The Armed Citizen® December 2, 2016

by
posted on December 2, 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

Bank robbery doesn’t pay when an armed citizen steps up to stop the crime. In Homewood, Ala., a man walked into a local bank and held it up. The hooligan, with a piece of cloth wrapped around his hand as if to hide a gun, ordered the people inside to huddle into a corner and hand over their cell phones. As he got ready to leave the bank, the robber pointed the cloth-covered hand at the bank patrons. An armed citizen saw that as an opportunity, pulling out his concealed firearm and firing at the would-be robber. “I was thinking a lot of people’s lives were in danger and my life was in danger, too. He pointed whatever he had at us, so I fired a shot at him,” said the citizen. The shot missed, but the police arrived and arrested the bad guy as he was fleeing. (AL.com, Homewood, AL, 9/21/16)

The Armed Citizen® Extra
An elderly man was awakened early one Friday morning to find a man in a skull mask standing over him. A struggle ensued between the two, during which the resident fired a shot from his .22-cal. handgun, hitting the intruder. A police lieutenant said the older man was “remorseful, shook up,” but was protecting an elderly sister who also lives in the house. Furthermore, he said the case “looks like self-defense” and no charges are expected. (The Philadelphia Inquirer, Uniontown, PA, 11/6/16)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
December 1982
Alerted by the sounds of someone breaking into his Godfrey, Ill., home, Victor Calhoun took up his .44 cal. handgun and positioned himself behind a kitchen wall. He hollered a warning, whereupon the invader yelled back, “I’ll shoot.” Calhoun, 68, and his assailant then traded gunfire before the intruder fled from the house. (The Telegraph, Alton, IL)

Latest

Range Ready Plinkapalooza 1
Range Ready Plinkapalooza 1

Shooting Is Fun: How I Rediscovered the Benefits of Rimfire

A recent event at Range Ready in Robert, La., reminded us how much fun the simple rimfire firearm can be, whether in handgun, carbine or rifle form.

New for 2026: Daniel Defense MUTE30Ti & NULL9Ti Suppressors

Daniel Defense was one of the first manufacturers to employ additive manufacturing techniques in suppressor-making, and now, the company has expanded its line with the MUTE30Ti and NULL9Ti silencers.

The Fight for America’s Rifle

Despite the warning we’ll sue to protect commonly owned AR-type rifles, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed Senate Bill 749, which will make it illegal to sell, purchase, import, manufacture or transfer such firearms starting on July 1. 

Gun of the Week: Henry Repeating Arms SPD Predator

The new SPD Predator, an extension of Henry's magazine-fed Lever Action Supreme Rifle design, looks to extract the greatest possible degree of accuracy and precision from a modern lever gun.

The Armed Citizen® May 15, 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.

The Politically Incorrect Truth About the Armed Citizen

The Second Amendment doesn’t—and should not be treated as if—it ends at state lines. American citizens need the national reciprocity legislation that is now active in Congress.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.