The Armed Citizen® Dec. 1, 2025

by
posted on December 1, 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

In Oklahoma City, a female convenience-store clerk was working near midnight on Nov. 13 when a man attempted to pay using a counterfeit $100 bill. She refused to accept the fake, so the man allegedly began threatening her, and then to physically assault her.

“He said he was going to slice my head off, and that's when I tried to call the police,” the clerk later told reporters. “He started throwing things at me, came behind the counter. I tried to run off, but he grabbed his hands around my neck and pushed me out of the counter space.” Fortunately, the woman was able to draw her gun and shoot the alleged assailant, ending the attack.

Unfortunately, the armed citizen was subsequently fired from her job, but she told reporters: “This was a situation where I felt like I was put into a corner between choosing between my job and my life, and I'm always going to choose my life because there's people that depend on me […] You have a right to defend yourself.”

The extent of his injuries was not reported, but the suspect was arrested at the hospital and charged with assault and battery, threatening acts of violence, attempting to pass a fake bill and a felony warrant for violating parole. (okcfox.com; Oklahoma City, Okla.; 11/17/25)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives – October 1980

Alton Altizer heard the sound of breaking glass about 3 a.m. at the gun store in the same building as his Arnoldsburg, W.Va., apartment. Altizer called state police, then he went outside to investigate. When Altizer hailed a man carrying three rifles from Bartlett’s Gun Store, the man spun in his direction, and Altizer fired his 12-ga. shotgun.

The burglar, a recently released, three-time escapee from the state penitentiary, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said a stolen car with 18 handguns taken from the store was parked nearby. (The Inter-Mountain, Elkins, W.Va.)

Latest

Heckler Koch Cc9 Rifleman Review 1
Heckler Koch Cc9 Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Heckler & Koch CC9

When Heckler & Koch USA launched its micro-compact CC9, it proved to be one of the most robustly built micro-compact handguns yet made.

Beyond the Headlines on Armed Citizen Stories

Concealed carriers in the U.S. commit almost no crimes with their lawfully owned firearms. Armed citizens do, however, stop a lot of crimes.

Rifleman Interview: Smith & Wesson FPC and M&P22X

Smith & Wesson’s latest rimfire semi-autos were on display at Plinkapalooza in May.

Taking It Home: War Trophies in American History

From our founding to the more recent past, war-trophy firearms have played a significant role in arming American citizens.

Questions & Answers: Patterning with the Poly Choke

I bought a Remington 1100 LW 20-gauge shotgun for my wife to shoot clay targets (informally) and sometimes hunt with me when I go hunting for waterfowl.

Meprolight Offers Free Suppressor With Optic Purchase

Readers have only until July 31, 2026, to purchase a qualifying Meprolight optic and be eligible to receive a rebate for a free Backdraft Hunter suppressor in a caliber of their choosing.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.