The Armed Citizen® September 25, 2014

by
posted on September 25, 2014
** 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 (4)

Kim Lanphere was walking near a light rail station, one of her regular stops, when a 23-year-old man nearby gave her an uneasy feeling. Her instincts were proven right when the man approached her and said, "Lady, I've got a gun, give me your bag!" Another woman carrying a licensed firearm was near the station at the time of the incident and witnessed the man threatening to shoot Lanphere. The witness didn't hesitate to pull out her Glock and order the suspect to drop his weapon. The suspect then fled the scene, but was later arrested and now faces aggravated robbery charges. No shots were fired during the incident. (WFAA.com, Dallas, Texas, 3/24/14)

A man approached a 66-year-old woman as she pulled into her driveway around 3:30 p.m. He asked to use her cell phone. When the woman refused, he dragged her from her car and threw her to the ground.  A couple living next door saw the incident and tried to help. The female neighbor pulled open the passenger door. She was then struck and injured by the vehicle as the carjacker attempted to flee. The injured woman's husband had retrieved his handgun and fired several shots. His wife was admitted to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. A short time later, police responded to a call about a one-vehicle collision. At the scene, they found a man with a gunshot wound inside the vehicle that matched the one from the carjacking. The man died of his injuries. (The Republic, Phoenix, Ariz., 8/16/14)

From The Armed Citizen® Archives June 1961: When a young hoodlum clubbed 59-year-old Seeber K. Stokes to the floor and demanded money, the St. Petersburg, Fla., grocer reached behind the counter for his gun and killed the assailant. (St. Petersburg Times)

Latest

target with holes
target with holes

Resisting the Temptation of "Good Enough" for Firearm Performance

No matter what firearm you're using for whatever purpose, even if it's simply a trip to the range, always resist the temptation to accept “good enough” if there is the possibility of better performance.

Armed Citizens Stop a Lot More Criminals Than Most in the Media Will Admit

Since January 2025, the Crime Prevention Research Center has documented 16 defensive gun uses in which police say armed citizens stopped mass public killings.

Federal & Mossberg Collaborate on Autonomous Airborne Drone Defense

Federal and Mossberg are working with Palladyne AI in the creation of SwarmShot, a kinetic defense system that employs swarms of armed drones to shield troops from unmanned aircraft system threats.

Cold Performance: How to Prepare for the Uncertainty of Self-Defense

Defensive gun use is defined by uncertainty. You don’t know when it will happen, how far away the threat will be, how many threats you will face or what position you will be in when it begins.

Derya Goes Silent: The OBone Suppressor

In 2025, Turkish manufacturer Derya Arms opened a new facility in Florida, enabling the company to produce a number of new products domestically, such as its new OBone suppressor.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 26, 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.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.