Hopefully, most of us will
never be in a gunfight. But the fact is, there are thousands of home invasions
and other crimes committed every day. This means there are many Americans who
are, unfortunately, likely to experience a gunfight in their lifetime. But the
chances of someone experiencing four gunfights (who isn’t in law enforcement or
the military) are extremely slim.
One such person is California
man Lance Thomas. Lance used to own a high-end watch store in Los Angeles. Back
in the 1980s, many shopkeepers on his street were getting robbed and murdered
so he decided to get a gun. He purchased a .38 snub-nosed revolver.
Just a few weeks after he
purchased his first gun, two men walked into his store and attempted to rob him
by pointing a 9mm at his face. As Lance was pretending to gather up watches to
give to them he grabbed his .38 and shot the gunman in the face while the other
robber fled. Lance was unharmed and grateful to have had a gun.
After this first encounter
he decided he needed more firearms training. He began going to the shooting
range regularly. He also started getting in shape and joined a gym. He bought
several more guns and he put them every three feet along the counter of his
store that way he was always close to a firearm. He also practiced different
scenarios on how someone would attempt to rob him in the store.
Just a few months later, two
more men entered the watch store armed with guns. Another gunfight ensued and
Lance ended up killing both criminals. Lance was shot four times himself, but
most of the shots were in the shoulder and he quickly recovered.
About two years later, Lance
experienced his third gunfight. He was again in his watch store when a single
robber approached him with a Glock 9mm. Lance quickly drew his gun and killed
the robber. Lance was shot in the neck, but on the side so the bullet passed
through cleanly and he had no serious injuries. (He even says he went back to
work the next day.)
The fourth and final
gunfight involved two gang members who were looking for an easy score. They
actually walked into the store with their guns out and as soon as Lance saw
this he drew his gun and started firing. During the gunfight both gang members
were killed and Lance was untouched.
After this fourth incident
Lance decided it was time to close his shop and these days he only does business
by private appointment. So what are the lessons we can learn from Lance
(besides not to own a watch store in LA)?
1. Practice regularly. In
interviews, Lance mentioned how he went to the range often and how he practiced
drawing his gun often too. No doubt, his ability to quickly draw his firearm
saved his life more than once.
2. Get in Shape. I’m not the
biggest fan of working out but I know it’s good for me, which is why I run
several miles everyday. If you’re not in shape you may not be able to move
quickly enough to defend yourself.
3. Have multiple firearms. I
have firearms stored throughout my house. Remember, if you’re watching a movie
in your basement and your only gun is in your bedroom that’s a long way to go
when someone is kicking in your front door.
4. Prepare. Besides
practicing at the range and drawing his gun, he also practiced different
scenarios and prepared ahead of time for the multiple ways he could be
attacked. That’s why it’s important to prepare for what you will do if you have
a home invasion and even what you will do once the gunfight is over.
The bottom line is, Lance
Thomas is a very courageous man who refused to be a victim, and he’s a good
example of how practice and preparation can pay off in the most important way
of all.
No comments:
Post a Comment