When I was 5 years old, in preschool, my dad was on alert at Ladd AFB in Fairbanks, Alaska. I was home in our little isolated house in the country with my mom, who was 8 months pregnant and confined to the bed, and my little three year old brother.

I was trying to cook something for my brother, when I saw something at the window. It was a crazy looking Eskimo. I was scared to death, but determined to protect my family. I got out the little Savage 22/.410 over and under my dad gave me a year or so later (still have it). I loaded both barrels; top with a 22 cal. and the bottom with # 8 shot (was aware the I wanted to use bird shot, instead of #6 (rabbit) to minimize the injury).

The guy kept looking through the window and hiding from about 7:00 PM (it was winter-deep snow, probably below zero outside and already dark) until about 2:00 AM. He then broke the glass and started crawling in the window. There had been multiple break-ins in the area, with injuries over the last several months, including several rapes. We later found out this was the guy!

I shot him in the left kneecap with the shotgun. When he got up, I shot him in the right kneecap with the shotgun. If he had gotten up, I was going to shoot him with both barrels. I kept the gun on him until daylight, and then waved down a truck from the door, asking them to get Gus, our neighbor.

Fast forward to last year. I had a Taurus Judge (five .410 rounds of buckshot) in the drawer. A guy broke in, rushed me, and I chose a small wooden club instead of the gun. I hurt the guy, but also sustained what very well may be permanent damage to my left arm and hand.

Almost 60 years later: What I learned:

* I regret shooting the guy in Alaska, but think I had no choice. I was protecting my mom and brother.

* Don't regret not shooting the guy at my warehouse (there was no-one else in danger, I was the only one there), but got sued in the process.

* The good: the guy's in jail (repeat offender). Do regret hurting the guy with the club as badly as I did. Frankly, I was scared and on an adrenalin rush. If I hadn't defended myself, there may have been more damage from the cuts. Could have been killed. Or, more realistically, he would have gotten what he wanted and left me alone. I'll never know...

* Regret getting hurt....may be a career ender.

* If you choose to have a gun or other weapon, be prepared to use it.

Be careful, everybody!


Russ



[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 04-01-2010).]