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by John P. Kuchta Jr.
VNS Columnist
Very little has been written about the 71 year old citizen who stopped a robbery at an internet café in Ocala, FL, on 13 July 2012, just one week before the senseless tragedy unfolded in Aurora, CO. Both incidents were similar yet had vastly differing outcomes.
Samuel Williams was sitting at a computer minding his own business when two young thugs burst into the internet café in Ocala.
Williams is a solid citizen with a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Williams had probably worn that gun for years and never had a reason to use it.
However, as the robbery attempt unfolded, Sam didn’t hesitate. He rose from his chair, drew his weapon and began firing at the robber who was armed with a pistol.
The would-be armed robber dropped to the floor and Sam kept firing. The other thug, armed with a baseball bat also attempted to flee. He, too, was wounded
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Police apprehended both suspects and they were thrown in jail. The customers were all unharmed, the robbery was thwarted and Sam Williams earned the undying gratitude of a number of folks who were about to test the dubious strategy of defeating an armed gunman with a computer mouse.
The results of the Aurora tragedy, in deaths and wounds, are well known.
What isn’t as well known is the fact that the movie chain controlling that theater does not allow concealed carry citizens on their property.
Would the results in Aurora been different if one half dozen patrons had their weapons and been in a position to use them against the shooter?
We’ll never know the answer to that question; but, I’d like to interview some Internet users from Ocala to get their take on gun control!
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