Defensive Gun Use Roundup: March 2025

Throughout the month of March 2025, there were numerous incidents across the United States in which law-abiding citizens used firearms to defend themselves, their homes, or others. Although we've never attempted it before, and I don't know that I'll do this again but today I took about 2 hours and researched and identified more than 30 DGUs (Defensive Gun Uses).

All to often I hear gun grabbers talk about the idea of a good guy with a gun as a myth. It isn't a myth. Data suggests that somewhere between 1 million and 3 million times a year a gun is used in self-defense even if the firearm isn't fired. Here are 30 incidents from last month alone.

Here we go:

1. Attempted Robbery Foiled at Houston Home of Twitch Streamer

• Date: March 2, 2025

• Location: Houston, Texas

• Summary: A man broke into the home of Twitch streamer Amouranth in an attempted robbery. The intruder was shot by a person inside the residence. Authorities later confirmed the incident was a targeted home invasion.

• Source: KHOU News – Streamer Amouranth’s Houston home targeted in robbery, intruder shot

2. Lake City Resident Shoots Intruder During Home Invasion

• Date: March 4, 2025

• Location: Lake City, Florida

• Summary: A man was shot and killed during an attempted home invasion in Lake City. According to authorities, the homeowner used a firearm to defend against the intruder, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

• Source: First Coast News – Man killed in Lake City home invasion

3. Inland Empire Man Shoots Two Burglars, Killing One

• Date: March 4, 2025

• Location: Bloomington, California

• Summary: A Bloomington homeowner opened fire on two suspects who were allegedly breaking into his home. One suspect was killed and the other was injured. Authorities stated the resident was cooperating with investigators.

• Source: KTLA – Inland Empire man opens fire on burglars, killing 1 and wounding another

4. Employee Shoots Armed Robber at O’Reilly Auto Parts

• Date: March 6, 2025

• Location: Terre Haute, Indiana

• Summary: Police responded to reports of shots fired at an O’Reilly Auto Parts store. An armed robbery suspect was shot by an employee during the incident. The suspect fled the scene and later sought medical attention.

• Source: MyWabashValley – THPD investigating shots fired at O’Reilly’s Auto Parts

5. Jefferson City Woman Claims Self-Defense in Weekend Shooting

• Date: March 7, 2025

• Location: Jefferson City, Missouri

• Summary: A woman told police she acted in self-defense when she shot a man during a confrontation in her home. Authorities confirmed that she remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.

• Source: KOMU – Jefferson City woman claims self-defense in weekend shooting

6. Chesterfield Woman Shoots Ex-Boyfriend in Domestic Incident

• Date: March 10, 2025

• Location: Chesterfield County, Virginia

• Summary: A woman shot her ex-boyfriend during a domestic altercation at her residence on Heybridge Court. Police say the man attempted to force entry, and the woman used a firearm in self-defense.

• Source: WRIC – Chesterfield woman shoots ex-boyfriend during domestic incident

7. Security Guard Shoots Burglary Suspect at Los Angeles Dispensary

• Date: March 10, 2025

• Location: Los Angeles, California

• Summary: A burglary suspect attempting to crash into a cannabis dispensary with a vehicle was shot by an on-site security guard. The incident took place in South Los Angeles around 4:30 a.m., and police say the suspect was taken to the hospital.

• Source: FOX 11 Los Angeles – Burglary suspect crashes into LA weed dispensary, gets shot by security

8. Parking Dispute in Reading Ends with Stabbing and Shooting

• Date: March 12, 2025

• Location: Reading, Pennsylvania

• Summary: A heated parking dispute escalated when one man was stabbed and another was shot. Police say the man who fired the gun did so in self-defense after being attacked. Both individuals were hospitalized.

• Source: WFMZ – Reading police: Parking dispute ends in stabbing, shooting

9. Glendale Resident Shoots and Kills Intruder During Overnight Incident

• Date: March 14, 2025

• Location: Glendale, Arizona

• Summary: Police say a homeowner shot and killed a person attempting to enter their residence during the night. The incident occurred in a Glendale neighborhood and is being investigated as a potential case of self-defense.

• Source: AZFamily – Overnight shooting in Glendale neighborhood leaves 1 dead

10. Business Owner Shoots Possible Burglary Suspect Outside Houston Mechanic Shop

• Date: March 14, 2025

• Location: Houston, Texas

• Summary: A business owner in North Houston shot a man who was allegedly trying to break into vehicles outside a mechanic shop on 18th Street. Police say the suspect may have been attempting to burglarize the property when he was confronted and shot.

