News Features
John Marra
John Marra is WSAZ's gardening expert.
Recipes
See what's cooking in the WSAZ kitchen.
E-Reporter
Submit your pictures or video to WSAZ.
Charleston's Most Wanted
Check out Kanawha Valley's fugitives.
News Story Dubs
Want a copy of a news story? Go here for info.
Where Are They Now?
See what former WSAZers are doing now.
Dashcam Diaries
Outrageous police chases caught on tape.
Become an e-Reporter
Send us your News and Weather pictures & videos. Click on the pictures to submit
Fighting Back: City Councilman Pulls Trigger Save Email Print
Posted: 11:49 PM Jun 14, 2008
 Last Updated: 11:50 PM Jun 14, 2008
 Reporter: Kallie Cart
Email Address: kallie.cart@wsaz.com
40 comments
A | A | A

MAGOFFIN COUNTY, KY (WSAZ) -- A City Councilman in Eastern Kentucky says he was about to be the victim of a robbery, when he pulled out a gun and fought back.

Magoffin County Sheriff Bob Jordan says three people approached Royalton City Councilman Ray Nichols at his home. Police say one of them threatened to rob and kill Nichols.

After the threats Nichols says he opened fire because he thought his life was in danger.

Police haven't made any arrests in the case. Deputies say they have notified surrounding hospitals and emergency agencies to see if anyone may have been treated for a possible gunshot wound.
More Stories
BREAKING NEWS: 3 Arrested in Drug Bust

