The Armed Citizen® April 7, 2025

by
posted on April 7, 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

A store employee in Kansas City, Mo., defended himself and several customers from a knife-wielding attacker inside of a corner store on the evening of January 26, according to local police.

According to the report, multiple customers were inside the store when, at about 5:45 p.m., the 24-year-old suspect jumped over the counter and attempted to stab the store manager. The employee drew his firearm and shot at the assailant, who was hit twice in the encounter. Customers barricaded themselves into a back room where another witness, also armed with a gun, stood guard. One of the witnesses, the father of an 8-year-old child who was also in the store, credited the store manager with saving all of their lives.

The suspect was transported to a local hospital, where he is currently recovering. He faces charges of assault in the first degree and armed criminal action and faces up to 30 years in prison. (KCTV 5 News; Kansas City, Mo.; 1/29/25)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives – January 1968

Mrs. Frances Albrecht was grinding meat in her Pittsburgh, Pa., grocery store when two young bandits marched in and demanded money from her son, who was minding the cash register. When one drew a gun, Mrs. Albrecht pulled a pistol from a cigar box and warned, "You'd better get out or I'll shoot!"

The bandit fired once. Mrs. Albrecht fired back, killing him with a single shot. The second bandit fled, empty-handed. It was later discovered that the dead bandit's gun was a starter pistol, which fired only blanks. No charges were filed. (Danville, Pa. Bee)
 

Latest

target with holes
target with holes

Resisting the Temptation of "Good Enough" for Firearm Performance

No matter what firearm you're using for whatever purpose, even if it's simply a trip to the range, always resist the temptation to accept “good enough” if there is the possibility of better performance.

Armed Citizens Stop a Lot More Criminals Than Most in the Media Will Admit

Since January 2025, the Crime Prevention Research Center has documented 16 defensive gun uses in which police say armed citizens stopped mass public killings.

Federal & Mossberg Collaborate on Autonomous Airborne Drone Defense

Federal and Mossberg are working with Palladyne AI in the creation of SwarmShot, a kinetic defense system that employs swarms of armed drones to shield troops from unmanned aircraft system threats.

Cold Performance: How to Prepare for the Uncertainty of Self-Defense

Defensive gun use is defined by uncertainty. You don’t know when it will happen, how far away the threat will be, how many threats you will face or what position you will be in when it begins.

Derya Goes Silent: The OBone Suppressor

In 2025, Turkish manufacturer Derya Arms opened a new facility in Florida, enabling the company to produce a number of new products domestically, such as its new OBone suppressor.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 26, 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.