Though they happen often across the nation, crimes stopped by citizens legally carrying concealed firearms are even less frequently reported. Mass murders have already been prevented by armed citizens. For example, shortly after the murders at Lubys in Killeen Texas, a civilian with a concealed handgun permit stopped a robbery and potential mass murder at an Anniston Alabama restaurant. Jacquie Miller knows the life-saving value of her pistol, having faced a murderer in Louisville, Kentucky. Ken Norton Jr. used his legally-carried concealed pistol to stop an armed robbery at a restaurant last year in Southern California.
Violent crime is much less common in places where firearms in private hands are common.
With machine guns in many homes, Switzerland has very little violent crime, in part because its citizens are not defenseless. In Israel, terrorists attempting to attack a cafe were thwarted by armed civilians. Here in the U.S. in 1987, Florida made concealed carry permits available to licensed, trained citizens who passed a background check. Violent crime also declined in Oregon, Georgia, Utah, Idaho and other states that have liberalized firearms carry permits. While the notion of gun control may be appealing, we are constantly and tragically reminded that it is not effective.