In January, when Ben Srigley shot a pit bull attacking a young boy in Washington, D.C., he was fined $1,000 for saving a life.

But the headlines all said, “Gun charge dropped against man who shot pit bull attacking child in D.C.” Yes, Mr. Srigley was arrested, booked in jail, and charged with possession of an unregistered 9mm Ruger P90. Srigley had legally bought the handgun in Virginia but failed to register it in the District, making him a criminal under its insanely strict anti-gun laws.

The public outcry against the D.C. Office of the Attorney General for prosecuting a hero woke up even these minions of the mindless law. So, they cut a “deal” with Mr. Srigley:

First, he would pay a $1,000 fine. Then, after a planned move to Maryland, he would register his handgun and two long guns he had in storage. Lastly, he would stay out of trouble for two months. In return, a charge of possessing an unregistered firearm would be deferred until D.C. Superior Court Judge Michael J. McCarthy accepted the prosecutor’s motion to dismiss the charge. Srigley can now petition to have the arrest expunged. Some deal.

No good deed will go unpunished.

However, while that was in court, armed self-defense thrived elsewhere.

NORTH PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: Three men followed a bar owner home and demanded cash. The bar owner pulled out his own gun and fired, hitting one of the suspects, knocking the gun right out of his hand, and leaving him in serious condition at Hahnemann Hospital. The other two suspects fled the scene. Police said the bar owner has a permit to carry a gun.

DENVER, COLORADO: Police said 29-year-old Charles McLaughlin forcibly entered a home and was confronted by the homeowner and the intruder was shot and killed. Police investigators did detain and question the homeowner who was released pending further investigation.

UNION CITY, GEORGIA: Just before 2 a.m., a man armed with a pistol and demanding money tried to hold up a Waffle House 24-hour diner in Fulton County south of Atlanta. A customer shot the suspect, who was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment. No one else was injured.

HOUSTON, TEXAS: A gunman walked into the Fuel Expo store, and demanded money. The clerk gave the man the money and then shot the robber, who was arrested after he fled to a nearby neighborhood. No one else was injured.