When They Took His Gun — He Still Had Another One

Online   Jun 25, 2026

When They Took His Gun — He Still Had Another One

A recent self-defense shooting near a Des Moines park is making headlines for all the right reasons — and one very wrong one.

---

A 22-year-old man was sitting in his car near Pappajohn Sculpture Park in Des Moines, Iowa when a group approached him with robbery in mind. They wanted his belongings. They wanted his gun.

What they didn't know was that he had a backup.

The 17-year-old who initiated the robbery was shot and killed. The 22-year-old was not charged. Police investigated and determined it was a clear-cut case of self-defense.

End of story, right?

Not quite.

---

The Police Response That Turned Heads

In most communities, a story like this ends with law enforcement reminding criminals that armed citizens have the right to protect themselves — and that targeting someone who may be carrying is a gamble they should think twice about.

That's not what happened in Des Moines.

Instead, the Des Moines Police Department issued a statement that seemed more focused on cautioning legal gun owners than on warning would-be robbers. Sgt. Paul Parizek pointed to Iowa's expanding gun laws as a concern: "There's been several changes in gun laws here in Iowa over the years. And the one thing that we've seen, the byproduct of that is there's more guns out there."

More guns out there. Said like it's a problem.

---

What the Data Actually Says

Iowa became a constitutional carry state in 2021, meaning any law-abiding adult can carry a handgun without a permit. Five years in, here's what the numbers look like:

• Des Moines saw a 33% decrease in homicides last year compared to 2024.
• Cities in other permitless carry states — Houston, Kansas City, Memphis, Jacksonville, Cincinnati — are seeing murder rates down more than 20% so far in 2026.

The evidence doesn't support the narrative that more legal gun carriers means more danger. If anything, it suggests the opposite.

---

The Lesson Nobody Should Miss

This story is a powerful reminder of a few things every gun owner should take to heart:

1. Criminals don't always know what you're carrying — or how much. The robbers in this case targeted a man they knew was armed, assuming they could take his gun. A backup weapon changed everything.

2. Self-defense works. The 22-year-old did everything right. He didn't escalate. He didn't go looking for trouble. When trouble came to him, he was prepared.

3. Constitutional carry saves lives. Iowa's permitting reform didn't create chaos. It gave law-abiding citizens the freedom to protect themselves without jumping through bureaucratic hoops — and the data backs that up.

4. The second gun matters. Backup firearms aren't just for action movies. In a situation where your primary weapon is being targeted, having a backup can mean the difference between becoming a victim and going home safe.

---

Missouri Has It Right

Here in Missouri, we've been a constitutional carry state since 2017. No permit required to carry concealed. No permission slip needed to exercise a constitutional right.

At M&M Guns and Supplies, we believe an armed community is a safer community. Whether you're looking for your first carry gun, adding a backup to your setup, or just want to talk through your options — we're here to help.

Always carry legally. Train regularly. Be prepared.

---

© M&M Guns and Supplies | Saint Peters, MO | mmguns.com | @mmgunsandsupplies

Firearms purchases are subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Background checks required.