The Armed Citizen® October 23, 2020

by
posted on October 23, 2020
** 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 (5)
Armed Citizen® Today

A man attempting to burglarize a Paradise Township, Penn., home found out that he picked the wrong residence when the homeowner, a Vietnam War veteran, defended his property with a firearm on Oct. 18, 2020.

The incident started around 4:45 p.m. that Sunday when a 38-year-old man from Bronx, N.Y., who police said was under the influence of drugs at the time, walked up to the residence. The owner of the home, a 72-year-old Vietnam vet, noticed a figure standing out front of his home while sitting in a chair in the living room. The homeowner then got up and went to the front door to talk to the individual.

The man then started telling the homeowner to call police and that a gang was trying to kill him. The homeowner then called authorities as the stranger asked and began to report what he had said. While on the phone with police and standing in his garage, the homeowner then heard a crash in his house. The stranger had broken through a window into the home.

Still on the phone with police, the homeowner confronted the would-be burglar in the kitchen and pulled out his pistol. He then held the intruder at gunpoint for 10 minutes until state police arrived. The homeowner said his experience from the war helped him keep composure during the incident, in which no shots were fired. The burglar was charged with criminal trespass, simple assault and criminal mischief. (
wnep.com, Scranton, Penn., 10/20/2020)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives June 1982

Rev. Martin Jarreau was asleep in the rectory of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Miami when he heard strange noises. He grabbed a .38-cal. revolver and went to investigate. He found a would-be burglar trying to exit via a bathroom window. Fr. Jarreau held the man, who had a long criminal record, for police. (
The Herald, Miami, FL)

Latest

Springfield Armory Hellcat .380
Springfield Armory Hellcat .380

Review: Springfield Armory Hellcat .380 Pistol

Springfield Armory just released its popular Hellcat double-stack, striker-fired pistol in .380 ACP, and it might be an ideal option for armed citizens looking for a soft-shooting handgun for concealed carry.

New for 2026: Langdon Tactical Technology Beretta Cheetah Pistol

Beretta's .32 ACP Cheetah gets the Langdon Tactical upgrade package.

The Armed Citizen® Feb. 16, 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.

SAAMI Accepts and Standardizes Two New Cartridges

Both 8.6 Blackout and .25 Weatherby RPM are now SAAMI-approved cartridges.

Preview: Inforce ARC 650 LR-M

Measuring 5.6 inches long with a 1.4-inch bezel, the Inforce 650 LR-M is built for hard use within a 6061-T6 aluminum body that is then Type III hardcoat anodized for added durability and abrasion resistance.

A vz. 61 Skorpion For Less: The Titus Arms TA61

This TA61 version of the famous Czech vz. 61 Skorpion is affordably priced, thanks to a polymer lower receiver developed by Titus Arms.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.