The Armed Citizen® February 23, 2018

by
posted on February 23, 2018
** 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. **
ac2009_fs.jpg (4)

Even something as simple as walking a dog can put a person in harm’s way, but a Michigan woman was able to withstand a recent threat because she had a gun. While the woman was taking her dog for his nightly walk, a stranger came up from behind and grabbed her. The armed citizen responded by pressing her handgun against the alleged assailant’s gut. The pet owner had been in a heightened state of awareness because she had earlier noticed a black van with no windows idling on the side of the street ahead of her. She then caught sight of a man getting out of the vehicle and strolling parallel to her as she walked her dog. The uneasiness of the situation prompted her to grip her gun while it was still in her jacket pocket. When the man later took hold of her coat, she drew her gun, pushed it into his stomach area and reportedly said, “I don’t want to kill you.” The thug scurried off. (fox32chicago.com, Chicago, IL, 12/7/17)

The Armed Citizen® Extra
One afternoon, a 49-year-old man got into an alteration with a 72-year-old man inside a home. The younger man backed the elderly man into a corner. Fearing for his life, the older man believed he didn’t have any choice but to protect himself and shot his aggressor with his .44 Mag. handgun. The older man was not charged and a local attorney said the act was clearly a case of self-defense. (Missoulian.com, Polson, MT, 1/26/18) 

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
February 1981
Alone at home while her husband was elk hunting, Doris Walls shot a 33-year-old who she said broke into her Hermiston, Ore., residence and attempted to rape her. The suspect, wounded in the shoulder by a .30-30 round, was charged with burglary and attempted rape. (The Hermiston Herald, Hermiston, OR)

Latest

New Large-Format Pistols for 2026
New Large-Format Pistols for 2026

5 New Large-Format Pistols for 2026

There's been a huge surge in the large-format pistol category, and 2026 continues to showcase new models answering the wants and needs of today's firearm owners.

Short & Powerful: The EOTech Vudu 4-12x36 mm Super Short Riflescope

EOTech's ultra-compact 3-9x32 mm Vudu was a popular addition to the company's variable-powered riflescope line, and the new 4-12x36 mm Vudu ups the ante with new features in a still-compact package.

The Armed Citizen® May 11, 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.

Ukraine Operators Use Drone Round to Defeat UAS

Ukrainian operators recently tested and defeated drones with the Drone Round—a purpose-built cartridge that requires no firearm modifications, no new equipment and no additional training.

From The Counter: The Gun Store Prime Directive

When visiting a firearm retailer, know when it’s appropriate to interject, and when you should keep quiet.

Red-Dot Occlusion Training: A Performance-Booster for You & Your Optic-Equipped Handgun

Red-dot occlusion is a passive technique that shooters can use to remain target-focused, thereby speeding up their performance with optic-equipped handguns.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.