The Armed Citizen® October 22, 2018

by
posted on October 22, 2018
** 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 (1)

Critics say there is no place for an AR-15 among civilians, but a Hawaiian gun owner might beg to differ. When three bandits—at least one armed—dressed in hooded sweatshirts entered his home and forced one of the residents into a bathroom, the homeowner grabbed his modern sporting rifle and fired a round, nearly hitting one of the burglars. It was enough to put them on the defensive, as they backed out of the house firing four gunshots of their own on the way out. Though they made off with a reported $3,000, neither victim was hurt. (Star-Advertiser, Honolulu, Hawaii, 7/21/18)

The Armed Citizen Extra
One could say things got a little heated in a Columbia, S.C., kitchen. According to police, an employee of the local China King Restaurant shot a man trying to rob the restaurant at gunpoint. When the police arrived, the burglar was lying on the ground, wearing all black and a covering over his face. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The China King worker will not be charged, as it was determined the action was made in self-defense. (The State, Columbia, S.C., 9/21/18)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
October 1976
An intruder had cornered Mrs. Leah Kinser, 70, in the closet of her Springfield, Mo., home and was pounding a hole through the wall when Mrs. Kinser’s son arrived. He held the man at gunpoint until police came. (The News-Leader, Springfield, Mo.)

Latest

attack in a back alley
attack in a back alley

Cold Performance: How to Prepare for the Uncertainty of Self-Defense

Defensive gun use is defined by uncertainty. You don’t know when it will happen, how far away the threat will be, how many threats you will face or what position you will be in when it begins.

Derya Goes Silent: The OBone Suppressor

In 2025, Turkish manufacturer Derya Arms opened a new facility in Florida, enabling the company to produce a number of new products domestically, such as its new OBone suppressor.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 26, 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.

Rifleman Q&A: Understanding a Firearm's Cycle of Operation

The cycle of operation is the mechanical sequence of events that it takes to fire one shot out of a firearm. If one of those steps fails to take place as designed, there is an interruption in the cycle of operation and the gun stops firing.

Review: Sightmark Pinnacle 1-6x24 mm Riflescope

Looking for a performance LPVO without the usual associated cost? The Sightmark Pinnacle 1-6x24 mm might be your answer.

Myths & Misunderstandings About the “Modern Fighting 1911”

The Colt Model 1911 pistol and its derivatives are among the most iconic military handguns ever made. But in 2026, does the M1911 still hold up as a quality defensive arm?

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.