The Armed Citizen® April 10, 2017

by
posted on April 10, 2017
** 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)

Attackers come in all forms, both human and animal. A 17-year-old boy in Lignum, Va., was at home looking after his nieces and nephews when he heard noises outside that alarmed him. Concerned for the safety of the children in his care, the boy grabbed his rifle and went to investigate. He saw what turned out to be a 545-pound feral boar tearing up the front yard. The boar saw the boy and charged at him. The boy fired in response. “When he came up to me the way he did, I had no choice but to shoot him,” the teen told local media. (Richmond.com, Richmond, VA, 1/27/17) 

The Armed Citizen® Extra
Two criminals chose the wrong victim when they pulled up to a car of a Vietnam veteran, who dropping off a friend. The delinquents feigned being lost and asked for directions. After they had the attention of their intended victims, they displayed a firearm in an attempt to rob them. Fearing for his life and the life of his friend, the veteran responded by opening fire with his own concealed firearm, killing one of the criminals and injuring the other. Both felons were wanted for other violent crimes. The injured criminal will be charged for the death of his accomplice and the veteran will not face charges. (KSDK.com, St. Louis, MO, 2/4/17)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
April 1959
A burglar entering a Martins Ferry, Ohio, drive-in found George Connors, the night watchman, asleep on a cot and began beating him on the head with a tire iron. Though severely slashed, Connors grappled with his assailant and managed to draw his cal. .38 revolver. He fired two shots, killing the burglar instantly. (Signal, Zanesville, OH)

Latest

target with holes
target with holes

Resisting the Temptation of "Good Enough" for Firearm Performance

No matter what firearm you're using for whatever purpose, even if it's simply a trip to the range, always resist the temptation to accept “good enough” if there is the possibility of better performance.

Armed Citizens Stop a Lot More Criminals Than Most in the Media Will Admit

Since January 2025, the Crime Prevention Research Center has documented 16 defensive gun uses in which police say armed citizens stopped mass public killings.

Federal & Mossberg Collaborate on Autonomous Airborne Drone Defense

Federal and Mossberg are working with Palladyne AI in the creation of SwarmShot, a kinetic defense system that employs swarms of armed drones to shield troops from unmanned aircraft system threats.

Cold Performance: How to Prepare for the Uncertainty of Self-Defense

Defensive gun use is defined by uncertainty. You don’t know when it will happen, how far away the threat will be, how many threats you will face or what position you will be in when it begins.

Derya Goes Silent: The OBone Suppressor

In 2025, Turkish manufacturer Derya Arms opened a new facility in Florida, enabling the company to produce a number of new products domestically, such as its new OBone suppressor.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 26, 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.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.