The Armed Citizen® May 21, 2021

by
posted on May 21, 2021
** 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

An 85-year-old homeowner in Cathedral City, Calif., was forced to act in self-defense when an intruder broke in on May 16, 2021.

The incident began around 6:15 p.m. that Sunday afternoon when a man forced his way into residence. Once inside, the intruder came across the occupants and a confrontation began. At this point, the the residents called authorities to report the intruder.

At some point during the confrontation, the intruder began to make death threats against the residents, spurring the 85-year-old homeowner to grab a gun. The homeowner then shot the intruder once in the upper body. The intruder was critically wounded by the shot and was taken to a local medical center intensive-care unit. None of the residents of the home were injured during the incident. (patch.com, Palm Desert, Calif, 05/17/2021)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives November 1985

Hearing a crash, Valerie Donaldson grabbed a gun and opened her bedroom door to find four masked and armed men who had burst into her Seattle, Wash., apartment. One burglar fired, wounding her in the stomach, but Donaldson shot and killed one burglar and sent the others running for cover. (The Chronicle, Spokane, Wash.)

Latest

Springfield Armory Hellcat 380 Gun of the Week
Springfield Armory Hellcat 380 Gun of the Week

Gun of the Week: Springfield Armory Hellcat in .380 ACP

Springfield's latest Hellcat chambering makes the small pistol easier to shoot.

New for 2026: Stoeger M3000 Sporting Shotgun

Stoeger adds a new sporting model to its M3000 semi-automatic shotgun line.

New for 2026: Shadow Systems Axio Pistol Platform

A duty-size handgun platform joins the Shadow Systems family of 9 mm pistols.

The Armed Citizen® Jan. 30, 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: Hi-Point HP-15 Carbine

In 2025, Hi-Point Firearms surprised the firearm community with the news that it would offer a complete line of HP-15 carbines and pistols. Since then, the company has expanded their offerings.

New for 2026: Springfield Armory Saint Victor .300 BLK 9.5” Pistol

Springfield Armory’s Saint Victor family now has a pistol in .300 BLK.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.