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

Springfield Armory Hellcat 380 Gun of the Week
Springfield Armory Hellcat 380 Gun of the Week

Gun of the Week: Springfield Armory Hellcat in .380 ACP

Springfield's latest Hellcat chambering makes the small pistol easier to shoot.

New for 2026: Stoeger M3000 Sporting Shotgun

Stoeger adds a new sporting model to its M3000 semi-automatic shotgun line.

New for 2026: Shadow Systems Axio Pistol Platform

A duty-size handgun platform joins the Shadow Systems family of 9 mm pistols.

The Armed Citizen® Jan. 30, 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: Hi-Point HP-15 Carbine

In 2025, Hi-Point Firearms surprised the firearm community with the news that it would offer a complete line of HP-15 carbines and pistols. Since then, the company has expanded their offerings.

New for 2026: Springfield Armory Saint Victor .300 BLK 9.5” Pistol

Springfield Armory’s Saint Victor family now has a pistol in .300 BLK.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.