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As reported, an employee with a concealed carry license used his handgun to defend himself and stop a pair of criminals who tried to rob his shop.  Police say that the employee, whose name has not been released, was closing shop at a business located at 21st and Clay in Topeka, KS last Saturday night. Two robbers entered and attacked the employee, and a struggle ensued.  The employee was able to grab his handgun, for which he had a concealed carry permit, and fired at the suspect.  The suspects then fled empty-handed, leaving the employee unharmed. Read the rest of this article »

As reported, a burglar broke into a residence on the 1500 block of Autumn Village Drive at about 11PM on Wednesday in Columbus, Ohio.  Several residents were home at the time of the break in, including the homeowner and his 5 year old nephew.  Police say that the homeowner was cooking dinner when he realized that a criminal was breaking into his house, grabbed his nephew, grabbed his gun, and ran for the upstairs. The home invader continued his advance, at which point the homeowner shot the criminal while holding his young nephew in the other hand.  None of the home’s occupants were harmed.  When police arrived, they found the body of the home invader, along with the gun they believe the home invader was carrying during the attack. Read the rest of this article »

I’m taking the Illinois bar exam Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, so I won’t be posting anything new until Monday, August 3rd.  I’ll also be unable to moderate comments or answer emails during this time.  But rest assured, any comments/emails will be attended to upon my return. Read the rest of this article »

A masked and armed intruder was fatally shot in self defense by the owner of a Cartersville, KY home.

As reported, 40 year old Dallas Helton, of Paint Lick, KY, was allegedly wearing a ski mask and gloves, while carrying a crow bar, as he broke in to a Cartersville, KY home.  The owner of the rural home fired one shot in self defense, saving himself from violent attack, and fatally wounding the home invader.  The home owner then called police, who found two people waiting outside the home in a car.  Police reportedly arrested Tanya A. Fowler, the deceased home invader’s wife, and a juvenile identified as their son.  Fowler has reportedly been charged with complicity to commit burglary in the second degree, and the juvenile was released to the custody of relatives.

Home invasions are a serious threat to the safety of everyone in the home, since criminals often murder, rape, kidnap, and otherwise harm their innocent victims.  Had this man not had a gun for self defense, it is almost certain that the police would not have been able to respond quickly enough to save him from a crow bar wielding attacker.  Luckily, this man was armed, and as a result he was able to save his own life.  While any loss of life, even that of a violent criminal, is unfortunate, it is far better that loss of life fall on the aggressor, rather than their innocent victim.

As reported, Miguel Jimenez was walking home to his apartment when 18 year old Andri Benjamin and an alleged accomplice ran up to him, put a gun to his head, and tried to rob him.  Miguel had a concealed carry permit, and was lawfully carrying a handgun for self defense.  Miguel reportedly pulled out his handgun and fatally shot Benjamin in self defense, then held the other alleged robber at gunpoint until police arrived. Read the rest of this article »

As reported, 82 year old Bradley Harvell, of Liberty County, Florida was at home last Sunday night when a man knocked on his door. Harvell answered the door, and found a man dressed in all black, who was carrying a stun gun and a fake but realistic looking gun. The man forced his way in, and used the stun gun against Harvell. The man then demanded Harvell’s money, which Harvell turned over. The man wasn’t satisfied, and demanded more money, despite the fact that Harvell had no more cash to give him. The man continued to attack Harvell, who then managed to grab his .357 Magnum handgun. Harvell fired in self defense, saving his life and fatally wounding the attacker. Police identified the dead home invader as 24 year old Octavius Barnes. Police have since arrested 3 women who are accused of having helped plan the violent robbery. Read the rest of this article »

As reported, an armed robber entered a Miami grocery store just after 1PM, with a shirt wrapped around his face to conceal his identity.  In the robber’s hand was a black pistol.  The robber threatened the life of the store manager, while demanding money.  The store manager was able to grab his self defense gun, and three shots were fired by the robber and the manager.  The robber was hit in the neck, and managed to run a short distance before collapsing dead on the sidewalk.  Neither the manager nor any innocent bystanders were harmed.  Witnesses to the robbery reportedly said that the shopping area where the self defense shooting took place was in a “constant war between shopkeepers and robbers.” Read the rest of this article »

The Brady Campaign, which is one of the leading anti gun rights groups, often uses misinformation and fear mongering.  This is true of both its own statements about guns, as well as statements made by its subsidiaries.  A recent email sent by the Brady Campaign to its members demonstrates this point quite well: Read the rest of this article »

As reported, a neighborhood in Houston with many senior citizens has seen increased crime, including 5 recent robberies.  A 16 year old boy was sleeping alone in his father’s home when a criminal kicked in the back door and entered.  The boy saw that the home invader had a handgun, and ran to grab a self defense gun.  The criminal continued the armed home invasion, at which point the boy fatally shot the criminal in self defense.  The boy, who was physically unharmed, then went to a neighbor’s house and called 911.  Police arrived, set up a perimeter, and eventually entered the house, where they found the dead home invader, and his realistic-looking BB gun.  Police do not expect that the boy will face charges for his morally and legally correct self defense actions. Read the rest of this article »

Below is a Gun Owners of America action alert regarding S. 845, a bill that would establish concealed carry reciprocity between the states.  This would do away with the unjust and complex rules that currently govern concealed carry across state lines.  Just as driver’s licenses, marriage licenses, and other matters are valid across state lines, concealed carry permits should be similarly respected between states.  A vote on this bill may occur as early as today, so please take a moment to take action: Read the rest of this article »

