The Armed Citizen Sept. 24, 2021

Law-Abiding Citizens Using Their 2nd Amendment Rights In Self-Defense

by
posted on September 24, 2021
** 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. **
The Armed Citizen

Armed Citizen® Today

A man was forced to defend himself when he was ambushed by a group of thugs outside of an Austin, Ill., home on July 27, 2021.

The 42-year-old man was speaking with his uncle in the front yard of a home around 10:30 p.m. that Tuesday night, when a car drove by with the window down as the driver glared at the man. The car went around the block before pulling up again and coming to a stop. The driver said to the man, "What's up?" as five to six others got out of the car. Members of the group punched the man, who saw that another was armed with a handgun. The armed assailant then shot the man in the thigh, and the man responded by drawing his own concealed-carry handgun and firing back.

The armed assailant was struck in the shoulder by the man's shot, and the band of thugs jumped back into the car before driving off. Police were able to get a partial description of the car and its license plate, and they soon found it and the wounded assailant. As it turned out, the assailant that had the gun was a 16-year-old. During the teen's court hearing, the judge came down on him with a Class X felony charge of aggravated battery with a gun and set bond at $500,000, saying, "This is the definition of violence right here.” (news.yahoo.com, Chicago, Ill., 07/29/2021)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives - November 1986

As Harold Tomlin was closing his Bakersfield, Calif., pharmacy, a man approached and tried to rob the pharmacist, threatening to kill him. When the intruder began to pull a pistol, Tomlin drew his .38-cal. revolver and fired. He missed, but the man dropped to the floor and pleaded with Tomlin not to kill him, saying the gun was a toy. The pharmacist held the man for police. (The Californian, Bakersfield, Calif.)

Latest

Red Dot Occlusion 4
Red Dot Occlusion 4

Red-Dot Occlusion Training: A Performance-Booster for You & Your Optic-Equipped Handgun

Red-dot occlusion is a passive technique that shooters can use to remain target-focused, thereby speeding up their performance with optic-equipped handguns.

New for 2026: Dead Air Nomad Ti Over-The-Barrel (OTB) Suppressor

The Dead Air Silencers Nomad Ti OTB is designed to be a compact and lightweight suppressor for the backcountry hunter.

I Carry: Diamondback SDR in a Galco Hornet Holster

For our latest "I Carry" episode above, we paired the six-round Diamondback SDR DA/SA snubnose revolver with a simple leather holster from Galco, along with one of the latest EDC flashlights from Streamlight.

The Armed Citizen® May 8, 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.

Creating the Ideal First-Time Shooting Experience

That first time behind a trigger can shape a newcomer’s attitude towards firearms. Here are five ways to make the experience a success.

Henry Repeating Arms Founder & CEO Honored as Law Enforcement Supporter of the Year

Henry Repeating Arms founder and CEO Anthony Imperato has been named Law Enforcement Supporter of the Year by New York State Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Lodge 100.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.