NEW ARTICLE — Fast-forward to the future By Robert A. Waters

In the early morning of January 8, 2002, a nine-year-old Houston, Texas
boy was waiting for his school bus when he was attacked by three
Rottweiler dogs. Trent Watson, a neighbor, heard the boy’s screams
and rushed to his aid. “The dogs were just literally tearing the boy
apart,” he said, “[picking] him up and slamming him down.” Watson
tried to kick the dogs off, but they continued their attack. Finally,
he pulled his handgun and shot two of the dogs, ending the carnage.
According to the Houston Chronicle, the boy was airlifted to a local
hospital where he was listed in fair condition.

On March 21, 2002, Dentsville, South Carolina homeowner Bobby Drum shot
a teenaged home invader. The assailant broke down the front door of
the rural home and entered, yelling that he intended to kill Drum’s
wife. The elderly homeowner retrieved a 9mm handgun and shot the
intruder in the neck. The wounded teen fled, and was later arrested
at his home. According to investigators, three other suspects had
been outside. In all, four teenagers were arrested and linked to a
series of home invasions that targeted the elderly. “Mr. Drum is a
hero,” said Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott. “He probably saved not
only his wife and [himself], but the lives of other people as well.”

At 10:00 p.m., on July 1, 2001, a 47-year-old man lay in wait outside
his ex-wife’s house. As she drove up and stepped from her car, the
man attacked her with a knife. He then attempted to force her into
his own car. Her screams alerted a 74-year-old relative who came
outside carrying a handgun. As the ex-husband continued his assault,
the relative shot him in the head, killing him. The woman, whose name
was not released, had been the victim of previous attacks and had
obtained a restraining order. Police arrived to find the injured
woman and her former husband lying side-by-side on the front lawn.
The ex-wife recovered–her relative was not charged.

Now fast-forward to a time in the future when all law-abiding Americans
have been disarmed.

Animals still attack humans.

Criminals still use guns in their crimes.

The strong still murder the weak.

But there’s one difference: victims no longer have the means to fight
back.

Now we’ll rewrite the news stories summarized above. Only this time
they occurred in our gun-free Utopia.

In the early morning of January 8, a nine-year-old Houston, Texas boy
was mauled to death by three Rottweiler dogs as he waited at his bus
stop. A neighbor who attempted to intervene was also hospitalized in
critical condition. Witnesses say the dogs attacked without
warning. Trent Watson heard the boy’s screams and rushed to the
scene. He attempted to kick the dogs away, but they continued their
bloody attack. Watson then found a two-by-four and hit one of the
dogs. This caused the animal to turn on him, biting him in the
throat. Animal control officers arrived a few minutes later and
euthanized all three dogs. The child died at the scene. Doctors
say Watson’s chances of survival are fifty-fifty.

On March 21, a Dentsville, South Carolina couple were murdered inside
their home. An intruder kicked down the front door and entered,
followed by at least three other assailants. Bobby Drum, the
homeowner, used a lamp in an attempt to fight off the attackers but was
shot to death. Investigators found his wife, Dorothy, in a back
bedroom. She’d been tortured, then strangled with a clothesline.
Several hundred dollars, credit cards, and an automobile were stolen.
Authorities believe the same gang is responsible for four other home
intrusion-type murders in the county. An obviously distraught
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said, “This is the most violent crime
scene I’ve ever witnessed. These home invasions are becoming more
savage. If anyone has information about the perpetrators, please call
us. Everyone is in danger.”

Last night, a 47-year-old Lubbock, Texas woman was kidnapped and
murdered by her estranged husband who later committed suicide. An
elderly relative of the woman was also stabbed to death. Authorities
say the woman arrived home around 10:00 p.m. and was accosted by her
former husband. He slashed her with a knife, then attempted to drag
her to his car. The victim’s screams brought the relative to her
aid. The 74-year-old used a baseball bat in an attempt to fight off
the assailant, but ended up being stabbed by the younger man. Police
found the former wife a few hours later in a nearby trash dumpster.
She’d been sexually assaulted, and stabbed at least 23 times. Early
this morning, her former husband was located a few blocks away, dead
from a shotgun wound. Police said it looked like a “murder/suicide
scenario.” Names have not been released pending contact of next of kin.

Robert A. Waters’ new book, “Guns Save Lives: True Stories of Americans
Who Defended Their Lives with Firearms,” is available athttp://www.loompanics.com
/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/cgi-local/smpagegen.exe?u+scstore+jztj1803ff139313+-p+
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or by calling toll-free 1-800-380-2230.
http://www.robertwaters.net