The Armed Citizen® April 11, 2016

by
posted on April 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 (3)

Pennsylvania authorities have ruled that a Reading man was justified in the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old who was assaulting him. The man had no choice, Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams said in reports. “He was literally laying [sic] on the ground being beaten up when he fired his gun.” Adams said that the robbery/assault victim was jumped by three teens, who knocked him to the ground and started kicking and punching him. While one assailant held the victim down, the other two rummaged through the man’s pockets. The Reading man reached his own gun and fired one shot into the air. That scared two of the teens away, but the armed one who held him down stayed there. The armed citizen then fired multiple times at that teen, killing him. (Reading Eagle, Reading, PA, 12/8/15) 

The Armed Citizen® Extra 4/11/16
An Albuquerque, N.M., couple caught a burglar in the act of stealing from them and was able to hold him at gunpoint until the authorities could arrive to arrest the man. The 70-year-old male resident noticed the suspect loading his generator, power tools and other belongings into an SUV. The homeowner confronted the thief but was ignored. Grabbing a shotgun, and his 66-year-old wife arming herself with a handgun, the two then confronted the criminal again—this time he was more receptive. Police eventually arrived and placed the burglar under arrest; he had been released from jail just earlier that day. (Las Cruces Sun-News, Las Cruces, NM, 11/22/15)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
January 1977
Alvin Thompson of Wilshire, Calif., was in the back room of his house when he heard someone breaking down the front door. He reached his .38 Spl.-chambered revolver just in time for the intruder to crash into his living room. When the invader reached for his belt, Thompson fired, fatally wounding him. (The Herald Examiner, Los Angeles, CA)

Latest

Smith Wesson Model 29 10 Facts 1
Smith Wesson Model 29 10 Facts 1

10 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About The Smith & Wesson Model 29

Without a doubt, the Smith & Wesson Model 29 is one of the 20th century’s most shootable, collectible "superstar" revolvers. Here are a few little-known facts about the gun.

Packable Punch: Discreet Ways to Carry More Firepower

While folding and takedown firearms chambered for full-power rifle cartridges may be niche defensive tools, the dark situations in which they shine brightest aren’t going away anytime soon.

Southpaw Solution: Ruger Introduces Left-Handed American Gen II Ranch Rifles

Traditionally, Ruger has offered a range of left-handed rifle models for the southpaws among us, and now, the company's Gen II American rifles are available in a left-handed variant, starting with the Ranch models.

Gun of the Week: Kimber 1911 DS Warrior LW

In 2026, Kimber developed its 1911 DS Warrior, an American-made, double-stack design that is intended to be an affordable entry point into Kimber's double-stack handgun line.

The Armed Citizen® April 24, 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.

Spin Difference: The Impact of Barrel Twist Rates on Terminal Performance

When most shooters think of rifling-twist rates, they mostly think of rifles with their high BC projectiles, but the rpm of a bullet also plays a part in terminal performance.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.