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

Beretta Patrol Raider 01
Beretta Patrol Raider 01

Beretta Celebrates Marine 250th With A300 Ultima Patrol Raider

In honor of the U.S. Marine Corps' 250th anniversary, Beretta has released a special A300 Ultima Patrol Raider shotgun, complete with World War II Marine Raider camouflage and the ability to mount a bayonet.

Preview: Foxtrot Woobie Tanker Jacket

The Woobie Tanker Jacket from Zero Foxtrot is a stylized modern cross between the World War II-era Winter Combat Jacket and the Liner, Wet Weather Poncho more commonly called the “woobie.”

Gun Of The Week: Sarsilmaz SAR9 SC Gen3

As part of a new family of guns, SAR USA offers its SAR9 SC Gen3, a small, subcompact, striker-fired design made for daily carry. Watch our video to see this concealable pistol in use on the range.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 7, 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.

SIG Sauer, GrabAGun Partner On Freedom Series Pistols

SIG Sauer has partnered with GrabAGun to offer three specially finished Freedom Series handguns that pay homage to Charlie Kirk and Turning Point USA.

Review: Taurus Model 58

Announced publicly in April 2025 at the NRA Annual Meetings and Events convention in Atlanta, Ga., Taurus USA has filled the traditional double-action void of full-size .380-ACP-chambered handguns within its American catalog by launching the Model 58.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.