As reported, an armed criminal who tried to rob a bait shop in Bessemer, Alabama was fatally shot in self defense by the store’s owner.
Police say that 41 year old Kevin Dudley of Pleasant Grove entered the bait shop, armed with a shotgun, and threatened the lives of those present as part of a robbery attempt. The store owner is said to have grabbed his own gun and shot Dudley in self defense, putting an end to the violent robbery. Dudley reportedly died of his wounds, and none of the robbery victims were harmed. Police also say that Dudley may have committed a homicide and several other robberies, based upon surveillance camera footage and other evidence.
Once again, gun ownership has allowed a law abiding person who was going about their peaceful business to defend themselves from unprovoked and violent attack. Had this man not been armed, he could have been harmed by the robber for not having enough money to steal, or perhaps just because the robber felt like harming someone that day. Make no mistake about it – robbery is a violent crime against a person’s body and life, not just a taking of their property. As such, robbery victims are legally and morally entitled to defend themselves with deadly force.