McMinnville, Tenn., homeowner Mark Haley awoke to the sounds of a break-in early one Tuesday and went to investigate with his handgun. According to Warren County Sheriff Jackie Matheny, the home invader had kicked in a basement door and was heading toward the bedroom when he met the armed homeowner. "I told him to stop right there, but he took another step. Then I cocked the gun and told him to stop again. That's when he stopped," said Haley. "He was about three steps away from where my children were sleeping, so I knew I had a decision to make. All I could think of was the safety of my family." Haley held the man at bay until authorities arrived. (Southern Standard, McMinnville, Tenn., 2/9/00)

A Bradenton, Fla., man who left his apartment on foot early one Sunday was violently assaulted by two people who jumped him from behind. The vicious attack left the victim with 16 stab wounds to the back. Despite the seriousness of his injuries, however, the man fought back, pulling a gun and firing at his attackers. One of the assailants was flown to a nearby medical center suffering from a gunshot wound to the stomach. The victim helped police identify his other attacker who was later charged with attempted murder. (The Tampa Tribune, Tampa, Fla., 3/20/00)

When John "Buck" Beauchamp's dog began growling at 2 a.m., he sensed something outside the house was wrong. Peering through a kitchen window, Beauchamp saw a man carrying items from his truck and placing them in the trunk of a car. Clad in his underwear and armed with a hunting rifle, Beauchamp ran outside and confronted the man. "I've got your license plate number and I've called the police. You might as well sit down," he commanded. When police arrived, they took the man into custody and later arrested an accomplice in connection with a string of more than 20 car break-ins. (The Albany Herald, Albany, Ga., 12/30/99)

Gerard Douglas carried his .38-cal. handgun for self-protection during the overnight shift at a Daytona Beach convenience store. The habit likely spared the 61-year-old clerk's life. According to police accounts, an armed suspect entered the store early one morning demanding money. Douglas initially thought the man was joking, but when he realized the order wasn't a gag, his resolve turned gravely serious. When the man set aside his gun to grab the loot, Douglas--recalling a recent robbery that resulted in the clerk being killed despite handing over the cash--drew his gun and fired a single shot. Authorities later found a college student in his campus residence bleeding from a gunshot wound to the chest. (The Orlando Sentinel, Orlando, Fla., 11/12/99)

A night clerk was on duty at an Elkhart, Ind., hotel when two men wearing blue bandanas over their faces and holding their hands in their pockets walked in. The quick-thinking clerk reached behind the counter, grabbed his handgun--for which he had a permit--and pointed it at the unwelcome "guests" demanding that they leave. Both men were more than happy to comply and instantly fled the premises. (The Elkhart Truth, Elkhart, Ind., 3/22/00)

A 29-year-old woman was in her Sequim, Wash., home with her young children early one Sunday when she heard what sounded like someone attempting to break in. Not waiting for her suspicions to be confirmed, she swung into action, summoning help from authorities with her cell phone. Then, gathering her children, she retreated to the bedroom and armed herself with a 9 mm handgun. As the intruder made his way to the bedroom, his intended victim confronted him with the business end of her handgun, sending him fleeing. None of the home's occupants was harmed, and police later caught and arrested the intruder. (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, Wash., 1/26/00)