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

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.