The Armed Citizen® January 6, 2012

by
posted on January 6, 2012
** 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

It was not a good day on the job for one would-be burglar. First, he tried to climb in the window of 77-year-old Donald McElrea’s home, but was caught in the act. Pistol in hand, McElrea confronted the burglar. The gun startled the burglar so badly that he lost his footing and plummeted 20 feet over the side of the elevated deck. McElrea told the burglar to stay on the ground while his wife called the police, and the burglar should’ve just cut his losses at that point. Instead he got up and charged McElrea, who opened fire. Police arrived to find the burglar injured from the fall, shot in the arm and considering a new line of work. (Harrison Daily Times, Harrison, AR, 10/18/11)

The Armed Citizen Extra

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

It was a seemingly quiet afternoon in a Pittsburgh, Pa., car repair shop when suddenly a masked man entered through an open door, wielding a gun and demanding money from the shop owner. After the owner handed over his money, the masked intruder stunned him in the back of the head with a stun gun. A Vietnam veteran and NRA firearms instructor who specializes in personal protection, the owner stumbled to his feet and grabbed his gun. When the intruder pointed his gun at him, the owner fired one shot, killing the man. (The Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Pittsburgh, PA, 12/18/10)

From The Armed Citizen Archives

January 1966: When two gunmen in Upland, Calif., took $150 from liquor store owner Hugh M. Davenport and fled, Davenport ran out of the store with his carbine and riddled the fleeing bandits' car, bringing it to a halt. Davenport ruptured the left front tire and put holes in the radiator, the gas tank and the oil pan. The thugs then fled on foot. However, they were captured minutes later by the police. (The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA)

Latest

1860 Spencer Carbine 2
1860 Spencer Carbine 2

I Have This Old Gun: Model 1860 Spencer Carbine

One of the most revolutionary shoulder arms of the American Civil War, the Model 1860 Spencer carbine went from being an experimental design at the war's beginning to ultimately becoming the official issue arm of the U.S. Cavalry by war's end.

New For 2025: Tippmann Arms Integrally Suppressed M4-22s

In anticipation of the upcoming $0 NFA tax stamp enactment, Tippmann Arms is now offering integrally suppressed versions of its M4-22 design.

Favorite Firearms: A Winchester Model 54 Turns 100

Serving during World War I in 1918, my father completed two years in the Engineer Corps. In addition to his engineering duties, he and all the other soldiers had to carry and qualify with the Model 1903 Springfield rifle, since they were often on the front lines.

Winchester Ammunition Opens New Office In Missouri

Winchester Ammunition opened a new office in Clayton, Mo., which will accommodate much of the company's full-time administrative staff and is located several hours away from the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant.

Searching For The Perfect Single-Action Revolver

Bitten by the cowboy handgun bug early on—and influenced by no less an innovator than Elmer Keith—the author finds that, in the search for the ultimate single-action revolver, perfection is an elusive target.

The Armed Citizen® Dec. 15, 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.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.