The Armed Citizen® May 5, 2017

by
posted on May 5, 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 (1)

A lover’s spat could have turned lethal if not for the efforts of an armed citizen. The ex-boyfriend of an employee came into the 39-year-old’s workplace and began to harass the woman. The offender punched the woman several times before throwing her to the ground. A customer saw the commotion and helped. His intervention made the woman’s ex angry, and he attacked the armed citizen, trying to grab the man’s gun. The Good Samaritan fired twice at the suspect, who was taken to a hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. (Holland Sentinel, Holland, MI, 2/24/17)

The Armed Citizen® Extra
Late one night, three masked and armed teenagers broke through a back glass door of a home. The homeowner’s son, who was asleep in his room, heard the commotion and grabbed an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. Upon confronting the three intruders, he opened fire, killing all three. The homeowner’s son then barricaded himself in his room and called 9-1-1. A young woman, who dropped the three burglars off at the home, is being charged for three complaints of first-degree murder because the deaths of her accomplices occurred while she was in commission of a felony, one count of first-degree burglary and another for second-degree burglary. The homeowner’s son is not being charged. (Tulsa World, Wagoner, OK, 4/4/17) 

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
May 1981
John and Deby Matthews were asleep early one morning in their Las Cruces, N.M., home when they heard the sounds of cabinet doors opening and closing. John leaped from bed and tackled the intruder, while Deby grabbed a 12-ga. shotgun and followed behind. They held a youthful housebreaker until police arrived. (The Sun-News, Las Cruces, NM)

Latest

Staccato P4x Review 1
Staccato P4x Review 1

First Impressions of the Staccato P4X

Down in Texas, Staccato launched a new pistol to celebrate America's 250th anniversary: the P4X. One can hardly blame them considering that the company's entire product line is based on the 1911, arguably the most American of handguns.

A Big Third Circuit Ruling on America’s Rifle

In an appeal of a case the NRA filed in 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit struck down New Jersey’s ban on “assault weapons” and “large capacity” ammunition magazines as unconstitutional.

Top Cop: How an Armed American Saved President Trump’s Life

An NRA Benefactor Member and NRA Certified Law Enforcement Patrol Rifle Instructor, Sergeant Aaron Zaliponi likely saved the life of President Trump in Butler, Pa. For these reasons, the NRA has selected him as the 2025 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

Review: Rock River Arms A1 Carbine SBR

The Rock River Arms A1 SBR is just plain cool, and there’s little justification needed beyond that for picking up a new gun. It’s a mixture of throwback, retro and nostalgia with a bayonet lug, and you just can’t go wrong there.

The Armed Citizen® July 20, 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.

Plinking Perfect: 5 Must-Haves for Your Next Rimfire Shoot

What better way to celebrate 250 years of freedom than to go out plinking this summer? Here are five great products that will make your next rimfire range trip better than ever before.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.