LynneRussell | The Zelman Partisans

A follow-up to “A Good Gun Story” (a “drive-by,” as Claire calls it): Lynne Russell, the marvelous, good kind of survivor (because so strong) is loaded for bear about those who would deny that guns saved her life and the life of her spouse.

Former CNN anchor Lynne Russell and former reporter Chuck de Caro came back into the news cycle on June 30, after they worked together to use a concealed firearm to defend themselves from a robber. Russell later spoke about how having a gun “absolutely” saved their lives, and had some tough words for those who do not own guns, yet advocate for government control.

“If you don’t want to carry, please don’t.” Russell said. “Then, shut the f–k up about it. Make your own decisions.“

Russell went on to say that “the discussion over the debate to own a gun is just ridiculous. As Americans we have the right to bear arms and as humans the right to protect ourselves. I’m sure that the man who shot my husband did not have a gun permit.” …

MORE here and at Zelman’s.

Here’s the story of a heroic former CNN employee who will NOT make it into the Anderson Cooper CNN Heroes extravaganza. She and her husband may be survivors—CNN loves the survivor schtick—but “former Headline News anchor and CNN correspondent Lynne Russell” is lucky to have made it into the headlines (no matter; she’s alive):

Chuck de Caro and his wife, … Lynne Russell, were on a road trip and spending the night at an Albuquerque motel when de Caro killed the man during what Russell called an attempted robbery.

Police identified the dead man as 27-year-old Tomorio Walton from Memphis, Tennessee. He was in violation of his parole, police said, and it was not clear how long he had been in the Albuquerque area.

Albuquerque police said they have yet to question de Caro, who had surgery for his wounds.

Officer Fred Duran said no charges were expected to be filed against de Caro. Russell said her husband fired in self-defense.

“I am really proud of him,” Russell said. “I thank him over and over for saving my life. He really is my hero.”

Russell said the gunman came into their Motel 6 room through an open door after she had just returned from getting something out of the car. He pushed her into the room.

De Caro, who worked at CNN in the mid-1980s as special assignments correspondent, was coming out of the bathroom after taking a shower and saw Russell being held at gunpoint.

“He tried to change the guy’s mind,” Russell said.

The gunman wanted money and other valuables, she said.

She told him she would look in her purse to see what they had. She reached down and put into the purse one of two handguns the couple had in a side table. She gave the handbag to her husband.

Russell said the guns were legal, something police are still investigating.

The man’s behavior was increasingly erratic, Russell said. He told them to get a briefcase he saw.

The couple explained there was nothing of value in the bag, Russell said, but the man lunged at them and “went around the bed and then opened fire on Chuck. There was a firefight inside the room.”

De Caro was shot once in the leg and twice in the abdomen.

He fired all the rounds in the first handgun, then picked up the other and shot the man, whom police identified in a statement as the “offender in the altercation.” He was found in the parking lot and later died at a hospital, CNN affiliate KOAT-TV in Albuquerque reported.