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“Someone had to do something.”
That was Jordan Salinas’ explanation for confronting the gunman during the Aug. 1 mass shooting at an In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho.
Salinas fired back at the attacker while people remained exposed near a busy intersection. Police were still two or three minutes away.
KTVB reported that Money Metals Exchange in Eagle recently honored Salinas with a 25-ounce silver bullet recognizing his courageous actions.
Salinas had spent years preparing for the possibility of a mass shooting. After the 2021 Boise Towne Square mall shooting, he began training in case he ever found himself near a similar attack.
That preparation included more than learning how to operate a firearm.
“The other element to that is being able to respond and react and maintain composure and those fundamentals under stress,” Salinas told KTVB.
His training became real on Aug. 1.
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In the weeks since the shooting, strangers have offered to pay for his groceries and meals. People have even recognized him while stopped in traffic.
Salinas said the most meaningful encounters have come from people with personal connections to the shooting. He described hugging some of them and feeling their tension begin to disappear.
Despite the attention, Salinas still describes himself as a normal guy with hobbies.
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His message is equally straightforward.
“If you can help other people, then I don’t think there’s anything greater that you can do with your time here,” he said.
Salinas also encouraged people to carry first-aid kits. Even without a firearm, an equipped bystander could assist someone injured in a shooting, car crash or other emergency until paramedics arrive.
Salinas trained for a moment he hoped would never come. When it did, he stepped forward while others remained in danger.
That is a hero worth recognizing.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
Experience:
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– Concealed Carry Permit Holder (NYS & AZ) – Trained and licensed to carry in multiple states.
– 2A Journalist – Covering firearms legislation, Second Amendment issues, and gun rights for over a decade.
– Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Certified to provide emergency medical care in the field.
– Field-Tested Gear Reviewer – Hands-on experience with firearms, optics, and hunting tech.