The Armed Citizen® April 21, 2017

by
posted on April 21, 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 (5)

Early one morning in March, a family in Fresno, Calif., noticed a man carrying a soda bottle and pouring liquid outside the perimeter of their home. The homeowner grabbed his firearm and went outside to investigate. When he confronted the intruder, the stranger attempted to set the homeowner on fire by tossing what turned out to be gasoline from the bottle onto the armed citizen and flicking a lighter at him. The resident fired a shot at the assailant, who grabbed a board as a weapon. The homeowner fired a second shot, after which the troublemaker dropped the board and acquiesced to the resident, who held the man at gunpoint until police arrived. The suspect was arrested and charged with attempted arson, assault with a deadly weapon and trespassing. Apparently, this was not the first time that the mischief-maker had allegedly damaged the home; two previous incidents in February were what prompted the citizen to buy a gun for protection. (Fresnobee.com, Fresno, CA, 3/1/17)

The Armed Citizen® Extra
Late one evening, an armed man entered a Dairy Queen and began pointing a gun at employees. Before the would-be robber had a chance to do real harm, one of the employees, who had a concealed-carry permit, shot the intruder. The intruder then fled on foot and was located several hours later by police and taken to a hospital. (WKYC.com, Mayfield Heights, OH, 2/20/17)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
April 1980
Timothy Lamprey, a police officer, was awakened by the doorbell at his Fairview Township, Pa., home. As he reached for a bathrobe, Lamprey heard someone break a window and come inside. When the intruder, a 17-year-old boy, eased into the bedroom, Lamprey grabbed his service revolver and apprehended him. (The Evening News, Harrisburg, PA)

Latest

Daniel Defense H9
Daniel Defense H9

Review: Daniel Defense H9

Is the third time the charm? Daniel Defense has introduced a third version of the Hudson H9 pistol. Smaller, lighter and less radical, it could be “the one.”

Supreme Plus: Ranger Point Precision & Line49 Rifle Henry LASR Conversions

A new collaboration between modern lever-action specialists Ranger Point Precision and Line49 Rifle transforms Henry’s groundbreaking Lever Action Supreme Rifle.

The Armed Citizen® June 15, 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.

NRA Launches "ARC Across America" National Challenge

The National Rifle Association is inviting Americans, coast-to-coast, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States—and the freedom for which it stands—by exercising their rights by participating in the "ARC Across America" National Challenge.

New for 2026: Sightmark Strikon Prism Optics

Sightmark now offers two different prismatic optics for carbines and shotguns.

Q&A: Getting the Lead Out of Revolver Cylinders & Barrels

One American Rifleman reader wrote in, asking how to clean lead build-up out of his Colt revolver and also prevent lead from building up with his cast bullets.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.