Here’s another instructive story showing why it is important for responsible Americans to carry firearms. In this harrowing event, a courageous neighbor wielding a handgun stepped in to defend a mail carrier who was being robbed, preventing potential tragedy.

On a seemingly ordinary morning in River Grove, Illinois, chaos erupted when an armed man confronted a mail carrier and demanded his keys. Thanks to the mail carrier’s compliance, he was not physically harmed during the incident. However, a courageous neighbor, witnessing the unfolding drama, took quick action to protect the innocent victim from danger. Drawing his own handgun, the neighbor stood up to the assailant, leading to a brief but intense exchange of gunfire:

A witness and a suspect exchanged gunfire on Tuesday morning in River Grove after a postal worker was the target of an armed robbery, officials said.

River Grove police confirm they were called to the 8700 block of Richard Street around 9:30 a.m. where they discovered the mail carrier had been approached by an armed man who demanded his keys.

The letter carrier complied and was not injured, but before the suspects fled, a neighbor who witnessed the incident pulled his own handgun. River Grove police say “words and gunshots were exchanged.”

According to police, “the male suspect ran back to the vehicle that dropped him off, and the vehicle fled north on River Road.”

Two sisters who live nearby tell NBC Chicago that their mom took in the postal worker after the robbery.

“My mom let the mailman inside our house to see if he was okay, because she talks to him regularly. He always comes around here,” said the older of the two sisters, who didn’t want to be identified on camera.

“He was just very distressed, very scared. You could tell he was very nervous from what had just happened,” said the second sister.

This incident underscores the importance of self-defense and how having access to firearms can empower individuals to protect themselves and others during life-threatening situations. While the mail carrier’s compliance likely spared him from immediate harm, the courageous neighbor’s intervention demonstrated the value of self-reliance and swift action in the face of danger. Plus, it is worth noting that even if one complies, it does not guarantee that the assailant will still not harm them. The right to bear arms, responsibly exercised, becomes a powerful tool in safeguarding lives and deterring criminals.

What would have happened had the anti-gunner lobby gotten its way in Illinois? The witness would have likely been unable to come to the postal worker’s aid. Illinois isn’t exactly a gun-friendly state, but at least some are able to keep and bear arms. Nevertheless, the River Grove incident provides a stark example of how such policies might put innocent lives at risk. If the neighbor had not been armed, he would have been defenseless against the armed robber.

Situations like this show that rather than pushing for stricter gun control measures that could potentially render law-abiding citizens defenseless, the focus should be on empowering responsible individuals through proper firearm training. Responsible gun ownership involves understanding the responsibility that comes with carrying a firearm, including knowing when and how to use it safely and effectively. Initiatives that promote responsible gun ownership can lead to a safer society, as responsible citizens become an additional layer of protection against criminal threats.