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Armed senior citizen stops would-be home invader

A 78 year old man from Hawkins, TX used his .410 shotgun to stop an intruder who tried to break in at 2 AM.

 

The homeowner, whose house has been broken into multiple times in the past, has nailed shut his windows and keeps his .410 shotgun ready.  He was reportedly sitting on his screened in porch when the suspect broke in.  The elderly homeowner, who suffers from a hip injury, fired one shot in self defense, sending the intruder running. A suspect, 19 year old David F. McWhorter, was reportedly arrested near the crime scene suffering from a gunshot wound to the left shoulder and begging his brother to take him to the hospital. The homeowner was unharmed, and McWhorter was treated at a local emergency room.  Discussing the self defense shooting, Hawkins Police Lieutenant A.J. Randell reportedly stated "If you can't retreat, you have every right in the world to protect yourself."

 

It is a sad fact that criminals prey on senior citizens, seeing them as easy targets.  When senior citizens are unarmed, they are often overpowered by even unarmed criminals who are much younger and near the peak of their physical strength.  As a result, these elderly victims can suffer terribly in their own homes

 

But when senior citizens are armed for self defense, things often turn out much better.  This armed 85 year old woman held a home invader at gunpoint, and made him call the police on himself.  This armed 93 year old man shot a home invader in self defense after the home invader began to attack him.  This armed 70 year old woman held an intruder at gunpoint until the police arrived to arrest him.  This armed 91 year old man used his handgun to fend off two home invader who had broken in and threatened his wheelchair-bound wife with their guns.  This armed 84 year old man used his handgun to stop a criminal who repeatedly tried to enter his home through the front door, back door, and a window.  I could go on with more examples, but the point should be clear: armed self defense is a senior citizen’s best chance at stopping a younger and stronger criminal who attacks them.

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Self-Defense Examiner

Eric Puryear is an Attorney at Law who grew up in Chicago and now lives in Iowa. He writes about self defense and can be reached by email at...

Comments

  • Kurt Hofmann, St. Louis Gun Rights Examiner 2 years ago
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    How did I go this long without knowing about this column? Glad I finally found out. Great stuff, Mr. Puryear.

  • John Taurus 2 years ago
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    In Georgia, the homeowner has no duty to retreat. If someone enters your home and you feel they are a threat, pop that cap and burn some gunpowder. Let that projectile rip into your assailants miserable body and rip out vital organs!!!! Enjoy the wonderful smell of burnt gunpowder wafting on the gentle breezes. Put that sorry thief into the ground where he/she belongs.

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