The Armed Citizen® July 3, 2017

by
posted on July 3, 2017
** 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

A gang of would-be invaders learned a lesson the hard way after surprising a 22-year-old male in his Jacksonville, N.C., apartment. While the resident was getting ready to head out to dinner one night, he heard a knock on his apartment door. His mother and a friend were in the home with him, and he wasn’t expecting any visitors. He went to the door and, looking through the peephole, saw an individual dressed in a hoodie. Since he didn’t recognize the person, he grabbed his Glock 30 before opening the door. At first, he saw no one, but as he turned his head to look down the stairs, he was kicked in the face by the stranger, who then tried to force his way into the apartment. The armed citizen fired five shots at the attacker, striking him several times. The thug later died. The apartment dweller noticed several others fleeing after he shot the man in the hooded sweatshirt. Four suspects were subsequently arrested and charged as co-conspirators. Onslow County officials said the armed citizen will not be charged because he was acting in self-defense. (jdnews.com, Jacksonville, NC, 4/27/17)

The Armed Citizen® Extra
A family was at home one afternoon when a group of teenagers broke into the residence by way of an upstairs balcony. While the wife protected the children, the husband grabbed a gun and confronted the intruders, holding them at gunpoint. Two of the intruders ran but were eventually caught. A neighbor called the police and all five were arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary. (Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Chino Hills, CA, 5/2/17)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
July 1980
When two armed men entered his Mira Mesa, Calif., coin shop and announced a robbery, owner Roy Collins drew his revolver and exchanged shots with the gunmen. One robber fled, but the other grappled with Collins, pointed a gun at his head and threatened to kill him. At that, Collin’s wife, who had secured her own pistol, shot the would-be robber, critically wounding him. (The Union, San Diego, CA)

Latest

Shortage
Shortage

Suppressor Demand Outpaces Production

The demand for suppressors is setting new records. National Firearm Act (NFA) item purchases in September—primarily suppressors—more than doubled compared to the same month in 2025.

Book Review | Five Decades of a Fabulous Firearm: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Beretta 92 Pistol Series

In this wide-ranging book, you’ll find a history of Beretta, discussion of developments leading to the Model 1951/951 Brigadier, its evolution into the Model 92 and the U.S. military’s adoption of the platform (as the M9) in 1985.

Review: Galco Revenger Holster & SB7 Gun Belt

For those who choose to carry a finely finished, K-frame revolver, Galco offers one of its finest concealed-carry setups in the form of its Revenger holster and SB7 gun belt.

Rimfire Power: The Primary Arms CLx 1-6x24 mm Riflescope with ACSS 22LR G2 Reticle

Low-power variable optics have become popular options for today's AR-15s and other modern sporting rifles, and Primary Arms now offers an option tailored for rimfire versions of those same guns.

Gun of the Week: Walther Arms PDP F-Series Pro-X PMM

One of Walther Arms' recent introductions combines the features of several other PDP handguns, meaning the Walther PDP F-Series Pro-X PMM is packed with a number of different design elements.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 30, 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.