CCL almost stops armed robbery

[Euler]

CWBChicago said:→

A concealed carry license holder intervened in a violent robbery in the West Loop on Tuesday morning, firing shots at two armed suspects who fled the scene.

It all started around 8:50 a.m. in the 1100 block of West Hubbard Street.

A 38-year-old woman was outside when two men, both armed with guns, approached her, demanded her belongings, and pistol-whipped her before taking her possessions, police said.

But a 41-year-old man who is licensed to carry concealed firearms witnessed the robbery and confronted the robbers, a Chicago police spokesperson said. The robbers pointed their guns at him, prompting the witness to draw his weapon and open fire on them. No one was struck by the gunfire.

The offenders fled northbound in a black Lexus sedan bearing stolen New Jersey license plates. The victim declined medical assistance, and no other injuries were reported.

CPD did not release a description of the robbers.

Better luck next time, dude.

[Quiet Observer]

I wonder how close his shots came to the women. There is not enough information for me to criticize his actions. 

[Smallbore]

I am not comfortable with misses because of what they can do but in this case perhaps the misses kept him from a civil suit while not being criminally charged.

[soundguy]

On 6/25/2025 at 9:47 PM, Smallbore said:

I am not comfortable with misses because of what they can do but in this case perhaps the misses kept him from a civil suit while not being criminally charged.

 

I don't think Illinois law allows for a civil suit in such situations...

 

Cheers,

Tim

[davel501]

(720 ILCS 5/Art. 7 heading)

ARTICLE 7. JUSTIFIABLE USE OF FORCE; EXONERATION

 

    (720 ILCS 5/7-1) (from Ch. 38, par. 7-1)

    Sec. 7-1. Use of force in defense of person.

    (a) A person is justified in the use of force against another when and to the extent that he reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to defend himself or another against such other's imminent use of unlawful force. However, he is justified in the use of force which is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm only if he reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or another, or the commission of a forcible felony.

    (b) In no case shall any act involving the use of force justified under this Section give rise to any claim or liability brought by or on behalf of any person acting within the definition of "aggressor" set forth in Section 7-4 of this Article, or the estate, spouse, or other family member of such a person, against the person or estate of the person using such justified force, unless the use of force involves willful or wanton misconduct.

(Source: P.A. 93-832, eff. 7-28-04.)

[Euler]

Depending upon where the "misses" went, people who were not the aggressors might have grounds for a civil case.

[soundguy]

On 6/26/2025 at 1:45 AM, Euler said:

Depending upon where the "misses" went, people who were not the aggressors might have grounds for a civil case.

 

... against the offenders, I think, not the CCL equipped defender.

 

Still, best to not miss.

 

Cheers,

Tim

[davel501]

On 6/26/2025 at 8:39 AM, soundguy said:

 

... against the offenders, I think, not the CCL equipped defender.

 

Still, best to not miss.

 

Cheers,

Tim

 

The one with money gets sued. 

[Smallbore]

Anyone can sue anyone for anything. Paragraph (b) doesn't prevent a civil suit. Perhaps after a couple years finally getting before a judge maybe he will throw out the case, maybe.

[JTHunter]

On 6/26/2025 at 12:31 PM, Smallbore said:

Anyone can sue anyone for anything. Paragraph (b) doesn't prevent a civil suit. Perhaps after a couple years finally getting before a judge maybe he will throw out the case, maybe.

 

Uhh,  this is "Chicago".  There is a slim likelihood in that.m  I'm surprised the "Good Samaritan" wasn't arrested and charged already.

[Euler]

"You can always sue the tortfeasor."

Also:

You are responsible for every bullet that leaves your muzzle.

"Concealed carriers welcome. Accurate marksmanship appreciated."

[vito]

In this state, I would not even consider drawing my legally concealed firearm to intervene in a matter not affecting myself or a member of my family. The risk of arrest, and all that goes with that, as well as the risk of civil lawsuits, would be enough for me to just be a witness, possibly calling 911 if observing a crime in progress. Call me callous if you want to, but in this gun-hating state, and especially in gun-hating Chicago, I am not interested in trying to be a hero and end up like Daniel Penny did in NYC. 

[Yeti]

On 10/13/2025 at 9:52 AM, vito said:

In this state, I would not even consider drawing my legally concealed firearm to intervene in a matter not affecting myself or a member of my family. The risk of arrest, and all that goes with that, as well as the risk of civil lawsuits, would be enough for me to just be a witness, possibly calling 911 if observing a crime in progress. Call me callous if you want to, but in this gun-hating state, and especially in gun-hating Chicago, I am not interested in trying to be a hero and end up like Daniel Penny did in NYC. 

