The Armed Citizen® June 1, 2020

by
posted on June 1, 2020
** 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. **
armed-citizen-main-image.jpg
Armed Citizen® Today

Late in the evening on Saturday, April 5, a homeowner in Spokane, Wash., woke after hearing a noise in his downstairs kitchen. He grabbed his shotgun and headed downstairs to investigate.

When he entered the kitchen, the homeowner found an unknown 29-year-old man using his microwave. The homeowner then demanded that the intruder leave, and the intruder responded that he didn't understand why the homeowner was so mad, as he was doing their dishes.

The 29-year-old suspect then approached the homeowner, and a struggle for the shotgun ensued. The homeowner fired one round into the ground, which caused the suspect to stumble away. He reloaded his shotgun as the suspect approached him once again and fired a round into the assailant's leg.

As the struggle ensued, the homeowner's wife had called the police, informed dispatchers that her husband had a gun and had found the alleged intruder. Deputies arrived at the scene to find the 29-year-old suspect yelling for help and bleeding from a shotgun wound to the leg.

One deputy applied a tourniquet to the wounded suspect and detained him as medical responders arrived at the scene. The suspect told deputies that he thought he was at a friend's house but later admitted that his friend was in prison. Investigators found no evidence that the suspect's friend had ever been in contact with the homeowners.

At the time of reporting, the suspected burglar was in the hospital and facing charges of first-degree burglary. The homeowner will not face any charges. (KXLY, Spokane, Wash., 04/05/2020)
  
   
From the Armed Citizen® Archives December 1973

A youthful robber confronted Wesley Krouse of Phoenix, Ariz., at his front door and, armed with a .22-cal. revolver, forced the 72-year-old Krouse to turn over some cash and the keys to his truck.

But when the thief pushed the septuagenarian into his bedroom, Krouse grabbed a 12-ga. shotgun and exchanged fire with the bandit, who was killed instantly. (The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Ariz.)

Latest

Robinson Armament Xcrl Gotw 1
Robinson Armament Xcrl Gotw 1

Gun of the Week: Robinson Armament XCR-L

One man, Alex Robinson, took it upon himself to address what he saw as several shortcomings in the AR-15 design. He consulted with special forces operators and asked what they wanted in a rifle platform. The result was the Robinson Armament XCR.

Maryland Bans Glocks and the NRA Responds

Legislation recently signed into law by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore essentially bans nearly every Glock and Glock-style pistol on the market from being sold within the state.

The Armed Citizen® May 29, 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.

Federal Signs Agreement With U.S. Army to Improve Ammo Performance

Federal Ammunition announced this week that it has entered into an agreement that allows the U.S. Army to utilize its patented Peak Alloy ammunition case technology for use in multiple cartridges and weapon systems.

Four Armed Citizen Stories That Tell us a Lot

Each self-defense case is different. As we read them, we find ourselves wondering what we would have done, and then asking if the citizen made the best decisions possible in the worst-case scenario.

The Three Rs of Performance Shooting: Rise, Return & Realignment

Way back in the day, the three Rs of learning were colloquially known as "Readin’, Rightin’ and Rithmatic." In today's modern performance shooting, the three Rs become Rise, Return and Realignment, the core mechanics of recoil control.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.