The Armed Citizen® August 8, 2016

by
posted on August 8, 2016
** 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)

A mid-afternoon attempted armed robbery backfired for the criminal, who ended up being shot to death by an armed citizen at the Tennessee clothing store he was trying to rob. Officials did not confirm whether the shooter was a store employee. Few of the Extreme Gear customers had much sympathy for the bad guy. “The young people don’t believe in nothing but to take, and that’s it,” one customer told a television reporter. The suspect was taken to the hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. He died later that night. (WMC Action News 5, Memphis, TN, 5/3/16)

The Armed Citizen® Extra
A store employee in Hampton, Va., was legally carrying a gun when two thieves entered the business and tried to rob the place. Instead of complying, the worker drew his gun and fired upon both suspects. One of the culprits died at the scene, the other was apprehended a mile down the road with a non-life-threatening wound. The store employee was not injured during the incident, and no charges are being pressed by the authorities for the defensive use of the firearm. (wavy.com, Portsmouth, VA, 1/29/16)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
June 1965
Three would-be bandits, one armed, entered Henry Aldama’s Chicago, Ill., grocery store and demanded money. Aldama handed over the cash register receipts and told them there wasn’t any more money. The armed bandit fired a shot past the grocer’s ear and then pistol-whipped him. Aldama showed them a cigar box of change, then grabbed a revolver and fired, killing one bandit and wounding the other two. (Chicago Tribune, Chicago, IL)

Latest

firing a musket rifle
firing a musket rifle

Today’s Makers of Yesterday’s Firearms

Original firearms from the American Revolution era are valuable and best preserved for posterity. For those who want to shoot them, several modern makers offer quality reproductions.

Left Turn (Bolt): Tikka's New Left-Handed T3x Ace Rifles

Lefties of the world unite and rejoice, as Tikka has announced left-hand versions of its award-winning T3x Ace chassis rifles.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 14, 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.

Skills Check: Rifle Standard Delta 2

Carbine performance is all about maintaining control. The Rifle Standard Delta 2 is a drill that pressures recoil control, visual discipline and cadence as distance decreases and time compresses.

Gun Sales Up for the 7th Month in a Row in 2026

The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s (NSSF) estimate of last month’s gun sales was up 2.2 percent compared to August 2025.

Caring For & Feeding Your Cap-and-Ball Revolvers

Compared to pistoleros of the 19th century, today’s handgunners have it easy. It's not enough just to get an old-school, cap-and-ball revolver. You also need to acquire everything to shoot and clean it.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.