The Armed Citizen® October 9, 2017

by
posted on October 9, 2017
** 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 (2)

Out in the parking lot at his apartment complex, a man was called to aid one of his neighbors. An abused woman, battered for hours by her boyfriend according to police officers, ran from her residence and into her neighbor outside. Her attacker had followed her, and proceeded to get into an argument with the neighbor attempting to help her. The argument escalated with the armed citizen warning the other man to back off. Ultimately, the neighbor was forced to draw his concealed weapon, firing one shot and killing the boyfriend. The man was not arrested and is working with investigators. (LasVegasNow.com, Las Vegas, NV, 7/20/17)

The Armed Citizen® Extra
Late one night, a young man broke into a Columbus, Ga., house where he confronted the homeowner, who shot and killed him in self-defense. Under the Castle Doctrine, Georgians are permitted to use deadly force to protect themselves inside their homes if they reasonably believe such force is required to stop “unlawful entry into or attack upon a habitation.” (Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, GA, 8/8/17) 

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
October 1970
Hearing a noise late at night in his Tallahassee, Fla., store, Mel Gidden left his apartment in the rear to investigate, armed with a .22 rifle. He was jumped by the intruder and disarmed, but Mrs. Gidden picked up the fallen rifle and hit the burglar on the head. Gidden held him at gunpoint until a deputy sheriff arrived. (Tallahassee Democrat, Tallahassee, FL)

Latest

firing a musket rifle
firing a musket rifle

Today’s Makers of Yesterday’s Firearms

Original firearms from the American Revolution era are valuable and best preserved for posterity. For those who want to shoot them, several modern makers offer quality reproductions.

Left Turn (Bolt): Tikka's New Left-Handed T3x Ace Rifles

Lefties of the world unite and rejoice, as Tikka has announced left-hand versions of its award-winning T3x Ace chassis rifles.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 14, 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.

Skills Check: Rifle Standard Delta 2

Carbine performance is all about maintaining control. The Rifle Standard Delta 2 is a drill that pressures recoil control, visual discipline and cadence as distance decreases and time compresses.

Gun Sales Up for the 7th Month in a Row in 2026

The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s (NSSF) estimate of last month’s gun sales was up 2.2 percent compared to August 2025.

Caring For & Feeding Your Cap-and-Ball Revolvers

Compared to pistoleros of the 19th century, today’s handgunners have it easy. It's not enough just to get an old-school, cap-and-ball revolver. You also need to acquire everything to shoot and clean it.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.