The Armed Citizen® October 15, 2018

by
posted on October 15, 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. **
1armed-citizen-main-image.jpg

Dark clouds rolled in and blocked out a Saturday afternoon’s rays of sunshine during a back-to-school picnic in Florida when a gunman sprayed multiple shots near the 150 people—many of whom were children—attending the “Peace in the City” event. Fortunately, an attendee with a carry permit was on hand to put a quick end to the disturbance. Titusville, Fla., police said the suspect had gotten into a fistfight with another person at the park. After those fisticuffs, one of the participants retreated, only to return a few minutes later with a gun. He squeezed off several rounds before the armed bystander shot him, sending him to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The shooting was live-streamed on Facebook by a disc jockey who was spinning the hits at the gathering. Police called the armed citizen a hero. “This park was filled with families and children, and, at that time, it was an active shooter situation for him, and he was trained enough to deal with it, and he did,” Titusville Police Sgt. Bill Amos said. (Florida Today, Brevard County, Fla., 8/5/18)

The Armed Citizen Extra
A teenage good Samaritan, who took it upon herself to check on a neighbor after a domestic violence incident, inadvertently found herself in the middle of the ugly situation when she discovered her neighbor’s ex-boyfriend in her own home. Realizing that her power had been cut, the teenage girl armed herself with a .22-cal. pistol, before stumbling upon the intruder. The man, armed with a knife, told her "she was going to die" before stabbing at her multiple times and slicing her arm. The teen fought back, kicking the man and firing at him, which ran him off. The alleged perpetrator was later booked into jail for assault, burglary, domestic violence assault and other charges.  (The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA, 9/7/18)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
October 1973
Three men arrived for an appointment at the Winchester, Ind., coin shop of Leon Hendrickson carrying pistols in an apparent robbery attempt. But in the scuffle which followed, Hendrickson’s wife shot one of the intruders fatally with a pistol and her husband held another suspect at bay with a shotgun. The third would-be bandit escaped by car and eluded police. (The Muncie Star, Muncie, Ind.)

Latest

Balikli BLK bolt-action rifle
Balikli BLK bolt-action rifle

Review: EAA Balikli BLK

EAA’s new Balikli BLK bolt-action rifle is a Model 700-inspired rifle that’s feature-laden and affordable.

Big Iron: The Smith & Wesson Model 1917 Classic & Model 22 Classic

Smith & Wesson is resurrecting and updating two of its classic .45 caliber revolvers, with the Model 1917 Classic and Model 22 Classic.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 2, 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.

2nd Amendment Freedom is on the Ballot

This midterm election on November 3 will soon be behind us. We could see, come January 2027, a Congress that respects our Second Amendment freedom, or the American electorate could vote in the opposite.

Suppressor Demand Outpaces Production

The demand for suppressors is setting new records. National Firearm Act (NFA) item purchases in September—primarily suppressors—more than doubled compared to the same month in 2025.

Book Review | Five Decades of a Fabulous Firearm: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Beretta 92 Pistol Series

In this wide-ranging book, you’ll find a history of Beretta, discussion of developments leading to the Model 1951/951 Brigadier, its evolution into the Model 92 and the U.S. military’s adoption of the platform (as the M9) in 1985.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.