Concealed-carrying legislator thwarts robbery

in Authors, S.H. Blannelberry

Two Pennsylvania state legislators stood up to two armed robbers on Tuesday night, one of which pulled out a firearm and shot at the suspects, according to police.

State Rep. Marty Flynn (D-Scranton) and Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) were walking back to their residences after a late dinner Tuesday night when two armed thugs approached them and demanded their wallets.

Both lawmakers refused to cooperate and Flynn, a former Lackawanna County prison guard and licensed concealed carry permit holder, drew his pistol and exchanged fire with the suspect which sent both pairs of men running in opposite direction.

Flynn and Bizzarro made it back to their residence and called the police, who then arrested a total of four men believed to be connected to the robbery.

“We were extremely impressed by the professional manner in which the Harrisburg police officers responded to our call,” Bizzarro, a former victim-witness coordinator for the Erie County courts, said in the statement. “We are very grateful.”

Meanwhile, Flynn said that he and his weren’t going to back down to the criminals.

“We are used to fighting for the people in our districts every day,” Flynn said in a statement. “We certainly are going to stand up for ourselves and not become victims.”

Neither man were injured in the incident.

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