The Armed Citizen® May 19, 2017

by
posted on May 19, 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 (5)

Miami officials hope that footage from a home security camera will help identify a would-be burglar. The video shows a mother of two using a firearm to chase off the man who gained unlawful entry into her home. Shortly after he broke in, the intruder found himself staring down the barrel of a shotgun, which made him decide to run off. “He was running for his life and kept looking back, making sure I wasn’t going to shoot him in the back,” said the mother, who was home with her 10-year-old and toddler at the time of the home intrusion. The woman told local reporters that she didn’t want to shoot for a couple of reasons: one was that the threat had dissipated when he ran off; the other is that she didn’t want to traumatize her children more than they already had been. Police found the abandoned getaway car, and they passed the video to media outlets to help track down the suspect. (local10.com, Miami, FL, 3/21/17) 

The Armed Citizen® Extra
Early one morning, a group of young adults attempted to bust out a window of a pawn shop and rob the establishment. Two employees, who were sleeping in the building, woke up and one of them opened fire with a .45-cal. Glock handgun. The trespassers fled the scene, three of which received gunshot wounds. Police found the criminals a week later with one of the thugs pleading guilty to attempted second-degree burglary in return for an agreed upon sentence of 12 months with 11 months suspended. (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Fairbanks, AK, 3/21/17)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
May 1963
Caretaker Reed Pitchford, of Chicago, Ill., Grant Memorial AME Church, had been sleeping in the church office when awakened by the sound of someone breaking in. When the intruder kept coming at him, Pitchford drew his pistol and fired twice. The intruder fell dead at his feet. (Chicago Sun Times, Chicago, IL)

Latest

Hunter in gun store
Hunter in gun store

Hunting for the “Grail” Gun in the Modern Era

To really enjoy hunting for “that gun,” burn shoe leather instead of your mouse pad.

5 New Rimfire Suppressors for 2026

Generally speaking, rimfire suppressors tend to be less-expensive than their centerfire counterparts, providing an entry point in the world of suppressor use for many firearm enthusiasts.

Top Firearm Manufacturers Estimated from ATF Report

Orchid analyzed the ATF’s Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Exportation Report for 2024 (the most recent data available) and compiled a list of the industry’s top 30 domestic firearms manufacturers.

A Deadly Testing Ground: Guns of the Spanish Civil War

Great powers have often used smaller conflicts as test beds for new weapon systems, and also as dumping grounds for obsolete machinery. The Spanish Civil War was one such conflict.

Sequel: The New Taurus Judge

Not content to merely mark the gun's 20th anniversary with a special engraved edition, Taurus also introduced the New Taurus Judge this year.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 3, 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.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.