The Armed Citizen® January 8, 2018

by
posted on January 8, 2018
** 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.jpg (1)

Police arrested a Texas man after responding to a call about shots being fired. The suspected burglar had been trying to break into a San Benito, Texas, residence but ran up against a prepared homeowner. The armed citizen responded by firing at the would-be thief, who then ran away. Someone had called 9-1-1 to report gunshots, and the police nabbed the perpetrator. The man who lived in the home was not charged. (San Benito News, San Benito, TX, 10/13/17)

The Armed Citizen® Extra
After breaking into a community church and stealing a sledgehammer from a truck, a burglar tried to force his way into a house, which would end up being his last stop. The homeowner heard noises at his front window, back door and also his front door. When the noises continued, he grabbed his shotgun and went to the front door to investigate. When the homeowner opened the front door, the burglar rushed at him with a framing hammer whereupon the homeowner shot him. The intruder ran a short distance, collapsed and died of his wounds. Police determined the shooting was justified. (newsok.com, Midwest City, OK, 7/21/17) 

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
January 1980
A man broke into the Richmond, Va., home of Brodus Cheatham, crept into the bedroom and demanded cash. Even though Cheatham complied with the demand, the thief punched him in the face. At that, Cheatham grabbed a .38 cal. revolver from under the bed and fired, seriously wounding his attacker, who fled but was later arrested by police. (The News-Leader, Richmond, VA)

Latest

target with holes
target with holes

Resisting the Temptation of "Good Enough" for Firearm Performance

No matter what firearm you're using for whatever purpose, even if it's simply a trip to the range, always resist the temptation to accept “good enough” if there is the possibility of better performance.

Armed Citizens Stop a Lot More Criminals Than Most in the Media Will Admit

Since January 2025, the Crime Prevention Research Center has documented 16 defensive gun uses in which police say armed citizens stopped mass public killings.

Federal & Mossberg Collaborate on Autonomous Airborne Drone Defense

Federal and Mossberg are working with Palladyne AI in the creation of SwarmShot, a kinetic defense system that employs swarms of armed drones to shield troops from unmanned aircraft system threats.

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.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.