CAMDEN, SOUTH CAROLINA — When an armed robber thought he’d be clever by wearing a ‘Scream’ mask to rob a laundromat, he didn’t expect someone’s great grandfather to set him straight. That’s the story we’re hearing out of Camden where an 80-year-old owner and operator of a laundromat witnessed a masked armed robber enter the premises and demand the man’s cash box. He gave the cash box without protest but no sooner had the robber left than the man grabbed his .25 caliber pistol.
He followed the robber out of his store and allegedly fired a single shot into the air. That’s all it took for the robber to realize he wasn’t walking away without a fight. It was enough. The armed robber dropped the cash box and ran to his getaway vehicle, where probably his girlfriend drove him off to relative safety.
Man, it’s hard being an armed robber these days. Can’t catch any breaks — even from somebody’s great-grandfather. I guess people aren’t content to just sit by and be victimized by criminals who think they’re entitled to others’ hard work.
As WLTX 19 reports, no police charges are being filed against the business owner and, of course, he got his property back.
Now, nobody make any jokes about a .25 caliber pistol. If a man wants to carry a .25 ACP, he can carry one and there’s not a single thing anyone else can say or do about it.
The only issue we have is firing a warning shot. Now, in almost all instances, this is a horrible idea. We reported on a story involving an insane lawyer and an elderly couple and, again, with the warning shot. The idea behind it, we think, is that these people were raised to not take a life when they don’t have to — and if there’s a chance to stop a fight before it starts with a shot in the air or ground, so be it.
However, the rule of law can and will work against you in a situation like this. Make sure that if you’re going to draw that gun, it’s to protect yourself, your family, and your property — and don’t fire warning shots.