Tag Page SelfDefense

Susan Kuhnhausen was an emergency room nurse in Portland. In September 2006, after finishing a shift at the hospital, she returned home unaware that a man had broken into her house and was waiting to kill her. The intruder was Edward Haffey, a drug-addicted criminal who had been hired to murder her by her estranged husband, Michael Kuhnhausen. When Haffey attacked, Susan immediately fought back. Because of her medical training and quick thinking, she managed to overpower the larger attacker. During the struggle she pinned him down and choked him until he lost consciousness and died, effectively killing the hitman in self-defense. Afterward, Susan called police and calmly explained what had happened. Investigators soon uncovered that her husband Michael had paid about $7,000 to have her killed so he could avoid a costly divorce. The case went to court in Multnomah County, where prosecutors presented evidence that Michael had orchestrated the murder-for-hire plot. In 2008, he was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Susan was never charged because the killing was ruled lawful self-defense. Her story later became widely known as an example of resilience and presence of mind under extreme danger. #selfdefense #thehistoriansden

Father Praises Daughter’s Strength After She Defends Herself From Bullying at High School A father’s heartfelt message has drawn attention after he publicly praised his daughter for standing up to bullying during her first altercation at high school. Henry Mena shared his pride in his daughter after she defended herself against a bully, emphasizing that she did not start the confrontation but responded to protect herself. According to Mena, the incident marked a defining moment in his daughter’s young life. Faced with intimidation, she chose not to remain silent or fearful. Instead, she showed courage and resilience, sending a clear message that she would not accept mistreatment. Her actions quickly earned her respect among her peers, and classmates now understand that she refuses to be intimidated. Mena made it clear that his daughter has the full and unwavering support of both her parents. He stressed that she will never have to tolerate bullying and will always have a safe space at home where her voice matters. He also noted that the school reviewed the incident and stood by his daughter, confirming that she acted in self-defense. That acknowledgment, he said, reinforced the importance of fairness and understanding when addressing conflicts involving students. Beyond the immediate incident, Mena focused on a deeper lesson. He reminded his daughter that she never needs to justify defending herself to anyone. As her parents, he and her mother will always stand beside her, no matter the circumstances. He expressed pride not only in her strength but also in the values she upheld—self-respect, courage, and integrity. #StandUpToBullying #ProudParent #SelfDefense #HighSchoolLife #Courage #Resilience #ParentSupport #AntiBullying

The police took 20 minutes to arrive. The intruder broke my door in 20 seconds.

Someone tried to kick in my front door last night. I called 911 and waited in terror. Do you know what 20 minutes feels like? It feels like eternity. If I didn't have my gun, my family's fate would have been entirely in the criminal's hands. People who say "you don't need a gun, just call the police" have never faced that desperation at 2 AM. This is why I support 2A. #2ndAmendment #SelfDefense #PoliceResponse #GunRights #HomeInvasion