The Armed Citizen® Nov. 13, 2015

by
posted on November 13, 2015
** 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-2.jpg

Sometimes bad guys just don’t listen unless you have a gun, and sometimes just showing the gun is enough of a deterrent. That was the case in Portland, Maine, when a knife-wielding thief accosted a 35-year-old Cumberland woman in a parking lot near a medical center. The would-be thief approached the woman and asked her for her money. She said she had none. The assailant then pulled out a knife and demanded money again. The woman got into her car and grabbed a handgun she kept inside. After brandishing the gun, the perpetrator ran off. Police are still searching for the suspect. (Portland Press Herald, Portland, ME, 6/9/15)

The Armed Citizen® Extra
A contractor who had been hired to paint a family’s garage used a firearm to thwart two would-be burglars when he encountered them attempting to break into his client’s home. The contractor told police that he opened fire when one of the suspects pointed a weapon at him. The armed thief was struck twice, once in the shoulder and once in the hip, and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. His accomplice was taken into custody by the authorities at the scene. “All the evidence does indicate they (the contractor) were acting in self-defense,” said Police Chief Rick Park. The two burglars are also suspects in a previous aggravated robbery and another home invasion in the area. (abc13.com, Houston, TX, 8/12/15)

From The Armed Citizen® Archives
January 1983
A young man attempted the armed robbery of a Woodland, Calif., gas station by jumping onto the counter and flashing a 9” knife. The bandit demanded the cash receipts, but he was thwarted when 71-year-old clerk David Baumbach drew a revolver from beneath the counter. Warding off a slash and receiving a stab wound to his left hand, Baumbach fired a shot that sent the robber running to the waiting car. (The Daily Democrat, Woodland-Davis, CA)

Latest

Yhm Victra 12 Suppressor Review 1
Yhm Victra 12 Suppressor Review 1

Review: Yankee Hill Machine Victra-12 Shotgun Suppressor

Yankee Hill Machine has recently released its Victra-12 shotgun suppressor, which promises to quiet the report of a 12-gauge shotgun while adding less weight than ever before.

A Clear Advantage: The Shield Sights OSMx Competition Red-Dot

Based on its OMSsc red-dot optic introduced last year, Shield Sights has launched the larger, competition-oriented OSMx red-dot for 2026.

Gun of the Week: Taurus 66 Combat Revolver

Taurus USA recently expanded its revolver line with the 66 Combat, a larger, all-steel revolver chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge. Watch our "Gun of the Week" video to see the 66 Combat in use on the range.

The Armed Citizen® March 6, 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.

Armed Citizens Outperform the Police in Stopping Mass Murderers

A recent crime study indicates that armed citizens are better at stopping mass killers than the police.

Building A Legacy: One Hunter's Journey Toward a 338 ARC Bolt-Action

Hornady's 338 ARC cartridge was designed to pack plenty of subsonic power into an AR-sized platform. But how does it perform if you're looking to build something a bit more traditional?

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.