• Source: ABC13 – Possible burglary suspect shot by business owners outside Houston mechanic shop

11. Bay Area Resident Kills Home Intruder in Martinez

• Date: March 15, 2025

• Location: Martinez, California

• Summary: A resident fatally shot an intruder who broke into his home and attacked him. The two men were acquainted, but the motive behind the break-in remains unclear. Police are investigating the incident as a potential case of self-defense.

• Source: SFGate – Bay Area man kills home intruder in suburban neighborhood

12. Jacksonville Man Shoots Suspect Who Followed Him Home from Nightclub

• Date: March 16, 2025

• Location: Jacksonville, Florida

• Summary: A man who had been at a local nightclub noticed he was being followed. When he arrived home, the suspect reportedly approached aggressively. The resident retrieved a firearm and shot the individual in what police say may have been a justified shooting.

• Source: Action News Jax – JSO: Man shoots suspect who followed him home from nightclub

13. Houston Resident Shoots Armed Intruder During Attempted Robbery

• Date: March 17, 2025

• Location: Houston, Texas

• Summary: According to Houston police, a resident shot a man who attempted to rob him at gunpoint in the 6900 block of Foxwaithe Lane. The armed suspect was later pronounced dead at the scene. The case was referred to a grand jury.

• Source: Houston Police Department – News Release: NR031825-3

14. Armed Citizen Stops Stabbing at McDonald’s in Nashua

• Date: March 18, 2025

• Location: Nashua, New Hampshire

• Summary: Police say a man with a knife stabbed another man inside a McDonald’s. A bystander, who was legally armed, intervened by drawing his firearm and ordering the attacker to stop. The suspect was arrested, and police credit the armed citizen with potentially saving a life.

• Source: WMUR – Armed citizen stops stabbing at Nashua McDonald’s

15. Man Shoots Attempted Robber in Midtown Memphis

• Date: March 18, 2025

• Location: Memphis, Tennessee

• Summary: A man was injured and another detained after a shooting in Midtown. Police reported that the man who fired the gun did so during an attempted robbery. The shooter remained on scene and cooperated with authorities.

• Source: FOX13 Memphis – Man injured, another detained after shooting in Midtown, police say

16. Suspect Critically Injured After Alleged Carjacking and Shooting in North Memphis

• Date: March 19, 2025

• Location: Memphis, Tennessee

• Summary: A carjacking suspect was critically injured after a crash and shooting incident in North Memphis. Police say the suspect may have been shot by the vehicle’s owner while attempting to flee the scene.

• Source: Local Memphis – Suspect critical following carjacking, crash, shooting in North Memphis

17. Las Vegas Resident Fatally Shoots Intruder in Gated Community

• Date: March 25, 2025

• Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

• Summary: A homeowner in a gated community near Cheyenne Avenue and Durango Drive fatally shot an intruder who had broken into the residence. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reported that the intruder was armed and posed an immediate threat to the occupants. The incident is under investigation, but initial findings suggest the homeowner acted in self-defense.

• Source: KSNV – Deadly shooting under investigation near Cheyenne, Durango

18. Shooting Death of Armed 14-Year-Old Investigated as Justifiable Homicide

• Date: March 21, 2025

• Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico

• Summary: Albuquerque police say the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old boy is being investigated as a justifiable homicide. The teen was reportedly armed and had threatened a resident, prompting the resident to shoot him in what appears to be a self-defense case.

• Source: KRQE – APD: Shooting death of 14-year-old investigated as justifiable homicide

19. Homeowner Shoots, Critically Injures Teen Who Broke Into Spanish Fort Home

• Date: March 22, 2025

• Location: Spanish Fort, Alabama

• Summary: A teenager was critically injured after breaking into a home in Spanish Fort. The homeowner opened fire on the suspect during the incident. Police said the shooting appeared to be a case of self-defense and the investigation is ongoing.

• Source: FOX10 – Homeowner shoots, critically injures teen after teen breaks into home in Spanish Fort

20. Store Clerk Shoots Aggressive Customer During Argument in Othello

• Date: March 22, 2025

• Location: Othello, Washington

• Summary: A man was arrested after being shot in the leg during an argument with a store clerk. Police say the suspect became aggressive and threatened the employee, who then used a firearm in self-defense. The suspect was later taken into custody.

