GunWatch is an excellent website for people who like to reassure themselves that a firearm is an effective way to protect life and property. And I’m not saying that it isn’t. Not by word or deed. But I’d like to raise an important point about tales of ballistic self-defense. While there are plenty of “random” home invasions and personal assaults curtailed by the use of a firearm (in absolute terms), in most cases the shooter is “known” to the victim. And in most of those cases, the knowledge is not casual, carnal, familial or Springer-esque (carnal and familial). It’s commercial. Criminal-on-criminal. Usually, but not exclusively, gang-related. For an example of how that works, check this story about a teen home invader shot with his own gun . . .
Police said the Colston brothers and a third suspect still at large broke into a home in the 1300 block of Aster Drive through a back window about 4:30 a.m. Tuesday. It is believed they were targeting marijuana that was being grown at the residence . . .
Their two children, a 2-year-old boy and 8-month-old girl, were home during the attack but not injured. They were placed in the custody of grandparents. Police are still confirming with ballistics tests that Keylow Colston was shot with his own gun. Whether they were legally allowed to grow the drug is still being examined.
IMHO, any time you read of a “successful” firearms-related self-defense, it pays to see it like a Rhode Islander. There’s always a story behind the story.
