The Armed Citizen® May 12, 2011

by
posted on May 12, 2011
** 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 (1)

A couple in their sixties were awakened by loud, repeated banging on their apartment door. They went downstairs and the husband opened the door-and an intoxicated 28-year-old man pushed them aside and entered the home. The suspect shoved the husband and repeatedly claimed to live in the apartment, ignoring the couple's insistence to the contrary. The couple tried to push the man back out the door, but he punched the man in the groin and shoved the woman. That's when the husband informed the intruder he had a gun and would shoot him if he didn't leave; however, the intruder remained relentless in his assault. The husband fired a shot, killing him. (Lansing State Journal, Lansing, MI, 02/05/11)

The Armed Citizen Extra

(The following excerpt did not appear in the print version of American Rifleman.)

A 20-year-old New Orleans homeowner awoke to the sound of shattering glass in the middle of the night. Little did he know, two would-be burglars had cut the power to his house and thrown a brick into a downstairs window. When the homeowner found the two men climbing through the window, he opened fire, hitting both of them. The two-who were 16 and 15 years old-were unable to flee the scene due to their injuries. The 16-year-old male was killed, and the other was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. (The Times Picayune, New Orleans, LA, 02/12/11)

From The Armed Citizen Archive:

May 1980: Two ex-convict brothers ended up a criminal spree of burglary, robbery, abduction, and rape by beating on the door of L.C. Mitchell in Bothell, Wash., and demanding gasoline from the owner. Mitchell repulsed the felons with a double-derringer, wounding one in the neck before they fled in their car. The sherriff's office arrested the pair after identification was made from the mug file. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

Latest

Smith Wesson Model 29 10 Facts 1
Smith Wesson Model 29 10 Facts 1

10 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About The Smith & Wesson Model 29

Without a doubt, the Smith & Wesson Model 29 is one of the 20th century’s most shootable, collectible "superstar" revolvers. Here are a few little-known facts about the gun.

Packable Punch: Discreet Ways to Carry More Firepower

While folding and takedown firearms chambered for full-power rifle cartridges may be niche defensive tools, the dark situations in which they shine brightest aren’t going away anytime soon.

Southpaw Solution: Ruger Introduces Left-Handed American Gen II Ranch Rifles

Traditionally, Ruger has offered a range of left-handed rifle models for the southpaws among us, and now, the company's Gen II American rifles are available in a left-handed variant, starting with the Ranch models.

Gun of the Week: Kimber 1911 DS Warrior LW

In 2026, Kimber developed its 1911 DS Warrior, an American-made, double-stack design that is intended to be an affordable entry point into Kimber's double-stack handgun line.

The Armed Citizen® April 24, 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.

Spin Difference: The Impact of Barrel Twist Rates on Terminal Performance

When most shooters think of rifling-twist rates, they mostly think of rifles with their high BC projectiles, but the rpm of a bullet also plays a part in terminal performance.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.