The Armed Citizen® Dec. 25, 2023

by
posted on December 25, 2023
** 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

After crashing his car late at night in Chicago, Ill., a 29-year-old licensed concealed-carry holder immediately had to deal with a trio of armed robbers who drove up to the scene.

The armed man was driving just south of the West Loop at 9 p.m. on Nov. 8, 2023, when the car accident occurred. As he got out to deal with the situation, an armed robbery crew arrived in a black Dodge Charger, and three gunmen exited the vehicle. The victim drew his concealed firearm and fired at the robbers. Officers said the man and the armed robbery trio fired approximately 30 rounds in total, leaving one of the robbers and the victim injured.

The trio of suspects then allegedly returned to the Black Charger and sped off to Chicago's West Side, where the injured robber got out of the vehicle and called 911, claiming he had been shot during a botched robbery. Police say the injured suspected robber was "very uncooperative" with investigators. (CWB Chicago; Chicago, Ill.; 11/8/23)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives – March 1977

David Johnson of Victoria, Texas, walked into a loan office just as a gunman announced a holdup. Johnson ran outside, borrowed a rifle and returned to confront the robber. The thief fled but soon was captured by police. (The Post; Houston, Texas)

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.