The Armed Citizen® April 24, 2012

by
posted on April 24, 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 (1)

Home alone, a 17-year-old girl did not answer the door when the door bell rang. Shortly thereafter, she heard someone jump over the gate in the backyard. She then saw a man reach through the home’s doggie door and attempt to unlatch it. The girl quickly armed herself and fired a shot at the doggie door. Without hesitation, the suspect fled. It is unknown whether or not the man was injured. The area was heavily searched, but police were unable to locate the man. (The Arizona Republic, Glendale, Ariz., 2/07/12)

The Armed Citizen Extra

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

A man, his pregnant sister-in-law and her small child were at home on a Thursday morning when they were startled by a banging sound on the apartment door. Looking out the window, the residents saw two individuals trying to break in. The people in the home tried barring the door with a couch, but the home invaders got through anyway, one brandishing a pistol. The male apartment resident drew his own firearm and opened fire first, striking the armed intruder and sending his partner scurrying away. The wounded suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, and police immediately began a search for his accomplice. (Houston Chronicle, Houston, Tex., 9//24/2010)

From The Armed Citizen Archives

April 1980: Awakened by the cries of her 6-year-old daughter, a Baytown, Tex. Woman spied a male intruder hiding beside her bed. The woman grabbed a pistol she kept under the pillow, took the child in her arms, and ran into the next room. When the intruder followed, she shot him. The wounded man fled, but police later found him hiding in some nearby bushes and wearing only a pair of socks. (Houston Chronicle, Houston, Tex., 1/9)

Latest

SDS Arms MAC-5K
SDS Arms MAC-5K

Review: Military Armament Corporation MAC-5K

SDS Arms, under its Military Armament Corporation (MAC) brand, imports Turkish-made roller-delayed handguns of the H&K MP5 pattern called the MAC-5K.

8 New Revolvers for 2026

Despite the incredible array of polymer-frame, striker-fired, semi-automatic handguns on the market, the classic revolver not only refuses to die, it has seen something of a resurgence in recent years.

The Armed Citizen® May 18, 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.

8 New Semi-Auto Shotguns for 2026

For 2026, the semi-automatic shotgun market has seen even more growth, with some manufacturers expanding their current offerings and other makers entering the marketplace with novel designs.

SAAMI Celebrates 100th Anniversary

For the past 100 years, the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) has established the standards that ensure our safety when using modern shotshells, cartridges, firearms and more.

Shooting Is Fun: How I Rediscovered the Benefits of Rimfire

A recent event at Range Ready in Robert, La., reminded us how much fun the simple rimfire firearm can be, whether in handgun, carbine or rifle form.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.