| The Rock was patrolling the well-to-do neighborhood, | | | | he might have at least been able to scare them |
| which bordered a high crime area in the major | | | | away by firing a shot at them. "They may have |
| midwestern city. The veteran policeman felt relaxed | | | | turned or ran away instead of trying to fight-gun-to |
| as he drove through the beautiful tree lined streets | | | | gun" the Rock said. He also told him that with a gun |
| that were home to some of the grandest houses in | | | | he could have made a powerful stand in the |
| the country. His relaxation ended quickly when | | | | bedroom as they were breaking down the door. |
| Dispatch cracked out a call of a possible home | | | | Thankfully, the four criminals were caught a few |
| invasion right around the corner. Patrolman Thomas | | | | weeks later and sentenced to around 15 years in |
| Rakoczy was only seconds away. He was known as | | | | prison. Later, the father told Rakoczy that all through |
| the Rock because he was as hard, strong and tough | | | | his life he was against guns and thought they were a |
| as one. He was the kind of cop you wanted at your | | | | terrible problem in our society. However, after what |
| home if you needed serious help. | | | | he and his family went through and after a lot of soul |
| The Rock arrived at the home and began to | | | | searching and thought, he had changed his mind. He |
| evaluate the scene as he walked toward the door. | | | | said he now understood the need and availability for |
| He entered the house and soon found two adults | | | | the best protection available for people, which are |
| and two teenage girls tied up. Other officers also | | | | firearms. He eventually bought a gun, received |
| arrived and no one else was found in the house. | | | | training and said he was ready to protect himself and |
| Rakoczy began untying the family, starting with the | | | | others if need be, for the rest of his life. |
| man first. As he was untying him the disheveled | | | | There are of course horror stories on the other side |
| middle-aged man hurriedly spouted out what had | | | | of the gun controversy. Ones such as children gaining |
| happened. Four men had broken down the front door | | | | access to unsecured firearms and accidentally injuring |
| (in broad daylight) and started up the long staircase | | | | or killing others or themselves. And of course there |
| leading to him and his family. | | | | are the stories of troubled individuals using firearms |
| He said he saw the men coming up the stairs with | | | | to cause mass casualties and deaths in public places. |
| guns in hand but he couldn't do anything to stop | | | | However, there are the very real stories of people |
| them. So he quickly gathered his family and locked | | | | protecting themselves with firearms against burglars, |
| them in the master bedroom. He said they found | | | | rapists and other predators. There's no doubt |
| them hiding there in less than a minute. | | | | firearms are the best self-defense tool available for |
| As he continued, he started to cry and told how | | | | the private citizen. However, and this is a big |
| they all were immediately tied up. Then they started | | | | however, firearms come with many different levels |
| leisurely burglarizing the home, seemingly in no hurry | | | | of serious responsibility. |
| whatsoever. After they bagged-up everything they | | | | The father who changed his views on firearms |
| deemed worthwhile, things really got bad. | | | | shows us there is more than one side to an issue, |
| They took turns raping both daughters in front of | | | | which may change as time, circumstances, |
| him and his wife. The man was beside himself as he | | | | knowledge and experiences evolve. This story can |
| told what had happened. The Rock told me the | | | | help us understand, that all of us, no matter what are |
| mother was so bad off she was almost totally | | | | feelings are on this controversial subject, should step |
| incoherent. She hadn't been physically touched, but | | | | back and listen to those with differing views with |
| she witnessed what happened to her daughters. | | | | dignity and respect. All differing people have viable |
| The father kept repeating that he just couldn't do | | | | thoughts and ideas and should be reasonably listened |
| anything to help them. Nervously he asked, "Officer, | | | | to. Whether it's the hugely important issue of how |
| please tell me, if I would have had a gun do you | | | | mentally unstable individuals can be weeded out from |
| think I could have helped my family"? Rakoczy didn't | | | | owning firearms to the many other issues people |
| want to render his opinion at such an emotional time, | | | | differ on. Respect and true empathy for others |
| but the man pushed him. "I want the truth, could I | | | | views are the cornerstones to building workable |
| have helped"? After more and more prodding, the | | | | solutions for all. |
| Rock finally told him that if he would have had a gun | | | | |