The Armed Citizen® February 12, 2021

by
posted on February 12, 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 homeowner in Polk County, Fla., defended his home and family from an erratic intruder on the morning of Feb. 7, 2021.

The incident began that Sunday morning when the homeowner's wife heard banging at the front door of the home and woke her husband. Their three children were also asleep inside the house. The homeowner went to the front door to check on the noise when he discovered it had been forced open. In response, he armed himself with a handgun.

The homeowner then looked out the door, where he saw the intruder acting erratically while swearing at him. The intruder then ran straight at the homeowner, who fired a single round at the would-be attacker. The round struck the intruder, who then turned around and then began to walk away. That wasn't the end of it, though, as the intruder turned back around and once again charged the homeowner.

The homeowner fired another shot that struck the intruder, incapacitating him. The intruder was taken to a local hospital by first responders, where he died shortly thereafter. As it turned out, the intruder was a man who lived in the neighborhood and had a criminal history that included nine past felonies. (wfla.com, Tampa, Fla., 02/08/2021)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives February 1975

Hearing screams coming from a store near his office, real estate broker Charles W. Parker, an NRA member of Jackson Heights, N.Y., grabbed his .38-cal. snub-nosed revolver, dashed next door and captured a would-be robber. The local police department awarded him a Legion of Honor plaque for "exceptional bravery."

An NRA certified pistol, rifle and shotgun instructor, Parker has won over 40 trophies for marksmanship. The Greater New York Pistol League recognized his action with an "outstanding citizen award" inscribed "Someone Who Cared to Get Involved." (The Sunday News, New York, N.Y.)

Latest

Stoeger STR-45 Combat pistol
Stoeger STR-45 Combat pistol

New for 2026: Stoeger STR-45 Combat Pistol

For 2026, Stoeger adds the .45 ACP chambering to its Combat line of STR handguns.

Battle Of The Kit Guns: .22 Long Rifle vs. .22 WMR

When it comes to the .22 Long Rifle or the .22 WMR, which of these two popular rimfire calibers is the better fit for a small-frame revolver? To find out, we put a Taurus 942 in both chamberings to the test.

Preview: American Hunting Rifles Ruger Reflex Sight

Designed and built by a custom riflemaker, and applicable across a broad range of Ruger platforms that feature that company’s distinctive integral scope mount dovetails, the American Hunting Rifles Ruger Reflex Sight Mount is available in either RMR or Shield red-dot footprints.

Barnes & Sierra Launch Free TrueData Ballistic Calculator

With Doppler-verified ballistics, precise environmental inputs and tools that match real-world performance, the TrueData Ballistic Calculator equips hunters and shooters with the ability to make accurate shots.

New for 2026: Benelli Ethos Cordoba Shotguns

Benelli expands its Cordoba line of shotguns with six new models.

New for 2026: New Products from Magpul

Magpul announces new metal-magazines, new stocks and pistol frames.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.