The Armed Citizen® July 1, 2024

by
posted on July 1, 2024
** 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 thief's attempt to rob an Omaha, Neb., jewelry store was thwarted by the store owner's willingness to defend his livelihood with a gun.

On May 4, 2024, an alleged thief clad in black threw a rock into one of the store's glass windows to gain entry. The store's owner was in a back room and was armed. "I typically carry a firearm on my waist, even after hours," the store owner told local reporters. "It's just one of those things: keys, wallet, firearm."

As the thief raised a tool to break into the glass display cabinets full of jewelry, the owner emerged from the back room, pointing the gun at the intruder, and yelled. The sight was enough to send the thief running back through the broken window.

The shop owner, an Air Force veteran who had spent three years on deployment, told local news that he was glad to have the ability to defend his business, calling his firearm a tool for the job. "My use of [a pistol] is the same as any of the other tools I have back here," he said. "They all serve a purpose. But this is the one tool that I hope to never have to use." (KETV; Omaha, Neb.; 5/7/24)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives – September 1973

Hearing glass breaking in his Everett, Wash., market long after he had closed for the night, Arthur Burnett got a revolver and went to investigate. He found a man inside the store and announced that he was armed. When the man charged at him, Burnett fired two shots and mortally wounded the prowler. (Seattle Times; Seattle, Wash.)

Latest

SIG Sauer P320 pistol
SIG Sauer P320 pistol

Swiss Armed Forces Select SIG Sauer P320s

Swiss Armed Forces select a domestically sourced SIG Sauer P320 as standard issue.

Preview: Reptilia RECC-E Carbine Stock

Versatile and exceptionally lightweight, the polymer RECC-E SR-15/M4/AR-15 Carbine Stock from Reptilia provides a constant, uniform cheek weld across a generous range of settings for length-of-pull...

The MAT-49: France's Mid-20th Century SMG

After World War II, the French military was left with a hodgepodge of leftover submachine guns. After several years, the army consolidated on a standard service rifle, the MAS-49, and a standard submachine gun: the MAT-49.

New for 2026: Pedersoli 1805 Baker Rifle

Pedersoli now offers an authentically styled 1805 Baker Rifle for collectors, re-enactors and enthusiasts.

Gun of the Week: Benelli M4 EXT Tactical Shotgun

Benelli's semi-automatic workhorse shotgun continues to evolve and improve.

The Armed Citizen® Feb. 6, 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.