OPINION: Another hero with a gun
Once again, a gun in the hands of a brave, daring and selfless hero has resolved a violent crime in Colorado Springs. As so often is the case when a gun foils a crime, no shot was ever fired. The gun brought civility where mayhem previously reigned.
Colorado Springs Police report that Russell Bowman, a self-proclaimed "atheist," showed up with a large knife at the at a woman's apartment in the 700 block of Tia Juana Street at about 3:15 a.m. Saturday. Police said Bowman wanted to behead two women because they were Christians. (Will this be classified a "hate crime" motivated by religion?)
Police suspect alcohol may have played a role.
As Bowman threatened the women, another resident of the apartment building grabbed a shotgun and ordered Bowman to drop the knife. The power of a gun put a hero in charge of the situation, because of its enormous potential stopping power. Bowman refused the order and approached the gun-wielding hero.
So what did the hero do, armed with a weapon that could have removed a good portion of Bowman's head? He whacked the criminal with the butt of the gun - a polite response, considering the circumstances. As that got the job done, the hero never resorted to using the business end of the weapon.
The hero would have been perfectly justified in shooting Bowman, in defense of himself and others, but he risked using lesser force and the risk paid off. This makes him even more of a hero. Bowman was stopped, and he's alive. Doctors at Memorial Hospital told police Bowman's eye was so badly damaged by the butt of the gun that it will have to be removed. That's a shame, but it beats a trip to the morgue.
The Department of Justice has estimated that citizens use guns to defend themselves in United States more than 1.5 million time each year. Other studies have put the number higher and lower. Whatever the true number is, these incidents are routine and almost never make the news. When they do, it's important to remember how the Second Amendment keeps this country civilized and free.
