If you want to attract an honorable lady, be an honorable man.

Sunday, December 30, 2012

2012 in Review

Wow. I can't believe it has been a year since I last did this post. Time sure flies, fun or no. Granted, making time fly by throwing that old broken-down clock out the window is loads of fun, but then you have to go outside and throw the silly old thing away in the proper place.
Anyway, time flies around here. I certainly can't call it a bad year. I mean, I'm still here blogging aren't I? So everything seems kinda menial to the fact that God is still letting me live and hasn't gotten fed up with me yet. In that light, life is good, and this year has been good.
I'll start from the beginning of the year and work my way forward.

In January we had church shoot day, and had a blast. Who wouldn't?

My first time firing an AK-47. Nice weapon to say the least.

My friend's .40 Llama

 A .22-250 that can take apart anything the cross-hairs touch. 
Using a 30-30 taking metal cans to task.  

Not to long after we went on a nice little 8 mile hike with our friends (You all have seen goofy shots of this hike before methinks....) 


A rather sane and civilized shot of all of us before we began. 
The peak of our victory

In February I went on a road trip to Oregon to be the Best Man in one of my best friends wedding.  


For some reason my mug doesn't quite seem to fit in a tux.....

Shortly after was our annual Men-and-boys camp-out. 


Some of us looking rather worn and warm during the hike.

In March, me and a great friend went camping just the two of us for the night way out in the desert.


Our lowly camp site.

Following shortly after that was the yearly Men's Prayer Advance.




Sometime in either February or March, I made it into the top 12 pencils drawings in the national HSLDA Art Contest. I never placed, but made it to the final round and have my picture on display at the HSLDA headquarters in Virginia. 

Presently this picture is framed and a long ways away. 

In May, we had a nice Birthday for my dad, and did a neat small photoshoot with some friends, and got some gnarly pictures. 

The three musketeers.
This one was so neat I did a little photo-shopping and added some text. I have it hanging up in my room actually.

In June, our church had a whole-church camp up north, and me and my sisters (with a few other friends thrown in here and there) had a riot of a time. 

She said grab a tree and pose. What else was I supposed to do? 
Swimming in Blue Ridge Reservoir - cold, rocky, but more fun than a barrel of monkeys.  
We thought we were just gonna look at the creek then leave. Then we found crawdads......

We kicked off our shoes and waded in, and came back to camp with 9 crawdads, and ate 'em up

In July my sisters cooked up the scheme of hooking mini horses up to boogie boards, as opposed to carts. Horses get exercise - we stay cool and have fun.  

Surfin - AZ style. 

In August, we took playing in the water to the next level. Forget the horses, just use the boogie boards! 

We all three ran and landed on our boards at the same time. Epic fun is an understatement. 

Throwing my board under me and landing on it on the water. It made for another epic shot and scripture picture. 

Shortly after was our Church water day, and the congregation got wetter than they have in a LONG time. Yeah, we had young and old, parents and kids, the sheep and the shepherds all getting extraordinarily wet together.  

Yes, that is me on the right, going belly down, feet first.  

A rather soggy shot of yours truly. Not a bad shot, if I do say so myself. 

In September, We went back to the creek we were at in June, and celebrated my sister's B-day kayaking and catching crawdads in the rain and cold. 
Oh and BTW, having a crawdad crawl over your toes is about one of the most disturbing feelings in the entire world. Ask how I figured that one out.....



My sisters and I tried to see if we can boat along with a person sitting on both the front and the back of the boat, at the same time. If the boat had rode higher in the water, we could have done it. As it was, we kept sinking the boat. :)  

Right after, we went to Colorado, for the third year in a row. 


Our favorite lookout and photo spot on our Colorado trips.
At our friends house, I bumped into a fellow blogger from the other end of the country. Paul Leavitt, through a seemingly random set of circumstances, was staying at our friends house as a place to stay during a conference he was attending. Two people from vastly separate states, both being in a different state at the same time. What are the odds of that? 

Afterwards, was our annual Church Family Camp. This was the best year yet, with a great speaker, and I set my personal best record of how many bass I caught that weekend.


See? Don't I look much better in camo than in a tux? 










There was even another one, the proverbial "one that got away". However big he was, he was bigger than all the others, a lot bigger, and snapped my line in about 2 seconds. *Sigh*
Going back for that guy next year....


In October, I birthed my first Mini horse all by my lonesome. Well, at least, with no other "experts" around. I was horse-sitting while my "sisters" were out of town, so nobody else around knew much about birthing. Nerve-racking yes, but overall it went real well - I guess. I mean, he's alive and well today, so I guess that counts as success!




