The Armed Citizen® April 26, 2011

by
posted on April 26, 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 (2)

It was less than a year ago that Chicago's government was forced to repeal many of its rights-infringing laws, and a southside resident recently joined the growing list of armed citizens owing their lives to the Supreme Court's ruling. Hearing glass breaking in her basement, a 45-year-old got her handgun and confronted two intruders already inside the home. "I was scared for my life," she explained, "I've never been so scared before in my entire life." One of the men wielded a tire iron, and the woman opened fire on him. He fell and died. His accomplice fled. "I thank God that I'm still here," the woman said. (The Chicago Tribune, Chicago, IL, 02/21/11)

Armed Citizen Extra

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

Around 9 p.m. in the evening, a homeowner heard a noise at his back door and went to investigate. He discovered that someone had put a hand through an exterior door and was attempting to rip the door down. The homeowner returned to the door with a shotgun and warned the suspect to leave, but the person continued to try and break the door latch. The homeowner then fired one round from the shotgun, causing the suspect to flee. (Lewistown Sun Journal, Lewiston, ME, 02/23/11)

From The Armed Citizen Archive

May 1980: John F. Tress recently put 3 would-be bandits to flight by yanking out a pistol when they announced a stickup of his Baltimore liquor store. When another gunman tried the same thing in recent weeks, Tress again grabbed his cal .32 and shot him in the stomach. The wounded bandit gasped, "I was only fooling," and staggered out the door. Hospital officials later reported his admittance for treatment, and responding police placed him under guard. (Baltimore Evening Sun, Baltimore, MD)

Latest

Robinson Armament Xcrl Gotw 1
Robinson Armament Xcrl Gotw 1

Gun of the Week: Robinson Armament XCR-L

One man, Alex Robinson, took it upon himself to address what he saw as several shortcomings in the AR-15 design. He consulted with special forces operators and asked what they wanted in a rifle platform. The result was the Robinson Armament XCR.

Maryland Bans Glocks and the NRA Responds

Legislation recently signed into law by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore essentially bans nearly every Glock and Glock-style pistol on the market from being sold within the state.

The Armed Citizen® May 29, 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.

Federal Signs Agreement With U.S. Army to Improve Ammo Performance

Federal Ammunition announced this week that it has entered into an agreement that allows the U.S. Army to utilize its patented Peak Alloy ammunition case technology for use in multiple cartridges and weapon systems.

Four Armed Citizen Stories That Tell us a Lot

Each self-defense case is different. As we read them, we find ourselves wondering what we would have done, and then asking if the citizen made the best decisions possible in the worst-case scenario.

The Three Rs of Performance Shooting: Rise, Return & Realignment

Way back in the day, the three Rs of learning were colloquially known as "Readin’, Rightin’ and Rithmatic." In today's modern performance shooting, the three Rs become Rise, Return and Realignment, the core mechanics of recoil control.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.