In a bizarre daytime incident that ended with the temporary closing of three businesses in a crowded strip mall, police K9 teams, and a taser deployment, a licensed concealed carry holder in Boise looking for a deal on a mobile device turned to her Kel Tec for support.

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(The hero of our story, photo via CBS-2 Boise)

The town

Nicknamed "The City of Trees," quiet Boise is the 99th largest city in the U.S. but the biggest metro area in Idaho. Known for its quality of life, it has a spacious and clean downtown area, a number of semi-pro sports teams (go Steelheads!) and Boise State University. What it is not known for is crime. In fact, over the past ten years it has seen lower than national average rates of violent crime as noted by FBI statistics.

However, even in relatively safe Boise, there can be incidents that show why you should carry.

The shaker

According to the Idaho Statesman, at the Verizon outlet at 1017 Broadway Ave last week a shirtless man staggered into the store came in and got his weird on.

Asking if they had a back door when employees asked him to pound sand, said unidentified man then proceeded to a stock room, closed the door behind him, and held it shut. Then came crashing noises as the man, described as a tattooed white male in his 30s or 40s, barricaded himself inside the business and reportedly made threatening statements.

Evidently fearing for her safety, Stephanie Mishler of suburban Kuna (pop. 15,210-- just outside of the metro area) drew her Kel Tec P-32 out from her purse and held it at her side. Mishler was there shopping for a phone with a friend and likely refused to become a victim of Mr. Random Shirtless Barricade Guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFLBqsylh8s

As noted by the Statesman, Mishler has a concealed carry permit. The state began regulating the carrying and licensing of concealed weapons in 1990. The shall issue permits are easy to get from the local sheriff, inexpensive (typically around $20.00) and are good for four years. You have to show training but a hunter's education or NRA safety course will satisfy the requirements.

Notably, the state is a believer in Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground which means that Mishler did not have to flee or was obligated to retreat if presented with a threat.

The outcome

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKE9sl0ioLY

In the end, police arrived and cordoned off not only the cell phone retailer but also businesses on either side, as it was believed that the man was possibly climbing up through the suspended ceiling. Finally, about two and a half hours after the bizarre standoff began; BPD took the man out face down on a gurney with non-life threatening injuries.

Reportedly, he was bitten at least once by a K9 officer and narrowly missed a taser strike.

Police think he may have been on some kind of drugs.

As for Mishler, odds are she will likely keep carrying that P-32, because its always better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.