At the end of October, I officially went on my first deer hunt. A long looked-forward-to experience. We put in nearly 40 miles of walking, and now are pretty familiar with that section of the wild. :)

Ah yes, perfectly at home. Under a tree in the wild, in camo, heavily armed, waiting for a deer.  Wouldn't that tux just completely ruin such a perfect scene?  

November 1st, this little guy walked a little to far towards the watering hole....

Two tired hunters, posing for the victory photo.

 November was uneventful, but December bought a much looked-forward-to event.


 

I officially saw it in IMAX 3D, an amazing experience to say the least. Best movie I saw all year. 

During the year I also The Avengers, another great movie, but as a fan of the book, the Hobbit beat it out without much of a fight. :) 

This year was also my best bird hunting year ever. Period. I easily doubled or tripled my bird count from the previous year, and getting my limit on birds (thankfully...praise the Lord) became the norm. At one point, I got the drop on a whole pile of birds, and got 18 in one shot. I think I had 6 or 7 birds before that shot, and when all was said and done, I took 25 birds home. My friend says I may have set a world record, I just can't tell Game and Fish. :) Whoops. So far though, my best bird-to-bullet ratio is 10 birds, 16 shots. 

I also have grown tremendously in my walk with the Lord this year. I have been convicted like never before of my sin, and my need for Christ and his work for me. It has been an amazing year of spiritual developments. While before this year, I thought I was doing pretty good in my spiritual walk, this year I got a better view of exactly how bad I really was, way deep down where only God sees. (Sorry guys, couldn't find a picture for that one. : / ) 

And I think that about wraps up the year! I am going on another hike tomorrow (like the one at the beginning of this year) so we'll see how that goes. The same goofy crowd is going, so I kinda can guess as to the results. :) 

So, it's been quite the year. First Tux, first deer, first IMAX, friend got married, loads of of fun, loads of other valuable lessons - all in one year. Bad year? I think not. 

How's your year gone? 


Thursday, December 20, 2012

A Random Post on Gun Control

Yeah, I know this topic has probably been floating around lately since the Ct shooting, but I wanted to make a point, and for once, not with logic or scripture. For once, I am going to use some homemade (but real) statistics about this whole topic of gun control, mass shootings, and self-defense.


I did some research on mass shootings, and there have been 12 mass shootings since WW2. There are lots other small ones here and there, but there have been 12 major ones.

This link here shows all 12 shootings. There was a shooting in New Jersey, one in Pennsylvania, two in Colorado, one in California, three in Texas, one in Virginia, one in Alabama, one in New York, and the latest one in Connecticut, with a grand total of around 239 people killed.

Those are the statistics on the wrong use of weapons. Just for curiosity, lets see how many stories we can find of people using weapons rightly and stopping crime. I'll put the links up so you can check for yourselves, just so you can see I ain't bluffin.

   http://gunssavelives.net/self-defense/video/video-charlotte-nc-detective-fires-at-home-invader-trying-to-break-into-his-home/

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/man-attempts-to-open-fire-on-crowd-at-movie-theater-armed-off-duty-sheriffs-deputy-drops-him-with-one-bullet/

http://gunssavelives.net/self-defense/video-employee-at-internet-cafe-fights-off-shotgun-wielding-robbers-using-his-own-gun/

http://gunssavelives.net/self-defense/nc-homeowner-shoots-and-kills-sex-offender-during-early-morning-home-invasion/

http://gunssavelives.net/self-defense/ohio-homeowner-shoots-and-kills-burglar-who-also-broke-into-neighboring-apartment/

http://gunssavelives.net/self-defense/video/video-oregon-mall-shooter-may-have-been-stopped-by-concealed-carrier/

http://gunssavelives.net/self-defense/tx-homeowner-shoots-knife-wielding-home-invader-while-on-the-phone-with-911/

http://gunssavelives.net/self-defense/ms-resident-shoots-burglar-who-tries-to-escape-from-3rd-story-balcony/

http://gunssavelives.net/self-defense/77-year-old-atlanta-grandmother-opens-fire-on-burglar/

http://gunssavelives.net/self-defense/video/video-81-year-old-detroit-man-fights-off-intruder-with-antique-22-revolver/

http://gunssavelives.net/self-defense/video/video-texas-store-clerk-shoots-knife-wielding-armed-robber-on-crime-spree/

http://gunssavelives.net/self-defense/kansas-homeowner-forced-to-shoot-intruder-after-being-attacked/

http://gunssavelives.net/self-defense/pistol-packing-lady-stops-armed-robbery-before-it-happens-in-wyoming/

Ok, Right there we have more stories of a gun doing some good than of a gun doing miles of harm. But let's be adventurous and keep digging.

