The Armed Citizen® February 12, 2021

by
posted on February 12, 2021
** 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 homeowner in Polk County, Fla., defended his home and family from an erratic intruder on the morning of Feb. 7, 2021.

The incident began that Sunday morning when the homeowner's wife heard banging at the front door of the home and woke her husband. Their three children were also asleep inside the house. The homeowner went to the front door to check on the noise when he discovered it had been forced open. In response, he armed himself with a handgun.

The homeowner then looked out the door, where he saw the intruder acting erratically while swearing at him. The intruder then ran straight at the homeowner, who fired a single round at the would-be attacker. The round struck the intruder, who then turned around and then began to walk away. That wasn't the end of it, though, as the intruder turned back around and once again charged the homeowner.

The homeowner fired another shot that struck the intruder, incapacitating him. The intruder was taken to a local hospital by first responders, where he died shortly thereafter. As it turned out, the intruder was a man who lived in the neighborhood and had a criminal history that included nine past felonies. (wfla.com, Tampa, Fla., 02/08/2021)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives February 1975

Hearing screams coming from a store near his office, real estate broker Charles W. Parker, an NRA member of Jackson Heights, N.Y., grabbed his .38-cal. snub-nosed revolver, dashed next door and captured a would-be robber. The local police department awarded him a Legion of Honor plaque for "exceptional bravery."

An NRA certified pistol, rifle and shotgun instructor, Parker has won over 40 trophies for marksmanship. The Greater New York Pistol League recognized his action with an "outstanding citizen award" inscribed "Someone Who Cared to Get Involved." (The Sunday News, New York, N.Y.)

Latest

2026 New Suppressor Guide
2026 New Suppressor Guide

New Suppressors for 2026: A Full Guide

With the removal of the $200 NFA tax stamp on suppressors, the only sound reverberating across the firearms landscape is “cha-ching.”

MDT Now Offering Lone Peak Arms Rifle Actions

Earlier in 2026, MDT announced that it had acquired Lone Peak Arms, and now, the company's rifle actions are available to consumers.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 31, 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: TriStar KR.22

Manufactured by Kral Arms in Turkey, the TriStar Arms KR.22 is a lightweight semi-automatic that offers everything you need to get started or to perfect what you’ve learned over the years.

Safe Space: 5 Must-Have Accessories to Organize Your Gun Safe

It's a perennial problem for gun owners: not enough safe space. Here are five organizing products that will help you squeeze a bit more in your existing gun safe before you have to run out and buy another.

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.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.