The Armed Citizen® September 24, 2018

by
posted on September 24, 2018
** 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 (6)

A high-speed pursuit with California Highway Patrol officers behind him apparently wasn’t enough trouble for a reckless driver out west. After the chase, which reached speeds of 105 mph, led to the loss of control of his car, the driver exited his vehicle and fled the scene on foot. Soon enough, he came upon a home. He grabbed a beer bottle he found on the ground and forced his way into the house, whereupon he threatened to do harm unless the residents turned over the keys to their car. A woman in the home retrieved the keys from another room, but when she returned to give them to the man, she had a surprise—a handgun. She handed that to her male friend, who aimed it at the intruder and told him to stop. The perpetrator refused this sound advice and instead went to the garage and started the car. Later, he drove it toward the resident, who shot him to death through the windshield. (kolotv.com, Janesville, CA, 7/11/18)

The Armed Citizen® Extra
A man bent on embarking on a crime spree began by gaining entrance to a residence and attempting to cause damage to the inside of the home. The resident called 9-1-1 to report the break-in, then he and his family safely made it to a neighbor’s house. Minutes later, a second 9-1-1 call was made from a neighboring residence reporting that an intruder had broken into their locked screened porch, shattered a glass door to the home and attempted entry. The homeowner ordered the trespasser to leave but the intruder continued his entry. The homeowner, fearing for his family’s safety, fired multiple rounds at the trespasser, hitting him. The criminal was taken to a local hospital, and the homeowner was not arrested. (Georgetown Gazette, Cool, CA, 8/ 8/18) 

From the Armed Citizen® Archives 
September 1979
Clifton Williams, a Buffalo, N.Y., armed security guard, returned to his home one evening to find a burglary in progress. Entering the premises, Williams confronted a man who was carrying off his TV set. Instead of surrendering, the thief dropped the set and lunged at Williams, who shot his attacker once, fatally. (The Post-Star, Glen Falls, NY)

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.