Armed citizen dials 911 and waits...and waits..

"...what happens when you dial 911 and the police tell you to wait...and wait...and wait?

One Columbus-area business owner was wise enough to have made his own plans for that very eventuality...

On Thursday, April 17, a drive-thru carryout owner and Concealed Handgun License (CHL)-holder was investigating why his security alarm went off after just having closed up for the night when he was surprised by an intruder who had been hiding in his store. The entire confrontation that followed was caught on tape.

As can be seen in the security video the intruder surprised the store owner, who was forced to draw his gun when the intruder advanced toward him.

He ordered the intruder onto his knees, and held him at gunpoint while attempting to dial 911. At that point, the intruder got up and began advancing toward the CHL-holder again.

The store owner attempted to keep the intruder from approaching him, and showed admirable restraint as the intruder advanced on him several times.

The 911 call begins at that point.

"I've got a gun on a guy that's in my business," the store owner says. "Get the cops here."

"Where are you at?" inquires the 911 operator.

After the store owner gives his address and the name of his business, he says again "Get 'em here."

The operator responds by asking "Why do you have a gun on him?"

The store owner calmly explains "because he's in my business after hours."

At this point, the intruder can again be seen approaching the store owner, and moving himself out of the cameras' view.

The operator can be heard asking "who is this person?", just as the store owner is heard giving the intruder commands, and the operator asks again, "Who is this person?"

All this while trying to hold off a burglar. Reminded me of the legendary Harry Beckwith's approach to dealing with intruders.

A snippet of Harry's obit:

"BECKWITH, HARRY EDWARD,- Harry Edward Beckwith, age 78, of Micanopy, FL, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 28, 2006. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Mr. Beckwith moved to Florida in 1950 and worked as a Deputy Sheriff in Broward County. He moved to Micanopy in 1955 where he opened the Beckwith Gun Shop. He continued for 51 years of business as a dedicated, legendary gun dealer and beloved friend to many."

Harry was getting on in years by the time I got around to asking him about the time...one of the time's...he caught some fellows wishing to make an after-hours no-cash purchase.

So you saw them through the window of your backroom office?

Bigger 'n shit. Peeked through the blinds and there they were trying to bust through one of the gun cases.

Did you call the cops first?

No. Hit the security alarm that's supposed to alert the Sheriff then let 'em have it.

Was that the time they said you came out with a "machinegun"?

Old Thompson. Drum magazine. I aimed low so as not to hit any of the merchandise. Still mowed 'em down like wheat to a scythe.

Thanks to The War on Guns for the 911 story.