The Armed Citizen® December 1, 2017

by
posted on December 1, 2017
** 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

Police said a Washington state homeowner with a concealed-carry permit followed best practices to the letter after he stumbled upon a criminal who was on the lam. The armed citizen, who told police he has been actively training for defensive use of a handgun for more than a decade, said his lessons paid off in terms of having the restraint to not fire. The fleeing suspect, with four outstanding warrants against him, was armed with a baton-like object when the resident saw him several feet from his child’s bedroom. The law-abiding gun owner drew his gun from the holster, assumed a solid stance and held the suspect at gunpoint until the police arrived. (q13fox.com, Seattle, WA, 9/18/17)

The Armed Citizen® Extra
An intruder thought he had it made when he forced all of the occupants of the house he was robbing into the basement. According to police, when the trespasser entered the house around 7:30 a.m., he told the occupants he was going to rob them, and threatened them with a firearm. Fortunately, there was one male resident elsewhere in the home whom the robber had not seen, and was able to retrieve a handgun that he keeps for self-defense. When the intruder exited the basement and stepped into the kitchen, the resident shot the robber multiple times in the chest. (Post-Tribune, Hammond, IN, 9/22/17)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
December 1970
David Kline, a night-clerk in a Phoenix, Ariz., market, thwarted a robbery attempt by two youths during early morning hours. One grabbed Kline around the neck and held a knife to his stomach, while the other cleaned out the cash register. When two customers entered, the pair ran into the back of the store. That gave Kline an opportunity to grab a shotgun and apprehend the youths at the back door. (Gazette, Phoenix, AZ)

Latest

Guns Of Shanghai F
Guns Of Shanghai F

The Guns of Shanghai 1937: A Prelude to WWII's Brutal Urban Combat

Often overlooked by Western military historians, the Battle of Shanghai in 1937 was an early sign of the brutal urban combat that would characterize much of World War II. An incredible array of arms was used in the fighting.

New For 2026: Vortex Strike Eagle 1-10X 24 mm FFP LPVO Riflescope

Previously offered in 1-6X and 1-8X variants, new for 2026, Vortex is introducing the Strike Eagle 1-10X 24 mm FFP riflescope.

Gun of the Week: Ruger RXM

On the surface, the RXM appears to be similar to the Glock G19-inspired selection of striker-fired, polymer-frame pistols on the market, but a closer look reveals that there's much more to this modular design.

Rifleman Q&A: How Frequently Should You Clean?

AN NRA member and his brother have identical rifles. One brother cleans every time he shoots. The other cleans every 100 rounds. Which barrel will last longer?

The Armed Citizen® March 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.

NRA Launches New Official App

The National Rifle Association proudly unveiled its new official NRA App today, marking a significant milestone in enhancing member engagement and delivering convenient access to essential NRA resources on the go.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.