The Armed Citizen® July 26, 2016

by
posted on July 26, 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 (7)

Two armed citizens who witnessed a drug deal gone bad in New Mexico used their guns to hold the shooter captive until the police arrived to take the suspect into custody. Officers were called to respond to a 7-Eleven after dispatchers received reports of a ruckus. Two men had apparently been fighting over drugs near the parking lot of the convenience store. One of the bad guys pulled a gun and fired several rounds, hitting the other man involved in the drug deal in the leg and nearly shooting some bystanders. Two armed citizens, seeing passersby endangered, tackled the shooter. After they took him down, each pulled a handgun and made sure neither bad guy could flee the area. The shooter faces charges of aggravated assault and other local charges, and the Albuquerque, N.M., police said federal charges are possible because he was a convicted felon who was illegally in possession of a firearm. (Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque, NM, 5/19/16) 

The Armed Citizen® Extra
An armed 70-year-old man caught a burglar in the act of ransacking his residence and held the thief at gunpoint until the authorities could arrive to take him off the jail. The incident took place in Sanger, Calif. According to the local sheriff’s department, when they arrived at the scene, the suspect was sitting down on the resident’s front yard with his hands behind his back. The homeowner has held a permit to carry a concealed handgun for 50 years, but this marks the first time he’s ever had to draw it on another person. (The Fresno Bee, Fresno, CA, 1/29/16) 

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
January 1980
Two men burst into a Wichita, Kan., jewelry store, tied owner Jerry Burnell to a chair and proceeded to clean out the showcases. Burnell was able to free himself, grab a pistol and fire, mortally wounding one robber. The accomplice escaped unharmed. (The Beacon, Wichita, KS)

Latest

Winchester Model 54
Winchester Model 54

Favorite Firearms: A Winchester Model 54 Turns 100

Serving during World War I in 1918, my father completed two years in the Engineer Corps. In addition to his engineering duties, he and all the other soldiers had to carry and qualify with the Model 1903 Springfield rifle, since they were often on the front lines.

Winchester Ammunition Opens New Office In Missouri

Winchester Ammunition opened a new office in Clayton, Mo., which will accommodate much of the company's full-time administrative staff and is located several hours away from the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant.

Searching For The Perfect Single-Action Revolver

Bitten by the cowboy handgun bug early on—and influenced by no less an innovator than Elmer Keith—the author finds that, in the search for the ultimate single-action revolver, perfection is an elusive target.

The Armed Citizen® Dec. 15, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Auto-Ordnance Remembers Iwo Jima Fallen With Special M1 Carbine

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, Auto-Ordnance teamed up with Altered Arsenal to create a specially crafted version of the M1 carbine.

Preview: The Ruger 10/22 Complete Owner’s And Assembly Guide

Scott Duff Publications is renowned for its authoritative titles containing detailed information on iconic military and commercial firearms.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.