The Armed Citizen® September 11, 2012

by
posted on September 11, 2012
** 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 (1)

Georgi Layous, 66, owner of Starlight Jewelry, was inside the small shop with his wife and two young grandchildren when 19-year-old Musa Thomas entered. Thomas produced a gun and ordered Layous to empty the cash register. He got angry when he found only $11 in the register and pushed Layous and his wife to the floor. Thomas continued to threaten their lives as he took jewelry from display cases and even snatched a necklace from Layous’ 4-year-old granddaughter’s neck. Thomas turned his back as he tried to retrieve surveillance video from a computer. Layous told his wife in Arabic to give him the .380-caliber pistol he keeps in the store for protection. Layous then shot Thomas in the leg. Thomas was arrested and charged with armed robbery after being treated for his gunshot wound. (Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Ill., 5/3/12)

From The Armed Citizen Archives

August 1970: Thomas A. Ciccone returned to his Wilmington, Del., home one evening to find the first floor ransacked. Hearing a noise on the third floor, he got his revolver, quietly climbed the stairs and captured the burglar. (Wilmington, Del., Morning News)

From The Armed Citizen Archives

September 1988: Awakened by his dog's growls, Savannah, Ga., resident Dennis Warren reached for his handgun and went to his bedroom door. Discovering a man advancing toward him in the hallway, Warren announced he was armed and ordered the intruder to stop. But, as Warren backed into his bedroom, the burglar lunged at him, and the resident fired. He then held the wounded man at gunpoint while his wife summoned police, who charged the man with burglary. (The Evening Press, Savannah, Ga.)

Latest

Staccato P4x Review 1
Staccato P4x Review 1

First Impressions of the Staccato P4X

Down in Texas, Staccato launched a new pistol to celebrate America's 250th anniversary: the P4X. One can hardly blame them considering that the company's entire product line is based on the 1911, arguably the most American of handguns.

A Big Third Circuit Ruling on America’s Rifle

In an appeal of a case the NRA filed in 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit struck down New Jersey’s ban on “assault weapons” and “large capacity” ammunition magazines as unconstitutional.

Top Cop: How an Armed American Saved President Trump’s Life

An NRA Benefactor Member and NRA Certified Law Enforcement Patrol Rifle Instructor, Sergeant Aaron Zaliponi likely saved the life of President Trump in Butler, Pa. For these reasons, the NRA has selected him as the 2025 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

Review: Rock River Arms A1 Carbine SBR

The Rock River Arms A1 SBR is just plain cool, and there’s little justification needed beyond that for picking up a new gun. It’s a mixture of throwback, retro and nostalgia with a bayonet lug, and you just can’t go wrong there.

The Armed Citizen® July 20, 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.

Plinking Perfect: 5 Must-Haves for Your Next Rimfire Shoot

What better way to celebrate 250 years of freedom than to go out plinking this summer? Here are five great products that will make your next rimfire range trip better than ever before.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.