Right To Keep And Bear Arms

These articles, compiled by the National Rifle Association, are testimony to the fact that arms in the hands of private citizens are a vital asset in the protection of family, home and property.

The Salem News, Salem, Massachussetts, 11/28/03 State: MA American Rifleman Issue: 2/1/2004 A Salem, Massachusetts, resident learned what a great deterrent owning a gun can be. The resident called police, not to report being a victim of a crime, but to say that he discovered a man "all dressed in black" trying to break into his home. The resident aimed his gun at the would-be intruder, who decided to cut his losses and run.

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA, 3/27/98 State: MA American Rifleman Issue: 7/1/1998 In a vicious attack, a 100-pound Japanese Akita knocked down Ellen Justice in front of her home in Plymouth, Massachusetts, when she attempted to collect her mail. As the dog tore at Justice's limbs, several neighbors tried to intervene. That's when Vincent Mallozzi, the brother of the dog's owner, shot the animal with a 20-ga. shotgun. Remarkably, though, it continued its rampage, attacking a police officer who had arrived to pursue it. Patrolman Kenneth Rood eventually fired nine rounds from his .40-cal. handgun before the dog fell dead. Rood and Justice were both treated at a nearby hospital. Police said Mallozzi did the right thing.

The Boston Herald, Boston, MA, 7/24/97 State: MA American Rifleman Issue: 1/1/1998 Although ailing, Mark Falletti successfully stopped two armed home-invaders early one morning in his Boston, Massachusetts, home. The men kicked in the front door of the apartment and ran up the stairs towards the Fallettis' bedroom. While his wife called 911, Falletti confronted the intruders with a pistol. When he startled them and knocked one intruder's pistol out of his hand, they fled. When one tried to reenter the home to return for the dropped gun, Falletti shot him in the leg. The two men again fled. A man with a gunshot wound to the leg was later questioned at a local hospital. Falletti suffers from cancer and later said he acted to protect his seven-month-old son who had been asleep in his upstairs bedroom. "I did it because of the kid," said Falletti.

The Recorder, Greenfield, MA, 6/30/97 State: MA American Rifleman Issue: 11/1/1997 After having a black bear leave claw marks on his doors and walls and even enter his secluded Charlemont, Massachusetts, home, Edward Root kept his 16-ga. shotgun handy just in case it returned. Root had spoken to the Massachusetts Environmental Police about the bear--which had been ransacking Root's home and yard for about three weeks--and the agency advised him to "protect himself." His concern was well founded as the bear returned and made for the house--and Root--as he was standing at his front door. Root said, "He was not scared of me at all. He had absolutely no fear." The bear was approaching the front door when the homeowner shot twice, killing it.

The Telegram & Gazette, Worcester, MA, 1/24/94 State: MA American Rifleman Issue: 4/1/1994 "With a store like this, I need a gun to protect myself and my family," said Worcester, Massachusetts, market owner Hassan Elmaola. Elmaola's unease with one of his customers was confirmed when the man quietly demanded money, then flashed a handgun. Instead of complying, Elmaola pushed his 15-year-old son out of the way and grabbed his pistol. The would-be robber broke and ran.

The Globe, Boston, MA, 11/19/93 State: MA American Rifleman Issue: 3/1/1994 Guy Velardo is a veteran of World War II and six robberies at his Wakefield, Massachusetts, pharmacy, so he doesn't rattle easily. When a man walked in one evening and demanded prescription drugs and threatened to shoot Velardo if he didn't comply, the druggist simply pulled a .380--a war trophy--and fired a single shot. The man fled, but a wounded suspect was arrested at a local hospital.

The Standard-Times, New Bedford, MA, 4/20/93 State: MA American Rifleman Issue: 7/1/1993 "This is all I have," was Ronald Arruda's reply when a man jumped into his truck at an intersection, flashed a knife and demanded money. Instead of coming up with his wallet, Arruda, of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, pulled a licensed pistol and fired once, convincing the unwounded thug to abandon his plans and flee.

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