The Armed Citizen® April 20, 2011

by
posted on April 20, 2011
** 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 (1)

When 70-year-old Watson Green discovered a man attempting to break into his home late one evening, he immediately called 9-1-1 and got his handgun. Green advised the 9-1-1 operator that he was armed. The operator told him to put the gun away and wait for the police but Green chose to do otherwise. In fear of his life, Green fired a single shot, killing the suspect. Two weeks prior to his death, the suspect was arrested for burglary in a separate incident. "We've had a lot of break-ins in Hobbs lately," said Hobbs, N.M., Police Officer Mike Stone. "The residents of the home were probably scared." (KRQE-TV, Albuquerque, NM, 02/23/11)

Armed Citizen Extra

(The following account did not appear in the printed version of American Rifleman.)

During his shift at a small coffee shop, a male barista was approached by a man weilding a gun and demanding money. After allowing the robber to take cash from the register, the barista was asked to turn around and face the wall. Thinking he was about to be shot, the barista took one last look behind him and saw that the thief had looked away for a moment. The barista quickly drew his handgun and fired several shots at the suspect, killing him. After the suspect was down, his accomplice appeared with a gun, and the barista fired twice toward him, causing the man to flee. (Statesman Journal, Salem, OR, 01/21/11)

From The Armed Citizen Archive

May 1980: A roof-top burglar eased himself through a bathroom window in Willie Dry's apartment in Palmetto, Fla., entered the bedroom, struck a match, and was killed when Dry fired his 12-ga. shotgun at him. (St. Petersburg Times)

Latest

firearm maintenance tools
firearm maintenance tools

Thinking Of Tinkering? Be Honest About Your Reasons.

There are often benefits to resurrecting an old gun, but cost savings isn’t usually one of them.

New For 2026: Woox High Grade Stocks and Fore-ends

Dress up your lever-action, shotgun or bolt-action rifle while adding functionality.

NRA Partners with ‘We the Free’ Streaming Network

The NRA partners with online streaming service We the Free to bring 2A content.

Review: Henry SPD Hush Rifle

The SPD Hush, Henry’s new take on the lever-action rifle, is fit for a wide array of tasks and is an ideal host for a suppressor.

New for 2026: Bergara Platinum Stalker and Cima Pro Rifles

Bergara has two new lightweight rifles to lighten the load in the field.

The Armed Citizen® Feb. 2, 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.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.