The Armed Citizen® January 22, 2021

by
posted on January 22, 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 Hesperia, Calif., defended himself and his family when an armed intruder attempted to to break into their home on Jan. 18, 2021.

The incident occurred in the early morning hours that Monday when the homeowner and his family heard someone trying to kick in the front door. At the door, the homeowner saw a man demanding to come in with a pistol in hand. The homeowner then directed his wife and child into a closet as he went to retrieve his pistol.

When the homeowner came back to the front door armed with his 9 mm pistol, the armed intruder raised his handgun and opened fire. The homeowner also began shooting at the intruder, who retreated behind a structural column while still shooting. The shootout last for less than a minute, during which time the intruder's .22-caliber pistol jammed.

The intruder then ran away on foot and was later caught by authorities. As it turned out, the armed would-be robber was a neighbor from just down the street, and he was charged with attempted murder, attempted robbery, and felon in possession of a firearm. The incident was caught on a camera that provided an overhead view from outside the front door. (abc7.com, Los Angeles, Calif., 01/19/2021)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives August 1981

An unidentified Rawlins, Wyo., woman was awakened about 4 a.m. by noises at the front door of her home. Thinking it might be her husband, she shouted out his name but got no response. When she approached the door armed with a shotgun, a man who had been trying to jimmy the door open with a screwdriver quickly fled. (The Daily Times, Rawlins, WY)

Latest

attack in a back alley
attack in a back alley

Cold Performance: How to Prepare for the Uncertainty of Self-Defense

Defensive gun use is defined by uncertainty. You don’t know when it will happen, how far away the threat will be, how many threats you will face or what position you will be in when it begins.

Derya Goes Silent: The OBone Suppressor

In 2025, Turkish manufacturer Derya Arms opened a new facility in Florida, enabling the company to produce a number of new products domestically, such as its new OBone suppressor.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 26, 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.

Rifleman Q&A: Understanding a Firearm's Cycle of Operation

The cycle of operation is the mechanical sequence of events that it takes to fire one shot out of a firearm. If one of those steps fails to take place as designed, there is an interruption in the cycle of operation and the gun stops firing.

Review: Sightmark Pinnacle 1-6x24 mm Riflescope

Looking for a performance LPVO without the usual associated cost? The Sightmark Pinnacle 1-6x24 mm might be your answer.

Myths & Misunderstandings About the “Modern Fighting 1911”

The Colt Model 1911 pistol and its derivatives are among the most iconic military handguns ever made. But in 2026, does the M1911 still hold up as a quality defensive arm?

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.