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

couple in dark alley
couple in dark alley

Criminal Clues: Tips to Avoid Appearing Like a Soft Target

You don’t have to be the hardest target, but you don’t want to be the softest. Here are some tips on how to avoid becoming a target for a criminal looking for his or her next opportunity.

Beretta A400 Solo: For the One-Gun Hunter

The new Beretta A400 Solo is designed as a no-nonsense hunting shotgun that is an entry point to the company’s premium semi-auto shotgun family.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 10, 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.

Review: FK Brno PSD-C

Manufacturers have achieved excellent results with small-caliber bottleneck designs, as evidenced by cartridges such as the .357 SIG and 5.7x28 mm. The .30-caliber 7.5 FK continues this legacy and is now chambered in the FK Brno PSD-C.

Firearm Industry Celebrates America's 250th With More Commemorative Options

For the entirety of 2026, we're celebrating America's 250th anniversary, and the firearm industry continues to roll out commemorative products to mark the occasion.

Maxed Out: Derya's New MAX Shotgun

The Derya Arms MAX is a new semi-auto shotgun designed for serious competitive shooters that is made entirely in the USA.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.