May 30, 11:53 AM
Self-Defense Examiner Eric Puryear
An armed citizen used his handgun to help save an officer who was being run down by a suspect in a vehicle.
Police say that an officer on foot, in Fort Worth, Texas, approached two men in a vehicle, at which point the driver tried to run down the officer. The officer, along with a nearby citizen who was armed for self defense, reportedly opened fire on the vehicle, ending the attack. The passenger, who was hit, was reportedly taken pushed out of the vehicle by the driver and then apprehended by police. The officer and citizen who came to his aid were unharmed, and police are seeking the driver, who sped away.
This is not an isolated incident of an armed citizen coming to the aid of a police officer in distress. Such events occur time and time again, and the lives of police officers are often saved as a result. Indeed, it is not just cops who benefit from having armed citizens around and about. Concealed carry permit holders have stopped acts of terrorism, unproked violent attacks, bank robberies, and school shootings. Even those who break the law and carry a gun for self defense, in states that don’t allow concealed carry, have stopped racist attackers. Indeed, the tragic and high profile mass killings occur in areas where guns are banned, and criminals therefore have a monopoly on firepower.
7 Comments
Vaquero
I love it.
HampsterW
I would be reluctant drawing my weapon unless it was made clear to the officer what my intentions were. I can easily see how this story could have gone a different direction.
luckybychoice
i was driving around the back roads,cutting thru to my house,when i came upon a deputy sherriff vehicle who had pulled over a van with 3 black guys in it,2 were outside,one sitting inside,it was the type of van with all glass windows around.So i drove past and went a couple miles,thinking not to many blacks live around here,we are in the boonies and where the cop had pulled these guys over was definately remote,anyway i said fuck it and turned around,put my Glock 19 between my legs and drove past the cop again,by now he had one in cuffs and the other two were sitting in the van,so i made a left turn went down the road a ways,turned around again,and made my way past the cop again,i'm sure he never noticed me,and i'm also sure he had it under control but i was ready to help out if need be,and by my final drive by i figured evrything was cool and went on home myself.Two things i thought of,how to let the cop know i was a good guy,i was gonna say "fire department",and the shit had to really be hitting the fan for me to get out of the car
Vaquero
I have done similar in the past. It does require some thought on how to ID yourself.
A nervous cop can be dangerous to anyone.
greg az
I've gone thru that mental drill as well... how can you let the LE know your on thier side if needed in a way that is least distracting to the officer.. Will get Sortatoughs and TxLuckys call on this next time they stop in..
Thought i'd say... "armed and retired LE, i will stay in my vehicle unless you need me now"
The LE thing is debatable.. my CCW before our "all Carry" law went into effect was under that heading, and before retirement, the dept had peace officer standards and certification.. That being said i would have no more knowledge of what that Officer is doing than the kid at the circle K.. Guess i figure this gets it out in the shortest number of words, and is least distracting.
luckybychoice
that i was not gonna stop unless things were getting physical,both times i just drove past i was trying to observe the license plate,description of what the guys looked like and were wearing,time of day,etc. so i could be a good witness anyway.I've always been one to go toward commotion,not avoid it,so wargaming for me is pretty natural.I do know of a trucker that went to help a cop that was struggling with an asshole on the side of the road and when he got there, the perp pulled the cops gun and shot the trucker dead,before the cop could wrestle the gun away and shot the asshole dead.
of course i could tell ya about how i broke up a fight between an old married couple in a bar,but i'll just say, NEVER step in between a drunken old married couple fighting in a bar,lol
Builtf0rdtough
well I am confidant that that officer should have noticed you drive by three times, being aware is a pretty key part, were actually doing traffic stops right now. Thats an awesome story and yes, I am glad that the situation didnt unfold differently. Loud vocals would be a big key and deffinantly dont aim tword the officers. lol I know...obvious.....I know most officers I know are nervous when civilians have weapons but I also know that they would welcom the help when the shit hits the fan. I would deffinantly make some sort of communication of "good guy" to be known aloud, maybe yell CWP or something. idk. One thing you must do is obey commands that the LEO gives and you will be fine...Ill have to remember to ask my instructers monday about it....try and get a veterens opinion....Pray that it never has to happen.
I have actually done some training with our swat team twice now, bein roll players for senarious in an abandond hospital....FREAKIN AWESSOME..lol And they are rough so expect that in any serious situation, one you get to that level all nice guy thinking goes out the window.