The employee of a Warren Family Dollar store is a bit bruised, but some quick thinking may have saved her from becoming a victim of her own concealed weapon.

Police say the 34-year-old Austintown woman had dirt on her shirt and arms as they spoke to her Thursday at the store on Market Street.

She told police that a merchandise alarm sounded when a man entered the store carrying a bag.

The employee said the man ignored her request to see what was in the bag as he wandered through the store for five minutes.

The alarm went off again when the man left the store and she went outside, telling him she would call the police if he didn’t show her what was in his bag.

According to the employee, as she was returning to the store to call the police, the man grabbed her from behind.

The woman, who police say has a permit to carry a concealed weapon, began to draw her Glock 42 .380 from a hidden holster.

That’s when she said the man body-slammed her to the ground, reached under her, and pulled the gun away.

However, the clerk was able to push the magazine ejection button as he pulled the gun away.  She explained to the police that she doesn’t keep a bullet in the chamber because she has children.

The suspect started to walk away, turned around, pointed the gun at the woman, and pulled the trigger.

When the gun didn’t fire, he threw it to the ground and ran away.

The woman grabbed the gun but told police she lost sight of the suspect.

Police are still investigating.