The Armed Citizen March 29, 2016

by
posted on March 29, 2016
** 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 (7)

Halloween intruders got a surprise after they said “trick or treat” to an elderly couple and then barged into the home. Even though the four real-life goblins were armed and had their victims outnumbered, the man who lived in the home responded under duress. With at least two would-be robbers pointing guns at him, the resident grabbed a registered handgun he kept near his chair and fired. Although the shot only went into the ceiling, it scared the bad guys off. They dropped two of the guns—a rifle and a shotgun—that they had brought into the house and hightailed it. Police took those guns into evidence and were searching for the suspects. (The Helena World, Helena, AR, 11/3/15)

The Armed Citizen Extra
The robbery of a Chicago, Ill., corner store was thwarted when one of the customers inside the store at the time fatally shot the culprit. The thief entered the Southwest Side business and announced the robbery to an employee behind the counter. While the suspect was temporarily distracted by another store employee, the armed citizen pulled his legally concealed gun and fired. The criminal later died of his injuries. (Chicago Tribune, Chicago, IL, 11/1/15)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
January 1974
A man wielding a rifle and a female companion with a knife burst into an Oakland, Calif., store and demanded money from owner George Hester. When Hester fired a .22-cal. derringer at the pair, the holdup man fled but was later found by police lying in a gutter with a neck wound. The woman was arrested at the store. (The Oakland Tribune, Oakland, CA)

Latest

Hk G36 22Lr 1
Hk G36 22Lr 1

Gun of the Week: Heckler & Koch G36 .22 LR

Due to Germany's strict firearm-export laws, along with U.S. firearm import laws, the closest any HK fan could get to owning a real G36 was in the form of the HK SL8. Now, though, Heckler & Koch has introduced its G36 .22 LR, which, profile-wise, is a G36 in all but chambering.

The Armed Citizen® July 17, 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.

A Visit to the New Smith & Wesson Academy

Let the training (re)commence at Smith & Wesson's new Academy in Tennessee.

New for 2026: Leupold LCO Pro F2 Red-Dot Sight

The optic giant has updated its flagship red-dot sight with a host of upgraded features.

Rifleman Review: Heckler & Koch CC9

When Heckler & Koch USA launched its micro-compact CC9, it proved to be one of the most robustly built micro-compact handguns yet made.

Beyond the Headlines on Armed Citizen Stories

Concealed carriers in the U.S. commit almost no crimes with their lawfully owned firearms. Armed citizens do, however, stop a lot of crimes.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.