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

Mossberg 590R Chisel GOTW 1
Mossberg 590R Chisel GOTW 1

Gun of the Week: Mossberg 590R Chisel

For those who are seeking a shotgun that's a bit more heavy-duty, Mossberg's 590 line offers plenty of options, and one of the latest is the striking 590R Chisel.

The Armed Citizen® June 12, 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.

A Cathartic Journey Back to Midway Arms & the MidwayUSA Foundation

NRA CEO & EVP Doug Hamlin returned to MidwayUSA, a place he first visited decades ago in the early 1990s as publisher of Guns & Ammo magazine alongside the late, great Robert E. Petersen.

Review: Steiner MPS-C

The new Steiner MPS-C is the compact but rugged, closed-emitter optic we’ve all been waiting for.

The Truth About Bans on Glocks

Gun-control groups are again trying to ban one of the best-selling and most iconic semi-automatic pistols ever—yes, most Glocks.

WOOX Expands Operations in America’s Woodworking Heartland

WOOX, manufacturer of Italian-American made gunstocks, axes and knives, is breaking ground to expand its operations in Hickory, N.C.—where woodworking expertise has been passed on for generations.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.