The Armed Citizen® June 13, 2014

by
posted on June 13, 2014
** 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 (3)

When Alan Abele, 68, crept outside to investigate the thumping sounds at his back door around 4 a.m., he found an unexpected trespasser. After quickly grabbing a flashlight and his .357 magnum pistol, Abele opened the door to his back porch and was met with an angry 200-lb., 6-ft. alligator. The animal sprang toward Abele. He said, "I was crouched down and looking around when he hit me hard enough to knock me into a planter. The next thing I knew he's coming at me with his jaws open. ..." Abele pulled the trigger just in time as the alligator was just inches away. Abele said he regrets having to kill the alligator, but was glad he had his gun with him. Abele suffered only a minor bruise during the attack. (Tampa Bay Times, Dunnellon, Fla., 10/24/13)

A homeowner was quick to act when his back door was kicked in around 11:41 a.m. He saw two people he did not know, and fired his gun. The perpetrators-two teen boys-fled the scene to a waiting SUV. The boys sustained gunshot wounds during the break-in and were later taken to a local hospital for treatment. The teens involved were taken into custody and later charged with criminal attempt to commit burglary. The homeowner was not injured during the incident. (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta, Ga., 6/2/14)

From From The Armed Citizen® Archives Archives

April 1962: Two masked men, one armed, pushed their way through the customers to pursue Jack Kapell to a storeroom in his Detroit, Mich., bar. Kapell took a gun he kept in the storeroom and wounded the two would-be thieves with one shot each. (The Detroit News)

 

Latest

Smith Wesson Model 29 10 Facts 1
Smith Wesson Model 29 10 Facts 1

10 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About The Smith & Wesson Model 29

Without a doubt, the Smith & Wesson Model 29 is one of the 20th century’s most shootable, collectible "superstar" revolvers. Here are a few little-known facts about the gun.

Packable Punch: Discreet Ways to Carry More Firepower

While folding and takedown firearms chambered for full-power rifle cartridges may be niche defensive tools, the dark situations in which they shine brightest aren’t going away anytime soon.

Southpaw Solution: Ruger Introduces Left-Handed American Gen II Ranch Rifles

Traditionally, Ruger has offered a range of left-handed rifle models for the southpaws among us, and now, the company's Gen II American rifles are available in a left-handed variant, starting with the Ranch models.

Gun of the Week: Kimber 1911 DS Warrior LW

In 2026, Kimber developed its 1911 DS Warrior, an American-made, double-stack design that is intended to be an affordable entry point into Kimber's double-stack handgun line.

The Armed Citizen® April 24, 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.

Spin Difference: The Impact of Barrel Twist Rates on Terminal Performance

When most shooters think of rifling-twist rates, they mostly think of rifles with their high BC projectiles, but the rpm of a bullet also plays a part in terminal performance.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.