While a get-away driver waited in the car, two men approached a home and smashed through the front door. The commotion alerted the 40-year-old homeowner, who quickly got his shotgun. Finding themselves at the business end of a firearm, one of the suspects ran away so fast that he suffered a head injury requiring medical attention. The other suspect wisely waited for police. A neighbor flagged down an officer who responded to the scene. The officer spotted the armed homeowner, but swiftly determined he was defending himself. "We've learned that the guy with the gun is not always the bad guy," said police Lt. Mike Nugent. All three suspects were arrested. (The Portland Press Herald, Portland, ME, 11/24/10)

APolice said a 32-year-old man was leaving a fast-food restaurant when a robber approached him, demanded cash and threatened him with a box cutter. The would-be victim, who had a concealed carry permit, acted quickly, drawing a handgun and shooting his attacker. The suspect will be arrested pending his release from the hospital. "[In a robbery], you ain't got time to wait for police;" said local resident Billy Pompey. "Got to protect yourself:" (WALA-TV, Mobile, AL, 11/11/1O)

Stories of armed citizens defending their homes during Hurricane Katrina are well documented, but many may be unaware that the looting and burglaries are ongoing. Lionel Lewis, 61, still lives in a FEMA trailer next to his hurricane-damaged home. One evening he heard someone forcing their way into his home, likely to steal copper pipes. Lewis phoned police, armed himself with a handgun and investigated. "Don't move;' Lewis told the suspect. Instead, the suspect wheeled around and swung a two-by-four at Lewis, who ducked the blow. The assailant prepared for another swing but, before he could make it, Lewis shot him. Police arrested the would-be burglar and took him to the hospital for treatment. (The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, LA, 11/12/10)

In the early morning hours a man broke into a home and assaulted the woman inside, fondling her and tearing her clothing. She screamed and the man fled. The following night evil visited the home again. At 3 a.m. the woman's husband heard a loud noise and retrieved a firearm. As the suspect forced the back door open, the husband opened fire, killing him. Police believe the same suspect was involved in both incidents. (KVUE-TV, Austin, TX, 11/14/10)

Three young men knocked on a door one evening, but the man and woman inside didn't recognize them and their instincts told them something wasn't right. The woman hid in a closet and the man got his gun. They were fortunate to trust their guts, because the suspects promptly kicked in the door. The homeowner yelled and fired a shot, wounding one of the suspects and causing his accomplices to flee the scene. The suspect was taken to the hospital and later arrested. His accomplices are still sought by police. (KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV, 11/18/1O)

A woman was placing her child in a car seat when two barking pit bulls-problem dogs already scheduled to be seized by animal control officers-charged the vehicle. The woman hurried inside her vehicle, but one of the dogs bit her foot through the shoe before she could get it inside. The dogs looked for another victim just as Gary Buch walked outside to take his daughter to school. He spotted the growling dogs just in time as they ran toward him. Buch grabbed a .22-cal. rifle and fired nine shots at the charging dogs from a distance of 10 to 12 feet. The dogs were killed. (The Daytona Beach NewsJournal, Daytona Beach, FL, 11/24/10)

Cresencio Briones was at home when four combative, knife wielding men showed up outside his door looking for someone they claimed was inside the home. One of the men said he'd just been released from prison and didn't fear going back. Moments later the man kicked in the door and entered the home with a second suspect; both carried knives. As the men descended upon Briones, he raised a .38-cal. handgun and opened fire, killing one suspect and wounding the other. Briones and his children fled the home and flagged down a police cruiser. Two suspects, including the one wounded by Briones, were arrested. (San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio, TX, 11/04/10)

Studies indicate that firearms are used more than 2 million times a year for personal protection, and that the presence of a firearm, without a shot being fired, prevents crime in many instances. Shooting usually can be justified only where crime constitutes an immediate imminent, threat to life, limb, or, in some cases, property. Anyone is free to quote or reproduce these accounts.