The Armed Citizen® February 16, 2021

by
posted on February 16, 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

Several armed citizens in Las Vegas, Nev., came to the aid of a Las Vegas police officer who was attacked by an armed assailant on the afternoon of Feb. 3, 2021.

The incident began earlier that Wednesday morning at The Range 702 during a concealed-carry permit course. During a break in the course, a man caught a thief going through his bag and reported him to the employees. The employees, in turn, called police at 11:59 a.m. and escorted the thief outside the range. As the police were on the way, they received another call that the thief was starting to act belligerent and threatening the range employees.

When police arrived at the range and approached the thief, he backed away with his right hand in his pocket. The two officers tried to apprehend the thief, but he began to fight them and drew a screwdriver from his pocket. The armed thief then stabbed the female officer, who was holding onto him, in the face and knocked her to the ground.

The other officer, along with four armed citizens, drew their sidearms and converged on the assailant. The encircling officer and armed citizens then shot the attacker 14 times. The assailant was pronounced dead at the scene, and was discovered to have an extensive history of violence and felony charges, including attempted murder and attempted robbery of a firearm, when he had tried to steal an officer's sidearm in a previous incident.

The wounded officer was taken to a local hospital, where she was treated for a fracture near her eye and released shortly after. No charges were filed against the armed citizens who came to the officer's aid. (8newsnow,com, Las Vegas, Nev., 02/08/2021)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives April 1967

Milton (Bud) Hunter, a Raleigh, N.C. music store employee, saw through a window that two men were holding up a liquor store next door. He got a revolver and started across the alley just as the holdup men, one armed with a sawed-off shotgun, ran out. One of the thieves threatened to kill Hunter.

He pulled his pistol and shot one of them in the leg. Police later arrested the pair and found $586, taken in the robbery, on one of them. Raleigh Police Chief Tom Davis’ letter of commendation said: “We appreciate this splendid example of good citizenship and initiative.” (
The News and Observer, Raleigh, N.C.)

Latest

Staccato P4x Review 1
Staccato P4x Review 1

First Impressions of the Staccato P4X

Down in Texas, Staccato launched a new pistol to celebrate America's 250th anniversary: the P4X. One can hardly blame them considering that the company's entire product line is based on the 1911, arguably the most American of handguns.

A Big Third Circuit Ruling on America’s Rifle

In an appeal of a case the NRA filed in 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit struck down New Jersey’s ban on “assault weapons” and “large capacity” ammunition magazines as unconstitutional.

Top Cop: How an Armed American Saved President Trump’s Life

An NRA Benefactor Member and NRA Certified Law Enforcement Patrol Rifle Instructor, Sergeant Aaron Zaliponi likely saved the life of President Trump in Butler, Pa. For these reasons, the NRA has selected him as the 2025 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

Review: Rock River Arms A1 Carbine SBR

The Rock River Arms A1 SBR is just plain cool, and there’s little justification needed beyond that for picking up a new gun. It’s a mixture of throwback, retro and nostalgia with a bayonet lug, and you just can’t go wrong there.

The Armed Citizen® July 20, 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.

Plinking Perfect: 5 Must-Haves for Your Next Rimfire Shoot

What better way to celebrate 250 years of freedom than to go out plinking this summer? Here are five great products that will make your next rimfire range trip better than ever before.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.