The Armed Citizen December 19, 2014

by
posted on December 19, 2014
** 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 (2)

Sharon Doyle, 46, was working alone at Stan's Health Food just after 5 p.m. when a man walked into the store and threatened her with a knife. He walked behind the counter, picked up the cash register and smashed it on the floor. As he stooped to pick up the scattered bills, Doyle reached for her revolver. The robber stood up and held his knife to Doyle's chest, prompting her to open fire. The robber was struck once in the chest. The assailant was later taken to a local hospital where he died of his injury. Doyle was reportedly shaken, but unharmed during the hold-up. Her father commented on the incident, "I never thought it'd happen like this, but, if it had to happen, I'm glad it was this way." (Philadelphia Daily News, Mayfair, PA, 6/24/14)

The Armed Citizen Extra
A 28-year-old man was walking down the street in northern New Orleans, La., when he was approached by an armed man who demanded his property. Complying with the robber's command, he handed over his iPhone, but when the criminal demanded more, the man pulled out a gun that he had been carrying concealed and shot his assailant in the chest. The thief, a 22-year-old male, then ran to his stepfather's house, where he claimed to have been the victim of a robbery. Taken to a nearby hospital, the suspect now faces charges for armed robbery and felon in possession of a firearm during a crime. No charges were sought against the concealed carrier. (The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, LA, 11/21/14)

From the Armed Citizen Archives January 1977:
When a late-night intruder broke into the rural Fowler, Calif., home of Forest H. Smith, 81, neighbors alerted his son-in-law, Roy Garrett. Garrett and his two teenage sons rushed to the old man's home, where they found the thug holding a knife to Smith's throat. After the man swung at him several times with the knife, Garrett shot him in the shoulder with a rifle, but the powerful crook kept coming. Garrett's younger son then broke a shotgun over the criminal's head, sending him fleeing outside. There, the other son bashed him with a baseball bat, then held the unconscious burglar for sheriff's deputies. (The Bee, Fresno, Calif.)

Latest

Staccato P4x Review 1
Staccato P4x Review 1

First Impressions of the Staccato P4X

Down in Texas, Staccato launched a new pistol to celebrate America's 250th anniversary: the P4X. One can hardly blame them considering that the company's entire product line is based on the 1911, arguably the most American of handguns.

A Big Third Circuit Ruling on America’s Rifle

In an appeal of a case the NRA filed in 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit struck down New Jersey’s ban on “assault weapons” and “large capacity” ammunition magazines as unconstitutional.

Top Cop: How an Armed American Saved President Trump’s Life

An NRA Benefactor Member and NRA Certified Law Enforcement Patrol Rifle Instructor, Sergeant Aaron Zaliponi likely saved the life of President Trump in Butler, Pa. For these reasons, the NRA has selected him as the 2025 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

Review: Rock River Arms A1 Carbine SBR

The Rock River Arms A1 SBR is just plain cool, and there’s little justification needed beyond that for picking up a new gun. It’s a mixture of throwback, retro and nostalgia with a bayonet lug, and you just can’t go wrong there.

The Armed Citizen® July 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.

Plinking Perfect: 5 Must-Haves for Your Next Rimfire Shoot

What better way to celebrate 250 years of freedom than to go out plinking this summer? Here are five great products that will make your next rimfire range trip better than ever before.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.