The Armed Citizen® April 11, 2016

by
posted on April 11, 2016
** 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. **
ac2009_fs.jpg (3)

Pennsylvania authorities have ruled that a Reading man was justified in the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old who was assaulting him. The man had no choice, Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams said in reports. “He was literally laying [sic] on the ground being beaten up when he fired his gun.” Adams said that the robbery/assault victim was jumped by three teens, who knocked him to the ground and started kicking and punching him. While one assailant held the victim down, the other two rummaged through the man’s pockets. The Reading man reached his own gun and fired one shot into the air. That scared two of the teens away, but the armed one who held him down stayed there. The armed citizen then fired multiple times at that teen, killing him. (Reading Eagle, Reading, PA, 12/8/15) 

The Armed Citizen® Extra 4/11/16
An Albuquerque, N.M., couple caught a burglar in the act of stealing from them and was able to hold him at gunpoint until the authorities could arrive to arrest the man. The 70-year-old male resident noticed the suspect loading his generator, power tools and other belongings into an SUV. The homeowner confronted the thief but was ignored. Grabbing a shotgun, and his 66-year-old wife arming herself with a handgun, the two then confronted the criminal again—this time he was more receptive. Police eventually arrived and placed the burglar under arrest; he had been released from jail just earlier that day. (Las Cruces Sun-News, Las Cruces, NM, 11/22/15)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
January 1977
Alvin Thompson of Wilshire, Calif., was in the back room of his house when he heard someone breaking down the front door. He reached his .38 Spl.-chambered revolver just in time for the intruder to crash into his living room. When the invader reached for his belt, Thompson fired, fatally wounding him. (The Herald Examiner, Los Angeles, CA)

Latest

Hand Cannon Ihtog 1
Hand Cannon Ihtog 1

I Have This Old Gun: Medieval Hand Cannon

It all had to start somewhere, and for handheld firearms in Europe, Genesis is what we call the "handgonne" or hand cannon, a simple metal tube lashed to a wooden tiller.

New for 2026: Heckler & Koch VPA1 X and VP9A1 Tactical Pistols

Heckler & Koch release two new versions of its popular VP9 striker-fired 9 mm handgun.

New for 2026: Blaser R8 Professional Rifle

Blaser released a modern take on the iconic straight-pull bolt-action rifle.

Weatherby Revs Up With Its 25 WBY RPM

The 25 Weatherby RPM might just be the best quarter-bore rifle cartridge yet.

Beretta Releases 500th Anniversary Medal

In honor of its quincentennial, Beretta is offering a keepsake medal with the purchase of certain firearms in 2026.

New for 2026: Mission First Tactical Ultra Low Ride Holster

Mission First Tactical now offers a deep-concealment version of its Boltaron staple.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.