The Armed Citizen® August 30, 2019

by
posted on August 30, 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 (7)

A man with a handgun attempted to break into four vehicles in a shopping center at around 9 a.m., but found all the vehicles locked. Then he tried to break into businesses around the center. A nearby business manager noticed this suspicious behavior and left the store through the backdoor to check his vehicle. As the manager appeared outside, he was confronted by the gunman. The manager pulled out his legally owned handgun and fired in self-defense, striking the suspect. The gunman was taken to a local hospital where he later died from the gunshot wound. Although the incident was under investigation, the manager was determined to be the victim by police. (bradenton.com, Bradenton, Fla., 6/4/19)

Armed Citizen Extra
An armed pastor helped apprehend a burglar early one Thursday morning. After the burglar alarm went off around 1 a.m., the pastor rose to investigate. Upon arrival, he discovered a window had been broken by a brick, and a man inside holding a church-owned laptop. The pastor held him at gunpoint until police arrived and, in a statement to the media, encouraged anyone desperate enough to consider stealing from a church to seek his assistance instead. (Miami Herald, Miami, Fla., 7/12/19)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
August 1962
Arriving at his home in West Brighton, N.Y., butcher Josheph Mauro was accosted by thugs who demanded his money. Mauro drew a gun, sending the bandits fleeing (Staten Island Advance)

Latest

Smith & Wesson Night Guard revolvers
Smith & Wesson Night Guard revolvers

New for 2026: Smith & Wesson Night Guard Revolvers

Smith & Wesson brings back the Night Guard series of revolvers in .44 Special and .357 Magnum.

Battle On The Border: Pancho Villa’s Raid On America

In March 1916, Americans living in the quiet town of Columbus, N.M., suddenly found themselves attacked by Mexican bandits, and many citizens sought to arm themselves and fight back, both during the raid and afterward.

The Armed Citizen® Feb. 9, 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.

Swiss Armed Forces Select SIG Sauer P320s

Swiss Armed Forces select a domestically sourced SIG Sauer P320 as standard issue.

Preview: Reptilia RECC-E Carbine Stock

Versatile and exceptionally lightweight, the polymer RECC-E SR-15/M4/AR-15 Carbine Stock from Reptilia provides a constant, uniform cheek weld across a generous range of settings for length-of-pull...

The MAT-49: France's Mid-20th Century SMG

After World War II, the French military was left with a hodgepodge of leftover submachine guns. After several years, the army consolidated on a standard service rifle, the MAS-49, and a standard submachine gun: the MAT-49.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.