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

Ithaca Model 87 Ultra Special 1
Ithaca Model 87 Ultra Special 1

The Model 87 Ultra Special: A Rare Survivor of Ithaca's Final Gamble

In the spring of 1990, an 18-year-old received a shotgun he didn't order. The Ithaca Model 87 Ultra Special he got instead was the last gasp of one of America's most iconic shotgun makers.

As Gun Sales Stay High, Violent Crime Hits a Historic Low

According to a recent report from the FBI on national crime statistics, violent crime has decreased 9.3 percent from 2024, marking the largest year-to-year drop since the 1930s.

Five Million Friends

From one room of friends in Missouri to a nationwide movement, Friends of NRA celebrates more than five million lives touched through community, volunteerism, and a shared commitment to the future of the shooting sports.

Federal to Provide Rifle Ammunition to Top Nordic Police Agencies

The Nordic Police, comprised of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland, recently selected two Federal Ammunition rifle loads for duty and training use.

New For 2026: Beretta APX A1 Ported

Beretta first entered the polymer-frame, striker-fired pistol market in 2017 with its APX, and nearly 10 years later, the company has added the APX A1 Ported to the lineup.

CDC Restores Basic Armed Citizen Data

As of Aug. 24, 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s webpage is again providing defensive-gun-use data.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.