The Armed Citizen® March 14, 2025

by
posted on March 14, 2025
** 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. **
The Armed Citizen

Armed Citizen® Today

A suspected intruder is dead after failing to heed warnings and instructions to leave from an armed father in New Mexico.

Police say the 45-year-old suspect began banging on the door of the home and then "broke open the door." He immediately went into the home's kitchen, which was located down the hall from the bedroom where the homeowner's three kids were sleeping. The armed father demanded that the suspect leave his home, and eventually, the intruder attempted to assault the man, causing him to fire at least one round from his handgun.

The suspect fell to the floor of the kitchen, and the homeowner called 911. Responding officers pronounced the suspect dead at the scene. No family members were injured during the incident. No charges have been filed against the homeowner. (The State; La Luz, N.M.; 12/14/24)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives – November 1967

Violence was averted in northwest Washington, D.C., because Mrs. Ellen Von Nardroff took a detective's advice and armed herself with a 20-ga. shotgun.

Detective L.E. Simmons gave her the advice after an intruder broke into her home, attempted to attack her and stole $50. The same man, a husky 6-footer, got halfway upstairs to Mrs. Von Nardroff's bedroom on a noisy second attempt, only to be met by her with the shotgun and a visiting girlfriend with a pistol. The intruder was arrested and held.

Mrs. Von Nardroff said she had practiced considerably with her 20-ga. shotgun after the Washington detective recommended a shotgun, properly handled, as the most effective defensive arm for "a lady who lives alone." (Washington Star)

Latest

US Palm STORM CAT4 01
US Palm STORM CAT4 01

Storm on the Horizon: US Palm's Storm Cat4 Rifles & Pistols

Known primarily for its line of AK-platform accessories, this year, US Palm branched out with a full line of AR-style rifles and pistols, all of which have a unique feature set.

Review: Axil XCor Pro Hearing Protection

These do-it-all earbuds from Axil actually do it all.

Federal's New 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak: The Peak Alloy Case Goes Mainstream

Federal introduced its high-pressure Peak Alloy case design with the 7 mm Backcountry in 2025. Now, the company is incorporating it into high-pressure 6.5 Creedmoor loads with the +Peak design.

I Carry: Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0FC in a JM Custom Kydex Holster

In our latest "I Carry" video, a Springfield Echelon 4.0FC is outfitted with Aimpoint's new COA enclosed-emitter red-dot optic, and to carry this optic-equipped handgun, we've selected a JM Custom Kydex holster.

The Armed Citizen® June 5, 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.

Multi-Caliber MK24 to Replace SCAR-H For SOCOM

U.S. Special Forces will soon be replacing their 7.62-NATO-chambered SCAR-Hs with a new, barrel-swapping MK24 Mid-Range Gas Gun-Assault (MRGGA) gun capable of running either 7.62 NATO or 6.5 Creedmoor.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.