For these armed citizens and residents of Hawaii, gun ownership made all of the difference–in some cases, the difference between life and death.
When some dogs on the loose attacked a horse in Kalihiwai, Hawaii, its owners tried to help the animal escape by opening the gate. However, that led to more dogs entering and attacking the horse. A passerby stopped his car, retrieved a shotgun, and then shot one of the dogs, forcing the rest to flee. “Thank God, the guy came with the gun,” said horse owner Doug Gilette. (The Garden Island, Kauai, Hawaii, 12/9/04)
When a would-be burglar armed with a handgun entered a Waialua, Hawaii, residence intent on robbing the owner, he initially received cooperation–or so he thought. The resident told the home invader that the money was in a backpack. Rather than booty, however, the burglar received a boom when the homeowner pulled a 9 mm handgun and fired two shots. After jumping from a second-floor window, the burglar ran, trailing blood and dropping his own gun. (West Hawaii Today, Kailua, Hawaii, 9/8/98)
Moments after breaking into policeman Benjamin Jaus’ apartment in Honolulu, Hawaii, a burglar found himself staring down the barrel of a service revolver. Jaus turned the crook over to fellow officers, then went back to bed. (The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Honolulu, Hawaii, 6/1/76)
Lawrence K.C. Chung, a grocer in Makiki, Hawaii, pulled a handgun after a knife-wielding robber grabbed a customer and demanded cash. Aiming at the robber’s head, Chung ordered him to release the customer and drop his knife. When Chung cocked his gun, the robber obeyed and fled. (The Honolulu Advertiser, Honolulu, Hawaii, 12/1/71)
