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

Guns Of Shanghai F
Guns Of Shanghai F

The Guns of Shanghai 1937: A Prelude to WWII's Brutal Urban Combat

Often overlooked by Western military historians, the Battle of Shanghai in 1937 was an early sign of the brutal urban combat that would characterize much of World War II. An incredible array of arms was used in the fighting.

New For 2026: Vortex Strike Eagle 1-10X 24 mm FFP LPVO Riflescope

Previously offered in 1-6X and 1-8X variants, new for 2026, Vortex is introducing the Strike Eagle 1-10X 24 mm FFP riflescope.

Gun of the Week: Ruger RXM

On the surface, the RXM appears to be similar to the Glock G19-inspired selection of striker-fired, polymer-frame pistols on the market, but a closer look reveals that there's much more to this modular design.

Rifleman Q&A: How Frequently Should You Clean?

AN NRA member and his brother have identical rifles. One brother cleans every time he shoots. The other cleans every 100 rounds. Which barrel will last longer?

The Armed Citizen® March 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.

NRA Launches New Official App

The National Rifle Association proudly unveiled its new official NRA App today, marking a significant milestone in enhancing member engagement and delivering convenient access to essential NRA resources on the go.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.