Episode 29 with Amber Kunau

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Introduction-  Rob- We’re back with episode 29 of Self-Defense Gun Stories.  Self-Defense Gun Stories is part of the Self-Defense Radio Network.  I’m Rob Morse and I’m joined this week by self-defense instructor Amber Kunau. 

Amber- Hi, Rob.  Hi to our new listeners, and welcome back to our regular listeners. Together, we report and analyze examples of armed civilian defense.  We bring you the news, and I hope we inspire you to defend the people you love.  Our first story took place last week in Tennessee.

First story- Can you defend yourself in your bedroom?  A couple in Sevierville, TN were asleep in their upstairs bedroom.  A noise woke them up.  They called 911 at about 5 in the morning and said an intruder was inside their home after breaking in the front door.

The homeowner armed himself with a handgun and told the intruder that law enforcement had been called, then warned the intruder not to come up the stairs to the bedroom.

The intruder came upstairs before the police arrived.  The intruder pointed a gun at the homeowner, and the only then did the homeowner draw and point his gun at the intruder.  The homeowner told the intruder to get down on the ground and not to move.  The intruder did.

The intruder was in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia when he was arrested.  The intruder was charged with aggravated assault, especially aggravated burglary, unlawful possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, gun possession during a violent felony and narcotic possession.  The intruder remains in the County jail.

Amber-  The homeowner used verbal commands before he drew a gun.

Typical because no shots fired.

Extraordinary because the homeowner had every reason to shoot.

The druggie said someone was after him.  Perhaps the druggie was too confused to be a threat, but you can’t know that when someone points a gun at you after breaking into your home.

The homeowner had a gun and he didn’t have time to go to the study and get a gun from the safe.

Rob- Better doors?

Amber- Better doors for your front door and bedroom would have bought the homeowner and the police more time to respond. Maybe he was so hopped-up on drugs he was better able to bust the doors down.  Get quality training too.

Our second story took place last week in Houston, Texas.

Second Story-  Are you armed when you are working in the back yard?  A young homeowner was standing in the backyard of his home at 8 in the evening.  The homeowner was armed and had received his concealed carry license four months ago.  The homeowner and his dad were standing there talking to each other when they noticed two young teenagers walk through the neighborhood several times.  The two teens then came down the driveway toward the two men.

The two teens pointed a gun at the homeowner and his dad.  The homeowner shot seven times before the teens turned away.  The homeowner called the police.

One of the attackers died at the scene.  The second ran home before asking for medical help.  

The homeowner said, “The first teenager pulls out his firearm and points it directly at us.  I didn’t let him finish talking. My first reaction was to take out my gun and open fire.  I didn’t want him to die, but oh well. He asked for it.”  The homeowner did not know the teenagers.

Amber-  Don’t talk like that when you are interviewed by the police.

Would you believe your eyes if a teenager pointed a gun at you?  You would if you were aware of crime in your area.

You and your family are looking death in the eye.  It is time to act right now.  You have no time to do anything but be a victim unless you’re armed.  You don’t have time to call for help.  You don’t have time to shout for your wife or husband.  The problem is immediate and lethal.

If you are not carrying a gun, then what are you going to do?  What is your plan if you’re unarmed?  You are betting your life that a teenage robber wants to leave you alive.

I want you to have better options.  This man and his family are alive because he defended himself.

Amber- Our third story took place last week near Lindale, Ohio.

The Second Amendment Foundation SAF.org  https://www.saf.org/

Third story- Are you armed when you go shopping?  A family dollar store was packed with shoppers buying back-to-school supplies.  The parking lot and nearby intersection were busy at 3 in the afternoon.  A man left the store and then was approached by an armed robber.  The robber fired first, then the victim drew his own gun and fired back.  Both men fired their guns several times.  The victim wasn’t hit, but the robber was.  Fortunately, none of the bystanders were struck.

The robber was shot in the head.  That stopped the gunfight.  It is unclear if the robber fell to the ground immediately or was captured nearby by policer.  Medical technicians took the robber to the hospital in critical condition.  The victim was not charged.  Police are looking at surveillance video.

Amber- You can’t talk your way out of an armed robbery.  You can’t negotiate when someone points a gun at you.  You have to move, present your firearm, and hit your target to stop the threat.  That is exactly what this man did.  He is alive today because of it.

Let me say that again.

• Recognize the threat and be committed to saving your own life.
• Move and present your firearm.  If you want to throw down your wallet as a distraction and back up with your hands spread, that is fine, but it doesn’t stop the threat.
• Shoot until the threat stops.
• Move to ensure your own security.
• Call for police.

Explain you’re the victim, and then be quiet until you have a lawyer.

Rob- Law enforcement is happy to prosecute you even if you’re innocent.  All the prosecutor needs need is a convincing story, so don’t give the police the story to use against you.

Amber- That self-control comes with practice.  I want our listeners to practice the entire scope of self-defense all the way through, from recognizing a threat, all the way to talking to the police.  I’d rather that you were exposed to all of it than be an expert in one area and clueless about the others.  Be a well rounded student of self-defense.

You must also be sure of yourself because a gun fight endangers other people if you miss.

Rob- Now that you say it that way, there is plenty to learn.

Amber- That way it never becomes boring.

Exit-  Rob- That wraps up this episode. Amber, thank you for helping me today.  Where can our listeners learn more about you?

Amber- I instruct and compete in Phoenix, Arizona.  Listeners can contact me at Instructor Amber K on Facebook  

Rob- Our listeners can share their thoughts with us by leaving a message on the podcast facebook page.

Amber- If these examples inspired you, then please share them with a friend.

Rob- You know you can automatically download the podcasts so they appear on your phone each week?

Amber- That is how I listen, and please give us a rating on I-Tunes so other people will find us.

Rob- I’m Rob Morse.  Please join us next week for more Self-Defense Gun Stories.

Please support the Crime Prevention Research Center at Crime Research.org