We are often advised not to resist armed criminals because our lives are less replaceable than money. Statistically, that is sound advice, but nothing is 100% certain.

Many years ago, I read about a robbery at a fast food joint. Employees, teenagers, were herded into a cooler, and executed. I also saw it dramatized in a documentary show. In a similar case, there's a fellow on death row who killed three people at a Popeye's. A fourth employee was shot four times, but survived and testified. Most criminals just want the cash, but some don't want to leave witnesses, either.

In a much-discussed case, the scenario played out again a few nights ago. 11:15 PM. Armed assailants herding employees towards a back room.

Charlotte Pizza Hut worker hit by bandits: 'I pulled my gun'

A moment later, three men walked in, at least two pointing guns. The first one told the deliveryman: "I mean business."

They told him to open the safe. The deliveryman said he didn't have access.

"Get down!" one ordered. When the deliveryman didn't, he says the man pistol-whipped him. The men then ordered him into a bathroom while they waited for the manager.

One of the robbers waited in the bathroom with the deliveryman. He ordered him to wrap his arms around the toilet, kneeling, and then demanded money.

"Every time I hesitated, he hit me. I have so many bumps," the driver said. He turned over his $42 in tips for the night and a gold chain with a Jesus medallion he's worn for almost 40 years.

The whole time, the driver tried to keep his gun pressed against his body, under his baggy shirt. The driver has a concealed carry permit, and started carrying the gun [a Glock 22 .40 caliber semiautomatic] after being robbed twice in the past two years.

When the manager returned moments later, the suspects grabbed him. One told the deliveryman to crawl to the cooler in the back.

"I said I can't crawl," said the deliveryman, realizing that if he bent over any further his gun would stick out. "As soon as I stood up, he hit me. I took a big step and ended up in the cooler."

Then, the suspect demanded car keys and hit the deliveryman again, opening a nearly 2-inch gash next to his left eye.

When the suspect started to lift the deliveryman's shirt, he realized the robber was about to see his gun.

"I thought, 'He's gonna kill us,'" the deliveryman said. "They're gonna get what they want, and still kill me.

"I pulled my gun. I shot him three times, and he fell."

The second suspect started to rush into the cooler, and the deliveryman shot him too. The third suspect ran away.

I'm not sure how the open carry crowd will view it, but the concealed carry weapon (CCW) crowd hails this as a victory for the concept that a concealed weapon can save your life. It is hard to argue that this particular delivery man, who carried wads of cash, and had been robbed several times before, should not have been carrying a weapon. But in addition to his Glock 22, he had years of experience as a detention officer and sheriff's deputy. Had it been a less experienced shooter, simply having the gun might not have helped at all.

His employer, Pizza Hut, has a policy against employees being armed, so he may well lose his job, but he is still alive.

The problem with CCW is extrapolation. I have read comments advocating both that carrying a gun should be a duty for every adult, and that it should be banned for all but peace officers. Should all of us pack heat in case the worst happens, or take our chances on an orderly society? Or should we leave CCW up to individual choice and even-handed regulation by authorities? Assuming the latter is achievable.

BTW, the title of this article just came to me in a flash - I can't explain it.