http://gunssavelives.net/self-defense/ca-homeowner-shoots-daytime-burglar-multiple-times-in-the-chest/

http://gunssavelives.net/self-defense/video/video-armed-robber-in-oh-is-shot-and-killed-by-two-clerks/

http://gunssavelives.net/self-defense/homeowner-in-ca-opens-fire-on-three-burglars/

http://gunssavelives.net/self-defense/video/amazing-raw-video-of-senior-concealed-carrier-taking-on-armed-robbers/

http://gunssavelives.net/self-defense/video/video-canadian-homeowner-shoots-and-kills-1-of-3-home-invaders/

http://gunssavelives.net/self-defense/help-devin-mclean-the-autozone-employee-who-was-fired-for-stopping-armed-robbery/

http://gunssavelives.net/self-defense/mi-store-clerk-shoots-knife-wielding-armed-robber-in-the-head/

http://gunssavelives.net/self-defense/in-gas-station-clerk-shoots-1-of-2-would-be-robbers/

http://gunssavelives.net/self-defense/video-tx-homeowner-shoots-1-of-2-burglars-taking-property-from-his-home/

Ok, all that cutting and pasting is getting tiresome. Let's see if this is faster.

Taken from the NRA's Armed Citizen page.


December 13, 2012

Gas station clerks shoot armed robber, The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, Ohio 12/10/12

Two clerks were operating a Sunoco gas station in Springfield Township, Ohio, when an armed robber entered the store and ordered one of the clerks to “go behind the counter and get me the money.” As the criminal went behind the counter he fired at the clerks, prompting the pair to retrieve a .40-caliber pistol and a shotgun and fire at the robber. Shots fired by both clerks struck the criminal, killing him. A daily customer of the Sunoco station was puzzled as to why anyone would attempt to rob the store, telling local media, “I know everyone that works in there. They are all great guys. Everybody knows they have guns. That’s why I’m surprised someone tried to rob them. It does not make sense.”
FULL STORY
December 11, 2012

Store owner stops knife-wielding robber, WOOD-TV, Battle Creek, Mich. 12/04/12

Pardeep Singh was working behind the counter of his family’s convenience store, Liberty Mart, in Battle Creek, Mich. when a man entered the store and demanded money. Singh handed over some money and tried to calm the robber by talking to him. Unsatisfied with the amount of cash, the criminal said he needed more money, revealed a knife and attempted to get behind the counter. As the robber moved towards Singh, Singh retrieved a gun and shot the criminal in the head, ending the robbery. The wounded robber was taken to a local hospital where he was listed in critical condition. No one else was harmed during the incident.
FULL STORY
December 5, 2012

AutoZone Employee Fired After Saving Manager, (WTKR, Hampton Roads, Va. 11/30/12)

An armed robber, who police believe has robbed more than 30 businesses on Virginia’s middle peninsula, entered an AutoZone in York County, Va. and attempted to rob the store. Upon recognizing the criminal who has been called the “fake beard bandit,” store employee Devin McClean retreated to the store’s bathroom, then exited the store and headed for his truck. McClean retrieved a pistol from his vehicle, reentered the store and ordered the criminal to freeze as he was terrorizing another employee. At first the bandit complied and threw his hands in the air, but then he fled the scene. Following the incident, the manager on duty told McClean, “thank you Devin, you really saved my life.” Unfortunately, two days after the attempted robbery, McClean was fired by AutoZone, whose corporate office cited a zero tolerance policy when contacted by the media. Despite losing his job, McClean says he wouldn’t change anything, stating, “If I can save somebody’s life, I put that way above store policy.”
FULL STORY
November 29, 2012

Jewelry store owner combats violent criminals, KGO-TV, San Francisco, Calif. 11/26/2012

Two masked and armed criminals entered Joyeria Vanessa jewelry store in San Jose, Calif. and demanded money from the owner. In response, the owner retrieved a pistol and fired at the robbers. The shots missed, but sent the criminals fleeing to a nearby getaway car. Police made clear that the woman had a right to defend herself.
FULL STORY
November 27, 2012

Woman defends son and home from burglar, The Joplin Globe, Joplin, Mo. 11/21/12

A woman was at home with her three-year-old son in Wyandotte, Okla. when she was awakened by a knock on her door. The homeowner peered outside, noticed a strange man at her door and retrieved a .22-caliber pistol. The man then began breaking into the home, making it through one of two locked doors; at which point the woman opened the inside door and fired a shot at the criminal. The would-be burglar fled to a waiting getaway car and proceeded to cross the state line into Missouri. After viewing surveillance video of a nearby road, Missouri police were able to determine the criminal’s whereabouts and make an arrest.
FULL STORY
November 16, 2012