Virtual Tour of Marshall’s Campus

Bars Breaking Smoking Ban Law in Attempt to Boom Business

Going Green and Saving Big on New Appliances

 Chickens Lay Colored Eggs

Broadband Speeding its way through Braxton County

The Importance of Smoke Detectors

Fatal Accident in Kentucky Tuesday Afternoon
Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
Email will not be displayed on site. For station contact purpose only.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: Becky on Jun 17, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Good going, councilman!!! One of these days there will be enough armed citizens to actually scare the would be robbers into thinking twice before trying someting so stupid!
Posted by: Liver of Truth on Jun 16, 2008 at 11:41 PM
Heart of Dixie is wrong. Read up on Obama. You do know the NRA doesn't support McCain because of his gun control views, right?
Posted by: Jack on Jun 16, 2008 at 09:57 PM
when will people learn that we folks here in Kentucky are prepared for such an event and are well armed. i wonder if they brought their own body bags?
Posted by: Dale on Jun 16, 2008 at 08:10 PM
I believe if under the circumstances an officer was to attempt to arrest me I would exercise my rights to resist an unlawful arrest. The right to self defense transcends any enacted law. It is a GOD given right!
Posted by: clarence on Jun 16, 2008 at 07:25 PM
listen up folks. the sad thing is that it has been ruled that we have no right to expect the police to protect us. therefore we are on our own. so get yourself legally armed and be ready. the law will not bury you even. they will only come around after the fact and say "duh! looks like someone robbed and killed this person all right.
Posted by: Keith Morgan on Jun 16, 2008 at 06:50 PM
All of you advocating gun rights in the comments should join the West Virginia Citizens Defense League. We've been working hard in the legislature (and other places) to secure and reclaim your Second Amendment rights for a couple of years now. I'd also like to commend WSAZ for a "just the facts" approach. Fortunately, I'm starting to see more and more of this in WV when it involves firearms reporting. Though, some media outlets are still quite confused. Their position seems to be "Hmm, gun control is failing. So what do we need? MORE GUN CONTROL." They may as well just ask for "MORE FAIL." Thanks WSAZ. Seriously folks, check out the WVCDL. http://www.wvcdl.org.
Posted by: Beth on Jun 16, 2008 at 03:51 PM
If someone broke into my house, I would not have any other choice, I do not know why they have entered and what their intentions would be. I would shot them in the leg only if they came my direction, if they were heading down the hall towards my childern I would have no choice but to shot them anywhere I could. How scary, I do not blame this man one bit.
Posted by: Vidarr on Jun 16, 2008 at 03:22 PM
Defending oneself is never "taking the law into your own hands." Such arguments are dishonest.
Posted by: ALBERT on Jun 16, 2008 at 03:17 PM
WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROTECT OUR FAMILY AND OUR HOME!!
Posted by: IAgree? on Jun 16, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Old Fogey, not sure what you are trying to say, but they do make Depends for bowel problems. As far as the best way to live comment, if you are implying that you pull out a firearm every time you are scared, then you may not be level-headed enough to have a firearm. That said, in the instance that this article refers, you have one man, in his home, accosted by three males. Using a firearm quite possibly saved his life as well as his other family members. That is what firearms are for, lawfully defending oneself and family and sometimes even strangers if you just happen to stumble upon a crime. Repeat after me, firearms, in the hands of law-abiding people, are a good thing. Guns in law abiding citizens hands save lives!
Posted by: Debbie on Jun 16, 2008 at 01:27 PM
doug, that law makes no sense at all, people rob and kill during the day all the time.
Posted by: Heart of Dixie on Jun 16, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Mail this article to Obama! I hope all gun owners know Obama wants a total ban of hand gun ownership as well as semi-automatic hunting rifles and shotguns. And he claims to support the Second Amendment! he's a liar! Remember too he will appoint liberal anti-gunners to the Supreme Court which will have up to three vacancies inthe next four years.
Posted by: Uzziel on Jun 16, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Is this a sign that the tide is turning, or is this another example of "Okay for me but not for thee"?
Posted by: nealson on Jun 16, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Way to go man... Next time get them good. Blow their legs out from under them... They won't get away then.
Posted by: Justin on Jun 16, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Good Job! Criminals seem to think they can run over anyone they choose. I'm glad to see someone stood up and fought back. Maybe they will think twice before they try this garbage again.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 16, 2008 at 11:36 AM
I agree full heartedly with the councilman. If people defended themselves against these idiots, who think the world owes them everyone elses money,and property that honest people worked hard for instead of them gettin out and doing an honest days work for what they want then I believe there would be less idiots out there willing to target people for robbery or harm! You go councilman!!!
Posted by: Sensible on Jun 16, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Doug, you sound like a small, scared man. What if someone loses their dog and is on your property in the dark looking for it with their two kids. Using your logic they'd be dead before you figured out they weren't a threat. Most states only allow you to shoot if they are in your house. Protecting your lawn is more than slightly moronic.
