The Armed Citizen® April 2, 2013

by
posted on April 2, 2013
** 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

When two men walked into Rafael Lantigua's store after dark with their hoods pulled tight exposing only their eyes, he grew suspicious. Understandably so, as one of the men produced a gun and pointed it at him. Lantigua quickly reached for his own firearm from his waist band and pointed it in their direction. Both men jumped back in surprise before fleeing the premises. It was last reported that both men were still at large. According to police, Lantigua was unharmed and nothing was stolen from his store. (The Eagle-Tribune, Lawrence, MA, 1/14/13)

The Armed Citizen Extra

A homeowner shot and injured an intruder who broke into his home and refused to leave early Sunday, then held the man at gunpoint until sheriff's deputies could arrive at the scene. Police later determined the intruder was high on methamphetamine. At 4:45 a.m. Sunday the homeowner heard someone talking outside his home. He called 911 then armed himself with a pistol while waiting for the police to respond. The intruder burst into the home and approached the homeowner who was standing in front of his bedroom door to protect his wife. The homeowner warned him to stop, but was charged at instead. The homeowner fired one shot, hitting the intruder who kept coming at him and tackled the homeowner. The two fought until the homeowner could break free, and hold the intruder at gunpoint until police arrived 20 minutes after receiving the call. (Komo News, Chehalis, WA, 3/1/13)

From The Armed Citizen Archives

February 1963: While walking her dog, Mrs. Victoria Roginski, an apartment house manager in Cleveland, Ohio, noticed three men working on a car in the darkness behind the house. She got her .32 pistol and returned to find the trio removing the tires and battery from a station wagon. One of the car strippers ran when Mrs. Roginski appeared, but the other two remained stationary while a neighbor called the police. (Cleveland Press)

Latest

Hk G36 22Lr 1
Hk G36 22Lr 1

Gun of the Week: Heckler & Koch G36 .22 LR

Due to Germany's strict firearm-export laws, along with U.S. firearm import laws, the closest any HK fan could get to owning a real G36 was in the form of the HK SL8. Now, though, Heckler & Koch has introduced its G36 .22 LR, which, profile-wise, is a G36 in all but chambering.

The Armed Citizen® July 17, 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.

Standing Strong for Colorado’s Law-Abiding Gun Owners Ahead of Critical Midterms

NRA EVP Doug Hamlin and NRA-ILA Executive Director John Commerford traveled to Denver this week to discuss gun rights.

A Visit to the New Smith & Wesson Academy

Let the training (re)commence at Smith & Wesson's new Academy in Tennessee.

New for 2026: Leupold LCO Pro F2 Red-Dot Sight

The optic giant has updated its flagship red-dot sight with a host of upgraded features.

Rifleman Review: Heckler & Koch CC9

When Heckler & Koch USA launched its micro-compact CC9, it proved to be one of the most robustly built micro-compact handguns yet made.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.