Summertime Ruses

posted on July 16, 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. **
gsagi2015_fs-1.jpg (1)
On June 30, a man and a woman with a long criminal history staged a home invasion in Las Vegas, Nev., attacking two brothers, their mother and a friend. Fortunately, it ended when the older son, 23, drew his handgun.  

Many of these stories start with what looks like an innocent-looking person at the door. This one came in the morning daylight hours in what I hope isn’t a school-vacation trend.

A female knocked, asking if she could make a call because her car had broken down. Before the youngest son could close the door, she forced her way in, and put him and his friend in a headlock, clearing entry for her .22 LR pistol-toting male accomplice.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal has full details here, and it’s a scary reminder that the night no longer has an exclusive on criminal activity. The newspaper’s initial report has more detail about the method of entry and the crime-stopping shots delivered by the eldest son from his .40 S&W handgun.

Staging a ruse to gain easy entry in a home—in a manner that doesn’t raise a neighbor’s eyebrows—is nothing new. The daring daylight approach isn’t, either, but with youngsters off for the summer and often the first to answer a knock at the door, now’s the time remind them to never open or unlock it for strangers. Retrieve an adult to handle the situation, and if they’re home alone and someone is asking for help, they should call 9-1-1. If it’s a real emergency, or even just a broken-down car, let the professionals handle it.

As for the victims, no charges are expected to be filed, and the same newspaper has already run an editorial about the Second Amendment and self-defense.

Latest

Galco Revenger Sb7 Belt Review 1
Galco Revenger Sb7 Belt Review 1

Review: Galco Revenger Holster & SB7 Gun Belt

For those who choose to carry a finely finished, K-frame revolver, Galco offers one of its finest concealed-carry setups in the form of its Revenger holster and SB7 gun belt.

Rimfire Power: The Primary Arms CLx 1-6x24 mm Riflescope with ACSS 22LR G2 Reticle

Low-power variable optics have become popular options for today's AR-15s and other modern sporting rifles, and Primary Arms now offers an option tailored for rimfire versions of those same guns.

Gun of the Week: Walther Arms PDP F-Series Pro-X PMM

One of Walther Arms' recent introductions combines the features of several other PDP handguns, meaning the Walther PDP F-Series Pro-X PMM is packed with a number of different design elements.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 30, 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.

President's Column | Your Input is Valued

I wish to thank all our members who have sent me e-mails these last 12 months. I’m doing my best to keep up with all your e-mails, but please be aware it seems I’m always 300 to 400 e-mails behind. I want to reiterate that I am reading them all as fast as I have time for.

Building an X-Card Gun for Turkey Shoots

Unofficially known as a “turkey shoot,” X-Card competition challenges shotgunners to place shot pellets as closely as possible to the center of a target. And some makers have perfected a way to fine-tune shotguns for this purpose.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.