I’ve previously discussed how robbers often harm even those victims who fully cooperate. Along similar lines, I’ve mentioned how running from a robber can leave a crime victim no better off. As a recent armed robbery from Cincinnati, OH shows, there are robbers who don’t even given their victim a chance to cooperate before opening fire:
[Two, or possibly three, robbers entered a gas station wearing masks. Almost immediately, they took aim and fired at the clerk, striking him multiple times in the chest and back. The robbers then stole some cash and phone cards, before escaping. The clerk survived his injuries.]
Here we have a situation in which the robbers didn’t even give their victim an opportunity to cooperate, and instead simply attempted to kill him. In other words, the robbers decided that the risk/inconvenience of taking the time to try and get the clerk to cooperate was too much of a burden, and it would be simpler for them to just take his life. When faced with criminals who are so willing to take a life so that they can more easily steal a little bit of property, the only viable option would appear to be self defense.
In response to the above, I’ve heard anti-gun individuals argue that a crime victim who is suddenly attacked will not have enough time to grab their self defense gun and use it effectively. To that I reply that the statistical evidence and real-life examples make clear the point that crime victims can and do successfully defend themselves under far-from-ideal circumstances. A few examples: This homeowner used his gun to stop 3 armed robbers who ambushed him at his front door at 1:45am and then rushed inside. This homeowner managed to get and fire his self defense gun, despite being attacked at his front door and shot by a violent intruder. This man managed to shoot 2 armed robbers in self defense, despite being choked by the robbers and held at gunpoint in his own home. This homeowner managed to get his gun from a drawer, despite the fact that a criminal held a knife to him. This elderly man managed to grab a self defense gun, despite being shocked with a stun gun and beaten by a 24 year old man. This man managed to draw his concealed carry handgun and shoot an armed robber in self defense, despite the fact that that robber was standing behind him and pointing a shotgun at his back. This jewelry store owner managed to grab his gun from under a desk, despite the fact that two robbers were in his store, one of whom had a gun pointed at him. This pawnshop manager managed to shoot an armed robber in self defense, saving himself and his teenage employee, despite the fact that a gun was being held to that employee’s throat.