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Issue 077 • June 2026

ARMED ROBBERY ATTEMPT 

Two masked men confronted the owner of a jewelry store at his Stockton Flea Market booth. When the would-be robbers walked in pointing a gun, the owner hit the ground. His son, who was behind him, exchanged shots with the suspects. Both assailants were killed, and a woman unrelated to the event suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Of note, the owner’s father had been killed in a robbery there in 2012.

IN REVIEW

While full details are not available, here’s my analysis:

LEGAL

Both aggressors were armed with small handguns and were wearing masks, making their intent plain. They fired shots at the defender. The defender encountered a present, deadly threat and discharged his weapon because he was in fear for his life. The owner credits his son’s marksmanship against the two gunmen, who already had their weapons out, with saving his life.

TACTICAL

Media accounts are not clear as to whether the defender drew his weapon after confronting the armed assailants, nor does it reveal whose rounds injured the bystander. Generally, a crowded flea market would increase the need for skillful shooting and tactical patience.

TRAINING

The shooter apparently had enough training to be able to take down two armed men in a matter of seconds in a confined space.

In a crowded public setting, what additional risks should armed citizens consider before engaging a deadly threat? What training have you undertaken to help you prepare to respond effectively while minimizing danger to bystanders?

WHICH SIZE GUN IS BEST

Compact, subcompact or micro-compact: Which concealed carry pistol size actually fits your lifestyle? This hands-on range test breaks down the real-world pros and cons of today’s most popular carry handguns of different sizes, from concealability and recoil to draw speed and accuracy. If you’ve been debating comfort versus shootability, this video may help you find the sweet spot for everyday carry.

RESPONSIBLY

John Kolopanis did not need to hear a threat to know something was wrong.

The Phoenix resident, who has been a USCCA^® Member for nearly a decade, lives with a steady awareness of his surroundings.

“I live my life in situational awareness,” Kolopanis said. “I’m basically always in a constant [Condition] Yellow.”

That mindset was with him one afternoon when he and his wife stopped at a bank in Ahwatukee, a quiet neighborhood on the south side of Phoenix. The couple parked and walked up to the outdoor ATM near the bank’s main entrance. Kolopanis asked his wife to handle the transaction while he watched the parking lot, reasoning that one person paying attention was better than two people focused on the machine.

I live my life in situational awareness…

Then he noticed a car coming from the direction of the drive-up ATMs along the side of the bank.

“[I]t was rolling very slowly, and a younger gentleman actually jumped out of the passenger side of the car,” he recalled. “And at that point, [he] started trotting toward us.”

A Few Seconds

The driver never stopped. The car kept creeping forward as the passenger moved toward the couple. To Kolopanis, it did not look like an innocent cash withdrawal. It looked like the beginning of a grab-and-go — or worse. He also saw something in the man’s hand that he believed could be a knife.

Kolopanis was carrying concealed that day, though his shirt was tucked behind his holstered pistol, leaving it visible.* As the man closed the distance, Kolopanis shifted his stance so he was squared up to him.

“As I did that, he apparently saw that I was carrying a weapon and immediately turned and ran back to the car,” Kolopanis noted. “[He] actually slid across the hood of the car to get back to the passenger side and jumped in.”

The driver accelerated, and the vehicle peeled out of the parking lot.

“It all happened in a matter of a few seconds,” he stated. “It was basically so fast that it actually kind of amazed me.”

Kolopanis never drew his sidearm. He didn’t even put his hand on it. Awareness, positioning and the visible holstered firearm were enough to stop the encounter before it became a fight.

He stressed places such as ATMs, gas stations and grocery-store parking lots as areas where armed Americans cannot afford to drift into distraction.

“[Predators] lie in wait, just watching for that one person that’s not paying attention,” he warned.

John Kolopanis’ story shows that awareness can make the difference before a hand ever moves toward a holster. Join more than 860,000 responsibly armed Americans and get the education, training and protection that help you recognize danger early and respond before it closes in.

*Open carry is legal in certain areas in Arizona for anyone over the age of 18 who can legally possess a firearm.

DON’T GET 

I’ve never liked crowds. It’s not because I don’t like people; packed spaces have always just made me a little uncomfortable. 

So I’ve built small, intentional safety habits, such as choosing restaurants based on how busy they are and shopping during less-hectic hours.

Unfortunately, summertime doesn’t always cooperate with this strategy, as many things get busier. More people are out and about, routines are looser, and the pace feels a little less predictable.

Whether you like crowds or not, over the next few months, you’re more likely to find yourself in the middle of them. That’s not a reason to stay at home, but it is a reason to stay aware.

Unfortunately, summertime doesn’t always cooperate…

Crowded environments come with more noise, movement and distractions. When it’s easy to be pulled into the flow of everything around you, awareness tends to slip.

Staying a step ahead doesn’t require anything complicated. It starts with simple habits: noticing entrances and exits, keeping your head up as you move around, and paying attention to the people around you.

It can also help to stay with the crowd … but not so close that you feel pulled in or overwhelmed. Give yourself enough space to see, think and move if you need to.  

And don’t just watch where people are; pay attention to how they are. Crowds have a rhythm, and when that energy shifts — voices getting sharper, movement becoming erratic, tension starting to build — you can often feel it before anything actually happens. If something feels off, even slightly, don’t ignore it. Pause, reposition or leave.

You don’t have to avoid crowds to be prepared for them. I’ll still take the quieter option when I can. But when summer puts me in the middle of it all, I don’t rely on comfort. I rely on awareness. And that’s what helps me move through it with confidence. So this summer, don’t just go with the flow — pay attention to it!

BEST GUNS TO CARRY WHILE HIKING

What makes a good hiking gun? It’s not just power. From weight and capacity to environmental practicality, this article breaks down what to consider before strapping on a sidearm for the trail.

REVOLVER VS. SEMI-AUTO

Should you carry a revolver or a semi-auto? Consider reliability, capacity, concealability and ease of use to help you decide which handgun platform best fits your everyday carry needs.

ROAD RAGE

Road rage can escalate quickly, and avoiding danger isn’t always as simple as driving away. Learn practical ways to de-escalate aggressive encounters, use your vehicle strategically and prepare yourself — whether armed or unarmed — to get home safely.

TAURUS TX 9 REVIEW

Can a budget-friendly 9mm really compete with Glock, SIG and Smith & Wesson? This hands-on review covers reliability, recoil, ergonomics, accuracy and concealed carry performance to see whether this affordable striker-fired pistol is worth your attention.