The Armed Citizen® March 14, 2016

by
posted on March 14, 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 (3)

What goes through the mind of an armed citizen when he or his family is threatened? A North Carolina businessman who lived through that type of situation said he hated to have to kill a man, but said he couldn’t take a chance because his wife was being chased by a gunman. The businessman, who describes himself as a gun collector and an experienced target shooter, has long kept a shotgun at his jewelry store. When three armed men came in one day in November and started smashing display cases and stealing merchandise, the store owner’s wife ran to the back, yelling, “Gun! Gun!” Her husband grabbed his shotgun and had a fraction of a second to make a decision because one gunman was only three or four feet away. “I’m glad he didn’t (fire) before I did. I was afraid he might,” the store owner said. The thief he shot was killed, but his two accomplices fled. (Winston-Salem Journal, Winston-Salem, NC, 11/10/15)

The Armed Citizen® Extra
After an argument between two Macomb County, Mich., neighbors led to one of the participants physically attacking the other, a woman with a .38 Spl. revolver was able to end the assault—potentially saving the life of the victim. When the woman saw that her boyfriend was on the ground being pummeled in the head by their intoxicated neighbor, she ran to his side with her gun in hand and forced the assailant to retreat. After a tense standoff, the attacker returned to his home, where he was later arrested and charged with felony assault. The 52-year-old victim suffered serious damage to his head, and the armed citizen also had to be hospitalized following the event due to the stress of the altercation. (Detroit Free Press, Detroit, MI, 11/10/15) 

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
July 1971

LaVerne K. Berry of Battle Ground, Wash., saw two youths loosening the lug nuts on the wheels of his car. Grabbing a gun, he went out, confronted the youths, apprehended them and held the two until police could arrive. (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA)

Latest

Kimber 1911 Ds Warrior F
Kimber 1911 Ds Warrior F

The 1911 DS Warrior: Kimber's Budget-Priced Double-Stack

With its new 1911 DS Warrior, Kimber is offering a more affordably priced option to handgun enthusiasts looking for a do-it-all double-stack that still retains key 1911 features.

Staccato Expands HD Lineup With C4X Carry Models

Staccato announced a new flagship model in its HD line of guns at SHOT Show 2026: the HD C4X.

Deciphering (Mostly Nonsensical) Cartridge Nomenclature

If you’re perplexed by the naming practices used by our wildcatting forefathers and cartridge makers but are still curious about what they mean, read on.

The Armed Citizen® Jan. 19, 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.

"9 mm Optimized, But 10 mm Capable:" Dead Air's New RXD910Ti Suppressor

The new Dead Air RXD910Ti harnesses the technology of the patented Triskelion baffle system to make for a 9 mm-optimized silencer that is also capable for use with 10 mm pistol cartridges and more.

Revisiting A World War II Marine’s Story

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, in his speech to 800 assembled generals, admirals and senior enlisted at Quantico, Va., on Sept. 30, 2025, quoted Eugene Sledge from his timeless classic With The Old Breed published in 1981.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.