The Armed Citizen® August 7, 2020

by
posted on August 7, 2020
** 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 (1)
Armed Citizen® Today

A resident of Eureka, Calif. was forced to defend himself with a handgun after several individuals tried to swarm him on his property in the early morning hours of May 22.

The incident started not long beforehand when multiple individuals got into an altercation just outside the property, catching the attention of the resident. The resident walked out onto his porch and vocally confronted the individuals, telling them to leave the area. This backfired as the individuals turned their attention and hostility towards the resident instead.

The individuals trespassed onto the resident's property to confront him on the porch and were not deterred despite the resident's use of pepper spray, so the resident retreated back into his home. As the resident went back into his home, the trespassers pursued with at least one of the individuals making it into the home and attacking the resident. An altercation broke out inside the home and the resident retrieved his handgun, firing multiple rounds.

The individual who was assaulting the resident was hit by several of the shots and later pronounced dead at the scene. Another trespasser, who was on the porch, was hit in the leg sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. Law enforcement were able to track down everyone involved, and detectives determined that the resident acted in self-defense. (LOSTCOASTOUTPOST.COM, Eureka, Calif., 05/22/2020)
    
From the Armed Citizen® Archives October 1973

Bartender Billie Snyder was alone in a St. Louis, Mo., tavern when three men came in. After one of them pulled out  a pistol and announced a holdup, Snyder Quickly reached for his handgun and fired four shots, wounding the armed man in the arm. The Assailants were held at gunpoint until Police arrived. (The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, Mo.)

Latest

Springfield Armory Hellcat 380 Gun of the Week
Springfield Armory Hellcat 380 Gun of the Week

Gun of the Week: Springfield Armory Hellcat in .380 ACP

Springfield's latest Hellcat chambering makes the small pistol easier to shoot.

New for 2026: Stoeger M3000 Sporting Shotgun

Stoeger adds a new sporting model to its M3000 semi-automatic shotgun line.

New for 2026: Shadow Systems Axio Pistol Platform

A duty-size handgun platform joins the Shadow Systems family of 9 mm pistols.

The Armed Citizen® Jan. 30, 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.

Review: Hi-Point HP-15 Carbine

In 2025, Hi-Point Firearms surprised the firearm community with the news that it would offer a complete line of HP-15 carbines and pistols. Since then, the company has expanded their offerings.

New for 2026: Springfield Armory Saint Victor .300 BLK 9.5” Pistol

Springfield Armory’s Saint Victor family now has a pistol in .300 BLK.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.