The Armed Citizen® April 15, 2015

by
posted on April 15, 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. **
ac2009_fs.jpg (3)

Kenneth Byrd, 67, traded gunfire with masked intruders after they entered his home and tried to rape his 19-year-old granddaughter. The incident began when Byrd opened the door for a man who had knocked and asked for water for his vehicle, and two other men then forced their way into the home. All three men were armed. Byrd was instructed to open a safe, but instead grabbed a gun and shot two of the suspects. The men fled in Byrd’s car. Two assailants were apprehended at a nearby hospital after seeking treatment for gunshot wounds. The third suspect sustained fatal injuries. Byrd also sustained multiple gunshot wounds, and was taken to the hospital. He was listed in critical condition. The suspects will reportedly be charged upon their release from the hospital. (The Fayetteville Observer, Lumberton, NC, 10/22/14)

The Armed Citizen® Extra
An unidentified man with a black hood pulled tightly around his face entered a Cleveland convenience store Tuesday evening, demanded money, drew a .22-cal. handgun and almost immediately opened fire on the business’s owner. After finding himself under attack, the store owner retrieved his own firearm and returned fire. Following a brief firefight, the criminal fled the scene on foot. The proprietor was not injured in the exchange, but the authorities believe the gunman may have been struck in the left arm or ribcage before he was able to escape. Local police are still investigating the incident in the hopes of identifying and arresting the robber. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cleveland, OH, 1/10/15)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
March 1961

After beating and kicking 61-year-old Benjamin Bailer in his Philadelphia tavern, three bandits cleaned out the register and sauntered to the door. Bailer crawled to a shelf where he kept his .38 revolver, fired at his tormentors, then got to his feet and began a pursuit. He found one of the men dead in the street a short distance away and abandoned the chase to have his own wounds dressed. (Philadelphia Bulletin, Philadelphia, PA)

Latest

Ithaca Model 87 Ultra Special 1
Ithaca Model 87 Ultra Special 1

The Model 87 Ultra Special: A Rare Survivor of Ithaca's Final Gamble

In the spring of 1990, an 18-year-old received a shotgun he didn't order. The Ithaca Model 87 Ultra Special he got instead was the last gasp of one of America's most iconic shotgun makers.

As Gun Sales Stay High, Violent Crime Hits a Historic Low

According to a recent report from the FBI on national crime statistics, violent crime has decreased 9.3 percent from 2024, marking the largest year-to-year drop since the 1930s.

Five Million Friends

From one room of friends in Missouri to a nationwide movement, Friends of NRA celebrates more than five million lives touched through community, volunteerism, and a shared commitment to the future of the shooting sports.

Federal to Provide Rifle Ammunition to Top Nordic Police Agencies

The Nordic Police, comprised of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland, recently selected two Federal Ammunition rifle loads for duty and training use.

New For 2026: Beretta APX A1 Ported

Beretta first entered the polymer-frame, striker-fired pistol market in 2017 with its APX, and nearly 10 years later, the company has added the APX A1 Ported to the lineup.

CDC Restores Basic Armed Citizen Data

As of Aug. 24, 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s webpage is again providing defensive-gun-use data.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.