Store owner fatally shoots armed criminal, The Houston Chronicle, Houston, Texas 11/14/12, KTRK, Houston, Texas 11/15/12

A robber armed with a handgun entered a cell phone store in Houston, Texas and attempted to rob the owner. The owner responded by retrieving a gun and firing at the criminal, striking him twice and causing him to flee to a nearby getaway car. The robber died after the getaway driver took him to a hospital in Pearland, Texas. The getaway driver is in custody.
FULL STORY
November 13, 2012

Immigrant uses revolver to defend home, The Herald, Sharon, Pa. 11/08/12

Italian immigrant Pete Delli Bovi was at home on his couch in Sharon, Pa. when an intruder attempted to break down his door with a brick at 3 in the afternoon. Delli Bovi, who told reporters he always keeps his .38-caliber revolver nearby, retrieved the gun and shot the criminal twice. The home invader fled the scene but was captured by police after seeking treatment at a local hospital. Sharon Police Chief Mike Menster made clear that no charges would be filed against Delli Bovi and remarked, “This is an occupational hazard of being a burglar – eventually, you’re going to go into the wrong house and you’re going to get hurt.”
FULL STORY
November 7, 2012

Wanted criminal shot by 69-year-old homeowner, The Modesto Bee, Modesto, Calif. 11/05/12

While driving a car he stole less than 15 minutes earlier, a thief in Ceres, Calif. spotted a 69-year-old homeowner in his garage and attempted to rob him with a knife. The homeowner responded by retrieving a nearby .38-caliber handgun and shooting the criminal twice. The wounded robber fled the home but was captured by police in a nearby yard. An investigation revealed that the criminal already had a warrant out for his arrest, resulting from his lack of participation in a court ordered alternative work program.
FULL STORY
November 6, 2012

Store owner scares off masked gunman, The Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, Wash. 11/04/12

A masked criminal, wielding what looked like a handgun, entered the Tienda la Comadre convenience store in Hermiston, Ore. and attempted to rob the store. Police say the robber was in the store for all of five seconds before the owner retrieved a gun and fired at the criminal, causing him to flee. Nothing was taken from the store.
FULL STORY
November 2, 2012

Woman fights off two armed home invaders, The Beaufort Gazette, Beaufort, S.C. 10/30/12

A pair of armed intruders entered a home in St. Helena Island, S.C. and attempted to rob the 31-year-old woman who lives there. The homeowner responded by retrieving a gun and firing at the criminals, striking one and causing both to flee. The wounded criminal was discovered when he turned up at the Savannah Memorial University Medical Center seeking treatment; the other was captured a day later. The home invaders face charges of armed robbery and attempted murder.
FULL STORY
November 1, 2012

Woman defends home from violent intruder, The Birmingham News, Birmingham, Ala. October 30, 2012

A 63-year-old woman suffering from congestive heart failure and arthritis was asleep at home in Bessemer, Ala. when an armed intruder came into her bedroom. The home invader demanded that the woman hand over money and jewelry, and when she didn’t comply, he drew a keyhole saw and cut her on her stomach and arm. Eventually, one of the woman’s seven dogs alerted a guest staying at the home to the commotion. The guest distracted the criminal long enough for the woman to retrieve a .44-caliber revolver and shoot the criminal, who fled the scene. Police captured the home invader a short time later after he sought treatment at a local hospital. Following the shooting, the woman told local media, “I have a family to protect and that’s what I did. I protected me and mine.” The armed citizen also noted that she has been a gun owner for more than 30 years and that “women are better with guns.”
FULL STORY
October 23, 2012

12-year-old girl defends herself from home invader, The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, Okla. 10/19/12

12-year-old Kendra St. Clair was at home alone in Durant, Okla. when a man began banging on the front door. Frightened, Kendra called her mother at work, who told her to retrieve a .40-caliber pistol and to hide in the bathroom closet. Kendra complied, and after calling 911, heard the criminal break through a back door. After about six minutes inside the home, the intruder made it to the bathroom closet where Kendra was hiding. As the home invader attempted to open the closet, Kendra fired at the criminal, striking him and causing him to flee. Police captured the intruder a short time later and transported him to a hospital. Following the incident, Kendra’s mother told local media about how her daughter was coping, stating, “She’s a trooper… She’s staying strong and confident. She’s handling this much better than I would have.” When asked about her experience, Kendra told reporters, “I kept my head on straight.”
FULL STORY
October 19, 2012

22-year-old woman defends herself against armed home invaders, NBC DFW, Dallas, Texas 10/18/12