Below is an interview in which Ted Nugent provides his view on gun rights: Read the rest of this article »

As reported, a Papa John’s pizza delivery driver was delivering a pizza in Lexington, SC.  A robber was waiting for the pizza delivery man, and robbed him at gunpoint.  After the pizza delivery driver handed over all the cash and receipts that he had, and began to walk back to his car, the robber continued to threaten his life.  At this point, the driver drew his concealed carry weapon, and fired one shot.  The robber was hit in the chest, and suffered a non life threatening injury.  The pizza delivery man was unharmed, and police have a suspect in custody. Read the rest of this article »

I recently stated that robbery is properly thought of as a crime against a person, rather than their property.  A recent home invasion robbery from Chicago really reinforces this point: Read the rest of this article »

I’ve received a report that the LearnAboutGuns email subscriptions are not working.   I’m getting the emails just fine, but I would like to know if there is some problem that is affecting some email subscribers.  If you subscribe by email, could you please leave a comment below letting me know whether you’re having any problems?  Thanks!

As reported, a robber entered the Golden Food Market in South Richmond, VA.  The criminal then opened fire on the shopkeeper and several customers, wounding the shopkeeper.  A friend of the store owner happened to be in the store, saw the robbery, and drew his revolver.  Before the robber to kill the shopkeeper or harm any customers, the armed citizen shot and wounded the robber, putting an end to the attack.  The shopkeeper is expected to recover, and the robber was apprehended by police.  The shopkeeper referred to the armed citizen who stopped the violent robber as a “guardian angel.” Read the rest of this article »

Robbery is often thought of as a crime against property, since taking the victim’s property is generally the criminals’ goal.  However, as a practical matter, robbery is better thought of as a violent crime against a person. Read the rest of this article »

Ammunition used for self defense purposes must be carefully picked to ensure optimal performance.   A bullet that performs properly can be the difference between stopping an attacker in time, or dying at the hands of that attacker.  I’ve discussed, in general, my thoughts on the proper ammunition for such defensive purposes.  However I don’t have the time/resources to provide specific information about the performance of various different self defense round.  That is why I’m mentioning The Brass Fetcher website: Read the rest of this article »

As reported, a convicted felon was shot by a bakery owner after the felon allegedly robbed the bakery and threatened the employees’ lives.  Police say that 29 year old Demitrius Newbill, of the 500 block of Poplar Street, entered the Pasteleria Panaderia Bakery on the 700 block of Yeoman Street yesterday at about 8:15 PM.  Newbill is then alleged to have asked the bakery owner for a pencil and paper, on which he wrote a demand note claiming to have a gun, while holding his hand under his shirt in a threatening manner.  The bakery owner and his employees complied with the demands for money and their cell phones allegedly made by Newbill.  The bakery owner then alleges that Newbill reached into his waistband for the object that was thought to be a gun, at which point the bakery owner grabbed his revolver and fired 3 shots in self defense.  Newbill survived and was treated at a local hospital, where he allegedly confessed to police for the robbery and pretending to have a gun.  Newbill, who was convicted of robbery in 2003, faces up to 15 years in prison on aggravated robbery charges.  None of the innocent people were harmed, and the bakery owner is not expected to face charges for defending himself with the gun that he lawfully owned. Read the rest of this article »

I’ve previously discussed how prosecutors, news outlets, and the families of criminals have a tendency to wrongfully blame a crime victim who defends themselves against a violent criminal. Sadly, there is another such case: Read the rest of this article »

As reported, 18 year old Adrian Perkins and an accomplice went to the BB&T bank parking lot in Gastonia, NC at about 1:30AM on July 4th.  The men attempted to rob a citizen who was using the ATM.  Unbeknown to the criminals, that citizen was armed for self defense.  The would-be victim fired one shot, which fatally wounded Perkins.  The various news accounts of this self defense gun use don’t clearly state what happened to the victim or the accomplice, but it appears that the victim was unharmed and the accomplice escaped. Read the rest of this article »

Recent events in one of Chicago’s more violent neighborhoods show that while the handgun ban is still the law (for now), it is ineffective at disarming criminals: Read the rest of this article »

As reported, a computer technician who lives in Sugar Land, TX works the night shift, and sleeps during the day.  He was at home in his apartment when his dog began barking around noon.  He picked up his gun just in time, as a criminal broke in through a kitchen window.  The criminal rushed toward the man with a weapon that looked like a screwdriver.  The man fired in self defense, wounding the attacker, who then fled through the front door.  A suspect and his vehicle were found 10 miles away, after the suspect sought medical attention for his gunshot wound.  The would-be victim was unharmed. Read the rest of this article »

In the past, I’ve written articles about the importance of self defense, and how it is the most basic human right.  I’ve also mentioned the problem with second guessing those who defend themselves, and advocated for individuals who rightfully fired in self defense.  Today I write about the opposite situation, where a citizen has acted in a manner that cannot remotely be called self defense.  Hopefully, this will clear up any lingering confusion surrounding the distinction between self defense and vigilantism. Read the rest of this article »

As I mentioned, I’m now studying for the bar exam. Like many if not most law students, I paid for a $3,000+ bar review course that is offered by a company called Bar/Bri.  It reviews the areas of the law that the bar exam tests, and takes about two months to complete.  In the course of his Constitutional Law II lecture, Professor Paul Lisnek injected some rather disappointing and totally unnecessary anti-hunting bias: Read the rest of this article »