The selfless actions of citizens have thwarted dozens of active shooter attempts over the years, but this is a statistic that you rarely see promoted in the news.
These individuals found each themselves in an unlikely situation, and needed to make quick decisions in order to save the lives of others. Together, these people have saved countless lives and deserve to be celebrated for their actions.
Active shooter situations can crop up nearly anywhere — from churches to schools to concerts — and often unfold so rapidly that most people find it difficult to even think. While there is a great deal of furor in the media about the firearms that the shooters were using, it is important to keep in mind that the policemen and women, as well as these armed citizens, were the ones who were able to step in and keep the situations from escalating further.
Here are 5 times active shooters were foiled by armed and fearless citizens.
1. First Baptist Church, Southerland Springs, Texas
No one is sure what set off the gunman inside the First Baptist Church in Southerland Springs, Texas, but Stephen Willeford was across the street when the shooting started. With 26 people dead and 20 more wounded, the attack could have been significantly worse if the former NRA instructor had not stepped in and brought down the shooter. In an odd twist of fate, the active shooter was brought down by the same type of gun that he was using to take the life of others — an AR-15.
2. New Life Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado
In 2007, Jeanne Assam made headlines when she stepped directly into the line of fire, stopping a shooter in his tracks. Jeanne, a former cop, showed incredible bravery and saved countless lives — as thousands of people were pouring from the church doors when the gunman opened fire.
3. Plymouth, Pennsylvania
What should have been a fun evening at the bar turned deadly when gunman William Allabaugh decided to open fire. While Allabaugh did manage to kill two people, a gun-toting patron stopped him in his tracks with a well-placed bullet before the situation became any worse.
4. Pearl High School, Mississippi
When 16-year-old Luke Woodham stabbed and bludgeoned his mother to death, killed two students and injured seven more, there was no indication that he would be stopping his rampage anytime soon. Fortunately, the assistant principal, Joel Myrick, quickly grabbed his .45 caliber pistol and was able to detain the teenager.
5. Elementary School in Townville, South Carolina
It is always a sad situation when children are found with firearms, and that was certainly the case at an elementary school in Townville, South Carolina. When a 14-year-old opened fire on the school grounds, an armed volunteer firefighter was able to stem the tide. Unfortunately, two people were killed and three more injured, but the devastation would have been greater without the brave citizen.
The majority of mass shooters either obtained or kept their weapons illegally, while law-abiding citizens and our brave police forces are often the ones to step in and stem the tide of devastation. There is a great deal of truth behind the concept that if guns are made illegal to carry, only criminals will have guns. Where will that leave our American citizens?
~ Firearm Daily
