The Armed Citizen® October 14, 2019

by
posted on October 14, 2019
** 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. **
armed-citizen-main-image.jpg (3)

Florida homeowner used an AR-15-platform rifle to protect himself from four alleged home invaders who reportedly broke into his house intending to rob him. An hour before the invasion, one of the men apparently knocked on the door and attempted to lure the homeowner outside by claiming to need help with his vehicle. The owner refused, explaining that he was disabled. The man returned later with three others and broke into the home, entering both at the front and rear of the residence. Awakened by the noise, the homeowner grabbed his AR-15 rifle that he kept near his bed for protection. Two robbers fired at the homeowner. One, wearing a “Jason” mask and gloves on both hands, used a semi-automatic pistol, while the other was a 22-year-old armed with a shotgun. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, one robber was killed at the scene. The other died from his injuries in a hospital. The homeowner was wounded during the invasion and  subsequently hospitalized, but was reported to be in stable condition. Police tracked the alleged accomplices to a nearby wooded area using a sheriff’s K-9 unit, and they were arrested and charged with multiple offenses. The homeowner told police he thought he recognized one of the alleged assailants from a prior online sales transaction. (villages-news.com, Summerfield, Fla., 7/11/19)

Armed Citizen Extra
An Omaha man used his modern sporting rifle to thwart a home invasion one August night. Around 10 p.m. the homeowner, who had some friends visiting, heard persistent knocking at his door. When he looked through his peephole to investigate, he saw an unknown man outside, with another man behind him in a mask. Quickly locking the door, he retrieved his rifle and returned to the door just in time to watch it splinter open. As soon as the home invader saw the rifle however, he bolted, ending the incident. (ammoland.com, Omaha, Neb., 8/12/19)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
October 1962
When Mrs. Arletta Norton, wife of the operator of the Valley Drive-In in Mt. Vernon, Ky., returned to the restaurant one night after closing, she found 2 youths inside frying hamburgers and helping themselves to candy, cigarettes, chewing gum and other stock items. When police answered Mrs. Norton's call, they found her, armed with a .38 revolver, firmly in command. (Lexington Leader)

Latest

Ruger Updated 10 22 05
Ruger Updated 10 22 05

Updating A Legend: Ruger Makes 10/22 Upgrades Standard

Over the decades, aspects of the Ruger 10/22, from its magazine to its barrel design, have been adopted by other manufacturers. In response, Ruger has announced updates to keep its factory 10/22 on the top of the pile.

NRA Foundation Celebrates $500 Million In Grants Given

Donor support has enabled The NRA Foundation to award more than $500 million in grants nationwide, strengthening community safety, growing youth marksmanship programs, expanding training opportunities and preserving America’s shooting and hunting heritage.

NRA Announces 2026 Golden Bullseye Award Winners

For the 24th year, NRA Media is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 NRA Golden Bullseye Awards, highlighting new, innovative products offered by the firearm, ammunition, and optics industries.

The Armed Citizen® Dec. 29, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

I Have This Old Gun: Ruger Mini-14 GB

When initially released in 1973, the Ruger Mini-14 quickly made a name for itself on the recreational-shooting market. Designed by L. James Sullivan and Bill Ruger, it combined the best attributes of the M1 Garand and the M1 carbine with a “rock-’n’-lock” detachable box magazine inspired by the M14.

Preview: Mec-Gar Glock Magazines

Mec-Gar took its expertise in metal-formed magazines and applied the technology to one of the most ubiquitous designs on the market: Glock. Now you can have incredibly durable metal magazines for your 9 mm Luger-chambered Glock handgun, as all of Mec-Gar’s offerings are made using heat-treated carbon steel.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.