Robber Shot in Foot by Armed Citizen

As reported, a pair of criminals attempted to rob a victim in Wilkes-Barre, PA, while armed with a metal pipe.  The victim complied, and handed over his wallet.  Despite the victim’s cooperation, the criminal with the metal pipe continued to advance on the victim, who then drew his lawfully concealed pistol, and shot the robber in the foot.  The shot robber was treated at a local hospital, and and both robbers were arrested.

This robbery shows what we have seen time and time again: criminals will often harm their victims, even when the victim fully cooperates. Sometimes the robbers are dissapointed that the victim’s belongings aren’t very valuable, and other times it seems that the robbers shoot the victim just for fun.  Trying to run away often leaves a victim no better off.  Regardless of the robber’s reason for violence, the result is the same: an injured or killed victim.  On the other hand, armed citizens are in the best possible position to defend themselves and their loved ones.  This armed barber shot an armed criminal who threatened his young child.  This armed pet shop clerk shot an armed robber who threatened a fellow employee’s life.  This armed pizza delivery man defended himself against a trio of robbers.  This armed citizen stopped a bank robber, while this armed Israeli stopped a terrorist.  This armed woman shot a rapist, while this armed woman shot a stalker that broke into her home.  Even citizens who are illegally carrying guns have stopped bat-wielding racists and armed robbers.  While it is true that not every crime could be prevented by an armed citizen, a great many crimes could be – and that is why I support the right of citizens to be armed for self defense purpose.

This robbery also disproves the unfounded idea that concealed carry permit holders are blood-thirst people, who are just looking for an excuse to open fire.  Here, the robbery victim could have drawn his gun right away, but instead chose to hand over his wallet and avoid using his gun.  It was only when the criminal continued to threaten his life that the victim used his concealed handgun.  In his own words, the robbery victim stated the following: “When they tried to rob me, I thought, ‘Give him the money and call the police later,’” Budde explained. “When he came at me again, I thought, ‘I can’t fight him. I’m 51 years old, I’m disabled, I don’t have the strength to run.’”