The Armed Citizen® Feb. 3, 2025

by
posted on February 3, 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 routine car-service job turned into a self-defense scenario for a mechanic in Hialeah, Fla., when he was forced to defend himself from a machete-wielding attacker.

Police say the 29-year-old mechanic worked for a mobile tire-repair service and was called to fix a vehicle owned by a 36-year-old man. When the mechanic showed up and began working on the vehicle, the 36-year-old car owner noticed that the mechanic had placed a used tire on his vehicle and became irate. He verbally threatened the mechanic, then obtained a machete and charged toward the mechanic.

The mechanic, fearing for his life, drew a firearm and shot the attacker, who died at the scene. Police initially took the 29-year-old mechanic into custody following the shooting, but further investigation revealed details of the attack. "Based on the information obtained by detectives, it was determined that this was a justified shooting in self-defense," Hialeah police told reporters. (NBC Miami; Hialeah, Fla.; 11/2/24)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives – December 1985

Waiting in his car for his daughter to get off work, a Norman, Okla., man watched as a suspicious character walked into the dry cleaners, where he pushed the daughter to the back of the building and bound her. The clerk's father waited until the armed robber was away from his daughter, cleaning out the cash register, then he walked in with a pistol. He held the robber at gunpoint for police. (The Oklahoman; Oklahoma City, Okla.)

Latest

Yhm Victra 12 Suppressor Review 1
Yhm Victra 12 Suppressor Review 1

Review: Yankee Hill Machine Victra-12 Shotgun Suppressor

Yankee Hill Machine has recently released its Victra-12 shotgun suppressor, which promises to quiet the report of a 12-gauge shotgun while adding less weight than ever before.

A Clear Advantage: The Shield Sights OSMx Competition Red-Dot

Based on its OMSsc red-dot optic introduced last year, Shield Sights has launched the larger, competition-oriented OSMx red-dot for 2026.

Gun of the Week: Taurus 66 Combat Revolver

Taurus USA recently expanded its revolver line with the 66 Combat, a larger, all-steel revolver chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge. Watch our "Gun of the Week" video to see the 66 Combat in use on the range.

The Armed Citizen® March 6, 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.

Armed Citizens Outperform the Police in Stopping Mass Murderers

A recent crime study indicates that armed citizens are better at stopping mass killers than the police.

Building A Legacy: One Hunter's Journey Toward a 338 ARC Bolt-Action

Hornady's 338 ARC cartridge was designed to pack plenty of subsonic power into an AR-sized platform. But how does it perform if you're looking to build something a bit more traditional?

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.