• Source: KXLY – Othello man arrested after being shot in the leg during argument with store clerk

21. Armed Hilton Head Woman Stops Man Trying to Enter Home

• Date: March 23, 2025

• Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

• Summary: A woman armed with a handgun confronted a man trying to break into her home. She held him at gunpoint until deputies arrived. Authorities praised the homeowner’s quick thinking and legal firearm use in preventing a potential crime.

• Source: Island Packet – Armed Hilton Head woman stops man trying to enter home, deputies say

22. Police Say Shooting of Teen in Albuquerque May Be Justifiable

• Date: March 23, 2025

• Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico

• Summary: Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a teen as a possible case of justifiable homicide. The teen was allegedly involved in a confrontation that led a resident to open fire. Authorities are still determining whether charges will be filed.

• Source: KOAT – Deadly shooting of teen could be justifiable, police say

23. Teen Shot While Allegedly Trying to Steal Wheels in North Hills

• Date: March 24, 2025

• Location: North Hills, California

• Summary: Police say a teenage boy was shot while attempting to steal wheels from a vehicle in a residential area. The car owner confronted the teen and opened fire. The incident is under investigation to determine whether the shooting was justified.

• Source: Daily News – Boy shot in North Hills while trying to steal wheels, police say

24. Man Shoots and Kills Armed Intruder at Hardeeville Home

• Date: March 24, 2025

• Location: Hardeeville, South Carolina

• Summary: A homeowner shot and killed an armed man who allegedly broke into his home. Police confirmed that the intruder was armed and that the homeowner acted in self-defense. The case is under review, but no charges have been filed.

• Source: WJCL – Man shoots, kills armed intruder at Hardeeville home

25. Tulsa Man Fatally Shoots Attacker Wielding Baseball Bat

• Date: March 24, 2025

• Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma

• Summary: While working on his car in his driveway, Charles Berry was attacked by 36-year-old Dane Swets, who struck him in the face with a baseball bat. Berry retrieved his firearm and shot Swets once. Swets walked away before collapsing nearby. Berry called 911 and attempted to render aid. Tulsa Police reviewed surveillance footage and released Berry pending further investigation.

• Source: ConcealedCarry.com – Tulsa Man Fatally Shoots Attacker Wielding Baseball Bat

26. Concealed Carrier Shoots Suspect During Car Burglary on Chicago’s South Side

• Date: March 25, 2025

• Location: Chicago, Illinois

• Summary: A concealed carry permit holder shot a man who was allegedly burglarizing his car in the Far South Side’s West Pullman neighborhood. Police said the permit holder confronted the suspect before firing. The suspect was hospitalized, and no charges were filed against the shooter.

• Source: CWB Chicago – Concealed carry holder shoots man during car burglary on Far South Side

27. Manitou Springs Resident Shoots Attacker After Being Stabbed

• Date: March 26, 2025

• Location: Manitou Springs, Colorado

• Summary: A man was stabbed multiple times by an assailant in his own driveway. Despite serious injuries, the resident was able to retrieve a firearm and shoot his attacker. Police confirmed that the resident acted in self-defense and was hospitalized in stable condition.

• Source: ConcealedCarry.com – Manitou Springs Resident Defends Himself After Stabbing, Shoots Attacker in Driveway

28. Suspect Arrested After Fatal Shooting in Alleged Point Breeze Robbery

• Date: March 27, 2025

• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Summary: Police say a man was fatally shot during an attempted robbery in the Point Breeze neighborhood. A suspect was later arrested and charged. Authorities stated that the shooting may have been committed in self-defense by the intended robbery victim.

• Source: NBC Philadelphia – Suspect Arrested After Fatal Shooting in Alleged Point Breeze Robbery

29. Homeowner Shoots Suspected Burglar in Houston's University Place

• Date: March 28, 2025

• Location: Houston, Texas

• Summary: A homeowner confronted a man who had broken into his garage and was sitting inside his pregnant wife's car. The homeowner, unable to see the suspect's hands in the dark, fired two shots, striking the suspect in the arm and leg. The suspect was hospitalized and is expected to face burglary charges.

• Source: Click2Houston – Homeowner shoots suspected burglar in University Place

30. Franklin County Man Shot After Entering Another’s Property

• Date: March 31, 2025

• Location: Franklin County, Virginia

• Summary: Deputies responded to a shooting in the 100 block of Blue Spruce Drive. A man was shot after entering another homeowner’s property, leading to a confrontation. The injured individual was airlifted to a hospital. Authorities are investigating the circumstances to determine if the shooting was justified.

• Source: WDBJ7 – Sheriff’s Office investigating circumstances of weekend shooting in Franklin County