Posted by: Bud on Jun 16, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Melinda, if McCain is such a great gun supporter why isn't he endorsed by the NRA? Perhaps you should research the candidate you obviously are supporting blindly.
Posted by: fsilber on Jun 16, 2008 at 08:03 AM
People who don't want robbers to get shot should do more to ensure they don't attempt robbery in the first place.
Posted by: JL on Jun 16, 2008 at 12:45 AM
I would shoot, and not miss! Good job!!
Posted by: Old Fogey on Jun 15, 2008 at 09:39 PM
I always pull out my gun when I get scared to. It's the best way to live. I get scared a lot and sometimes mess my pants.
Posted by: buck on Jun 15, 2008 at 09:23 PM
yeeeeeeeeeeeee haaaaaaaaaaaaaaw for the councilman. maybe the crooks will get the picture now. I just wish the positive things would get reported more often.
Posted by: Gun Control Advicate on Jun 15, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Gun Control means using both hands
Posted by: Michelle on Jun 15, 2008 at 06:05 PM
Good for him. If someone came to my home threating to take my life i would do the same thing. This guy was not at fault for anything. People need to stick up to theses people who think they can get away with anything. Maybe if people start sticking up for them selfs in things like this it might get threw the other peoples stupid heads.!
Posted by: MIKE on Jun 15, 2008 at 05:43 PM
NEXT TIME USE A SHOTGUN.(LESS CHANCE OF MISSING) GOOD JOB.
Posted by: GARY on Jun 15, 2008 at 03:53 PM
CONGRATS TO THE COUNCLEMAN THATS WHAT I WOULD DO TOO
Posted by: Jason on Jun 15, 2008 at 03:38 PM
Gun control only keeps people from protecting themselves. This is a very good example. These thugs will think twice about threats and robbery now.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 15, 2008 at 03:16 PM
to putnam county, i am a law enforcement officer and i do agree with you for the most part. however, as police officers we still have to present a case like this to the PA of our county and they will do what they want with it. we have to protect ourselves from a lawsuit from the dirtbag or his family.sad but true. i am glad that mr. nichols is ok. in most situations i dont think that the public should take the law into their own hands. however in this situation i think that mr. nichols had no other choice.
Posted by: Steve on Jun 15, 2008 at 02:22 PM
It doesn't get ant better than this! Way to go city councilman!!!
Posted by: Jeff on Jun 15, 2008 at 02:11 PM
He's got my vote....
Posted by: AboutTime on Jun 15, 2008 at 01:51 PM
It is about time that people fight back and I commend WSAZ for not painting the victim as being the bad guy like a lot of the media does. Criminals will think twice about robbing people if they think they may get shot. Good men should be armed lest they run into bad men.
Posted by: Melinda on Jun 15, 2008 at 01:37 PM
I strongly believe in gun control as well, and if these morons vote it out were back into the communism. We need to stick up for gun control because without it more innocent people will be dead and your pot heads and dumb robbers will be killing more people. Anyone who is threatening or robbing or planning to hurt you you should have every right to defend yourself with the same force. McCain is a firm believer in gun laws, and I back him up in his rights. You should have a right to bare arms unless your mentally ill!
Posted by: Doug on Jun 15, 2008 at 01:15 PM
We need to get some laws passed in WV that benifits the citizens and taxpayers. In Texas 30 years ago they passed a law called the Night Time Burglary law. Within this law it was stated if someone is on your residental property afted dark you had the right to shoot them on sight and ask questions later.. I'll bet if we had this law in WV an intruder would think twice before comming in with the wrong ideas..
Posted by: Anon. on Jun 15, 2008 at 12:30 PM
I don't blame the guy a bit, bygoly he was defending himself! Way to go.........
Posted by: fed up to on Jun 15, 2008 at 10:12 AM
He should be charged with firing a weapon. this story sounds fishy to me.
Posted by: Mike on Jun 15, 2008 at 09:01 AM
Thats the way it ought to work. Bad guys die, good guys live. No liberal bull #%^#$
Posted by: C on Jun 15, 2008 at 08:26 AM
I strongly believe in GUN CONTROL.....BOTH NABDS FIRMLY ON THE WEAPON. Way to go .
Posted by: Frank Wheeler on Jun 15, 2008 at 04:25 AM
I Am Unable To Get The 'Dashcam Diaries' Working ? Help Please
Posted by: bkg momma on Jun 15, 2008 at 03:47 AM
They will think twice maybe before trying to rob someone else. Glad he was not hurt.
Posted by: putnam co on Jun 15, 2008 at 01:12 AM
NO offence toward law inforcement but when some thing like this happens and a person has got to use a gun to protect thier self then thay should not have to go to jail for it.if he dident do what he had to he could be dead right now!i do not blame him it seems to be what a lot of folks are going to have to do!!!
FIND A LOCAL BUSINESS
Online Poll
Who do you think Barack Obama will choose as a running mate?

Sen. Joe Biden
Sen. Evan Bayh
Governor Tim Kaine
Sen. Hillary Clinton
Governor Kathleen Sebelius
Former Sen. Sam Nunn
Other


SEND US YOUR PICTURES AND VIDEOS INCLUDING BREAKING NEWS AND SEVERE WEATHER
 
Home - News - Weather - Sports - Classifieds - Closings - Featured Links - Blogs - Olympics - myZtv -
Moms4Moms - Games - Events - e-reporter - HDTV - On WSAZ - Politics - Perfect Home - Site Map - Football Friday -
Terms of Use - Privacy Policy - EEO Statement - FCC Form 388
Gray Television, Inc. - Copyright © 2002-2008 - Designed and Powered by Clickability