The Armed Citizen® May 7, 2013

by
posted on May 7, 2013
** 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

Debi Keeney, 55, was at home with her sister, Donna Carlyle, 47, when she stepped outside to smoke a cigarette. As she closed the door behind her, a man approached and pushed his way inside the apartment. The man threw Keeney to the floor and put Carlyle in a choke hold. He demanded money as Carlyle gasped for air. Keeney was quickly able to get to a .22-cal. derringer she kept hidden in a side-table drawer. She warned the man to release her sister or she would shoot. When he continued to demand money, Keeney fired. The 33-year-old intruder was later taken to a local hospital to be treated for two gunshot wounds and was listed in critical condition. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Highland, MO, 2/11/13)

The Armed Citizen Extra

A 72-year-old South Side woman on oxygen held a man at gunpoint in her home Wednesday evening after he crashed through her porch window and onto her couch. Phibbie Underwood told the intruder, 26, that "you broke into the wrong house" and "I'll kill you" after he came through the window about 8 p.m. Wednesday police reports state. She fired one shot in his direction. Police said they arrived to find the intruder lying on the floor and Underwood pointing a .22-caliber revolver at him. Underwood put on a clinic on how to defend your home with a gun, according to the police chief. "She's a brave lady," he said. "She did exactly what she's supposed to do with a home defense firearm. Good for her." "She didn't use the gun until she felt threatened." (Tribune Chronicle, Youngstown, OH, 3/29/2013)

From The Armed Citizen Archives

October 1973: Vaughn Elliot picked up his muzzle-loading rifle and hurried from his Highgrove, Calif., apartment to aid his brother, who was being attacked by burglars next door. Elliot shot one of the attackers in the chest, killing him. The second suspect and two other accomplices were caught by police. (The Evening Telegram, San Bernardino, Calif.)

Latest

Franchi Momentum MULE rifle
Franchi Momentum MULE rifle

New for 2026: Franchi Momentum Mule Rifle

Franchi’s do-it-all MULE rifle is designed as a general-purpose carbine.

New for 2026: Smith & Wesson Spec Series M&P9 and R Handguns

Smith & Wesson expands its Spec series with the Spec Series IV M&P9 M2.0 Metal Compact pistol and the Spec Series R revolver.

New for 2026: Henry Provider and Protector Rifles

For 2026, Henry adds two new product families, one designed for hunting, the other for protection.

Gun Of The Week: Daniel Defense DDPCC 9 mm Carbine

Daniel Defense's pistol-caliber carbine, the DDPCC, offers AR-15-style operation in a more budget-friendly caliber.

The Armed Citizen® Jan. 23, 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.

New for 2026: Stoeger STR-45 Combat Pistol

For 2026, Stoeger adds the .45 ACP chambering to its Combat line of STR handguns.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.