As anyone paying attention to the news in recent days can attest, the presence of a good guy with a gun can be the difference between life and death.
That does not, however, mean that stepping up when danger strikes with a ready firearm is risk-free. State and local jurisdictions vary wildly in their approach to citizens wielding weapons in dire situations, and there’s always the chance of a rogue prosecutor pandering to the anti-gun crowd.
That possibly is now moot for a 28-year-old man from Valdosta, Georgia, who rescued a woman and her teenage daughter on Oct. 1. Police announced last week that the hero is not in legal hot water, and for good reason.
Witness to violent dollar store attack did not back down
Valdosta Police Department officials believe 32-year-old Tevin Jay Love started striking his girlfriend in the head as they were shopping in a Dollar General.
Her teenage daughter attempted to intervene, and Love allegedly struck her as well. All this commotion drew the attention of an armed bystander, who drew his weapon and commanded Love to stop hitting the female victims.
That was enough to draw the suspect’s attention away from his targets, and they broke free and ran from the store. Love, however, foolishly decided to charge at and strike the Good Samaritan, who then fired.
That was all it took.
Authorities acknowledge armed stranger’s heroic actions
Love was treated and released from a local hospital, and now he faces multiple felony charges, including aggravated assault and terroristic threats.
Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan applauded the stranger for “putting his life in danger” to protect another person. Shortly after the investigation was completed, the announcement came that the man who intervened, when he could have just walked away, will not be prosecuted.
Exactly as it should be.
A jarring illustration of the power of law-abiding citizens, trained and courageous enough to draw a ready weapon in an emergency, exploded in Oregon last Thursday.
But this wasn’t an isolated incident, and heroes who risk it all to protect others by exercising their Second Amendment rights deserve our respect, and more.
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