The Armed Citizen® Feb. 14, 2025

by
posted on February 14, 2025
** 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. **
The Armed Citizen

Armed Citizen® Today

A break-in by a man with a known criminal history in Decatur, Ill., ended with the burglar dead, thanks to the fortuitous arrival of an armed family member.

At 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, police say a 35-year-old male unlawfully entered a house in which a lone 66-year-old woman was living. During the alleged break-in, a 48-year-old male relative of the woman entered the home and encountered the burglar. The man, who had an active Illinois Concealed Carry License and was carrying at the time, drew his gun and fired at the intruder four times.

When police arrived, they transported the suspect to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds. The 66-year-old woman was also transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police say the deceased suspect was on a "Mandatory Supervised Release" through the Illinois Dept. of Corrections at the time of the break-in. (WCIA; Decatur, Ill.; 11/19/24)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives – July 1986

Posing as a package carrier, a man forced his way into Charisse Gross' Baltimore, Md., home, drew a handgun and demanded money and jewelry. The gunman herded the 28-year-old woman upstairs to her son's bedroom, where he attempted to tie up the boy. While he was distracted, Gross slipped away, grabbed her .38-cal. handgun, and fired at the intruder, striking him. The man fled, and a suspect was arrested later by authorities. (The Sun; Baltimore, Md.)

 

Latest

Chuck Yeager’s Beretta Model 1935 pistol
Chuck Yeager’s Beretta Model 1935 pistol

Take a Safe Queen to the Range

With few exceptions, there’s no reason not to shoot your classic firearm periodically.

9 New 1911s & 2011s for 2026

There is a host of new 1911s and 2011s available to today's handgun enthusiasts, with each design bringing a unique feature set to the table.

Wyoming Breaks Ground on State Shooting Sports Complex

Wyoming state officials were on hand at the groundbreaking ceremony for the state's new shooting complex, which is expected to open in mid-2027.

Beretta Holding and Ruger Agree to Partnership

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. and Beretta Holding S.A. have announced that both companies are entering into a strategic cooperation agreement.

Return of the Encore: T/C Arms Brings Back Its Iconic Single-Shot

In 2024, former owner Gregg Ritz purchased Thompson/Center Arms. Now the company has introduced a modern take on its classic Contender/Encore concept: the ENCORE PROHunter.

7 New ARs for 2026

While it's certainly a saturated marketplace these days, the AR-15 has never been more popular with American firearm enthusiasts, and many manufacturers are continuing to feed the need with new options loaded with new features.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.