The Armed Citizen® August 20, 2018

by
posted on August 20, 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 (5)

In the sleepy town of Bywy, Miss., a teen was faced with a life-or-death situation. The boy was home alone when an uncle, armed with a hatchet, threatened the teen’s life. The 16-year-old used a hunting rifle to protect himself, shooting his uncle in the chest and killing the man. “My son defended himself,” the teen’s mother said. “It could have been the other way around. It could have been my son [that] … I’m picking up and having to bury, but it wasn’t.” The youth is not being charged as the investigation revealed he fired in self-defense. The boy’s mother said this was not the first time the uncle had acted in a menacing manner toward her family—but it was the last. (wcbi.com, Jackson, MS, 5/30/18)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
August 1970
Hearing sounds at his door, Gennie Conner of Avondale, Tenn., picked up his gun and went to investigate. When he returned to his bedroom, he found a burglar rummaging through a jewelry box. He captured the burglar, who was later accused by police of three other break-ins. (Chattanooga Times, Chattanooga, TN)

Latest

Gotw Cz Shadow 2 Carry 1
Gotw Cz Shadow 2 Carry 1

Gun of the Week: CZ Shadow 2 Carry

One of the latest concealed-carry handguns to hit the consumer market is the CZ's Shadow 2 Carry. Watch our "Gun of the Week" episode to see the details of this carry-oriented design.

The Armed Citizen® April 3, 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.

In Memoriam: Lt. Gen. William Morgan Keys (1937-2026)

Lt. Gen. William M. Keys, a decorated war veteran and former President and CEO of Colt Defense and Colt’s Manufacturing Company, passed away on Jan. 24.

2026 NRA Board Election Results

The National Rifle Association is pleased to announce the results of the 2026 elections for the NRA Board of Directors.

A Celebration of American Freedom: The 155th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits

With acres of exhibition space, addresses from NRA’s leadership, an epic country concert and literally tens of thousands of guns on display, the 155th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston­—and our nation’s 250th celebration—are not to be missed.

The "Dreaded Dry-Fire" Training Talk

Talk to the best shooters in the world, and you will hear the same story: the majority of their skill development did not happen on the range with ammunition. It happened with dry-fire practice.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.