The Armed Citizen® June 12, 2020

by
posted on June 12, 2020
** 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 (3)
Armed Citizen® Today

Around 4 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2020, four men arrived at the Firing Line gun shop in Philadelphia, Pa., and used tools to break into the building. Once in, they headed up a staircase to the second floor.

On the second floor, the owner of the shop was waiting for them. The owner had been alerted by the recent spate of looting in the city and was inside the building, safeguarding his firearm inventory.

The suspects were met by the armed shop owner, who fired three shots. One of the suspected robbers was shot fatally and another was wounded. The four men fled the building and sought treatment at a local hospital, where they issued a false report regarding their gunshot wounds. Police were quickly able to link the men to the failed robbery at the Firing Line.

"The facts we know and the law are clear that the business owner’s use of force while inside his own property against a burglar accompanied by others who was entering with a gun in his hand was justified," the Philadelphia district attorney stated in a news release. "It is fortunate for the City of Philadelphia that this large cache of guns and ammunition were not taken and sold on the street.”

At the time of reporting, a 17-year-old suspect had been charged with robbery, burglary, conspiracy and related charges stemming from his alleged involvement with the armed robbery attempt. (FOX 29, Philadelphia, Pa., 06/02/2020)
  
   
From the Armed Citizen® Archives November 1960

Alarmed by a series of burglaries in the vicinity, Alfred L. Davis lay in wait for the fifth night in his Laclede, Mo., store when a plate-glass window crashed and two burglars entered.

Davis fired at one figure silhouetted in the doorway, the blast killing the intruder instantly. Police arrived to take the dead man's accomplice into custody. They later traced three earlier burglaries to the pair. (Brookfield News Bulletin)

Latest

Staccato P4x Review 1
Staccato P4x Review 1

First Impressions of the Staccato P4X

Down in Texas, Staccato launched a new pistol to celebrate America's 250th anniversary: the P4X. One can hardly blame them considering that the company's entire product line is based on the 1911, arguably the most American of handguns.

A Big Third Circuit Ruling on America’s Rifle

In an appeal of a case the NRA filed in 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit struck down New Jersey’s ban on “assault weapons” and “large capacity” ammunition magazines as unconstitutional.

Top Cop: How an Armed American Saved President Trump’s Life

An NRA Benefactor Member and NRA Certified Law Enforcement Patrol Rifle Instructor, Sergeant Aaron Zaliponi likely saved the life of President Trump in Butler, Pa. For these reasons, the NRA has selected him as the 2025 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

Review: Rock River Arms A1 Carbine SBR

The Rock River Arms A1 SBR is just plain cool, and there’s little justification needed beyond that for picking up a new gun. It’s a mixture of throwback, retro and nostalgia with a bayonet lug, and you just can’t go wrong there.

The Armed Citizen® July 20, 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.

Plinking Perfect: 5 Must-Haves for Your Next Rimfire Shoot

What better way to celebrate 250 years of freedom than to go out plinking this summer? Here are five great products that will make your next rimfire range trip better than ever before.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.