Cops: Man Armed With AR-15 Stops Attack

A story involving an AR-15 is making headlines, with a twist: Police near Chicago say a man used his weapon to stop a knife attack, reports the Chicago Tribune. The resident of Oswego Township tells WGN that he witnessed a confrontation among neighbors turn violent and decided to act. Dave Thomas says he ran back to his house and "grabbed the AR-15 over my handgun—bigger gun, I think a little more of an intimidation factor. Definitely played a part in him actually stopping." The Kendall County Sheriff's Office confirms that Thomas stopped the stabbing attack with "only the threat of force."

The suspect fled but was quickly apprehended by deputies, while the stabbing victim was hospitalized with multiple injuries. The victim's condition wasn't known. Thomas says the incident shows that the AR-15 is a good weapon for home protection in the hands of someone properly trained, and the incident is likely to draw attention in the current debate over gun laws. Exhibit A is the headline at Breitbart News: "Bad Guy with Knife Stopped by Good Guy with AR-15." (More AR-15 rifle stories.)