A 22-year-old woman was at home alone in Dallas, Texas when a pair of home invaders, at least one of whom was armed, kicked in the front door. After retrieving a gun, the woman spotted the criminals as they were headed to the second floor of the house. The woman opened fire on the home invaders, striking one and causing both to flee. The wounded burglar collapsed just outside the front door and was later taken to a local hospital, where he died. The father of the armed citizen noted that he was proud of his daughter’s actions, stating, "I'm real proud of her because I taught her that... I taught my girls that -- to defend themselves when someone comes to hurt them, and apparently she listened."
FULL STORY
October 18, 2012

Vietnam vet detains home invader, WITI Milwaukee, Wis., 10/16/12

After going to bed early, a homeowner in Kenosha County, Wis. was awakened around 8:30 p.m. by a suspicious noise. The homeowner retrieved a .22-caliber pistol, went to investigate and found a burglar in his basement. The homeowner shouted to the home invader, “I got a weapon. It’s loaded. I’m prepared to shoot, come out,” at which point the criminal gave himself up and was then held at gunpoint until police could arrive. In an interview with local media, the homeowner credited his service in Vietnam as preparing him for such an incident. The home invader’s father offered an apology to the homeowner, telling local media, “If you’re coming into my home like that, I can’t really honestly say you’re gonna walk out like you came in. I offer any kind of sympathy and sorrow toward that family."
FULL STORY
October 16, 2012

70-year-old woman scares off home invader, The Register-Herald, Beckley, W.V. 10/12/12

A 70-year-old woman was asleep in her Fayette County, W.V. home, when she was awakened by her burglar alarm. After arming herself with a .38-caliber revolver, the woman went to investigate. When she found the burglar, the criminal punched her in the face. The woman responded by firing at the home invader, causing him to flee. Local law enforcement officials have been supportive of the homeowner’s actions, with Fayette County Sheriff Steve Kessler noting, “If the victim of the burglary had been unarmed she could have been seriously injured or killed when confronted by this burglar.” (The Register-Herald, Beckley, W.V. 10/12/12)
FULL STORY
October 10, 2012

Iraq War vet uses armed self-defense, The Associated Press, 10/01/12, The Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, Ind. 10/08/12

Iraq War veteran Zach Rogers was on his third shift clerking at the 21st Amendment Liquor Store in Indianapolis, Ind. when he was forced to use his Second Amendment right to self-defense. An unruly customer instigated an argument and physical altercation with Rogers, during which the clerk retrieved a gun and shot the criminal. Following an investigation, a spokeswoman for the local prosecutor’s office made clear, “the shooting was self-defense,” and that Rogers would not face charges.
FULL STORY
October 9, 2012

72-year-old fells home invader, The Press Enterprise, Riverside County, Calif. 10/05/12

72-year-old Jerry Duncan was asleep upstairs in his Lakeland Village, Calif. home when he was awakened by a loud noise. After getting up to investigate the sound, Duncan discovered that his power had been cut, so he retrieved a flashlight and made his way downstairs. Duncan noticed that an air conditioner had been pushed out of one of the windows, leaving it open, so he retrieved a pistol he had kept nearby and waited at the window. After about five minutes, a criminal attempted to come through the window, at which point Duncan fired, striking the man and causing him to flee. The home invader only made it about 15 feet before collapsing dead. In recalling the incident, Duncan explained, “All I was thinking about was defending myself… I’m in no shape to fight anybody. I’m 72 years old.”
FULL STORY
October 8, 2012

Young woman scares off home invader, The Connecticut Post, Bridgeport, Conn. 10/3/12

A 27-year-old woman was staying the night at her aunt’s house, when she heard a suspicious noise. The woman retrieved a gun, went to investigate, and spotted an intruder in her aunt’s kitchen. After he was discovered, the home invader approached the woman, at which point she fired, causing him to flee.
FULL STORY
October 3, 2012

73-year-old clerk defends store, The Livingston Daily Press & Argus, Livingston County, Mich. 10/02/12

A visibly intoxicated man entered Venture Corners convenience store in Deerfield Township, Mich. and tried to purchase beer. Taking into account the man’s state, 73-year-old clerk Fred Price refused to sell him the beer. The lout then threatened Price, showing the clerk what appeared to be a gun in his waistband. Price responded by retrieving a gun and holding the criminal at gunpoint until police could arrive. Upon inspection, the drunken man’s weapon turned out to be a BB gun. This is the second time in three years Price has been forced to defend his store. In 2010, Price used a firearm to scare off an armed robber toting a starter pistol.
FULL STORY
September 26, 2012

