The Armed Citizen® March 14, 2025

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)