The Armed Citizen® August 4, 2017

by
posted on August 4, 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

During a road trip, a Texas man and his wife received an unpleasant late-night visit to their hotel room in the town of Hot Springs, Ark. The couple heard someone banging on their door in the overnight hours. Not knowing who it could be, the man armed himself with his firearm before he answered the door. One assailant struck the man in the face as soon as he opened the door, causing the Texan to fall backward into the room. Three men and a woman then forced their way into the room. The armed citizen responded by firing at the man who hit him and at a second assailant, hitting each and scaring off the others. The four were later apprehended. The suspects told the police that they were retaliating against the couple for a suspected burglary of their rooms a few days prior. (Arkansas Democrat, Hot Springs, AK, 5/11/17) 

The Armed Citizen® Extra
Late one night, two would-be burglars were staking out neighborhood homes before choosing to enter one of the homes through a garage. Luckily, the act was caught on film from a neighbor’s surveillance camera. The footage showed the two intruders, one of whom was wearing a mask, entering the garage where the homeowner often watched television with the door open. The intruders ordered the homeowner to open a safe that was in his garage. Police said, “After being confronted by the armed suspects, the resident/victim retrieved a firearm and fired at the victims in his own defense,” killing the two intruders. The homeowner was not charged as the police lieutenant stated, “You have a right to defend yourself in your home.” (Ventura County Star, San Francisco, CA, 6/23/17)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
July 1983
Carolyn Bennett had her reading interrupted by noises late at night in her Tice, Fla., home. She picked up a gun before investigating, then discovered a masked man in the hallway. Bearing a knife, he threatened to kill her. Instead, when he advanced, she shot him dead. Police said the man recently had been paroled from a Florida prison. (The News-Press, Ft. Myers, FL)

Latest

9X18 Makarov
9X18 Makarov

Shooting Surplus: Finding Affordable Mil-Surp Ammo in 2026

Today, the market for mil-surp ammo is vastly different than it was even just a few years ago. If you're a military-surplus collector and shooter, what should you look for in 2026? Here's our guide.

Colt Electro-Optics Introduces New Red Dots & Magnifier

No stranger to rebirth, Colt has recently spun off an optics division to make sure that, in a world where optics are considered to be standard equipment, a fully kitted-out gun can be all-pony.

What This Huge NFA Ruling Means for Gun Owners

The recent ruling in Jensen v. ATF and the subsequent lack of an appeal by the U.S. Department of Justice has left many gun owners with questions about purchasing NFA items. Here is some guidance.

Gun of the Week: Smith & Wesson Model 386 Night Guard

In partnership with Lipsey's, Smith & Wesson recently re-introduced two of its classic Night Guard revolvers, the Models 386 and 396, which are chambered for the .357 Magnum and .44 Special, respectively.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 14, 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.

A (Slightly Confusing) History of Colt's Police Positive Revolver

For one of the most popular law-enforcement revolvers ever made, the history of the Colt Police Positive isn't nearly as linear as one would think it'd be.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.