The Armed Citizen® Jan. 11, 2016

by
posted on January 11, 2016
** 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 (2)

Florida’s “stand your ground” law likely protected a Palm Beach resident who shot two intruders who had broken into his home. The homeowner returned home one night and found the criminals inside his residence. In an exchange of gunfire, the resident killed one intruder and injured the second. The homeowner was not hurt. In 2005, Florida became the first state to pass “stand your ground” law, which allows a person to defend and protect his own life against a threat or a perceived threat. No charges have been brought against the resident. (Palm Beach Post, Palm Beach, FL, 8/14/15)

The Armed Citizen® Extra
A Phoenix, Ariz., man was forced to use a handgun for defense against a burglar when his initial verbal warnings did not have the required effect. The homeowner, who is in his 60s, was home alone when he was alerted to the sound of a window breaking. Spotting the intruder as he attempted to enter the residence through the broken window, the homeowner retrieved his gun and warned the intruder that he was armed. When the suspect continued attempting to enter the building, the resident fired at the interloper, striking him at least once. The burglar fled down an alley but collapsed a short distance later. (azfamily.com, Phoenix, AZ, 9/23/15) 

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
June 1982
A criminal who had just broken into his Cincinnati, Ohio, home had a rifle pointed at 79-year-old W. P. Henry. But when Henry’s 18-year-old granddaughter momentarily distracted the assailant, Henry had time to draw his .38 Spl.-chambered revolver from under his pillow and open fire, hitting the intruder three times and putting him to flight. Asked whether he’d continue to sleep with the gun under his pillow, Henry said, “I tell you, it’s dangerous to sleep without it.” (The Enquirer, Cincinnati, OH)

Latest

target with holes
target with holes

Resisting the Temptation of "Good Enough" for Firearm Performance

No matter what firearm you're using for whatever purpose, even if it's simply a trip to the range, always resist the temptation to accept “good enough” if there is the possibility of better performance.

Armed Citizens Stop a Lot More Criminals Than Most in the Media Will Admit

Since January 2025, the Crime Prevention Research Center has documented 16 defensive gun uses in which police say armed citizens stopped mass public killings.

Federal & Mossberg Collaborate on Autonomous Airborne Drone Defense

Federal and Mossberg are working with Palladyne AI in the creation of SwarmShot, a kinetic defense system that employs swarms of armed drones to shield troops from unmanned aircraft system threats.

Cold Performance: How to Prepare for the Uncertainty of Self-Defense

Defensive gun use is defined by uncertainty. You don’t know when it will happen, how far away the threat will be, how many threats you will face or what position you will be in when it begins.

Derya Goes Silent: The OBone Suppressor

In 2025, Turkish manufacturer Derya Arms opened a new facility in Florida, enabling the company to produce a number of new products domestically, such as its new OBone suppressor.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 26, 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.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.