The Armed Citizen® December 12, 2016

by
posted on December 12, 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 (3)

Sounds of a break-in woke up a woman at her residence in Gwinnett County, Ga., one night. The woman retrieved her handgun and went to check out the disturbance. She saw at least three men coming in through her front door. “At that point she began firing rounds from her handgun and struck at least one suspect in the torso killing him,” explained Cpl. Deon Washington, a public information officer for the Gwinnett County Police Department. Another foe fired back at the woman before he and his accomplice fled the scene. No charges were filed against the armed citizen. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta, GA, 9/17/16)

The Armed Citizen® Extra
One Sunday evening, an older gentleman was in his home when two men entered, both wearing masks and brandishing hunting-type knives. The men proceeded to rob him, but the resident had a rifle and shot them both, killing one and wounding the other. The homeowner was not injured and is cooperating with investigators. (The Saginaw News, Tawas City, MI, 11/15/16)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
December 1970
Frank Messineo of Downey, Calif., ignored his doorbell when it rang at 3 a.m. But a few minutes later, he heard someone entering his apartment through a side window. Messineo took a .25 automatic and captured the burglar. (Daily Signal, Huntington, CA)

Latest

Icarry Taurus TX9 Compact 1
Icarry Taurus TX9 Compact 1

I Carry: Taurus TX9 Compact in a Galco Holster

In our latest "I Carry" segment, we pair the new Taurus TX9 Compact with a leather Stow-N-Go holster from Galco, Inc. This compact, concealed-carry kit is rounded out with an Xolotl automatic knife produced by CRKT.

The Armed Citizen® March 13, 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.

Review: Canik USA MC9 Prime

Canik USA built out its concealed-carry handgun lineup with the MC9 Prime, which is a larger, yet still slim, CCW gun that sits in the same category as other upsized micro-compacts.

U.S. Army Awards Mossberg Contract for Additional 590A1 Pump-Action Shotguns

The U.S. Army has awarded O.F. Mossberg & Sons a contract for approximately $11.6 million dollars to supply the U.S. Army with additional Mossberg 590A1 pump-action shotguns.

250 Years of the U.S. Army: Bolt-Actions & Semi-Automatics on the Battlefield

In just a few decades, the U.S. Army would see itself go from a single-shot, blackpowder design in the form of the Trapdoor Springfield to a modern, semi-automatic fighting rifle in the M1 Garand.

Modernized & Economical Muzzleloaders: The CVA Optima XP & XP-SB

CVA's longest-lasting muzzleloader design, the Optima, has been updated in 2026 with "modern ergonomics and modularity."

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.