The Armed Citizen® April 4, 2025

by
posted on April 4, 2025
** 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. **
The Armed Citizen

Armed Citizen® Today

An active shooter outside of a nightclub in Omaha, Neb., was stopped by an armed citizen who intervened as the gunman opened fire, drawing his own concealed firearm and shooting the assailant, who died at the scene.

Police say the 37-year-old suspect was asked to leave the club at about 3 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 12. According to witnesses, the man became angry, left the club, then returned with a gun and began firing it while making threats. His gunfire struck several individuals in the vicinity.

An armed citizen outside of the club drew his firearm and returned fire, killing the suspect and ending the threat. Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said that the unnamed man was acting in self-defense and ultimately saved the lives of others inside and outside the nightclub. Video surveillance provided evidence that the man was justified in drawing and firing his handgun. "He was actually protecting everybody that was at that location," Kleine told the Omaha World-Herald.

The deceased assailant had a prior criminal record and was prohibited from owning a firearm. (Omaha World-Herald; Omaha, Neb.; 1/15/25)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives – December 1973

In 1971, three robbers threw ammonia in jeweler Phil West's face and pistol-whipped him. Having been bound and gagged in his Cincinnati, Ohio, shop during another recent robbery, this time, West broke loose and struck back.

While two gunmen looted the store, West emerged from the back room with his gun and began firing. One assailant fell, mortally wounded. The other robber was also shot but escaped. West suffered only cuts and bruises. (The Cincinnati Enquirer)

Latest

Ruger Updated 10 22 05
Ruger Updated 10 22 05

Updating A Legend: Ruger Makes 10/22 Upgrades Standard

Over the decades, aspects of the Ruger 10/22, from its magazine to its barrel design, have been adopted by other manufacturers. In response, Ruger has announced updates to keep its factory 10/22 on the top of the pile.

NRA Foundation Celebrates $500 Million In Grants Given

Donor support has enabled The NRA Foundation to award more than $500 million in grants nationwide, strengthening community safety, growing youth marksmanship programs, expanding training opportunities and preserving America’s shooting and hunting heritage.

NRA Announces 2026 Golden Bullseye Award Winners

For the 24th year, NRA Media is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 NRA Golden Bullseye Awards, highlighting new, innovative products offered by the firearm, ammunition, and optics industries.

The Armed Citizen® Dec. 29, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

I Have This Old Gun: Ruger Mini-14 GB

When initially released in 1973, the Ruger Mini-14 quickly made a name for itself on the recreational-shooting market. Designed by L. James Sullivan and Bill Ruger, it combined the best attributes of the M1 Garand and the M1 carbine with a “rock-’n’-lock” detachable box magazine inspired by the M14.

Preview: Mec-Gar Glock Magazines

Mec-Gar took its expertise in metal-formed magazines and applied the technology to one of the most ubiquitous designs on the market: Glock. Now you can have incredibly durable metal magazines for your 9 mm Luger-chambered Glock handgun, as all of Mec-Gar’s offerings are made using heat-treated carbon steel.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.