Cancer patient detains home invaders, MLive.com, Michigan, 09/21/12

63-year-old cancer patient Dixon Smith was at home in Laketon Township, Mich. when a pair of burglars broke into his house. Smith spotted one of the criminals walking by his front window, and then heard the burglars talking downstairs. After retrieving a shotgun, Smith confronted the intruders, ordering them to the ground. The burglars complied, and Smith held the pair until police could arrive. According to Smith, the police response took “Kind of a long five to 10 minutes.”
FULL STORY
September 20, 2012

Prepared store owner foils robbery, WYMT, Hazard, Ky. 09/18/12

A pair of armed robbers entered the Meta Mart convenience store in Pike County, Ky. and headed towards the counter. Upon spotting the men, the clerk on duty called out to store owner Garry Thornsberry, who was in a back office. After glancing up at a security monitor, Thornsberry recognized the threat, retrieved a gun and fired at the two criminals, causing them to flee. Thornsberry told local media that he had mentally prepared himself for a violent confrontation following robberies at other stores in the area, stating, “You have to prepare. It’s too late when it happens to start thinking ‘what am I going to do.’” Thornsberry went on to comment, “Until we get some of these people off the streets we’re going to have to live in fear of going to work.”
FULL STORY
September 19, 2012

Career criminal stopped outside pizza shop, The Dayton Daily News, Dayton, Ohio 09/17/12

An armed criminal approached a delivery driver outside a Domino’s Pizza in Springfield, Ohio and attempted to rob him. An off-duty Domino’s employee noticed the robbery, drew a gun and shot the criminal. Despite having been shot twice in the stomach, the criminal attempted to retrieve his firearm, forcing a bystander to kick it away from him. Police Chief Steve Moody made clear that the armed citizen has not been charged. Local law enforcement suspects the criminal was involved in a similar robbery outside the same Domino’s a few nights before. Records show that the robber spent three years in prison following a 2007 conviction for aggravated robbery and is currently under indictment for burglary.
FULL STORY
September 14, 2012

Pharmacist scares off pill thief, CBS News, 09/14/12

Pharmacist Dr. John Agyemang was working his shift at Jolin’s Pharmacy in Winslow, N.J. when an armed robber entered the store and demanded Oxycontin pills. Agyemang responded by retrieving a gun and firing at the criminal, who fled to a bike and into a nearby wooded area. An investigation revealed that Agyemang had a firearm owner’s identification card as required by New Jersey law. When asked about his actions Agyemang was humble, stating, “I'm no hero, but I thought, either him or I.”
FULL STORY
September 13, 2012

Homeowner captures serial thieves, The Denton Record-Chronicle, Denton, Texas 09/12/12

After being awakened by a suspicious noise early in the morning, a homeowner in Denton, Texas went to investigate. The homeowner spotted a pair of criminals attempting to load a welding unit from his property onto a pickup truck. The homeowner retrieved a shotgun and a cell phone, called 911 and then confronted the burglars. At first the pair attempted to hit the homeowner with the truck, but eventually the homeowner got the upper hand and held thieves at gunpoint until police could arrive. The homeowner’s actions also helped police solve another crime; a trailer attached to the criminal’s pickup truck had previously been reported stolen.
FULL STORY
September 7, 2012

Employee wounds violent intruder, The Daily Herald, Everett, Wash. 08/30/12

A 76-year-old employee at a real estate company in Everett, Wash. discovered an intruder at the office at around 9:15 a.m. The employee called 911, retrieved a gun and confronted the criminal, ordering him to stay put until police could arrive. The intruder refused, yelling at the employee and throwing office items at him. Eventually a scuffle broke out in which the employee fired at the criminal, striking him in the leg and causing him to flee. Police captured the intruder only a block away.
FULL STORY
September 5, 2012

92-year-old World War II vet fights off home invaders, NKY.com, Northern Kentucky, September 3, 2012

92-year-old World War II veteran Earl Jones was at home on the Boone County, Ky. farm he has worked for over five decades when he heard a loud noise in the basement. Jones retrieved a .22-caliber rifle and went to a chair opposite the door to the basement. After several minutes, a home invader came through the basement door, at which point Jones fired at the criminal, killing him. The dead intruder’s accomplices fled the scene, but were captured after calling police with a lie about how their cohort had been shot. During an interview with local media, Jones made clear his adamant support for the right to self-defense. Jones told a reporter, “I didn’t go to war for nothing. I have the right to carry a gun. That’s what I told the police this morning,” adding, “Was I scared? Was I mad? Hell, no… It was simple. That man was going to take my life. He was hunting me. I was protecting myself.”
FULL STORY
September 4, 2012

