The Armed Citizen® October 1, 2018

by
posted on October 1, 2018
** 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

A man who lives in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle was awakened at 4 a.m. one day in July (before Mayor Jenny Durkan signed a law ordering firearms to be locked up when not in use) when a burglar broke into the mudroom of his home. The resident grabbed his handgun before investigating the source of the noise. The intruder was trying to get into the main part of the house, so the homeowner fired, shooting him in the stomach. He was later caught when cohorts took him to a hospital for care. (patch.com, Seattle, WA, 7/16/18) 

The Armed Citizen® Extra
Shortly after midnight one night, two thugs tried to rob a person inside an apartment complex. Fortunately, the individual was able to grab a handgun and shoot both attackers, killing one and wounding the other. The wounded criminal was treated for his injuries and later booked on two counts of aggravated robbery. The resident was not charged. (dallasnews.com, Dallas, TX, 9/20/18)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives 
October 1962
The owner of a laundromat in Venice, Calif., Mrs. Mabel Sims, was awakened one morning by the clatter of change in the store. Through a window, she saw two men scooping change from a coin-changing machine. She called the police and then armed herself with a shotgun and a pistol. When the two thieves started to leave the scene, she stopped them and told them to wait for the police. One broke and ran away but the other remained. (The Roberts News, Venice, CA)

If you need another example of a mother’s love, look no further than Nashville, Tenn., where a woman shot her boyfriend after he assaulted her youngsters. The mom told police she fired because her children were in danger. The children corroborated the story and had injuries from the attack. The boyfriend fled but was caught after he showed up at a medical facility. (wsmv.com, Nashville, Tenn., 7/15/18

Latest

attack in a back alley
attack in a back alley

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.

Rifleman Q&A: Understanding a Firearm's Cycle of Operation

The cycle of operation is the mechanical sequence of events that it takes to fire one shot out of a firearm. If one of those steps fails to take place as designed, there is an interruption in the cycle of operation and the gun stops firing.

Review: Sightmark Pinnacle 1-6x24 mm Riflescope

Looking for a performance LPVO without the usual associated cost? The Sightmark Pinnacle 1-6x24 mm might be your answer.

Myths & Misunderstandings About the “Modern Fighting 1911”

The Colt Model 1911 pistol and its derivatives are among the most iconic military handguns ever made. But in 2026, does the M1911 still hold up as a quality defensive arm?

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.