The Armed Citizen® March 11, 2019

by
posted on March 11, 2019
** 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. **
armed-citizen-main-image.jpg (3)

In Columbia, S.C., a pair of escaped convicts looking for an easy target picked the wrong home. After managing to escape from the county jail, one convict kicked in the back door, then armed himself with a knife sharpener before advancing to an upstairs bedroom. Roused by the 3 a.m. disturbance, the homeowner grabbed her firearm and shot the intruder as he came into her bedroom. “This was a big guy. If she hadn’t had a weapon there’s no telling what would have happened,” said County Sheriff Rick Clark. “This is the shining example of why owning and knowing how to use a gun is important. She came out on the good on this end and the other guy, the bad guy, didn’t.” (The Times and Democrat, Columbia, S.C., 12/5/18)

The Armed Citizen Extra
A Florida home invasion was thwarted by the quick reactions of an armed citizen. When two masked intruders entered a Brevard County house, one occupant grabbed a gun and shot both men. Of the two invaders, one was pronounced dead on the scene, while the other ran down the street, collapsed and later died at a hospital. No certain motive for the break in is yet known. (Spectrum News 13, Titusville, Fla., 02/08/19)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
March 1962
Tampa, Fla., night service station operator Alfonso Pierce was approached by a man with a gun and told to 'reach'. Pierce took a cal. .38 revolver from his pocket and fired 3 shots as the bandit ran. An anonymous tip led police to the man, dead in a trailer. (AP)

Latest

firing a musket rifle
firing a musket rifle

Today’s Makers of Yesterday’s Firearms

Original firearms from the American Revolution era are valuable and best preserved for posterity. For those who want to shoot them, several modern makers offer quality reproductions.

Left Turn (Bolt): Tikka's New Left-Handed T3x Ace Rifles

Lefties of the world unite and rejoice, as Tikka has announced left-hand versions of its award-winning T3x Ace chassis rifles.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 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.

Skills Check: Rifle Standard Delta 2

Carbine performance is all about maintaining control. The Rifle Standard Delta 2 is a drill that pressures recoil control, visual discipline and cadence as distance decreases and time compresses.

Gun Sales Up for the 7th Month in a Row in 2026

The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s (NSSF) estimate of last month’s gun sales was up 2.2 percent compared to August 2025.

Caring For & Feeding Your Cap-and-Ball Revolvers

Compared to pistoleros of the 19th century, today’s handgunners have it easy. It's not enough just to get an old-school, cap-and-ball revolver. You also need to acquire everything to shoot and clean it.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.