Gun Owners Use Discretion in Detaining Crazed Home Invader

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On January 13, 2013 at around 1:45 in the morning, the Davenport family woke up to someone banging on their front door. When asked what he wanted, the home intruder, 22 year old Chad Scruggs, said he wanted to get in the house. They informed Scruggs that they were armed and police were on the way, but that did not deter him and he started breaking the glass in the middle of the door so he could reach his hand in and unlock the door. When that didn't work, he started kicking the glass in. The homeowner warned him to stop, and when Scruggs didn't, the homeowner fired a warning shot in the side of the door. Undetered, Scruggs continued his assault on the front door. The homeowner's wife called her father, who lived down the street, and he rushed over with his own handgun, which he has a permit to carry concealed. He drew his gun and warned the intruder to stop, but instead, Scruggs turned on the father, who had to fire a warning shot into the ground to stop him from charging. Scruggs finally surrendered and was held at gunpoint by the homeowner and father until police came to arrest him.

Significantly, the two armed men, who carried legally permitted guns and were authorized the use of deadly force in this situation, chose to use discretion by using warning shots. The father told reporters later that he was glad the police came when they did because he was afraid that he was going to have to shoot and kill Scruggs and he didn't want to do that. The notion that all gun owners or concealed handgun license holders are vigilantes who are chomping at the bit for the opportunity to shoot and kill someone simply isn't true.

Scruggs has been charged with aggravated burglary and vandalism.