The Armed Citizen® July 21, 2023

by
posted on July 21, 2023
** 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

An Albuquerque, N.M., smoke shop hadn't even opened to the public yet when it suffered two break-ins, and the latest robbery attempt ended with the store owner shooting and killing one of the alleged burglars.

After the first break-in attempt, one of the shop owners began sleeping at the store. Around 3 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, the owner was awakened by an odd scratching sound coming from the side wall of the shop. Unbeknownst to the shop owner, the sound was being created by a man attempting to tunnel his way into the store. An hour later, the alleged intruder broke through the wall.

When the burglar emerged from the tunnel and stood up, he was waving a large hammer and an axe or chisel. The shop owner grabbed his gun and told the intruder to leave. Instead, the suspect walked toward him, swinging his implements, so the owner fired, shooting and killing the intruder. (KOB4; Albuquerque, N.M.; 4/22/23)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives – August 1973

Hearing noises over the intercom that connects the hallways of his Middletown, R.I., motel, Fred Armbrust got his pistol and investigated. Armbrust found a prowler in a darkened room and fired once. The man ran from the motel. Police picked him up when he sought aid for a gunshot wound in his shoulder. (The Newport Daily News, Newport, R.I.)

Latest

Icarry Diamondback Sdr Galco 1
Icarry Diamondback Sdr Galco 1

I Carry: Diamondback SDR in a Galco Hornet Holster

For our latest "I Carry" episode above, we paired the six-round Diamondback SDR DA/SA snubnose revolver with a simple leather holster from Galco, along with one of the latest EDC flashlights from Streamlight.

The Armed Citizen® May 8, 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.

Creating the Ideal First-Time Shooting Experience

That first time behind a trigger can shape a newcomer’s attitude towards firearms. Here are five ways to make the experience a success.

Henry Repeating Arms Founder & CEO Honored as Law Enforcement Supporter of the Year

Henry Repeating Arms founder and CEO Anthony Imperato has been named Law Enforcement Supporter of the Year by New York State Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Lodge 100.

New For 2026: TriStar Arms APOC Pro

The new APOC Pro takes the original TriStar Arms APOC pistol design introduced in 2025 and makes it optics- and suppressor-ready.

7 New Over-Under Shotguns for 2026

Ever since the development of the iconic Browning Superposed shotgun in the early 1930s, the concept of an over-under shotgun has remained popular not just with American shooters but shotgunners the world over.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.