The Armed Citizen® August 17, 2018

by
posted on August 17, 2018
** 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 (4)

On Father’s Day, a day when men spend quality time with their families, a pastor was required to defend his loved ones—and others—with a gun. The father acted after a man was wreaking havoc in the area. The armed citizen was in line at a Wal-Mart near Olympia, Wash., when he heard gunshots coming from outside. He said he recognized the sound as gunshots because he had gone through active-shooter training and carries concealed. The troublemaker was attempting to carjack a vehicle and had shot the driver twice. That was when the pastor started to close in on the suspect. Once he was within range, he fired. After the gunman fell out of the car, the pastor made sure he was no longer a threat and started administering first aid. “I carry a firearm for the same reason that I carry a first aid bag, hoping never to have to use them, but always being prepared, nonetheless,” the armed citizen said. That Sunday, he used both. (nwnewsnetwork.org, Olympia, WA, 6/20/18)

The Armed Citizen® Extra
One afternoon, a man was outside his motel room when another man approached him and started up a conversation. Eventually, the second man pushed the motel guest into his room, grabbed him by the neck and began striking the back of his head. The intruder attempted to grab the man’s luggage but was stopped when the victim retrieved his handgun and pointed it at his attacker, holding him until police arrived. Police arrested the assailant on multiple charges including aggravated burglary. (The Daily Times, Farmington, NM, 7/10/18) 

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
August 1960
After burglars looted his Ford, Wash., store the ninth time, 83-year-old A.L. Davis slept in the place armed with a cal. 38 revolver. Recently, when Davis heard sounds of a break in, he hurried to the front and critically wounded a youthful burglar with one shot. Inside the walk-in beer cooler, Davis caught two others, one of whom had just been released after serving a sentence for burglarizing the same store. (Spokane Daily Chronicle, Ford, WA)

Latest

Pete Hegseth
Pete Hegseth

U.S. Army Bases Will No Longer Be Gun-Free Zones

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced this week that U.S. Army bases will no longer be gun-free zones.

Gun of the Week: CZ Shadow 2 Carry

One of the latest concealed-carry handguns to hit the consumer market is the CZ's Shadow 2 Carry. Watch our "Gun of the Week" episode to see the details of this carry-oriented design.

The Armed Citizen® April 3, 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.

In Memoriam: Lt. Gen. William Morgan Keys (1937-2026)

Lt. Gen. William M. Keys, a decorated war veteran and former President and CEO of Colt Defense and Colt’s Manufacturing Company, passed away on Jan. 24.

2026 NRA Board Election Results (Updated)

The National Rifle Association is pleased to announce the results of the 2026 elections for the NRA Board of Directors.

A Celebration of American Freedom: The 155th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits

With acres of exhibition space, addresses from NRA’s leadership, an epic country concert and literally tens of thousands of guns on display, the 155th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston­—and our nation’s 250th celebration—are not to be missed.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.