The Armed Citizen® October 26, 2014

by
posted on October 26, 2014
** 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 (5)

A female resident was at home with her young niece late one evening when a man she did not know came to the door. He claimed that his vehicle had broken down and that he needed help. The man then pulled a knife and tried to force his way inside. Fearing for her safety, and the safety of her niece, the homeowner drew her gun and fired several shots. Responding officers found the 18-year-old intruder’s body nearby. He was pronounced dead a short time later. Neither the homeowner nor her niece were harmed during the incident. (WSFA 12 News, Autauga County, Ala., 4/4/14)

On October 14, an intruder was shot in the chest after a homeowner opened fire on him. Ricardo Rosas, 51, had been sleeping around 2 p.m. when he heard a knock at the door.  Before he could respond, a man kicked in the door and entered the house.  As the intruder approached him, Rosas who keeps a handgun for protection, fired, striking the suspect who fell and then ran to a getaway car.  A third man who was acting as a lookout, police say, jumped into to the car as it drove away.  The suspect, 28-year-old Raymond Valdez, was taken into custody when he went to a downtown hospital for treatment where he was stabilized and transferred to University Hospital for additional treatment.  Valdez will face a charge of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit theft. The two accomplices had not been located. The homeowner was not expected to face any charges. (San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio, Texas, 10/16/14)

From The Armed Citizen® Archives
April 1967: Noticing an attempted attack on a 71-year-old woman in an empty garage near his home, an unnamed Dayton, Ohio, citizen grabbed his pistol and ran outside in time to prevent a rape and hold a 25-year-old man at gunpoint until the arrival of the police. Police declined to name the rescuer, fearing reprisals from underworld friends of the prisoner, a criminal.  A detective did say, however, “They don’t make many citizens like that anymore.” (Dayton Daily News, Dayton, Ohio)

Latest

Christensen Evoke 01
Christensen Evoke 01

New For 2025: Christensen Arms Evoke In .375 H&H & .450 Bushmaster

The Christensen Arms Evoke is an affordable, bolt-action rifle platform that is now chambered for two unique big-game chamberings.

Preview: Thacha L-1 Lightweight Hooded Pullover

Thacha’s three distinct clothing lines allow sportsmen to adapt their apparel to the environment in which they will be hunting, and the L-1 Lightweight Hooded Pullover serves as the outermost component in the company’s L-1 warm-weather layering system.

Gun Of The Week: Wilson Combat Division 77 Project 1

Join American Rifleman staff on the range in this video to get a closer look at Wilson Combat’s somewhat cryptically named “Division 77 Project 1.” 

The Armed Citizen® July 18, 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.

Review: POF-USA LMR BASE Rifle

The Patriot Ordnance Factory LMR Base offers a .308 Win. chambering in a lightweight, AR-15-size package, which makes it a capable platform for today's new gun owner. And it comes at a fair price.

2025 Accessory Of The Year: Wyoming Sight Drifter

For each of the past 23 years, the editors of American Rifleman have convened to select our top picks for the past year’s best and most innovative products. Here are the most recent winners.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.