The Armed Citizen® July 27, 2018

by
posted on July 27, 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 (7)

Calling 9-1-1 when someone breaks into your home is the right thing to do, but sometimes help doesn’t arrive soon enough. That’s when a gun for personal defense can help, as a case involving a home invasion near Decatur, Ala., shows. An intruder forced his way into a home and grabbed a knife that he found there. He later fought with two people inside the home. He injured both, but one of them grabbed a gun and shot him. Police dispatchers had received a call about the burglary, but the residents had to defend themselves before the officers arrived. The suspect was found dead at the scene. (The Gadsden Times, Gadsden, AL, 5/14/18) 

The Armed Citizen® Extra
Thanks to an armed citizen, a robbery spree was abruptly interrupted. An armed robber, who had previously hit a local market, moved on to a convenience store, displaying a handgun as he entered the store. A legally armed patron inside the store saw what was about to go down and confronted the robber, who immediately fled the scene. (The Patriot-News, Hummelstown, PA, 6/23/18) 

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
July 1974
As Memphis, Tenn., shoemaker E.L. King put new heels on a man’s shoes, the stocking-footed patron drew a gun and demanded money. King promptly pulled a pistol and ordered the gunman to leave. Two accomplices vanished, but the “customer” lingered briefly to ask for the return of his shoes. King opened fire and the man raced away barefoot. (The Memphis Press-Scrimitar, Memphis, TN)

Latest

Ruger Updated 10 22 05
Ruger Updated 10 22 05

Updating A Legend: Ruger Makes 10/22 Upgrades Standard

Over the decades, aspects of the Ruger 10/22, from its magazine to its barrel design, have been adopted by other manufacturers. In response, Ruger has announced updates to keep its factory 10/22 on the top of the pile.

NRA Foundation Celebrates $500 Million In Grants Given

Donor support has enabled The NRA Foundation to award more than $500 million in grants nationwide, strengthening community safety, growing youth marksmanship programs, expanding training opportunities and preserving America’s shooting and hunting heritage.

NRA Announces 2026 Golden Bullseye Award Winners

For the 24th year, NRA Media is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 NRA Golden Bullseye Awards, highlighting new, innovative products offered by the firearm, ammunition, and optics industries.

The Armed Citizen® Dec. 29, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

I Have This Old Gun: Ruger Mini-14 GB

When initially released in 1973, the Ruger Mini-14 quickly made a name for itself on the recreational-shooting market. Designed by L. James Sullivan and Bill Ruger, it combined the best attributes of the M1 Garand and the M1 carbine with a “rock-’n’-lock” detachable box magazine inspired by the M14.

Preview: Mec-Gar Glock Magazines

Mec-Gar took its expertise in metal-formed magazines and applied the technology to one of the most ubiquitous designs on the market: Glock. Now you can have incredibly durable metal magazines for your 9 mm Luger-chambered Glock handgun, as all of Mec-Gar’s offerings are made using heat-treated carbon steel.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.