As reported, the owner of an Alexandria, Louisiana fireworks stand used his handgun to fend off three armed robbers.
Police say that the husband and wife who own the fireworks stand were preparing to close for the day when the wife noticed a young man acting suspiciously. The wife reportedly notified her husband, at which point he got his gun and kept it ready. At closing time, the suspicious young man and two accomplices drew their handguns as part of a robbery attempt, police say. The fireworks stand owner reportedly then drew and fired his own gun in self defense, ending the violent robbery. One of the suspected robbers, 20 year old old Sheldon Fisher, died at the scene while another suspect, 18 year old Charvick Rachal, survived and was listed in stable condition at a local hospital, according to police. Rachal will reportedly face armed robbery charges upon his release from the hospital, and police are seeking a third suspect. The husband and wife who own the fireworks stand were unharmed.
As this and countless other cases show, armed citizens are capable of defending themselves and their loved ones from violent attacks. Every day, armed citizens stop burglars, robbers, rapists, kidnappers, and every other type of violent criminal. Unarmed citizens, on the other hand, are often left at the (non-existent) mercy of criminals who care more about more about stealing money than the lives of their victims. Given those facts, it seems prudent to be prepared for self defense, just as it is prudent to wear a seatbelt while driving a car.