The Armed Citizen® April 20, 2011

by
posted on April 20, 2011
** 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)

When 70-year-old Watson Green discovered a man attempting to break into his home late one evening, he immediately called 9-1-1 and got his handgun. Green advised the 9-1-1 operator that he was armed. The operator told him to put the gun away and wait for the police but Green chose to do otherwise. In fear of his life, Green fired a single shot, killing the suspect. Two weeks prior to his death, the suspect was arrested for burglary in a separate incident. "We've had a lot of break-ins in Hobbs lately," said Hobbs, N.M., Police Officer Mike Stone. "The residents of the home were probably scared." (KRQE-TV, Albuquerque, NM, 02/23/11)

Armed Citizen Extra

(The following account did not appear in the printed version of American Rifleman.)

During his shift at a small coffee shop, a male barista was approached by a man weilding a gun and demanding money. After allowing the robber to take cash from the register, the barista was asked to turn around and face the wall. Thinking he was about to be shot, the barista took one last look behind him and saw that the thief had looked away for a moment. The barista quickly drew his handgun and fired several shots at the suspect, killing him. After the suspect was down, his accomplice appeared with a gun, and the barista fired twice toward him, causing the man to flee. (Statesman Journal, Salem, OR, 01/21/11)

From The Armed Citizen Archive

May 1980: A roof-top burglar eased himself through a bathroom window in Willie Dry's apartment in Palmetto, Fla., entered the bedroom, struck a match, and was killed when Dry fired his 12-ga. shotgun at him. (St. Petersburg Times)

Latest

Canik Prime Radian Review 1
Canik Prime Radian Review 1

Range Review: Canik Prime Radian

With the new Canik Prime Radian, you can have your compensator and your flared magazine well, too, all inside an easily carried, compact handgun.

New for 2026: Franklin Armory 5.56 Rabbit Rounds

Franklin Armory's new 5.56 NATO Rabbit Rounds provide a spin-stabilized, multi-projectile ammunition option for America's rifle.

ATF Ends Enforcement of NFA Registration & Approval Requirements for Suppressors, SBRs, and SBSs Following NRA Victory in Jensen v. ATF

Today, the ATF confirmed it will no longer enforce National Firearms Act (NFA) registration, application and tax-stamp requirements for short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, suppressors and certain other concealable firearms.

Gun of the Week: H&K VP9CC

Hot on the heels of its CC9 micro-compact, Heckler & Koch introduced a micro companion to its popular VP9 lineup that includes some noteworthy features.

A Raven at 50: Five Days at Gunsite Academy

In Gunsite Academy's 50th year, NRA Director Jerry Kraus made his inaugural visit to the famed training institute and left a Raven.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 9, 2026

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

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.