Joshua Nelson was shopping at a Walmart with his wife and children when he heard a woman scream, “Stop, put it down!” After telling his family to run to the front of the store and call the police, Nelson located the frantic woman. Nelson, who has a concealed carry permit and carries his firearm almost everywhere, spotted a man holding a large fillet knife to the woman’s abdomen. Nelson let the knife-wielding man know that he was armed, then demanded that he drop the knife. The attacker then turned the knife on himself and threatened suicide. Nelson continued to talk to the man, who finally complied with his order to drop the knife and kick it away. Police arrived soon thereafter. “I immediately felt responsible for that lady’s life,” Nelson said of the incident. “If I’m in a position to help someone and I don’t, I would feel just as bad as the guy who does wrong.” No injuries were reported. (The Blaze, Del Rio, TX, 10/24/14)
The Armed Citizen® Extra
A 22-year-old Williamston, N.C. man was shot and killed after he forced his way into another person’s home, Saturday night. The intruder was struck numerous times while exchanging gunfire with the resident, and died on the way to a local hospital for treatment. Police believe the burglary was a targeted incident and did not appear to be a random crime. No injuries to the homeowner were reported. According to his brother, the deceased had recently started associating with the wrong type of people. “Stop hanging with the wrong crowd, you know what I’m saying?” he advised. “Hang with people that’s going to bring positive things to your life.” (WITN, Greenville, NC, 4/6/15)
From the Armed Citizen® Archives
March 1982
The instinct gained from enduring five robberies in 10 years told Louis Anderson that something was wrong when three men entered his Oakland, Calif. tavern. After one demanded cash and bashed him on the head, Anderson drew a derringer and shot him twice. The doughty barman then pulled a 9 mm Luger semi-automatic handgun and shot it out with the three criminals, wounding two and being hit three times himself. Anderson, who had killed an armed robber three years earlier, said he would keep his establishment open: “It’s my business ain’t it? The rest didn’t run me out.” (The Tribune, Oakland, CA)
