The Armed Citizen® September 19, 2016

by
posted on September 19, 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)

A Detroit-area man used a gun to save himself and his wife from two armed intruders. The criminals accosted the couple outside of their home, then ordered them inside the house and into the basement. With a gun pointed at his head, all Daniel McNamara could think about was how to get to his firearm that he kept in the basement. After the intruders took the couple’s wedding rings, cell phones and wallets, one of the miscreants turned to head out of the basement. That’s when McNamara found his opportunity. He grabbed his gun and fired two shots, hitting one bad guy before both fled. “Of course I was scared. Who wouldn’t be?” McNamara told reporters. “Some goon has a gun to your head and tells you he’s going to shoot you because you’ve seen his face.” The injured suspect was arrested at the hospital. There was no report of his accomplice being caught. (WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI, 5/24/16) 

The Armed Citizen® Extra 
Two men were wounded, one fatally, when they tried to rob a house in Everett, Wash., only to find that they had brought pepper spray to a gun fight. The pair broke into the home brandishing and discharging pepper spray and demanding money from the residents. One of the roommates, hearing a commotion, armed himself and went to investigate. Believing his friends were being held at gunpoint, the armed citizen fired upon the two intruders, striking both of them. One robber died at the scene, the other fled and is still being sought by the authorities. (The Daily Herald, Everett, WA, 6/26/16)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
September 1982
A hold-up artist pointed a small semi-automatic pistol at Cindy Branford and demanded the contents of the till at her Anchorage, Alaska, gas station. But she pulled out a .357 Magnum-chambered revolver instead of the cash, and the criminal took to his heel in response. (The Daily News, Anchorage, AK)

Latest

Sight Alignment
Sight Alignment

Sighted Fire vs. Point-Shooting

A long-standing argument among handgunners revolves around the concept of sighted fire versus point-shooting. A more productive approach is to understand the problem each is trying to solve.

Derya Expands TM22 Family with Timekeeper & Pump Models

Derya continues the expansion of its rimfire line with two new models for 2026, an update of the original semi-auto TM22 and a new pump-action version.

Gun of the Week: Taurus RPC

The Taurus RPC is a welcome addition to the growing marketplace of PDWs, or personal defense weapons, a concept that pairs pistol-caliber cartridges with larger-format firearms.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 13, 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.

Review: Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp

Kimber expanded its 2K11 line with the Pro Comp in 2026, providing a Commander-length slide and barrel topped by an integrated compensator.

New for 2026: Bear Creek Arsenal Bear Bolt Pro

North Carolina-based Bear Creek Arsenal, a prolific maker of AR-10 and AR-15 pattern firearms, is combining the modularity of the MSR platform with a traditional turn-bolt action with its Bear Bolt Pro.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.