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

Sight Alignment
Sight Alignment

Sighted Fire vs. Point-Shooting

A long-standing argument among handgunners revolves around the concept of sighted fire versus point-shooting. A more productive approach is to understand the problem each is trying to solve.

Derya Expands TM22 Family with Timekeeper & Pump Models

Derya continues the expansion of its rimfire line with two new models for 2026, an update of the original semi-auto TM22 and a new pump-action version.

Gun of the Week: Taurus RPC

The Taurus RPC is a welcome addition to the growing marketplace of PDWs, or personal defense weapons, a concept that pairs pistol-caliber cartridges with larger-format firearms.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 13, 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.

Review: Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp

Kimber expanded its 2K11 line with the Pro Comp in 2026, providing a Commander-length slide and barrel topped by an integrated compensator.

New for 2026: Bear Creek Arsenal Bear Bolt Pro

North Carolina-based Bear Creek Arsenal, a prolific maker of AR-10 and AR-15 pattern firearms, is combining the modularity of the MSR platform with a traditional turn-bolt action with its Bear Bolt Pro.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.