Statistically, pizza delivery drivers have one of the 10 most dangerous jobs in America. But despite the frequency with which they are targeted by criminals, a majority are still disarmed by the wrong-headed policies of their employers.
However, for those who are allowed to carry a firearm for self-defense—or for those who recognize the danger, and flout company policy to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed right to bear arms—the decision to do so can mean the difference between life and death.
A Domino’s pizza delivery driver was returning to his store in Hollywood, Fla., when a pair of masked and armed men attempted to rob him. The driver responded by retrieving a gun and shooting at the robbers, striking and killing one and causing the other to flee. Unfortunately, according to a Domino’s spokesperson, the armed delivery driver was in violation of Domino’s no-firearms policy. (The Sun-Sentinel, Palm Beach, Fla., 06/24/15)
A driver for Padova’s Pizza in Columbus, Ohio, was on a delivery when two men armed with shotguns attempted to rob him. At first, the driver, and Right-to-Carry permit holder, warned the criminals to leave. When the robbers persisted, the driver drew a gun and shot both criminals. The robbers fled the scene, but were captured a short time later when one of the criminals was found nearby with wounds to his head and chest. Rather than the hostility some pizza delivery drivers have faced from their employers after exercising their right to self-defense, the owner of Padova’s Pizza has had words of support for his driver, stating, “He is just too good of a person, and I have known him too long, and I hope he doesn’t have mental anguish over this.” (WBNS, Columbus, Ohio, 07/17/12)
A Papa John’s pizza delivery man was lured to a vacant lot in Memphis, Tenn., where an armed criminal attempted to rob him at gunpoint. The delivery man, a Right-to-Carry permit holder, responded by retrieving a .38-caliber handgun and shooting the robber three times. The robber fled the scene, but was captured by police at a relative’s house a short time later and taken to a local hospital where he was listed as in fair condition. Unfortunately, Papa John’s prohibits its employees from exercising their right to self-defense. This is despite the fact that eight months earlier a Papa John’s pizza delivery man was killed during a robbery roughly three miles from where the armed citizen defended himself. (The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tenn., 11/04/11; WHBQ, Memphis, Tenn., 11/04/11)
Three robbers, at least one of whom was armed with a gun, lured a Papa’s Pizza deliveryman to a vacant house in Detroit, Mich., and attempted to rob him. The delivery man, a Right-to-Carry permit holder, responded by retrieving a gun and firing at the criminals, killing one. The remaining robbers fled on foot, but were captured by police a short time later. Unlike some national pizza chains, Papa’s Pizza seems to have a tolerant approach to employee self-defense. The restaurant's manager noted that several of his deliverymen exercise their right to carry. (WXYZ, Detroit, Mich., 02/21/11)
After making a delivery around 10:30 p.m., a pizza delivery driver in Hanover County, Va., headed back to his vehicle. As he approached the car, the driver was met by a robber armed with a rifle. The driver asked the criminal to drop his gun several times, but when the robber did not comply the driver drew a gun and shot the criminal. The criminal was struck in the face and has been listed in critical condition at a local hospital. Police believe the robber had accomplices nearby during the incident. (The Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond, Va., 09/20/10)
Two would-be armed robbers in Lufkin, Texas, lured a pizza deliveryman to a vacant house in an attempt to rob him at gunpoint. The two armed robbers waited for the deliveryman to ring the doorbell, then came out from hiding and confronted him with guns drawn. The deliveryman, a Right-to-Carry permit holder, drew his .22 caliber derringer and fired at the robbers, striking one and causing both to flee. Later that night, a suspect arrived at a local hospital suffering from a gunshot wound, and was arrested for aggravated robbery for his part in the incident. Police are still investigating the identity of the other armed robber. (The Lufkin Daily News, Lufkin, Texas, 10/22/08)
Pizza Hut deliveryman James Spiers thought he was making a routine delivery, but he was walking into an ambush. As Spiers approached, an armed man sprang at him with a gun, but Spiers, a concealed-carry permit holder, was no easy target. Police say Spiers struggled hard with the assailant until he was able to produce his handgun. "It was a long ordeal ... my life was, without a doubt, in danger," Spiers recalls. Spiers shot the suspect three times. The suspect fled and was arrested at the hospital. Pizza Hut summarily fired Spiers, a 10-year employee, citing a corporate policy forbidding employees from carrying firearms. (The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa, 04/03/08)
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