The Armed Citizen® December 2, 2016

by
posted on December 2, 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

Bank robbery doesn’t pay when an armed citizen steps up to stop the crime. In Homewood, Ala., a man walked into a local bank and held it up. The hooligan, with a piece of cloth wrapped around his hand as if to hide a gun, ordered the people inside to huddle into a corner and hand over their cell phones. As he got ready to leave the bank, the robber pointed the cloth-covered hand at the bank patrons. An armed citizen saw that as an opportunity, pulling out his concealed firearm and firing at the would-be robber. “I was thinking a lot of people’s lives were in danger and my life was in danger, too. He pointed whatever he had at us, so I fired a shot at him,” said the citizen. The shot missed, but the police arrived and arrested the bad guy as he was fleeing. (AL.com, Homewood, AL, 9/21/16)

The Armed Citizen® Extra
An elderly man was awakened early one Friday morning to find a man in a skull mask standing over him. A struggle ensued between the two, during which the resident fired a shot from his .22-cal. handgun, hitting the intruder. A police lieutenant said the older man was “remorseful, shook up,” but was protecting an elderly sister who also lives in the house. Furthermore, he said the case “looks like self-defense” and no charges are expected. (The Philadelphia Inquirer, Uniontown, PA, 11/6/16)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
December 1982
Alerted by the sounds of someone breaking into his Godfrey, Ill., home, Victor Calhoun took up his .44 cal. handgun and positioned himself behind a kitchen wall. He hollered a warning, whereupon the invader yelled back, “I’ll shoot.” Calhoun, 68, and his assailant then traded gunfire before the intruder fled from the house. (The Telegraph, Alton, IL)

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.