The Armed Citizen® March 3, 2017

by
posted on March 3, 2017
** 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

Just the threat of being shot is enough to scare off some intruders, and that resolution was good enough for an Arizona man in his 80s. The elderly armed citizen was awakened one night by the sound of someone rifling through his cabinet drawers. The resident grabbed his handgun and confronted the suspect in the other room, ordering the alleged burglar to lie down and saying, “If you move, I’ll blow your head off.” The homeowner left that room to call 9-1-1, and by the time he returned, the interloper had fled. (Camp Verde Journal, Camp Verde, AZ, 10/19/16)

The Armed Citizen® Extra
Late one evening, an elderly man and his wife heard a trespasser attempting to break into their house. They immediately called police and then tried to thwart his entry. The male homeowner pleaded with the intruder to stop, but he continued to force his way in, eventually breaking the door handle. The homeowner then fired his revolver at the door, killing the prowler. The homeowner is not expected to face charges. (San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio, TX, 7/26/16) 

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
March 1982
Joseph Hodson, 73, was reading a newspaper in his rocking chair when a young robber entered his Indianapolis, Ind., home. The intruder ripped Hodson’s phone from the wall and began to ransack the house. Hodson armed himself with a double-barreled shotgun and, when the robber charged him, loosed a single blast that killed the criminal instantly. (The Star, Indianapolis, IN)

Latest

New Large-Format Pistols for 2026
New Large-Format Pistols for 2026

5 New Large-Format Pistols for 2026

There's been a huge surge in the large-format pistol category, and 2026 continues to showcase new models answering the wants and needs of today's firearm owners.

Short & Powerful: The EOTech Vudu 4-12x36 mm Super Short Riflescope

EOTech's ultra-compact 3-9x32 mm Vudu was a popular addition to the company's variable-powered riflescope line, and the new 4-12x36 mm Vudu ups the ante with new features in a still-compact package.

The Armed Citizen® May 11, 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.

Ukraine Operators Use Drone Round to Defeat UAS

Ukrainian operators recently tested and defeated drones with the Drone Round—a purpose-built cartridge that requires no firearm modifications, no new equipment and no additional training.

From The Counter: The Gun Store Prime Directive

When visiting a firearm retailer, know when it’s appropriate to interject, and when you should keep quiet.

Red-Dot Occlusion Training: A Performance-Booster for You & Your Optic-Equipped Handgun

Red-dot occlusion is a passive technique that shooters can use to remain target-focused, thereby speeding up their performance with optic-equipped handguns.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.