The Armed Citizen® Jan. 26, 2016

by
posted on January 26, 2016
** 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-2.jpg (2)

Luck ran out for a thief who was involved in a spree of car burglaries in Fayetteville, Ark. One would-be victim held the suspect at gunpoint after the armed citizen caught the bad guy in the act of breaking into his car. The suspect later confessed to multiple vehicle break-ins in the area. (KNWA, Fayetteville, AR)

The Armed Citizen® Extra
An Angleton, Texas, man used a handgun to keep a thief from stealing his vehicle. The man was staying at a local hotel when he and his wife were awakened in the middle of the night by sounds outside; looking into the parking lot, he watched as a 31-year-old man attempted to break into his SUV. Bringing his gun with him, the owner of the vehicle confronted and shot the culprit. The hotel manager called the police after witnessing the altercation, and the authorities arrived to find the suspect on the floor of the hotel lobby with a gunshot wound to the chest. According to the police, the wounded man is expected to live. (thefacts.com, Clute, TX, 10/20/15)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
October 1986
A Chula Vista, Calif., couple on a weekend fishing trip along the Mexican border was menaced by a group of 10 men, some armed with knives. When the men split into two groups and circled John Spizale’s camper, he got out his .45 pistol. One of the men pointed at his gun asking, “Bullets?” Spizale replied that the gun was indeed loaded and that he was prepared to use it. The group left, and the Border Patrol said that the gun’s presence probably saved the couple’s lives. (The Star-News, Chula Vista, CA)

Latest

SA Echelon Alpha 01
SA Echelon Alpha 01

Affordable & Feature-Rich: The Springfield Armory Echelon Alpha 4.0C

Springfield Armory entered the world of modular, striker-fired handguns in 2023 with its Echelon line of pistols, and for 2026, Springfield is introducing an entry-level Echelon model with the Alpha 4.0C.

5 New SBRs for 2026

It has never been easier for gun owners to buy and use short-barreled rifles, and for the occasion, we have five of the latest SBRs on the market right now.

Review: Military Armament Corporation MAC-5K

SDS Arms, under its Military Armament Corporation (MAC) brand, imports Turkish-made roller-delayed handguns of the H&K MP5 pattern called the MAC-5K.

8 New Revolvers for 2026

Despite the incredible array of polymer-frame, striker-fired, semi-automatic handguns on the market, the classic revolver not only refuses to die, it has seen something of a resurgence in recent years.

The Armed Citizen® May 18, 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.

8 New Semi-Auto Shotguns for 2026

For 2026, the semi-automatic shotgun market has seen even more growth, with some manufacturers expanding their current offerings and other makers entering the marketplace with novel designs.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.