The Armed Citizen® May 22, 2017

by
posted on May 22, 2017
** 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)

Imagine being jolted awake by the sound of a crash, then seeing a pick axe and a man with a black bandana over his face coming through your bedroom door. A Foley, Ala., man lived through that situation because he had a loaded gun within arm’s reach. After the stranger charged toward him while he was still in bed, the homeowner fired, killing the burglar. Two accomplices, who are charged with planning the crime, have since been arrested. (The Onlooker, Foley, AL, 3/8/17) 

The Armed Citizen® Extra
Early one morning an intruder holding a large metal flashlight walked into a couple’s unlocked apartment. One of the residents, an ex-Marine, picked up his SIG Sauer .40-cal. pistol, and warned the intruder to leave. The man complied but returned and broke the glass out of the front door. The female resident called 9-1-1 while her boyfriend shot the intruder, hitting him in the shoulder. The would-be burglar then smashed the windows of the residents’ car and returned to sit at the front door until police arrived. He was subsequently arrested and charged with burglary. The ex-Marine was not charged. (CentralMaine.com, Richmond, ME, 3/8/17) 

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
May 1972
Mrs. Velma Priddle was alone in her home in Palo Alto, Calif., one morning when she heard a car drive up outside. A man with a screwdriver then approached her screen door. When Mrs. Priddle asked him what he wanted, he raised the screwdriver as if to strike her. She reached for a .22 rifle and wounded the man. Police later said the man had a long record of burglary arrests. (The Palo Alto Times, Palo Alto, CA)

Latest

couple in dark alley
couple in dark alley

Criminal Clues: Tips to Avoid Appearing Like a Soft Target

You don’t have to be the hardest target, but you don’t want to be the softest. Here are some tips on how to avoid becoming a target for a criminal looking for his or her next opportunity.

Beretta A400 Solo: For the One-Gun Hunter

The new Beretta A400 Solo is designed as a no-nonsense hunting shotgun that is an entry point to the company’s premium semi-auto shotgun family.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 10, 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.

Review: FK Brno PSD-C

Manufacturers have achieved excellent results with small-caliber bottleneck designs, as evidenced by cartridges such as the .357 SIG and 5.7x28 mm. The .30-caliber 7.5 FK continues this legacy and is now chambered in the FK Brno PSD-C.

Firearm Industry Celebrates America's 250th With More Commemorative Options

For the entirety of 2026, we're celebrating America's 250th anniversary, and the firearm industry continues to roll out commemorative products to mark the occasion.

Maxed Out: Derya's New MAX Shotgun

The Derya Arms MAX is a new semi-auto shotgun designed for serious competitive shooters that is made entirely in the USA.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.