The Idaho Second Amendment Alliance had the rare opportunity to interview Austin James, one of the armed heroes from the Twin Falls In‑N‑Out tragedy, who ran toward gunfire in an effort to stop a killer.

James was nearly killed when a round struck his right arm, severing his brachial artery and shattering his humerus bone. According to James, he would not have survived without the immediate lifesaving actions of his wife, Connie, and their friend Jarrid, both Emergency Room nurses who jumped into action and kept him alive until they could get to the hospital.

Although James was armed that day, he did not draw his firearm during the initial confrontation. Even more surprising, he told ISAA President Greg Pruett that, for reasons he still cannot explain, he did not have a round chambered. James emphasized that he always carries with a round in the chamber and cannot figure out why he didn’t that day.

In a twist few gun owners would expect, James says that not having a round chambered likely saved his life. His full explanation is something every gun owner should hear, even though he stresses that he never carries that way and never will again.

This interview is a powerful reminder of how quickly violence unfolds, how critical mindset and preparedness truly are, and how fortunate Idaho is to have citizens willing to run toward danger.

Watch the full interview to understand why James is lucky to be alive, and why this hero deserves every bit of praise he’s received for confronting evil head‑on. The interview was conducted by ISAA President Greg Pruett.