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

Red Dot Occlusion 4
Red Dot Occlusion 4

Red-Dot Occlusion Training: A Performance-Booster for You & Your Optic-Equipped Handgun

Red-dot occlusion is a passive technique that shooters can use to remain target-focused, thereby speeding up their performance with optic-equipped handguns.

New for 2026: Dead Air Nomad Ti Over-The-Barrel (OTB) Suppressor

The Dead Air Silencers Nomad Ti OTB is designed to be a compact and lightweight suppressor for the backcountry hunter.

I Carry: Diamondback SDR in a Galco Hornet Holster

For our latest "I Carry" episode above, we paired the six-round Diamondback SDR DA/SA snubnose revolver with a simple leather holster from Galco, along with one of the latest EDC flashlights from Streamlight.

The Armed Citizen® May 8, 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.

Creating the Ideal First-Time Shooting Experience

That first time behind a trigger can shape a newcomer’s attitude towards firearms. Here are five ways to make the experience a success.

Henry Repeating Arms Founder & CEO Honored as Law Enforcement Supporter of the Year

Henry Repeating Arms founder and CEO Anthony Imperato has been named Law Enforcement Supporter of the Year by New York State Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Lodge 100.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.