The Armed Citizen® February 27, 2015

by
posted on February 27, 2015
** 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 (5)

Homeowner Thomas Patterson, 71, woke to noises coming from inside his home around 6 a.m. He quickly retrieved his firearm and opened the bedroom door. Patterson recalled, “The man, I could see him trying to duck into the closet in the next room, and I just told him, ‘Come out of there, bud.’” Patterson then held the 22-year-old intruder at gunpoint while he called 9-1-1 and waited for police to arrive. No injuries were reported and no shots were fired during the break-in. (WTHR, Indianapolis, IN, 8/4/14) 

The Armed Citizen® Extra
A 21-year-old man was shot and killed while allegedly breaking into a Lower Township, N.J., house early Sunday morning. Just after 3 a.m., the married residents of the home were awakened by the sound of someone attempting to force their way into the building. This prompted the woman to call the police while the man armed himself with a handgun and investigated the noise. The intruder broke a glass door in an attempt to enter the dwelling, after which the male resident encountered him and warned the trespasser that he was armed. When the burglar ignored the warning and continued to enter the home, the armed resident shot him once in the head. He was transferred to a local hospital where he died. The male resident was also taken to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for an undisclosed injury and released. (The Wildwood Leader, Marmora, NJ, 1/22/15)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
October 1958
A 57-year-old Stickney Township, Ill., grandmother, Mrs. Vanda Jensen, always carries her .38 cal. handgun when she takes the day’s receipts from her store to her car. On a recent evening as she walked toward her car a masked man rushed her, threw a blanket over her head, struck her several times and knocked her to the ground. Mrs. Jensen fired her gun once, and the bandit fled. A short time later at a nearby hospital where she was being treated, Mrs. Jensen saw a young man seeking treatment for a bullet wound and recognized him. The police were notified, and the man later admitted to the attack. (Chicago American, Chicago, IL)

 

Latest

9X18 Makarov
9X18 Makarov

Shooting Surplus: Finding Affordable Mil-Surp Ammo in 2026

Today, the market for mil-surp ammo is vastly different than it was even just a few years ago. If you're a military-surplus collector and shooter, what should you look for in 2026? Here's our guide.

Colt Electro-Optics Introduces New Red Dots & Magnifier

No stranger to rebirth, Colt has recently spun off an optics division to make sure that, in a world where optics are considered to be standard equipment, a fully kitted-out gun can be all-pony.

What This Huge NFA Ruling Means for Gun Owners

The recent ruling in Jensen v. ATF and the subsequent lack of an appeal by the U.S. Department of Justice has left many gun owners with questions about purchasing NFA items. Here is some guidance.

Gun of the Week: Smith & Wesson Model 386 Night Guard

In partnership with Lipsey's, Smith & Wesson recently re-introduced two of its classic Night Guard revolvers, the Models 386 and 396, which are chambered for the .357 Magnum and .44 Special, respectively.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 14, 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.

A (Slightly Confusing) History of Colt's Police Positive Revolver

For one of the most popular law-enforcement revolvers ever made, the history of the Colt Police Positive isn't nearly as linear as one would think it'd be.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.