A 27-year-old man approached three men attempting to get into their car in a Nashville, Tenn., mall parking lot June 18 and demanded their belongings at gunpoint. The car's driver then drew his handgun in selfdefense and exchanged gunfire with the would-be robber, striking him in the knee and causing him to flee the scene on foot. The assailant was located a short time later by local law enforcement and transported to a nearby medical center for non-life-threatening injuries before being released into police custody. The suspect was booked on an outstanding felony probation violation warrant and faces charges of aggravated robbery. Neither the armed citizen, nor those with him, were injured in the exchange. (wkrn.com, Nashville, Tenn., 6/18/20)

A Philadelphia, Pa., firearm store was broken into by four armed men who, according to investigators, arrived in multiple cars at around 4 a.m. on June 2. They reportedly gained entry by using bolt cutters and then proceeded up to a second floor, where they were met by the store's owner, who was also armed. The armed citizen fired three shots, fatally striking one 29-year-old intruder and striking another in the shoulder. The accomplices fled the building, with the one who was injured seeking medical attention at a nearby hospital. Police say he falsely reported his wound and they soon connected him to the attempted robbery. The district attorney stated the store owner's actions were justified and that the perpetrator in custody was charged with robbery, burglary, conspiracy and other related charges. (fox29.com, Philadelphia, Pa., 6/5/18)

In Delta Township, Mich., nearly a dozen callers contacted 911 on June 15 to report a 26-year-old man walking on a highway with a firearm drawn and reportedly firing it at vehicles driving by. Investigators said that another man had to stop when the gunman stepped in front of his vehicle and pointed his handgun at him. It was then that the driver drew his own handgun, which he is legally licensed to carry concealed, and fired at the gunman, fatally striking him. The man was pronounced deceased at the scene by an emergency medical crew. (wins.com, Lansing, Mich., 6/17/20)

Upon hearing a noise in his downstairs kitchen late in the evening of April 5, a Spokane, Wash., homeowner grabbed his shotgun and headed down to investigate. What he found was an unknown 26-year-old man whom he immediately told to leave. The alleged intruder reportedly approached the homeowner on the stairs and a struggle ensued, resulting in one shot being fired into the floor. The armed citizen loaded another round into his shotgun and fired at the attacker, who was approaching again, striking him in the leg and causing him to flee. The homeowner's wife called 911 to report a burglary in progress, and the home invader was found by deputies shortly thereafter with an injury to his leg. After treatment by medical personnel at the scene, the man was hospitalized. The alleged intruder reportedly told local law enforcement that he thought he was at a friend's house, but additional questioning revealed that the friend being discussed was currently in prison. Detectives said the homeowners would face no charges, and the 26-year-old would be facing charges of first-degree burglary upon his release from the hospital. (kxly.com; khq.com, Spokane, Wash., 4/5/20)

Two men reportedly broke into a Pumpkin Hollow, Okla., residence April 24 when they were confronted by the homeowner, who was armed with a shotgun. The armed citizen fired at the two men, who immediately fled the premises. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office said that deputies found a vehicle parked in the residence's yard that belonged to one of the two would-be robbers and was filled with items stolen from outbuildings on the property. Deputies, with assistance from K-9s, were able to track down the two to a dirt road where it appeared the suspects met another vehicle. They later found one man matching a description given by the armed citizen, and he admitted to his role in the attempted burglary. Subsequently, the other suspect was located and arrested by local law enforcement. Both were taken to a local detention center and booked for the felony crimes of first-degree burglary and knowingly concealing stolen items. The homeowners were not injured during the attempted burglary, and reportedly were going to have their stolen possessions returned. (Tahlequahdailypress.com, Tahlequah, Okla., 4/24/20)

Studies indicate that firearms are used more than 2 million times a yead or 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.