The Armed Citizen® Feb. 16, 2026

Real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

by
posted on February 16, 2026
** 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

At 2:30 a.m. on Feb. 8, two males wearing ski masks broke into an apartment in Jackson, Miss. A woman in the apartment, fearing for her life, fired on the intruders, killing one. The other suspect fled but was soon apprehended and now faces charges of burglary and murder. The armed citizen was interviewed and released, with authorities noting the shooting was justifiable. (clarionledger.com, Jackson, Miss., 2/9/26)

 

From the Armed Citizen® Archives – December 1991

Alerted when she saw a strange car drive up and the occupants knock on the door, a 19-year-old woman got a rifle and hid in a bedroom closet. When the men broke through a cellar door and entered the bedroom, she stepped out of the closet, trained the gun on them and ordered them out. They fled. (The Lawrence County Advocate, Lawrenceburg, Tenn.)

Latest

Vang Comp 870 1
Vang Comp 870 1

Perfecting The Remington 870 Shotgun With Vang Comp Systems

One American Rifleman contributor let Vang Comp Systems work its magic on a well-used Remington 870 Police Magnum shotgun.

Gunsite Academy Celebrates 50 Years

2026 marks the 50th anniversary of Gunsite, an elite training establishment in Arizona founded by Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper to help train Americans in the pragmatic use of firearms for personal protection.

Gun of the Week: Primary Weapons Systems UXR

Primary Weapons System took the consumer demand for modularity in firearm design to the next level with its UXR or User Xchangeable Rifle.

Heritage Rough Rider Now Available in .32 H&R Magnum

Long available only in rimfire chamberings, Heritage Manufacturing's popular Rough Rider revolver series is now available in the .32 H&R Magnum centerfire chambering for the first time.

Get Your Official NRA Licensed Merchandise!

It’s never been easier to show your pride in NRA than with a new line of NRA Official Merchandise!

The Armed Citizen® April 17, 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.