BELLEVUE, WA – The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) is congratulating and sympathizing with a Joliet, Ill., mom who fatally shot a burglary suspect in her home while protecting herself and her infant child.
“Based on what we know so far,” said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb, “the woman heard someone breaking into her home, so she armed herself and hid in an upstairs bedroom closet, and only opened fire when the suspect came into the bedroom. It appears to be a justifiable use of force under Illinois law, and the mom is reportedly cooperating with police investigators.”
Published reports say the suspect was carrying a screwdriver, which could be used as a weapon, and he was wearing gloves. Police said there are signs of forced entry, and the woman reportedly told investigators she didn’t know the suspect.
“There is nothing about the details of this case to suggest the woman did anything wrong,” Gottlieb said. “She was home alone with her baby, a man breaks in late at night, she had a firearm and used it in self-defense. The circumstances are not unlike the details of hundreds of other similar cases which have happened in other parts of the country, each and every week.
“A person’s home is supposed to be their sanctuary,” he continued, “and when that is invaded by someone with obvious bad intentions, people are within their rights to defend themselves and their children. No amount of ‘Monday-morning quarterbacking’ by people who weren’t there changes the circumstances. Anyone calling this unjustified should step back and consider the greater tragedy which was prevented because this mom had a firearm and the wherewithal to use it.
“How many real tragedies happen to innocent people because they had no gun with which to defend themselves and others in cases of imminent and unavoidable danger,” Gottlieb questioned. “This case underscores the importance of the individual right to keep and bear arms. It is sad this happened, but the outcome could have been much worse if this mom had been unable to defend herself and her baby.”