The Armed Citizen® March 2, 2018

by
posted on March 2, 2018
** 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

Firearms can be an equalizer for the old and the outnumbered, as a recent defensive shooting in Pennsylvania illustrates. An 84-year-old Korean War veteran makes it a habit to sleep with a gun under his pillow so he can react quickly if he’s threatened. The practice worked to his advantage in early December when two men conducted a late-night break-in at his home. The resident was awakened by the sound of the suspects bursting through his front door. When an assailant tried to grab him, the veteran fired, killing one of the intruders. A tussle with the other ensued, with the gun being knocked out of the armed citizen’s hand, and the bad guy fled before the owner could retrieve his handgun. (cbsnews.com, Pittsburgh, PA, 12/8/17) 

The Armed Citizen® Extra
A masked man entered a home through a pet door and, while he was threatening the 75-year-old homeowner at gunpoint, was interrupted by the sound of a cough emanating from an upstairs bedroom. Upon investigating, he discovered the man's wife, who had been asleep in bed. As he pointed the gun at her face, she was able to quickly draw her own pistol from under her pillow. The intruder fled, but police later discovered a 9 mm shell casing, which presumably had been fired from the intruder's gun. (The Youngstown Vindicator, Youngstown, OH, 1/22/18) 

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
March 1971
A youth entered the San Gabriel, Calif., market where Mrs. Marjorie Wooley was working. Producing a pistol, he demanded money and was about to leave the store with $49 when Mrs. Wooley’s husband, Charles, came out of the back room with a gun. Mr. Wooley fired twice at the suspect, who dropped his gun and surrendered. (The San Gabriel Valley Tribune, San Gabriel, CA)

Latest

Nighthawk Custom New Guns 2026 1
Nighthawk Custom New Guns 2026 1

Nighthawk Custom Releases Trio Of New Pistols For 2026

Ahead of SHOT Show 2026, Nighthawk Custom announced it would be releasing three new handguns, all built with the company's "One Gun, One Gunsmith" approach.

I Have This Old Gun: Remington Nylon 66

When Remington Arms wanted an inexpensive, mass-market .22 rifle, the company's designers departed from traditional manufacturing materials. The resulting Remington Nylon 66 emerged as an incredibly innovative, durable design that went on to be produced in great numbers.

Nevada, Missouri Law Enforcement Agencies Adopt Springfield Echelon

Police departments in Nevada and Missouri became the latest law-enforcement agencies to adopt the Springfield Armory Echelon 4.5F as their official duty pistol.

New For 2026: FN 309 MRD

For 2026, FN is seeking to bring its handguns to a wider market with the FN 309 MRD, a no-frills affordable pistol that the company says is “easy to shoot, easy to use and easy to own.”

Handloads: A Cheap .38 Special Target Load

These times of sparsely available handloading components require scrimping here and there in order to continue shooting, and the .38 Special provides a lot of bang for the buck.

Jack O'Connor Guns, Books & Art Up For Auction

A number of books and firearms, along with some art pieces, that have a direct connection to famed outdoor writer Jack O'Connor are up for auction at GunBroker.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.