The Armed Citizen® July 27, 2018

by
posted on July 27, 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 (7)

Calling 9-1-1 when someone breaks into your home is the right thing to do, but sometimes help doesn’t arrive soon enough. That’s when a gun for personal defense can help, as a case involving a home invasion near Decatur, Ala., shows. An intruder forced his way into a home and grabbed a knife that he found there. He later fought with two people inside the home. He injured both, but one of them grabbed a gun and shot him. Police dispatchers had received a call about the burglary, but the residents had to defend themselves before the officers arrived. The suspect was found dead at the scene. (The Gadsden Times, Gadsden, AL, 5/14/18) 

The Armed Citizen® Extra
Thanks to an armed citizen, a robbery spree was abruptly interrupted. An armed robber, who had previously hit a local market, moved on to a convenience store, displaying a handgun as he entered the store. A legally armed patron inside the store saw what was about to go down and confronted the robber, who immediately fled the scene. (The Patriot-News, Hummelstown, PA, 6/23/18) 

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
July 1974
As Memphis, Tenn., shoemaker E.L. King put new heels on a man’s shoes, the stocking-footed patron drew a gun and demanded money. King promptly pulled a pistol and ordered the gunman to leave. Two accomplices vanished, but the “customer” lingered briefly to ask for the return of his shoes. King opened fire and the man raced away barefoot. (The Memphis Press-Scrimitar, Memphis, TN)

Latest

W3645 AFF 8419+
W3645 AFF 8419+

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 7, 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.

Gun of the Week: Zev Technologies x Magpul FDP-C

One of the most anticipated firearm releases of 2026 was the Zev Technologies FDP, a folding pistol-caliber design that the company produced in conjunction with Magpul Industries.

Review: Taurus 22TUC

Taurus USA's 22TUC is a little, polymer-framed .22 pocket pistol with a tip-up barrel design that, unlike many of the company's guns, is made entirely in the United States.

Korea Coast Guard Increases KelTec KSG Tactical Shotgun Inventory

KelTec recently announced that the Korea Coast Guard has ordered more KSG shotguns to join those already in service aboard the branch's patrol vessel fleet.

Rifleman Review: Mossberg 990 Aftershock

In 2025, Mossberg added to the non-NFA, shotshell-firing firearm category with its 990 Aftershock, which uses a semi-automatic operating mechanism while still maintaining a compact form factor.

Next-Gen Micro Red-Dot: The Steiner MPS 2.0

Steiner Optics has introduced the next-generation version of its Micro Pistol Sight, a red-dot optic that first hit the market in 2021.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.