The Armed Citizen® March 11, 2016

by
posted on March 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)

Early one morning at Café Azzurri, in Waterbury, Conn., while eight to 10 people were inside, a man armed with a handgun came inside and tried to rob everyone. One of the patrons, who had a legally registered handgun, fatally shot the robber in response. The armed citizen remained at the crime scene until the police arrived. Police said no charges have been brought against him. (NBC Connecticut, West Hartford, CT, 10/11/15)

The Armed Citizen® Extra
A Charleston, S.C., man was sitting in his vehicle outside a local Waffle House in the early morning hours when he saw a 19-year-old armed with a gun enter the establishment and attempt to rob it. When the robber tried to leave the restaurant with a register full of money, the armed citizen drew his own weapon and ordered the criminal to throw down his firearm. Rather than comply, the suspect instead fired his gun at the man, who returned fire. The thief was struck once in the abdomen. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died. No injuries to the victim (who is a licensed concealed carry permit holder) were reported, and no charges were filed against him for the defensive use of his firearm. (The Post and Courier, Charleston, SC, 10/13/15)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
January 1989

When the doorbell rang at Doug Ferdig’s Aurora, Colo., home he thought it was just a salesman. But when he looked out the window, he saw a man walking around the side of the house. Ferdig armed himself with a pistol and then dialed 911. As he talked to the dispatcher he heard noises coming from upstairs. The 41-year-old mail man rushed up and confronted the intruder as he came out of the master bedroom where his wife was sleeping. When the man did not stop, Ferdig fired, wounding the intruder—a man whose police record included several arrests for burglary and related charges. (The Denver Post, Denver, CO)

Latest

Stoeger STR-45 Combat pistol
Stoeger STR-45 Combat pistol

New for 2026: Stoeger STR-45 Combat Pistol

For 2026, Stoeger adds the .45 ACP chambering to its Combat line of STR handguns.

Battle Of The Kit Guns: .22 Long Rifle vs. .22 WMR

When it comes to the .22 Long Rifle or the .22 WMR, which of these two popular rimfire calibers is the better fit for a small-frame revolver? To find out, we put a Taurus 942 in both chamberings to the test.

Preview: American Hunting Rifles Ruger Reflex Sight

Designed and built by a custom riflemaker, and applicable across a broad range of Ruger platforms that feature that company’s distinctive integral scope mount dovetails, the American Hunting Rifles Ruger Reflex Sight Mount is available in either RMR or Shield red-dot footprints.

Barnes & Sierra Launch Free TrueData Ballistic Calculator

With Doppler-verified ballistics, precise environmental inputs and tools that match real-world performance, the TrueData Ballistic Calculator equips hunters and shooters with the ability to make accurate shots.

New for 2026: Benelli Ethos Cordoba Shotguns

Benelli expands its Cordoba line of shotguns with six new models.

New for 2026: New Products from Magpul

Magpul announces new metal-magazines, new stocks and pistol frames.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.