Store owner scares off robber, The Anniston Star, Anniston, Ala. 08/29/12

An armed criminal entered Stinson and Howard Fine Jewelry in Oxford, Ala. at around 12:30 p.m. and attempted to rob the store. Upon spotting the criminal, the store owner retrieved a gun and fired at the robber, missing him, but causing him to flee. Helpful local residents quickly alerted police to the attempted robbery, allowing them to capture the criminal only blocks away from the store.
FULL STORY
August 30, 2012

Homeowner defends friends from attack, WJRT, Flint, Mich. 08/27/12

A group of friends were enjoying a bonfire outside one of their homes in Flint, Mich. when two armed robbers approached them. While the criminals herded the group inside the home and demanded their valuables, the homeowner got away from the main group and was able to retrieve a gun. When one of the robbers put a gun to the head of a victim who was having difficulty finding his wallet, the homeowner fired, striking the criminal and causing his accomplice to flee. The homeowner’s father, who lives next door to his son, said that police were supportive of his son’s actions, explaining, “the cops complemented him quite heavily on protecting his friends and his household and his family and everything else in the matter.” An investigation has led police to suspect that this was only the latest in a string of robberies these criminals were involved in
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August 23, 2012

Sword-wielding robber thwarted at restaurant, The Las Vegas Review Journal, Las Vegas, Nev. 08/21/12

A masked man armed with a samurai sword entered a Dairy Queen in Las Vegas, Nev. and attempted to rob the store. 20-year-old Michael Wehbe was working the cash register when the armed robber began hacking at it with the sword and demanding money. The clerk’s brother, 23-year-old Christian Wehbe, was in the back of the store, but when he saw the criminal on a surveillance camera he retrieved a 9mm pistol and rushed to help his brother. Once in the front of the store, Christian shot the robber, who later died at a local hospital.
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August 20, 2012

Man fells dangerous dog, KLEW, Lewiston, Idaho, 08/14/12

After a dog owner lost control of her pit bull in Lewiston, Idaho, the dog ran off her property and attempted to attack a husband and wife out walking their dog. Recognizing the threat, the husband drew a pistol and shot the animal, ending the attack. The pit bull was taken to a local veterinary clinic, but later died. Following the incident, Lewiston Police Department Captain Tom Greene made clear to local media, “If you’re in fear of your life, fear of your safety, and there is a well founded fear, you are able to defend yourself.” The pit bull was known to authorities, having been labeled a level one dangerous dog after it tried to attack a woman in 2011.
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August 14, 2012

71-year-old Right-to-Carry permit holder defends elderly women, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, Mo. 08/12/12

A group comprised of one 71-year-old man and three elderly women were leaving the Grand Masonic Hall in St. Louis, Mo. when an armed robber approached them and demanded their valuables. The group complied with the robber, who walked up the street with the items, but then turned again towards the group. The elderly man, a Right-to-Carry permit holder, drew a gun and fired at the criminal, causing the criminal to return fire then flee.
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August 9, 2012

Owner battles four men to protect store, Tampa Bay Times, Tampa, Fla. 07/28/12

A group of four armed men posing as police officers entered Marcelo’s Jewelry in Tampa, Fla. and attempted to rob the store. The store owner, Marcelo Suarez, noticed that the men were not police and retrieved a gun. Suarez and the robbers exchanged fire, before the criminals fled empty-handed. Police were unable to determine whether Suarez’s shots struck any of the robbers. Suarez was not harmed during the incident.
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August 6, 2012

Elderly store owner fights off robbers, The Orange County Register, Orange County, Calif. 08/01/12, The L.A. Times, Los Angeles, Calif. 08/02/12)

A group of five masked and armed robbers entered Continental Jewelry in Garden Grove, Calif. and threatened a customer and store employees. After spotting the criminals, the 65-year-old woman who owns the store retrieved a handgun and fired at the robbers through a slot in a security wall. The criminals fled to a getaway car as soon as the owner opened fire. Criminals should think twice before planning a heist in Orange County, Calif. The attempted robbery in Garden Grove was the second incident in a week in which an Orange County jewelry store owner has defended a store with a gun.
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August 1, 2012

Jewelry store owner defends customers and employees, KNBC, Los Angeles, Calif. 07/30/12, The Contra Costa Times, Contra Costa, Calif. 07/31/12

A pair of robbers, one of whom was armed with a gun and pretending to be disabled in a wheelchair, entered Tick Tock Jewelry in Westminster, Calif. and ordered the employees and customers to the ground. While in a back room, the store owner heard the commotion, retrieved a gun and went to confront the criminals. The store owner ordered the gun-toting criminal to drop his weapon several times, but when the robber refused, the store owner shot the criminal in the face, ending the robbery. Police have praised the actions of the store owner, with Sgt. Cameron Knauerhaze noting, “I would call what he did a very brave and heroic deed… He put himself in a position of danger to save his employees and customers. I think he did an outstanding job.”
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July 30, 2012

