The Armed Citizen® January 29, 2020

by
posted on January 29, 2021
** 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. **
The Armed Citizen
Armed Citizen® Today

A man in Des Moines, Wash., defended himself from an armed robber while he was trying to recover his stolen vehicle on the afternoon of Jan. 20, 2021.

The man, from Renton, Wash., reported his car was stolen to police on Monday, Jan. 18. Two days later on Wednesday, his car was found abandoned in Des Moines. The man requested that police not impound his car, and he went to its location that afternoon on his motorcycle to have his car towed.

Around 4 p.m., while the man was waiting on his motorcycle for the tow truck to arrive, a SUV with two men inside pulled up and the passenger got out. The passenger walked up to the man and starting taking with him about his motorcycle. The passenger then drew a handgun on the man and demanded to hand over his backpack. As the man handed over his backpack to the armed thief, the robber pocketed his handgun.

The man then drew his own licensed concealed-carry handgun, and the robber quickly redrew his. The man struck the armed robber several times. Police were called to the scene shortly thereafter, where the wounded robber was treated before being taken to a local hospital where he died.

The man was not arrested or booked by police, having acted in self-defense. The driver of the SUV was interviewed by police. It was determined that the two attackers in the SUV were not connected to the theft of the man's car. The attempted robbery of the man retrieving his stolen car was simply a coincidence, and the two in the SUV saw him as a target of opportunity. (seattletimes.com
, Seattle, Wash., 01/26/2021)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives June 1976

When a late night caller rang the doorbell of his East Liverpool, Ohio, home and asked to use the phone, John Eiferd became suspicious and warned his wife not to open the door until he got his revolver. When the door was opened, a masked youth entered carrying a rifle.

Seeing Eiferd’s revolver, however, the youth turned and crashed through the door, taking the screen and wooden frame with him in haste. (The Evening Review, East Liverpool, Ohio)

Latest

Match Ready M1 Garand 1
Match Ready M1 Garand 1

Making a Match-Ready M1 Garand

For decades, fans of the M1 Garand have gone to Camp Perry to shoot the John C. Garand match, a test of their shooting skills and rifles. Here, one M1 Garand enthusiast prepares his rifle and ammo for the shoot.

Will the USPS Allow Handguns to Be Mailed?

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) on April 2, 2026, published a proposed rule that would permit the mailing of lawful handguns through the U.S. mail for the first time in nearly a century.

The Trijicon AccuPoint 1-8x24 mm: A Flexible Optic for Dangerous Game Hunting

Trijicon is probably best known for its military and law-enforcement optics, but the company is also serious about its commercial line of riflescopes designed for hunting.

U.S. Army Bases Will No Longer Be Gun-Free Zones

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced this week that U.S. Army bases will no longer be gun-free zones.

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.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.