The Armed Citizen® March 4, 2019

by
posted on March 4, 2019
** 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. **
armed-citizen-main-image.jpg (1)

Comfortably asleep in their beds late at night, a married couple was awakened by the agitated growling of their dogs at the back door. The Warren, Ohio, couple then heard the unmistakable sound of someone breaking in. Springing into action, the homeowner grabbed his pistol and ran to take cover by the refrigerator. The burglar broke into the house and was confronted by the homeowner shouting, “I have a gun!” Ignoring the warning, the intruder came at the armed citizen, who shouted his warning again before taking aim and firing his gun, shooting the suspect in the arm. He ordered the interloper to get down onto the floor while his wife called the police. Officers arrived to find and arrest the intruder—who has a lengthy criminal record—on charges of breaking and entering. (Tribune Chronicle, Warren, Ohio, 11/21/18)

The Armed Citizen Extra
A legally armed citizen stepped in to end a case of road rage that seemed straight out of a Hollywood action film. As the armed citizen drove home from work on the Massachusetts Turnpike one Friday, he looked over to see a 65-year old man holding onto the hood of a speeding SUV, which was later determined to have been traveling at around 70 mph. The man sprang into action, boxing the SUV in with his car in stopped traffic and ushering the driver out at gunpoint until police arrived, before he could speed off again. (necn.com, Newton, MA, 01/29/2019)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
March 1968
A youthful gunman made the mistake of announcing his intention to hold up Fowler's Pharmacy in Greenville, S.C. while his pistol was still in his pocket. Before he could draw, pharmacist Eugene Estes grabbed a .38 revolver from beneath the counter and shot him. (The Greenville, S.C., News)

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.