Charles Carlson, 75, awoke around 2 a.m. when he heard noises coming from the kitchen of his farmhouse. He got up to investigate. When Carlson entered the kitchen, an intruder held a revolver to his head. Carlson’s quick thinking may have saved his life. He pretended to be blind and hard of hearing, which made the intruder lower his weapon. At that moment, Carlson swiftly grabbed his own 9 mm handgun and told the intruder to get on the floor. He complied, but then stood up and advanced toward Carlson. Carlson ordered him to stop. When the man continued toward him, Carlson fired. After sustaining a gunshot wound to the leg, the intruder reached for the gun in his pocket, prompting Carlson to fire a second time. The second gunshot proved fatal for the 23-year-old intruder. A second intruder heard the gunshots and fled. (Star Tribune, Sandstone, Minn., 11/17/13)
Reprinted with the encouragement of the NRA
Comments