Dave Knittle was at home watching television when his 16-year-old grandson, who had been at home alone next door, came in and frantically explained that two men had just forced their way into the house. The men had allegedly barged into the wrong house looking for a man they claimed owed them money. They took Knittle’s grandson’s cell phone and kept him restrained while they searched the home. Knittle called the police before confronting the intruders with his 9mm handgun. Knittle said, “I didn’t do anything any other grandfather would have done.” After exchanging harsh words with the intruders, Knittle said they fled. One of them was later apprehended and charged with robbery, criminal trespass and theft. The second suspect is reportedly still at large. Knittle and his grandson were not harmed. (Times News, Lansford, PA, 3/11/14)
Around 1:20 a.m., a pedestrian drew his own firearm when two men attempted to rob him at gunpoint. They approached him asking, “What do you got for me?” The pedestrian was carrying his own firearm under Pennsylvania’s open carry laws. The suspects fled upon seeing the man’s firearm. No shots were fired. (Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Penn., 8/25/14)
From The Armed Citizen® Archives September 1939 Two Los Angeles bandits recently came to the end of criminal careers through the courage of L. T. Upton, manager of a local liquor store. The bandit pair entered the store late in the evening, and menacing the proprietor with the most feared of short-range weapons, a sawed-off shotgun, were handed the contents of the till. The two men made the fatal mistake of underrating their victim who seized a .38 caliber revolver and opened fire. Result: both of the men out of commission; two criminals “pay the price.” A search of the room occupied by one of the bandits revealed assorted loot from several places robbed shortly before by the pair. (Santa Monica Topics)