The Armed Citizen® March 7, 2016

by
posted on March 7, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
ac2009_fs.jpg (1)

An armed friend of a Stafford County homeowner thwarted a burglary. According to the Stafford County sheriff’s office, the friend stopped by to check on a treestand that he and the homeowner use for hunting. He saw copper pipes piled outside of a broken window. He then saw two individuals going through the homeowner’s belongings in the basement. He approached the two thugs and held them at gunpoint while he called 911. By the time the sheriff arrived, two other friends of the homeowner had joined the effort to keep the criminals in check. The suspects face various charges. No charges have been brought against the homeowner’s friends. (The Free Lance-Star, Fredericksburg, VA, 8/28/15)

The Armed Citizen® Extra
Followed home from work and assaulted right in front of her apartment, an armed 65-year-old Manchester, N.H., woman took matters into her own hands with her licensed, concealed handgun. The victim realized she was being followed before reaching her home, and intentionally parked as close to her building as possible. Upon seeing the 23-year-old man get out of his car and continue to follow her, the victim moved her gun from her purse to her coat pocket. The assailant then ran past her and blocked her path into her residence. When he reached out to grab her, the armed citizen pulled her handgun and shot him once in the chest. The suspect was taken to a local hospital, where he received treatment for a serious but not life-threatening wound. He has been charged with felony robbery and was arraigned from his hospital bed. (wmur.com, Manchester, NH, 1/6/16)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
November 1978
Having been raped twice before by the same man, a 51-year-old Los Angeles woman was ready when her attacker broke into her apartment for a third time. Having armed herself since the last assault, the woman drew her handgun when the man entered her bedroom and, following a brief struggle, fatally shot the rapist in the chest. (The Times, Los Angeles, CA)

Latest

Hatsan Escort Optima 01
Hatsan Escort Optima 01

Hatsan Updates Escort Optima Shotgun

First announced at SHOT Show 2025 with a host of new features, Hatsan USA's updated Escort Optima over-under shotguns are now available and shipping.

Preview: Breakthrough Clean Technologies Muzzle Pro

Once upon a time, the word “plastic” was not associated with muzzleloading arms; however, today, polymers are associated with bullets and powders used in modern muzzleloading, and Breakthrough Clean has the just-right solution to do the clean-up.

Gun Of The Week: EAA Corp. Girsan Influencer X

We're on the range with an M1911 that is one of the smoothest-shooting versions we’ve shot in recent memory. And best of all? It’s incredibly affordable, to boot. This is the EAA Girsan Influencer X.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 8, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Hopkins & Allen: The Armsmaking Giant That Didn't Survive

Founded in 1868 in the northeast U.S., Hopkins & Allen grew from a friendly business venture into a prolific maker of affordable guns for brand names such as Merwin & Hulbert and Forehand & Wadsworth.

Burris Optics Celebrates 50 Years Of Fullfield Riflescopes

Firearms and ammunition ballistics have changed greatly over the last half-century, but one of the biggest leaps in performance hit the scene five decades ago, when Burris Optics introduced its Fullfield line of riflesopes.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.