Summertime Ruses

posted on July 16, 2015
** 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. **
gsagi2015_fs-1.jpg (1)
On June 30, a man and a woman with a long criminal history staged a home invasion in Las Vegas, Nev., attacking two brothers, their mother and a friend. Fortunately, it ended when the older son, 23, drew his handgun.  

Many of these stories start with what looks like an innocent-looking person at the door. This one came in the morning daylight hours in what I hope isn’t a school-vacation trend.

A female knocked, asking if she could make a call because her car had broken down. Before the youngest son could close the door, she forced her way in, and put him and his friend in a headlock, clearing entry for her .22 LR pistol-toting male accomplice.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal has full details here, and it’s a scary reminder that the night no longer has an exclusive on criminal activity. The newspaper’s initial report has more detail about the method of entry and the crime-stopping shots delivered by the eldest son from his .40 S&W handgun.

Staging a ruse to gain easy entry in a home—in a manner that doesn’t raise a neighbor’s eyebrows—is nothing new. The daring daylight approach isn’t, either, but with youngsters off for the summer and often the first to answer a knock at the door, now’s the time remind them to never open or unlock it for strangers. Retrieve an adult to handle the situation, and if they’re home alone and someone is asking for help, they should call 9-1-1. If it’s a real emergency, or even just a broken-down car, let the professionals handle it.

As for the victims, no charges are expected to be filed, and the same newspaper has already run an editorial about the Second Amendment and self-defense.

Latest

Chiappa Rhino Large Frame 01
Chiappa Rhino Large Frame 01

A Bigger Rhino: The Chiappa 60DS L-Frame In .44 Mag.

The Chiappa Rhino revolver design is "anything but ordinary," and for 2026, the company is upscaling the concept to handle the .44 Magnum cartridge.

Preview: Magpul MOE QD Bipod For M-Lok

Simple, inexpensive and supremely easy to use, the new MOE QD Bipod For M-Lok is Magpul’s fastest-mounting bipod model by far, as it takes only about five seconds for the practiced hand to securely affix it to an M-Lok-clad fore-end.

Gun Of The Week: Henry SPD HUSH

For its first design, Henry Repeating Arms' Special Products Division developed the HUSH, or the Henry Ultimate Suppressor Host. 

The Armed Citizen® Dec. 19, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

TriStar Arms Protégé X: A Pocket-Size Punch

Inspired by successful designs of the past, the TriStar Arms Protégé X is a pocket-size, M1911-style handgun chambered for the popular 9 mm cartridge.

Hornady Family Honored with Legacy Award

In October, the Hornady family was recognized by the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation for its contribution to the city that Hornady calls home.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.