Crook pulls gun on retired Chicago firefighter, demands property. But 77-year-old victim is a concealed carrier — and lethally turns the tables on crook.

Once again, someone up to no good — this time figuring he could pull a gun on an elderly man and steal from him in broad daylight — didn't count on a victim exercising his Second Amendment rights and arming himself for protection.

And the crook in question won't have the opportunity to learn from his error in judgment, either.

What happened?

A 77-year-old man who's a retired Chicago firefighter was in the garage of his South Side residence in the 500 block of East 89th Street around 12:24 p.m. Saturday when a vehicle pulled up in the alley and a man got out, WMAQ-TV reported.

The man wasn't asking for directions. Instead he pulled a gun on the elderly man and demanded his property, WFLD-TV reported.

But the elderly man also is a concealed carrier and had no intention of following orders.

Indeed, he pulled out his own gun and shot the would-be robber in the head and chest, police told WFLD, after which he was pronounced dead at the scene. On Sunday, he was identified as Bernard Peterson, the station also said.

What else?

Chicago Police said the elderly man has a valid Firearms Owner Identification Card and a concealed carry license, WFLD said, adding that the Chicago Fire Department confirmed he's a retired firefighter.

Authorities also told the station that the would-be robber's weapon was recovered after the shooting. WFLD also used a tweet from Chicago Police showing the recovered weapon:

Police added in the tweet that the suspect was driving a vehicle that was carjacked the day before — and in a subsequent tweet said the suspect was DOA.

Chicago police told WMAQ that the 77-year-old didn't sustain any injuries and that an investigation into the shooting continues.

How did observers react?

Commenters on the tweet from Chicago police were decidedly happy about the outcome of the attempted robbery:

• "We need more of this," one commenter said. "Man those torpedoes full speed ahead. Let's get open carry law now. We need to protect ourselves. The damned are going to die."
• "One more piece of worthless trash off the streets!" another user declared. "One down, 115,000 to go!"
• "If this would happen more often, Chicago could be a safer city," another commenter wrote. "Kudos to the retired hero."
• "Feel good story of the day," another user noted.
• "I love stories with a happy ending," another commenter said.