The Armed Citizen® March 23, 2014

by
posted on March 23, 2014
** 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)

Christy Vasilakos got into a heated argument with her boyfriend early one morning prior to kicking him out just before 6 a.m. He returned soon thereafter, however, and demanded to be let in. He broke several windows and banged on the front door. The fight moved outside to the sidewalk where the couple continued to argue. The noise woke neighbors, including Vickie Rock, who was staying at her boyfriend's apartment upstairs. Rock, 50, went outside and tried to intercede when she saw Vasilako's boyfriend beating her with a metal object. When he turned on her, Rock pulled out her .45-cal. handgun and fired. He staggered away and was later found dead in a nearby parking lot. (Tampa Bay Times, Riverview, Fla., 8/17/13)

A suspicious man, who wore a black hooded sweatshirt pulled over his head to conceal most of his face, entered a convenience store with ill intent. He had already been in the store earlier that day, but left. During his second visit, around 7 p.m., the suspect pulled out a large knife and demanded money from the store's owner, Indar Hooda. Hooda drew a gun, prompting the would-be robber to flee the store. Hooda said, "I'm happy he walked out when he saw the gun. If I didn't take it out, he was going to stab me." No one was injured during the attempted robbery and it was last reported that the suspect was still at large. (The Standard-Times, New Bedford, Mass., 6/5/13)

From The Armed Citizen® Archives

March 1976: Ensil Malone arrived at his St. Marys, W. Va., tavern about 3 a.m. to find two burglars preparing to cart away liquor and stereo equipment. Shots from his .22 rifle sent the looters running off empty-handed. (The Oracle, St. Marys, W. Va.)

Latest

Hk Cc9 GOTW 1
Hk Cc9 GOTW 1

Gun of the Week: Heckler & Koch CC9

The Heckler & Koch CC9 isn't merely just another micro-compact. It's the result of a significant amount of work on the part of the company's US subsidiary to create the first truly American-made HK.

The Armed Citizen® May 22, 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.

Political Report | Braced Pistols’ Status Unresolved

The U.S. Supreme Court has characterized handguns as the “quintessential” Second Amendment arm. Pistol braces increase accuracy and ease of operation for large-format handguns, especially for users suffering from physical disabilities.

The PROOF Research PXT: A New Approach to Barrel Rifling

PROOF Research has introduced PROOF eXponential Twist (PXT)—an advancement in rifling that improves durability, accuracy and shootability—to the commercial market.

Review: Springfield Armory Model 2020 Heatseeker

Back when American Rifleman reviewed Springfield's Model 2020 Waypoint, we noted that we ...couldn’t help but wonder if a tactical-version Model 2020 rifle might be a logical future offshoot of the Waypoint hunting rifle." With the Model 2020 Heatseeker, that version is finally here.

Marlin Goes Mad: The Marlin Mad Pig Customs Model 1894

Marlin’s latest Model 1894 lever-action rifle, a collaboration with Mad Pig Customs that is a far cry from traditional, delivers “modern, factory‑installed features previously found only on custom builds.”

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.