protect themselves at NRA-ILA Armed Citizen.

A recently widowed woman was home alone in Phoenix, Ariz. when a man broke into her house through a back door. Once inside, the criminal attacked the woman with that may have been a garden tool. The woman responded by retrieving a gun and shooting the home invader, ending the attack.

Following the incident, Phoenix Police Spokesman Tommy Thompson told a local news outlet, “”I would say that anytime someone is in your house, they’ve assaulted you, broken into your house, and assaulted you, you would say she appears to have been in the right at this point.” (KSAZ, Phoenix, Ariz. 05/06/14)

See more stories of how responsible owners have used their firearms to protect themselves at NRA-ILA Armed Citizen.

Jonathan Haith was asleep at his home in Henderson, N.C. when he awakened to a knock at his door. Haith initially ignored the knock, but when it was followed by a loud bang, he retrieved an AR-15 rifle and went to investigate. As Haith moved through his hallway, he spotted an intruder armed with a gun. The intruder fired at Haith, who responded by shooting the criminal in the stomach. The home invader fled the home, but collapsed nearby.

Police captured the wounded intruder, along with an accomplice that was acting as the getaway driver. (WRAL, Raleigh, N.C. 05/11/14)

See more stories of how responsible owners have used their firearms to protect themselves at NRA-ILA Armed Citizen.