The Armed Citizen® Feb. 9, 2026

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

by
posted on February 9, 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

Just before 5 a.m. on Jan. 30, a 56-year-old homeowner reportedly found a burglar inside his home in Wichita, Kan. Police told reporters a “confrontation occurred” and the homeowner shot the alleged intruder in the leg. The 40-year-old suspect was in serious but stable condition and was to be arrested upon release from the hospital. (kansas.com, Wichita, Kan., 2/3/26)

 

From the Armed Citizen® Archives – October 1991

Describing her attacker as a man who had once been "one of the family," Juliette Blackmon, 81, of Kansas City, Mo., was forced to take action when he tried to rob them. After asking to use the bathroom, the man instead grabbed a knife from the kitchen and threatened her and her husband, Elliot.

Elliot picked up a pistol from the bedroom, however, and passed it to his wife. Firing twice, she killed the man. "I had to do it," she said. "I'm a Christian woman, but we have to have protection." (The Star, Kansas City, Kans.)

Latest

EAA XXX 01
EAA XXX 01

EAA's Witness2311 CMX XXX & SC9 XXX: A More Practical 2011 Design?

New for 2026, EAA Corp. is downsizing the Witness 2311 CMX design with the CMX XXX and SC9 XXX, two handguns that are built around an entirely new magazine.

Lessons Learned About Long-Distance Shooting at FTW Ranch

At the SAAM/Impact Precision Advanced Course offered by FTW Ranch, students learned a few important lessons about long-range shooting that others might overlook.

I Carry: Springfield Armory SA-35 Polished in a Falco C631 Gorham Holster

In our latest episode of "I Carry" above, we're taking a closer look at the details of the new Springfield Armory SA-35 Polished, and we're packaging it with a high-quality leather holster from Falco Holsters, along with a new EDC knife from Work Sharp.

ATF Suffers Major Cybersecurity Incident

On Aug. 27, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced that an outside group had breached its systems in what it termed a "major incident."

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 28, 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.

A Conversation About Gun-Making in America

Recently, a paper titled “The American Tradition of Self-Made Arms" written by Joe Greenlee, director of NRA-ILA's Office of Litigation Counsel,was cited by a court in an important ruling on frame-or-receiver litigation.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.