The Armed Citizen® September 17, 2013

by
posted on September 17, 2013
** 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)

A resident told police he was upstairs around 2 p.m. when he heard three men kick in the front door and enter his home. The intruders attacked there evident and placed him in an upstairs closet while they ransacked the home. What the intruders didn't know was that particular closet was where the resident kept his gun. When he thought the intruders were gone, the resident left the closet armed with that firearm. Downstairs, he encountered one of the men and the two exchanged gunfire. The intruder was struck in the shoulder and leg. He fled, but collapsed a few blocks away. The other two intruders fled as well. The resident was not injured. A neighbor commented on the incident, saying, "What happened today is exactly what guns are supposed to do--to protect your home and defend your life and your family." (Houston Chronicle, Houston, TX, 5/15/13)

Two men attempted to force their way into a home at about 12:10 a.m., according to Knoxville Police Department Sgt. Jason Keck. The 51-year-old homeowner said she got her shotgun and fired a round into the front door, apparently not striking anyone but ending the invasion. The woman told police she had been outside with family members when the two men approached her home. She and her family went inside, and the men came and asked to use the phone. When she told them she didn't have one they began trying to force their way in, which is when she got her shotgun and fired. (Knoxville News Sentinel, Knoxville, TN, 6/6/13)

From The Armed Citizen Archives

August 1971: When two ex-convicts forced their way into the home of Roy Ambrosen of Pacifica, Calif., the homeowner tried to shove them out, but one of the men drew a knife and cut Ambrosen on the hand. Ambrosen's wife got a gun and gave it to him, whereupon the two men fled. The two were later arrested by police. (Pacifica Tribune, Pacifica, Calif.)

Latest

Marines are wearing Model 1911 pistols and carrying Winchester 12-ga. “trench guns.”
Marines are wearing Model 1911 pistols and carrying Winchester 12-ga. “trench guns.”

Arms Of The Mail Guard Marines

While difficult to imagine today, brazen armed thefts of the U.S. Mail in the 1920s became all too common and beyond the abilities of mail personnel to handle. Enter the U.S. Marines—armed to the teeth.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 13, 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.

Editor’s Choice: Trijicon MRO SD

As can be sussed out from its name, the Miniature Rifle Optic (MRO) is a sealed reflex sight developed by Trijicon for use aboard carbines and rifles to facilitate lightning-quick target acquisition and smooth transitions between multiple targets.

Preview: MAC 9 DS Duty

Military Armament Corp. (MAC) introduced an affordable 2011-style pistol in 2024 with its MAC 9 DS.

The Chiappa 86 Wildlands: A Modern Take On The Winchester 1886 Lever-Action

Chiappa has updated the nearly 150-year-old Winchester Model 1886 lever-action design with the 86 Wildlands Angle Ejection Takedown, giving it added versatility in the way of accessory-attachment points and optics-mounting.

Preview: White River Knife & Tool Ursus 45

The White River Knife & Tool Ursus 45 offers plenty of hand-filling area that is made all the more comfortable by way of well-shaped, replaceable burlap Micarta scales.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.