BELLEVUE, WA – An incident that unfolded in Tacoma this week, in which a legally-armed citizen was instrumental in helping a Tacoma City Council member who was the victim of a vicious attack, clearly demonstrates how people with firearms contribute to public safety.
While the apparent “road rage†incident involving Councilman Rick Talbert has been reported by area newspapers and broadcast news agencies, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) noted that some of the reports seemed clearly reluctant to note the role that Dan Korba played in the drama. Initially, only the Tacoma News Tribune and KIRO Eyewitness News were interested in the fact that Korba came to Talbert’s aid after grabbing a pistol he keeps at the dry cleaning shop where he works. Talbert was confronted by a motorist who struck him at least twice and then reportedly threatened to kill him while motioning as if he was reaching for a gun.
“Here’s a case where an armed citizen stepped forward, potentially putting himself in harm’s way, to legally intervene when it would have been impossible for police to get there in time,†said CCRKBA Executive Director Joe Waldron. “It is quite possible that Korba’s actions, and the presence of other witnesses, caused the suspect to stop his attack and flee. Washington statute clearly outlines the lawful use of a defensive firearm to protect the life of another person.
“As in most cases when an armed citizen defends himself or herself, or comes to the aid of another person as the first responder, not a single shot was fired,†Waldron observed. “We’re all grateful that no further harm came to Councilman Talbert, and that Mr. Korba did not have to use his pistol. This incident clearly demonstrates that legally armed citizens are a benefit to the community. It’s a textbook example of the importance of Article 1, Section 24 of the State Constitution, which affirms the right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, which, in this case, translated to defense of another citizen.
“We’re particularly pleased that the Tacoma News Tribune and KIRO reported this important detail from the outset. In the past, the press has rarely reported when armed citizens intervene to stop serious crimes, like the shooting at the Applachian Law School a few years ago,†Waldron said. “Our hats are off to these two news agencies for their thoroughness in this case, and we consider Mr. Korba to be the kind of citizen we would want nearby in case of an emergency.â€