In Oklahoma, armed self-defense is more than OK—shall-issue concealed carry and constitutional open carry, combined with full permit reciprocity with other states, make Oklahoma one of the most pro-freedom states in the nation. Following are the stories of 11 Sooner State residents who wisely chose to exercise their rights:
An intoxicated man entered the Debi’s Filling Station restaurant in Okmulgee, Okla., drew a knife and confronted a customer. Another customer, a Right-to-Carry permit holder, took note of the threatening act, drew a gun and told the knife-wielding criminal “[p]ut your knife away. I have a gun.” The aggressor fled the restaurant, but was captured just outside the door. Following the incident, restaurant employee Dayna Rucker told a local media outlet, “In this situation, the good guy had the gun and helped diffuse the situation.” (KOTV, Tulsa, Okla., 2/18/2015)
Christopher David was at home asleep in Edmond, Okla., when his dog alerted him to an intruder. Davis met the bat-wielding criminal at the front door, but the man forced his way inside and struck Davis with the bat. Davis responded by retrieving a handgun and fired at the home invader, striking him and causing him to flee. The intruder retreated to a nearby house and was captured by police a short time later. (KOCO, Oklahoma City, Okla., 2/17/2015)
A homeowner in Tulsa, Okla., was returning home from a walk when he became aware of an intruder who had broken into his house. The homeowner retrieved a gun, found the burglar and fired at him, striking him three times. The criminal was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. (The Tulsa World, Tulsa, Okla., 10/12/2013)
Shortly after 4 a.m., a homeowner in McLoud, Okla., awakened to the sound of a burglar breaking into his house. The homeowner retrieved a gun and fired at the criminal, striking him once and causing him to flee. The home invader was captured by police a short time later while seeking treatment at a nearby hospital. An investigation revealed that the criminal was already subject to a felony bench warrant for failing to appear in court for a case in which he was charged with three counts of possession of a stolen vehicle. (The News-Star, Shawnee, Okla., 1/31/2013)
Eric MacFarlane of Oklahoma knew he could help after he witnessed three teenagers kicking in the back door of his neighbor’s house. Fearing that the neighbor’s children were alone with the intruders, MacFarlane grabbed his pistol and asked another neighbor to notify police as he proceeded to the house. Two of the suspects fled the scene, but MacFarlane was able to hold one at gunpoint until police arrived. MacFarlane, a Vietnam veteran, used the time to lecture the teen about straightening out his life. Midwest City police Capt. Sid Porter, impressed with MacFarlane’s bravery, said, “We're probably going to issue him a commendation.” (NewsOK and The Oklahoman, Midwest City, Okla., 2/27/2008)
It seemed odd, even a bit suspicious, when a man knocked on 81-year-old Edna Songer's door twice in one day, the first time claiming to be looking for a dog and the second asking for a glass of water. Police say that when the man returned for a third time, Songer tucked away a .25-caliber pistol and went to the door, where she saw the man and an accomplice jerking on her screen door until its latch hook came out. Both men were dressed in camouflage and one had a roll of duct tape. Songer shot through the screen door, causing both men to flee the scene. (Hugo News Daily, Hugo, Okla., 5/19/2006)
Three young bandits found out the hard way that crime does not pay. Breaking into a Lawton, Okla., home, the trio found the homeowner hiding in her bedroom. When they saw that she was armed, they pointed pistols at her, but she opened fire first, forcing the group from the home. Outside, they encountered a police officer whom they also tried to engage, but the officer was a better marksman. One suspect was killed and a second wounded. The third was arrested. (The Daily Oklahoman, Lawton, Okla., 10/23/1997)
Enid, Okla., resident Anthony Martin first heard his doorbell ring, then heard the sound of somebody kicking in his back door. Martin grabbed his shotgun and went to investigate, meeting two juveniles in his hallway. Martin held the intruders, one of them armed with a big knife, for police, but before they could arrive, one of them fled. The remaining suspect was taken into custody and his accomplice was arrested a short time later. (The News & Eagle, Enid, Okla., 11/30/1995)
Awakened by the sound of breaking glass, Oktaha, Okla., storekeeper John Wyatt grabbed his .22 semi-automatic rifle and ran from the back room of his convenience mart. Discovering two intruders, Wyatt exchanged gunfire with the men, striking one of them. Both fled, with the injured crook making it just a short distance from the store before passing out. It was the third time Wyatt had been forced to use a firearm to defend himself at his business. (Daily Phoenix, Muskogee, Okla., 3/18/1995)
Things had turned ugly for Oklahoma Highway Patrol Officer Rick Wallace. He had found marijuana on a speeder, but was overpowered by the man before he could cuff him. Passerby Adolph Krejsek witnessed the altercation and came to the rescue, using his own firearm to help the trooper control the suspect. After helping subdue the assailant, Krejsek used the injured trooper's radio to call for help. (The Review Courier, Alva, Okla., 1/8/1995)
What police called "fatal attraction" cost a 15-year-old boy his life. Obsessed with a neighborhood woman, he allegedly broke into her Broken Bow, Okla., home three times in a week, once raping the mother of two at knife-point. But when he entered the home the final time carrying a stolen handgun, a pair of handcuffs and a ski mask, the youth encountered two armed men guarding the home in the family's absence. Police said the unidentified citizen who killed the alleged rapist "had no choice." (Gazette, Texakana, Texas, 11/3/1994)
