The Armed Citizen® December 2009

by
posted on November 18, 2009
** 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 say a club-wielding intruder entered a home's unlocked front door while the residents were inside. He snuck down a hallway, entered a bedroom and began stealing a coin collection. The homeowner heard the ruckus and accosted the intruder, who merely shouted threats and continued taking the coins. The homeowner left the room and returned with a handgun, firing a shot at the intruder. The suspect fled the property, scattering coins as he ran. He was being sought by police. (The Island Packet, Hilton Head, SC, 9/23/09)

Early one morning, a pregnant woman had no idea she would be targeted by a young adult in the midst of a burglary spree. Police say the suspect had already burglarized several cars and homes when he entered the woman's residence in the early morning hours. She awoke and confronted him with a shotgun, prompting him to draw a handgun. Rather than firing a shot, the pregnant woman explained to the intruder that her gun was larger. He put his gun away and waited for the police. (Press-Register, Mobile AL, 9/11/09)

Armed Citizen Extra:

(The following account did not appear in the print version of American Rifleman.)

When two men broke into a home around two in the morning, the 47-year-old homeowner was ready for them. The resident, who has been burglarized twice a month, spotted the suspects and called out to them. The two intruders charged him, prompting the homeowner to pull a .357-caliber magnum and fire once, causing the suspects to escape through a sliding glass door. After following a trail of blood into nearby woods, police were unable to find the two men, but continue in their search. (Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, GA, 9/10/2009)

From the Armed Citizen Archive:

December 1959: The fifth time the same bandit robbed William Kuroki, manager of a Denver pharmacy, the gunman forced Kuroki, a clerk, and a customer into a stock room and started off with his bag of loot to add to the $3600 taken in the previous robberies. After closing the stock room door, the bandit decided to take one last look at his victims. Kuroki had drawn a .38 cal. revolver from his back pocket and when the door opened, he killed the robber with 2 shots. (Rocky Mountain News, Denver, CO)

Latest

Belt1 1911 Timer
Belt1 1911 Timer

Tactical Belts For The Rest Of Us

Most shooters don’t need a "war belt." While enthusiasts like the idea of preparing for every contingency, the vast majority of us need a reliable platform for a range session, a training class or a local club match.

18 New Shotguns for 2026

Among today's firearm platforms, the shotgun remains one of the most time-tested, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement. Today's new crop of shotguns runs the gamut, giving modern shotgunners new options in nearly every conceivable category.

Derya Arms RAN Series: A New Take on the Lever-Action

Derya Arms' latest entry in the lever-action market, the RAN series of rifles and pistols, seeks to “reimagine” the modern lever gun.

Gun of the Week: Robinson Armament XCR-L

One man, Alex Robinson, took it upon himself to address what he saw as several shortcomings in the AR-15 design. He consulted with special forces operators and asked what they wanted in a rifle platform. The result was the Robinson Armament XCR.

Maryland Bans Glocks and the NRA Responds

Legislation recently signed into law by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore essentially bans nearly every Glock and Glock-style pistol on the market from being sold within the state.

The Armed Citizen® May 29, 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.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.