Texas is the second-largest state in the Union, and boasts the second-largest population. What better reason could there be to offer up a second helping of Lone Star State residents exercising their Second Amendment rights?
On January 19, Bastrop County Deputy Dylan Dorris attempted to pull over a vehicle due to the driver’s erratic behavior. The driver did not initially comply, but eventually stopped at a gas station. Once the vehicle was stopped, Dorris attempted to arrest the driver. However, the driver resisted. While Dorris was struggling with the driver, the man reached for the deputy’s weapon. Thankfully, Marine veteran and Right-to-Carry permit holder Scott Perkins came upon the struggle and immediately intervened. Perkins drew a gun and ordered the driver to “freeze,” which halted the attack and prompted the criminal to flee. Following the incident, Dorris said of Perkins to the Austin American-Statesman, “I’m alive today because of him,” adding, “There are no words to explain it. He’s such an outstanding citizen. He’s here for our country, our community and you really feel the love.” Despite his heroics, Perkins remained modest, telling the paper, “Anytime somebody is in need of help you should assist them. It doesn’t matter whether your life is in danger or not, you should always assist anybody who is in need.” (Austin American-Statesman, Austin, Texas, 01/28/2016)
A man was at home in Freestone County when a group of three home invaders, at least one of whom was armed, forced their way inside the residence through a back door. During the incident, the homeowner suffered a gunshot wound, but at some point was able to retrieve a gun and fire at the criminals, striking one and causing all to flee. Police found the body of the intruder who was struck by the homeowner’s gunfire just outside the home. The two surviving intruders were captured by police a short time later. The homeowner was taken to a local hospital where he was listed in critical condition. (KWTX, Waco, Texas, 03/09/2015; KXXV, Waco, Texas, 03/09/2015)
A woman was at her Van Zandt County home when she became aware of a man attempting to gain access to the house through a side door. The woman retrieved a gun and shot and killed the intruder. It was later determined by local media outlet KLTV that the home invader was a suspect in an arson investigation earlier in the week, had an extensive criminal record and had only recently been released from the county jail on charges of failing to register as a sex offender. Van Zandt County Sheriff Lindsay Ray expressed his support for the armed citizen, stating, “Presently, as the result of underfunding and inadequate staffing at the Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office, homeowners need to take appropriate precautions to protect their families. I will continue to support the law-abiding citizens of our community when they are forced to take actions to protect their lives, liberty and property.” (KLTV, Tyler, Texas, 02/10/2015)
The owner of Mi Pueblo Food Store in Smith County was tending to his business when a customer alerted him to two suspicious men who had asked the customer what time the store closed. Later on, an armed and masked man entered the store and attempted to rob it. The owner responded by retrieving a gun and exchanging gunfire with the criminal, killing him. The owner was not injured during the incident. (The Tyler Telegraph, Tyler, Texas, 01/27/2015)
Two would-be armed robbers in Lufkin 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, 10/22/2008)
Mrs. W.K. Goodwin was watching television in her El Paso home when a man tore the screen off the front door, poked in a gun and said, "Open up. This is a holdup." Mrs. Goodwin took a rifle from behind the door and pointed it at the man, who fled. (The El Paso Times, El Paso, Texas, 12/01/1962
