As reported, a retired homeowner from Stuart, Florida used his handgun to defend himself and his wife from an early morning home invader.
Police say that just before 5 AM, an intruder entered a married couple’s home, which is in a retirement community on the 7200 block of Lillian Court, awakening the wife. She reportedly went to investigate the noise, and found a male intruder in the hallway, prompting her to wake up her husband and inform him of the situation. The husband grabbed his 9mm handgun and shot the intruder in the hip area, after the intruder advanced on him, according to news reports. The intruder fled the home, and a suspect that was armed with a knife and suffering from a gunshot wound was found hiding in the bushes next door, according to police. A suspected accomplice was also apprehended in a nearby vehicle, police say. The homeowners were unharmed.
Those opposed to gun ownership for self defense often argue that a crime victim who is caught unawares will be unable to get their gun and defend themselves. As this case shows, such theoretical arguments don’t necessarily reflect reality. In this case, the homeowners were asleep while the attacker was wide awake and ready to commit a cime. Yet the victims managed to wake up and defend themselves, without suffering any injury in the process.
Nor is this an isolated case of self defense success. Many crime victims are able to defend themselves against criminals who seemingly have the upper hand, as some recent examples show: 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 in self defense, saving himself and his teenage employee, despite the fact that a gun was being held to that employee’s throat. I could go on with many more examples, but the point should be clear – armed self defense works.