New Yorker With AR-15 Faces Down Robber With A Handgun

A New York college student grabbed his AR-15 when he heard his roommate scream. The scream was not a mere, “I tripped and sprained my ankle” kind of sound. The fast-thinking Rochester Institute of Technology student grabbed his semi-automatic rifle to protect himself, his friend, and his property.

When roommate Christopher Boise heard noise coming from the basement, he went downstairs to check it out. Once he arrived on the lower floor, he met two intruders, one armed with a handgun, WHAM-TV notes. He saw two men, one of which pointed a gun in his face, The Blaze notes. Survival instincts apparently kicked in, prompting blood-curdling yell that woke his roommate.

Due to the ferocity of the scream, Raymond (last name withheld) ran for his gun bag. The AR-15 gun owner had this to say about the incident:

“By the time I had it out and ready, one of the men came at my door, slowly opened it, saw that there was a barrel on the other side and from there backed out.”

Fortunately for the New York college student, the two home intruders fled at the sight of the AR-15. It was not loaded at the time. The would-be robbers likely had that sinking “bring a knife to a gun fight” feeling when faced with a much larger and more powerful weapon.

Boise had this to say about the home invasion:

“I’m happy he saved my life. I was very thankful he had his gun.”

Raymond’s gun was legally owned, according to Rochester Police Chief James Sheppard. Police investigators later found a BB gun rounds near a broken window. It is unclear if the intruders were actually attempting to use a BB gun to frighten the residents during the thwarted robbery.

The AR-15 is one of the weapons on the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013 list. There has been a plethora of backlash against this particular gun since it was reportedly used in both the Newtown and Webster firefighters shootings.

Does the New York home invasion story support the theory that such weapons should remain legal to enhance personal safety options?

[Image via Shutterstock]