I think many of us would add "extra fear of legally using a gun specifically because of this gun-hating state" as a reason our hackles went up when it was suggested that IL is not so terrible for gun owners as a practical matter.  There is always risk in intervention but I agree with you, the climate in IL escalates the risk of trying to help someone else, even if the circumstances are crystal clear.

[vito]

As to "not missing", maybe some here are so expert at their marksmanship that even under the stress of being attacked or observing a violent crime taking place they would be sure that every round fired ended up in the body of the thug, but I doubt many here are really that good. I have never been in a situation where my ability to hit the target has been tested, but seeing multiple videos over the years of police officers emptying their high capacity semi autos and not hitting the criminal that they are aiming at, convinces me that missing at least some rounds fired is the reasonable expectation, not the exception. 

[davel501]

On 11/12/2025 at 10:51 AM, vito said:

As to "not missing", maybe some here are so expert at their marksmanship that even under the stress of being attacked or observing a violent crime taking place they would be sure that every round fired ended up in the body of the thug, but I doubt many here are really that good. I have never been in a situation where my ability to hit the target has been tested, but seeing multiple videos over the years of police officers emptying their high capacity semi autos and not hitting the criminal that they are aiming at, convinces me that missing at least some rounds fired is the reasonable expectation, not the exception. 

 

Get yourself one of these: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1015085981?pid=772064, set an aggressive par time, watch your body move like a blob of jello that has escaped its bowl. 

 

You get better quickly but for the first little bit you've got to choose between speed and hitting the target. 

[John Q Public]

IDPA, or USPSA, though not perfect, both offer serious stress related shooting. You have 20-30 guys behind you watching and 2-3 RO watching ready to DQ you for dumb stuff, it's the most pressure, outside the real thing, for most civies. I was pretty good in the day, and I would put my hands on my hat, when commanded hands over shoulders, I did it so the others wouldn't see my hand shaking. They always did, and fighting through that tension and making good shots/decisions is huge, for real life. 

[sctman800]

On 11/12/2025 at 2:14 PM, John Q Public said:

IDPA, or USPSA, though not perfect, both offer serious stress related shooting. You have 20-30 guys behind you watching and 2-3 RO watching ready to DQ you for dumb stuff, it's the most pressure, outside the real thing, for most civies. I was pretty good in the day, and I would put my hands on my hat, when commanded hands over shoulders, I did it so the others wouldn't see my hand shaking. They always did, and fighting through that tension and making good shots/decisions is huge, for real life. 

 

   When I was a CCW instructor and now when talking to people that carry I also encourage precipitation in shooting sports.  I stress it should not be considered "training" but it does get you used to a certain amount of stress.  You also must get comfortable drawing and holstering your handgun and reloading under stress.  

   Something else I stress is when people decide to watch videos of whatever sport they are interested in to take it with a grain of salt.  Most of the time the ones posting videos on youtube or whatever are really good.  I have been shooting IDPA over 20 years and now that I have turned 78 there has been a decline in my scores, mostly slower in foot movement and not so much in shooting and reloading speed.  However I still have a lot of fun and enoy time with my shooting friends.   Jim.

[mab22]

On 2/28/2026 at 6:33 AM, sctman800 said:

 

   When I was a CCW instructor and now when talking to people that carry I also encourage precipitation in shooting sports.  I stress it should not be considered "training" but it does get you used to a certain amount of stress.  You also must get comfortable drawing and holstering your handgun and reloading under stress.  

   Something else I stress is when people decide to watch videos of whatever sport they are interested in to take it with a grain of salt.  Most of the time the ones posting videos on youtube or whatever are really good.  I have been shooting IDPA over 20 years and now that I have turned 78 there has been a decline in my scores, mostly slower in foot movement and not so much in shooting and reloading speed.  However I still have a lot of fun and enoy time with my shooting friends.   Jim.

I agree! 

After taking a defensive pistol course, part 1, it changed my perspective A TON! 
It’s one thing to pickup your firearm off the table at the range, use both hands, aim, fire, repeat. 
It’s a whole new ball of wax getting your hand on the firearm, drawing it from the holster, while defending with other hand, and quickly in a simulated “real” scenario. 
Then there is the don’t STAND there, move so YOUR a harder target to hit AND hit the target.

It made me a proponent of open carry. 

 

[ScopeEye]

Two robbers got away...

How does anyone know that they were not hit ?

 

[Jeffrey]

No mystery reports from local hospitals?