The Armed Citizen® June 13, 2016

by
posted on June 13, 2016
** 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 (3)

Dinner took an unexpected turn for an off-duty security guard who shot and killed one of two armed thugs who tried to rob him. The guard, who was on a late dinner break but was armed, was eating in the parking lot of a 24-hour Whataburger restaurant. The two criminals approached the diner. When the guard saw that at least one of the two miscreants had a gun, he pulled his own firearm and killed the armed robber. That man’s cohort fled, but was later detained. (San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio, TX, 3/18/16)

The Armed Citizen® Extra
A Springfield, Mo., family was filling up their tank at a local gas station when they were accosted by a 42-year-old man brandishing a large knife. The husband was pumping the gas while his wife and three kids (all younger than 8) were inside the vehicle. Springfield police said the suspect approached the vehicle, opened the door and threatened the mother, causing her to scream to her husband for help. Armed with a Beretta handgun, the husband intervened, prompting the assailant to say “You’re lucky he has a gun,” before slowing backing away from the vehicle. The victims called 911 and then followed the creep as he then proceeded to attempt to break into several vehicles at a nearby intersection. Police then arrived and took the man into custody. (Springfield News-Leader, Springfield, MO, 1/5/16)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
September 1979
Ronald Bartnik had just closed his Buffalo, N.Y., tavern and was walking to his car when a young man approached him, brandished a knife and threatened to kill him. Bartnik did not flinch; he drew his licensed .38 Spl.-chambered revolver and shot his attacker dead. Police, who recovered a knife at the scene, said that the shooting appeared to be justifiable, and they turned the case over to the district attorney for routine presentation to the grand jury. (The Courier-Express, Buffalo, NY)

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.