Kansas: New Permitless Carry Law Thwarts Gun Store Robbery

Less than two weeks after Kansas’ new law allowing lawful citizens to carry a concealed firearm without a permit went into effect, a man exercised that right last Friday to thwart the robbery of a sporting goods store.

Joey Tapley, 24, was in the Academy Sports and Outdoors store in Topeka when, he said, “I heard some loud bangs. I look up and they are just loading up weapons from the counter and then they run off.” Tapley followed the three suspects out the door, then pulled his gun, which he carries without a permit. “I told him, ‘Drop the gun, man, mine is loaded ...’ He dropped two guns and ran.”

Police arrested three juvenile males, charging them with assault, burglary and robbery, and an unidentified woman charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery. “That’s why Kansas made the law,” Tapley said. “So citizens can carry and protect themselves and others.”