The Armed Citizen® January 31, 2020

by
posted on January 31, 2020
** 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. **
armed-citizen-main-image.jpg (7)

23-year-old masked man allegedly entered a Fort Wayne, Ind., apartment March 31 at 4 p.m. after breaking down the front door. Hearing breaking glass, the resident, in his bedroom with his girlfriend, realized it was the front door. He grabbed his AR-15 platform pistol, took a position on one knee and aimed at the bedroom doorway, according to court documents. The suspect, wearing all black, came into the doorway pointing a semi-automatic handgun.

The resident fired at the intruder, who retreated into the living room and then to the kitchen, where they exchanged gunfire. The suspect ran out of the front door bleeding, left a trail of blood through the parking lot and fled in an SUV with a group of men. Local law enforcement arrived shortly afterward and were notified about an SUV matching a bystander’s description that had run red lights. The officers located the suspect at a nearby emergency room, where he was being treated for a gunshot wound to his upper thigh.

Police charged him with burglary with a deadly weapon, carrying a handgun without a license, residential break-in and criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon. The suspect was held in a county jail without bail. (The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Ind., 11/21/2019)

Armed Citizen Extra
A game of bumper cars did not go as anticipated for an alleged carjacker in Chicago's "Loop". When a man in a Volkswagen rear-ended a BMW, then got out and demanded the BMW owner's keys at gunpoint, the BMW driver was forced to react quickly, shooting his assailant in the head. The man was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. (Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Ill., 4/26/2019)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
January 1971
Ivory D. Prewett of Avondale, Penn., surprised two men who were attempting to burglarize his garage. Arming himself with a shotgun, he ordered the intruders to stop. Instead the two ran for the back door. Prewett fired twice, but the two escaped. (West Chester-Paoli, Penn., Daily Local News)

Latest

Hk G36 22Lr 1
Hk G36 22Lr 1

Gun of the Week: Heckler & Koch G36 .22 LR

Due to Germany's strict firearm-export laws, along with U.S. firearm import laws, the closest any HK fan could get to owning a real G36 was in the form of the HK SL8. Now, though, Heckler & Koch has introduced its G36 .22 LR, which, profile-wise, is a G36 in all but chambering.

The Armed Citizen® July 17, 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 Visit to the New Smith & Wesson Academy

Let the training (re)commence at Smith & Wesson's new Academy in Tennessee.

New for 2026: Leupold LCO Pro F2 Red-Dot Sight

The optic giant has updated its flagship red-dot sight with a host of upgraded features.

Rifleman Review: Heckler & Koch CC9

When Heckler & Koch USA launched its micro-compact CC9, it proved to be one of the most robustly built micro-compact handguns yet made.

Beyond the Headlines on Armed Citizen Stories

Concealed carriers in the U.S. commit almost no crimes with their lawfully owned firearms. Armed citizens do, however, stop a lot of crimes.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.