If you have a concern about being face-to-face with a criminal, you need a gun.

That reality smacked an Ohio homeowner right in the face when he confronted two alleged burglars Sunday.

According to Sheriff Tim Rogers, deputies were dispatched to the 14000 block of OH 16 just after 11 a.m. Feb. 17, in response to a residential burglary.

The suspects had fled the scene prior to deputies arriving.

The homeowner reported several items being stolen from his residence.

…

After the initial investigation, it appears the armed homeowner confronted two adult male suspects at his residence. As a result of this confrontation, one male suspect shot. He was transported from the scene to Genesis Hospital with a single gunshot wound.

The wounds were apparently fairly minor. The two suspects, a man and a woman, are currently in jail.

Look, I’ve had people tell me that real men don’t need guns. They seem to think that the self-defense class they took at a one-day seminar back in college taught them everything they’ll ever need about protecting themselves. They think that any confrontation you’re forced to engage in will be solved with good, old-fashioned fisticuffs.

Hell, I had a one-time friend–someone who supported the right to keep and bear arms, at least at the time–try to tell me that if you have sufficient training, you shouldn’t ever need to shoot someone.

These people exist.

However, the reality is that if you’re outnumbered or outgunned, there’s no choice to make. You’d damn well better be either armed or running.

In this case, the homeowner was armed and he used his weapon. We don’t know the specifics, but what we do know is that it was enough of a risk to his life that the criminals are sitting in jail and not the homeowner. Since Ohio law still requires a duty to retreat, it’s unlikely that the homeowner had any way to escape. It’s also likely that the police clearly saw his life was in danger.

I’m sorry he was put in that position, but I’m also glad he walked away from the incident in one piece.

Not everyone gets to be that lucky.

But to be that lucky, you need a gun. I’m sorry, but that’s the simple fact of the matter. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll Bruce Lee your way out of a dangerous encounter against multiple attackers. Sorry, that’s not how reality works most of the time. Sure, a high-level martial artist can probably handle one or two non-gun-carrying attackers at a time, but guess what? Most people aren’t high-level martial artists.

Give. It. Up.

While I do think people should have some understanding of how to fight should they find themselves in an unarmed encounter, there are times when you’re going to need a gun regardless. Such as when you’re outnumbered.

Yes, it was just two people, but how many does it take to stab you in the back (literally) while you’re tussling with someone else? Have a gun, be ready to use it, and keep yourself safe.

Hat tip: Gun Watch