The Armed Citizen® August 31, 2020

by
posted on August 31, 2020
** 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. **
armed-citizen-main-image.jpg (4)
Armed Citizen® Today

A homeowner defended himself and his family in Lakeland, Fla., when a 6-ft. 250-lb. man forced his way into the home on the morning of Aug. 28, 2020. 

The home invasion occurred after a spree of incidents where the intruder had acted violently toward others in the area. The series of incidents began earlier that Friday morning around 6:10 a.m. when the man and a woman with him were driving a pickup on Old Polk City Rd. from Orlando. The truck started swerving and eventually drove off the road, through a fence and crashed into a tree.

After the crash, the man reportedly became crazed and left the vehicle walking back into the road. On the road, the man, bleeding, screaming and growling, began jumping onto vehicles passing by. The man targeted a school bus with at least one child onboard and attempted to enter it, but was thwarted when the driver locked the doors.

The crazed man then made his way to the homeowner's residence and crashed through the glass front door. At the time, the homeowner's parents, grandparents and 9-year-old child were also in the residence. The homeowner called the police and verbally attempted to make the intruder leave to no avail. After the crazed intruder grabbed a large piece of glass from the door and threw it at him, the homeowner shot the intruder.

Police arrived shortly afterward and attempted to aid the intruder, who died of his wounds. Authorities said that the homeowner was justified in his action of shooting the intruder in self defense. (orlandosentinel.com
, Orlando, Fla., 08/28/2020)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives February 1987  

A vacationing Texas policeman and his wife were parked on a New Orleans, La., street looking at a map when they were approached by three men. The trio walked away after asking Rudolpho Salazar for the time, but one returned with a gun when Salazar got out of his car.

The armed man tried to rob him and threatened his life. The policeman waited for the would-be burglar to repeat the demand several times, then drew a .25-cal. pistol from his pocket and fatally wounded the armed man. (The State-Times, New Orleans, La.)

Latest

Staccato P4x Review 1
Staccato P4x Review 1

First Impressions of the Staccato P4X

Down in Texas, Staccato launched a new pistol to celebrate America's 250th anniversary: the P4X. One can hardly blame them considering that the company's entire product line is based on the 1911, arguably the most American of handguns.

A Big Third Circuit Ruling on America’s Rifle

In an appeal of a case the NRA filed in 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit struck down New Jersey’s ban on “assault weapons” and “large capacity” ammunition magazines as unconstitutional.

Top Cop: How an Armed American Saved President Trump’s Life

An NRA Benefactor Member and NRA Certified Law Enforcement Patrol Rifle Instructor, Sergeant Aaron Zaliponi likely saved the life of President Trump in Butler, Pa. For these reasons, the NRA has selected him as the 2025 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

Review: Rock River Arms A1 Carbine SBR

The Rock River Arms A1 SBR is just plain cool, and there’s little justification needed beyond that for picking up a new gun. It’s a mixture of throwback, retro and nostalgia with a bayonet lug, and you just can’t go wrong there.

The Armed Citizen® July 20, 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.

Plinking Perfect: 5 Must-Haves for Your Next Rimfire Shoot

What better way to celebrate 250 years of freedom than to go out plinking this summer? Here are five great products that will make your next rimfire range trip better than ever before.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.