New York jeweler saves own life with gun

The Associated Press is reporting that a New York jeweler was back at work yesterday, one day after he managed to draw his own gun and shoot a robber who was aiming a revolver at his head.

Barry Fixler told reporters he feels he did what he had to.

"I'd be dead," he said in a phone interview. "My life was going to be over. That's what I thought about."

Detective Lt. Charles Delo of the Clarkstown police force, which covers Bardonia, told reporters a review of the shooting on a surveillance videotape showed it to be justified. Fixler had a permit for his .38-caliber handgun.

The suspect was in serious condition Tuesday after surgery at Nyack Hospital but was expected to survive, police said. Two alleged confederates who fled after the shooting were arrested within 12 hours, one in Nanuet and one in Danbury, Conn.

Click on the "Read More…" link below to view a letter from OFCC's Jim Irvine to one "no guns" Ohio jeweler, using this incident as a teaching tool.

February 15, 2005

Alvin’s Jewelers, Inc.
31105 Bainbridge Rd
Building 3
Solon, OH 44139

Dear Sirs:

Enclosed is an article from a jewelry store robbery in New York this week. This is fairly typical defensive gun use (no innocent people are shot, all criminals survive, and are captured by police).

I’m sure we agree that jewelry stores are sometimes, if not often, the target of robberies. Criminals do not “register” their guns, have a license to carry them, or obey the so called “no guns” signs. In most cases they are in violation of Federal law simply by being in possession of a gun.

I have read hundreds of armed robbery stories, talked with police, would be victims and victims surviving family members. I donate hundreds of hours each year to Ohioans For Concealed Carry, (OFCC) the leading authority on concealed carry in Ohio, because I care about in our community and our state.

I have purchased watches, jewelry and lots of Swarovski Crystal from you over the years. While doing Christmas shopping at your store in Southpark Center (Strongsville) I saw your “no guns” sign. When I asked about the policy, I was lied to by your employees (it’s possible they do not understand state law or the full implication of your sign, which Attorney General Petro has ruled does apply to off-duty law enforcement).

I will not support jewelers who display signs advertising to violent criminals that neither their employees, a state licensed citizen, nor even an off-duty police officer have the ability to stop an armed attack in their store. Allowing biased news coverage and/or ignorance form your “safety” policy is dangerous.

As we approach the one-year anniversary of concealed carry in Ohio, I ask you to reflect on news stories you have heard this past year. Can you think of a single case of a concealed license holder committing a crime or shooting a police officer, employee, customer, or innocent bystander? There are several people alive in Ohio today because they or someone else (besides the police) were able to use their concealed firearm to stop a violent criminal, and save an innocent life, just like the employee in the enclosed article. With your “no guns’ policy, no one in your store will ever be so fortunate, which someday may prove tragic.

You will continue to lose all my business as long as you remain on OFCC’s “Do Not Patronize While Armed” list.

Sincerely,

James Irvine
Strongsville, OH

Contact information for Alvin's Jewelers, (and other dangerous locations including those below), is available in OFCC's Do Not Patronize While Armed database...