Thor45AZ

Saw this story of a local 14 year old boy who defended his home and family. Good job kid! 14-year-old Phoenix boy shoots, critically wounds armed intruder

Clovishound

The down side of this is that this young man will have to live with being forced to shoot someone to protect his siblings and himself. Most people his age are likely not prepared to handle something like this.

Of course, one must consider that this will probably be easier to deal with than dealing with the loss of siblings and feelings of guilt had he not taken their protection into his hands.

We may high five when reading about situations like this in the news, or seeing the BG "get his" on TV, but taking a life, no matter how justified, has to be a traumatic event. In fact, I would be worried about someone who was not somewhat traumatized by having to do something like this.

My hat is off to this young man for stepping up to the plate and protecting his family. I sincerely hope he deals well with this.

bwinters

It is a terrible thing he had to do. It is like a bad memory that will not go away. However he can be proud of hi saving his younger siblings. I hope his parents and he deal with this as best as possible and my prayers go out to them.

MetalMan2004

Good for the kid, certainly. Better he shoot someone than be shot or his siblings be shot.

I have a question for everyone regarding this type of situation. Everything you read about gun safety says that you should lock up your gun so that children can't get to it. This isn't talked about in the article, but either it was locked and the 14 yr old had the key/ combo or it just wasn't locked up. The article also says there were younger children around. So, at what point do you star to trust the oldest kid in the house with the combo/ key? Obviously this situation worked out for the better, but if this family had been on the news because one of their children got into then gun cabinet and had an accident we would all have much different reactions. Also, when we can't trust children with the key, what measures do you take to make sure they are protected when home alone?

Top Dog

Metalman,
There are a lot of "what ifs" in any situation,but I would suspect that this young man was pretty mature to be left in charge of his three younger siblings.

The fact that he did not open the door to a stranger and when things did start to happen had the presence of mind to get the children to a safe location and handle the situation speaks volumes for his maturity and training.

The maturity of a child,and at what age to be trusted with firearms is on a case by case basis. Heck,I know of many adults that should not handling sharp objects let alone a firearm!!!

It is a shame that about four years ago,to parolees in Cheshire,CT did not meet with the same fate. Maybe the three women in the home they invaded would still be alive,and the BGs be dead.

I tip my hat and salute that the 14 yr old young man. I hope all works out well for him. The BG? He probably is well known to the police and will be back in jail,at our expense again.

Top Dog

nclarkin

After reading the article, I'll answer the question posed in the article (imo laced with subtle anti-gun statements) and state the 14-year old was without doubt adequately trained in the use of this firearm, praise God

pell

With all due respect to Clovishound, this sort of sentiment has become commonplace, a rote response, and I find it irritating.

I would hope that this young man feels a sense of confidence in his appropriate and decisive response to the situation, a calm self-assurance. I hope that he lives with that, not some misguided "emo-laden" doubts or concern about the jerk he shot.