The Armed Citizen® March 11, 2019

by
posted on March 11, 2019
** 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 (3)

In Columbia, S.C., a pair of escaped convicts looking for an easy target picked the wrong home. After managing to escape from the county jail, one convict kicked in the back door, then armed himself with a knife sharpener before advancing to an upstairs bedroom. Roused by the 3 a.m. disturbance, the homeowner grabbed her firearm and shot the intruder as he came into her bedroom. “This was a big guy. If she hadn’t had a weapon there’s no telling what would have happened,” said County Sheriff Rick Clark. “This is the shining example of why owning and knowing how to use a gun is important. She came out on the good on this end and the other guy, the bad guy, didn’t.” (The Times and Democrat, Columbia, S.C., 12/5/18)

The Armed Citizen Extra
A Florida home invasion was thwarted by the quick reactions of an armed citizen. When two masked intruders entered a Brevard County house, one occupant grabbed a gun and shot both men. Of the two invaders, one was pronounced dead on the scene, while the other ran down the street, collapsed and later died at a hospital. No certain motive for the break in is yet known. (Spectrum News 13, Titusville, Fla., 02/08/19)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
March 1962
Tampa, Fla., night service station operator Alfonso Pierce was approached by a man with a gun and told to 'reach'. Pierce took a cal. .38 revolver from his pocket and fired 3 shots as the bandit ran. An anonymous tip led police to the man, dead in a trailer. (AP)

Latest

Keltec KP50 01
Keltec KP50 01

KelTec's KP50: The "Next Evolution Of The PDW"

KelTec has been a consistent innovator in the 5.7 mm firearm market, and its latest design, the KP50, utilizes a bottom-mounted, P90-style magazine that provides an on-board capacity of up to 100 rounds.

The Role of the Pocket Pistol

A backup gun deserves your best effort and attention. Here’s why.

The Future Of American Rifleman

Greetings! As you are no doubt aware based on the cover wrap of this issue and your January edition, big changes are afoot at NRA. American Rifleman will now publish a quarterly print magazine and a monthly digital edition.

The Armed Citizen® Feb. 23, 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.

Prices On Rifles, Ammo, Optics & Suppressors Dropped In 2025, According To Retail Report

The average price enthusiasts paid for ammunition, rifles, optics and suppressors dropped in 2025, according to a recently released RetailBI Report.

Preview: A-Zoom Snap Caps Instructor Pack

Firearm safety is a primary concern for all gun owners, which is a substantial part of what your NRA strives to ingrain into the shooting public, and products like Snap Caps help make this training both easier and safer.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.