Homeowner defends himself against naked intruder, The Milford Mirror, Milford, Conn. 07/23/12, The New Haven Register, New Haven, Conn. 07/27/12

A 67-year-old man was at his home in New Haven, Conn. when he heard a suspicious noise. The homeowner went to investigate, first spotting a screen that had been forced open, then a naked intruder. A struggle ensued, during which the homeowner was able to retreat to another floor and retrieve a handgun. The homeowner then went back to confront the criminal and ordered the man to leave. When the home invader refused, another altercation ensued, during which the homeowner shot the criminal in the chest. The home invader was taken to a local hospital where he is listed as in critical condition.
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July 27, 2012

Homeowner kills home invader, The Herald, Everett, Wash. 07/25/12

A man was asleep in his Everett, Wash. home when he was awakened by the sound of breaking glass. The homeowner retrieved a .38-caliber revolver, went to investigate and discovered a man armed with a hammer climbing through a kitchen window. The homeowner shot and killed the home invader. Investigators made clear that they do not plan to charge the homeowner, with Prosecuting Attorney Mark Roe explaining, “We are quite certain that a jury would conclude that the shooting was justifiable self-defense.” Police also noted that the deceased criminal was a suspect in a January burglary investigation.
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July 20, 2012

Pizza delivery driver thwarts pair of robbers, WBNS, Columbus, Ohio 07-17-12

A driver for Padova’s Pizza in Columbus, Ohio was on a delivery when two men armed with shotguns attempted to rob him. At first, the driver, and Right-to-Carry permit holder, warned the criminals to leave. When the robbers persisted, the driver drew a gun and shot both criminals. The robbers fled the scene, but were captured a short time later when one of the criminals was found nearby with wounds to his head and chest. Rather than the hostility some pizza delivery drivers have faced from their employers after exercising their right to self-defense, the owner of Padova’s Pizza has had words of support for his driver, stating, “He is just too good of a person, and I have known him too long, and I hope he doesn’t have mental anguish over this.”
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July 16, 2012

Career criminal shot by store owner, The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio 07/16/12

An armed criminal entered Abe & Son’s Corner Store in Cleveland, Ohio and attempted to rob the owner, Jamal Sulaiman. After Sulaiman retrieved a gun, he and the robber got into a scuffle. During the fracas, Sulaiman was shot once in the arm, but was able to shoot and kill his attacker. The store has been the target of armed criminals in the past; the last owner was killed in a 2008 robbery. The criminal who attempted to rob Sulaiman had recently been released from prison, after serving part of his sentence for a 2009 robbery that took place outside Abe & Son’s. In May the robber was released and sent to a halfway house to serve the remainder of his sentence; he escaped June 22.
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July 11, 2012

Grandmother wounds home invader, WTSP, Tampa Bay, Fla. 07/10/12, The Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Sarasota, Fla. 07/10/12

A grandmother was getting dressed at her home in Sarasota, Fla. when she heard a knock at the door. Unable to answer the door at that moment, the homeowner ignored the knock. A few minutes later an intruder wearing a bandana broke-in through a glass door in the back of the house. Seeing the home invader, the homeowner retrieved a .38-caliber handgun and fired twice at the criminal, causing him to flee. The police were able to locate the burglar after an anonymous tip led them to a nearby hospital where he sought treatment for a gunshot wound to his arm. A recording of the homeowner’s phone call to 911 reveals that she took no pleasure in her actions, as she told a dispatcher, “I’m so sorry. I would never hurt someone, but I was fearful of my life.”
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July 10, 2012

Homeowner ends career criminal's crime spree, The Tulsa World, Tulsa, Okla. 07/05/12

A criminal in Tulsa, Okla. crashed a stolen tow truck into an occupied suv and fled the scene as police were on their way. The thief then broke into a nearby home, only to be confronted by an armed homeowner. The homeowner opened fire on the home invader, striking the burglar in both legs and incapacitating him until police could arrive. Police pieced together the two incidents and brought the criminal to a nearby hospital, where after release he will face charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, leaving the scene of an injury accident and first-degree burglary. This wasn’t the home invader’s first brush with law enforcement. An investigation revealed that the criminal has several prior convictions, which include grand larceny, possessing a stolen vehicle and pointing a gun.
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    Oh boy that was easier. Whew, work smarter not harder. : p
    The whole point of this post was to give ya'll out there some verbal and mental "ammo" against any propositions of gun control. 
    Stay armed guys.