The Armed Citizen® Jan. 7, 2022

Law-Abiding Citizens Using Their Second Amendment Rights In Self-Defense

by
posted on January 7, 2022
** 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 Chicago, Ill., resident defended himself when he was fired upon by two armed burglars on Nov. 10, 2021.

The 44-year-old resident was sitting on the steps of his home around 11:45 p.m. that Wednesday evening when he heard loud noises coming from the street nearby. As he went over to investigate, the resident came across two men under a vehicle stripping off parts. The two part thieves both drew firearms when they saw the resident and opened fire..

Luckily for the resident, he was not defenseless. A licensed concealed carrier, he drew his pistol and returned fire at the pair of armed thieves, striking one of them in the neck as the two sides exchanged fire. The stricken robber collapsed on a sidewalk nearby, while the other made a getaway in a stolen Dodge Durango.

The 25-year-old wounded part thief was found with a pistol under his arm when police arrived on the scene. He was taken to a local medical center, where he was declared as deceased at 12:07 a.m. According to police, the slain thief had a prior criminal history, having been released from prison in April after serving half of his sentence received for possessing a stolen vehicle. He was arrested again in September for the possession of a firearm, but was released again shortly after. Police also said that the incident was one of several related armed catalytic converter thefts to occur at the time. (cwbchicago.com, Chicago, Ill., 11/11/2021)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives - March 26, 1987

Charles Hughes awoke to the sound of someone trying to break into his Tallahassee, Fla., trailer. The 65-year-old resident tried to call police, but the line had been cut, so he got his shotgun and waited. He heard glass breaking and a voice threatening his life, so Hughes fired, wounding one of two intruders. Hughes was not charged, but a wounded suspect was charged with burglary and armed robbery. (The Democrat, Tallahassee, Fla.)

Latest

FP 6.5Peak Launch Fusion Terminalascent Peakalloy 19
FP 6.5Peak Launch Fusion Terminalascent Peakalloy 19

Federal's New 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak: The Peak Alloy Case Goes Mainstream

Federal introduced its high-pressure Peak Alloy case design with the 7 mm Backcountry in 2025. Now, the company is incorporating it into high-pressure 6.5 Creedmoor loads with the +Peak design.

I Carry: Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0FC in a JM Custom Kydex Holster

In our latest "I Carry" video, a Springfield Echelon 4.0FC is outfitted with Aimpoint's new COA enclosed-emitter red-dot optic, and to carry this optic-equipped handgun, we've selected a JM Custom Kydex holster.

The Armed Citizen® June 5, 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.

Multi-Caliber MK24 to Replace SCAR-H For SOCOM

U.S. Special Forces will soon be replacing their 7.62-NATO-chambered SCAR-Hs with a new, barrel-swapping MK24 Mid-Range Gas Gun-Assault (MRGGA) gun capable of running either 7.62 NATO or 6.5 Creedmoor.

Rifle Renaissance 2026: Exploring Rifle Skills Beyond Marksmanship

Being able to shoot in contextual situations, shoot from unusual positions, manipulate the rifle quickly and rapidly adjust one’s position based on distance are all essential skills for a well-trained rifleman. To train these abilities, The Complete Combatant hosted the first annual Rifle Renaissance event in March 2026.

New Guns For 2026: A Full Guide

While it’s claimed the firearms industry is experiencing a slowdown, that hasn’t meant a stall to innovation. It means gunmakers are working harder than ever to earn your business.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.