The Armed Citizen® May 13, 2022

Law-Abiding Citizens Using Their Second Amendment Rights In Self-Defense

by
posted on May 13, 2022
** 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. **
The Armed Citizen

Armed Citizen® Today

A Good Samaritan in Philadelphia, Pa., stepped in when he witnessed a young child being mauled by a dog on Feb. 18, 2022.

The man was driving down the city street at 7 a.m. when he witnessed a mother trying to fight off two dogs attacking her young son at the corner of an intersection. The mother was taking her son to school when the two dogs, running around loose on the sidewalk, approached and one targeted the boy, biting him on his face and legs.

As the mother continued to try and save her son from the dogs, the man parked his car, stepped out and rushed over to help. As he recounted, "There were a lot of people out there. They were beating the dogs shooting with a paintball gun, trying to do everything to get the dog off the child, but there was nothing no one could do." There was one final option, as the man possessed a concealed carry license, so he drew his pistol while shouting for everyone to move away.

The man opened fire at the dog, striking it as it bit into the boy. His shots had the desired effect, as they stopped the dog's assault, but the fragmentation of one round did strike a nearby 22-year-old woman. The young boy was taken to a local hospital, and despite his bite marks was listed in stable condition. The other dog was taken into custody and police declined to charge the man. He was thanked by the mother for saving her son, and he met with the boy afterwards. (6abc.com, Philadelphia, Penn., 02/18/2022)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives - June 14, 1987

A woman entered Chris Jones' Suffolk, Va., drugstore and inquired about hand cream. But when the owner, who is also the town's vice mayor, approached, she drew a revolver and demanded medication. Jones went behind the medication rack, grabbed his own .38-cal. revolver, and fired twice. A wounded would-be robber was arrested by police and charged with armed robbery and heroin possession. Police said the woman had been free on bond for similar armed robbery charged in Portsmouth, Va. (The Times-Dispatch, Richmond, Va.)

Latest

Icarry Diamondback Sdr Galco 1
Icarry Diamondback Sdr Galco 1

I Carry: Diamondback SDR in a Galco Hornet Holster

For our latest "I Carry" episode above, we paired the six-round Diamondback SDR DA/SA snubnose revolver with a simple leather holster from Galco, along with one of the latest EDC flashlights from Streamlight.

The Armed Citizen® May 8, 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.

Creating the Ideal First-Time Shooting Experience

That first time behind a trigger can shape a newcomer’s attitude towards firearms. Here are five ways to make the experience a success.

Henry Repeating Arms Founder & CEO Honored as Law Enforcement Supporter of the Year

Henry Repeating Arms founder and CEO Anthony Imperato has been named Law Enforcement Supporter of the Year by New York State Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Lodge 100.

New For 2026: TriStar Arms APOC Pro

The new APOC Pro takes the original TriStar Arms APOC pistol design introduced in 2025 and makes it optics- and suppressor-ready.

7 New Over-Under Shotguns for 2026

Ever since the development of the iconic Browning Superposed shotgun in the early 1930s, the concept of an over-under shotgun has remained popular not just with American shooters but shotgunners the world over.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.