The Armed Citizen® September 19, 2016

by
posted on September 19, 2016
** 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 (3)

A Detroit-area man used a gun to save himself and his wife from two armed intruders. The criminals accosted the couple outside of their home, then ordered them inside the house and into the basement. With a gun pointed at his head, all Daniel McNamara could think about was how to get to his firearm that he kept in the basement. After the intruders took the couple’s wedding rings, cell phones and wallets, one of the miscreants turned to head out of the basement. That’s when McNamara found his opportunity. He grabbed his gun and fired two shots, hitting one bad guy before both fled. “Of course I was scared. Who wouldn’t be?” McNamara told reporters. “Some goon has a gun to your head and tells you he’s going to shoot you because you’ve seen his face.” The injured suspect was arrested at the hospital. There was no report of his accomplice being caught. (WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI, 5/24/16) 

The Armed Citizen® Extra 
Two men were wounded, one fatally, when they tried to rob a house in Everett, Wash., only to find that they had brought pepper spray to a gun fight. The pair broke into the home brandishing and discharging pepper spray and demanding money from the residents. One of the roommates, hearing a commotion, armed himself and went to investigate. Believing his friends were being held at gunpoint, the armed citizen fired upon the two intruders, striking both of them. One robber died at the scene, the other fled and is still being sought by the authorities. (The Daily Herald, Everett, WA, 6/26/16)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
September 1982
A hold-up artist pointed a small semi-automatic pistol at Cindy Branford and demanded the contents of the till at her Anchorage, Alaska, gas station. But she pulled out a .357 Magnum-chambered revolver instead of the cash, and the criminal took to his heel in response. (The Daily News, Anchorage, AK)

Latest

Ruger Updated 10 22 05
Ruger Updated 10 22 05

Updating A Legend: Ruger Makes 10/22 Upgrades Standard

Over the decades, aspects of the Ruger 10/22, from its magazine to its barrel design, have been adopted by other manufacturers. In response, Ruger has announced updates to keep its factory 10/22 on the top of the pile.

NRA Foundation Celebrates $500 Million In Grants Given

Donor support has enabled The NRA Foundation to award more than $500 million in grants nationwide, strengthening community safety, growing youth marksmanship programs, expanding training opportunities and preserving America’s shooting and hunting heritage.

NRA Announces 2026 Golden Bullseye Award Winners

For the 24th year, NRA Media is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 NRA Golden Bullseye Awards, highlighting new, innovative products offered by the firearm, ammunition, and optics industries.

The Armed Citizen® Dec. 29, 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.

I Have This Old Gun: Ruger Mini-14 GB

When initially released in 1973, the Ruger Mini-14 quickly made a name for itself on the recreational-shooting market. Designed by L. James Sullivan and Bill Ruger, it combined the best attributes of the M1 Garand and the M1 carbine with a “rock-’n’-lock” detachable box magazine inspired by the M14.

Preview: Mec-Gar Glock Magazines

Mec-Gar took its expertise in metal-formed magazines and applied the technology to one of the most ubiquitous designs on the market: Glock. Now you can have incredibly durable metal magazines for your 9 mm Luger-chambered Glock handgun, as all of Mec-Gar’s offerings are made using heat-treated carbon steel.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.