Officers in Buxton, Maine, arrived at a residence after a woman 911 to say her husband was keeping a man detained at gunpoint.
The 48-year-old suspect broke into the residence on a Saturday afternoon, and an officer at the scene said it appeared the man was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, as he made unusual statements while being taken into custody.
Further investigation found that the 48-year-old suspect had stolen a neighbor's vehicle before breaking into the home. The man also had a handgun, but he dropped it between two vehicles parked next door to the house he entered. The gun was retrieved by local police.
Responding officers commended the homeowner for showing "great restraint and incredible firearms discipline" for keeping the suspect in check without the use of deadly force. The suspect was charged with burglary, criminal mischief, theft by unauthorized taking and refusing to submit to arrest. (WGME, Buxton, Maine, 04/12/2020)
From the Armed Citizen® Archives May 1960
In St. Catharines, Ont., Mrs. J.C.R. Fitzgerald, a widow in her 80s, refused when a burglar broke into her bedroom and demanded her jewelry. Instead, Mrs. Fitzgerald reached for her .38-cal. revolver in the shoebag hanging on the door near her bed.
The burglar tried to wrest the gun away, but the widow fired. The would-be jewel thief fled the house.
"The last time I remember firing it was many, many, many years ago," Mrs. Fitzgerald said. "But my gardener has kept it cleaned and loaded for me." (Buffalo Courier-Express)