The Armed Citizen® April 11, 2016

by
posted on April 11, 2016
** 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 (3)

Pennsylvania authorities have ruled that a Reading man was justified in the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old who was assaulting him. The man had no choice, Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams said in reports. “He was literally laying [sic] on the ground being beaten up when he fired his gun.” Adams said that the robbery/assault victim was jumped by three teens, who knocked him to the ground and started kicking and punching him. While one assailant held the victim down, the other two rummaged through the man’s pockets. The Reading man reached his own gun and fired one shot into the air. That scared two of the teens away, but the armed one who held him down stayed there. The armed citizen then fired multiple times at that teen, killing him. (Reading Eagle, Reading, PA, 12/8/15) 

The Armed Citizen® Extra 4/11/16
An Albuquerque, N.M., couple caught a burglar in the act of stealing from them and was able to hold him at gunpoint until the authorities could arrive to arrest the man. The 70-year-old male resident noticed the suspect loading his generator, power tools and other belongings into an SUV. The homeowner confronted the thief but was ignored. Grabbing a shotgun, and his 66-year-old wife arming herself with a handgun, the two then confronted the criminal again—this time he was more receptive. Police eventually arrived and placed the burglar under arrest; he had been released from jail just earlier that day. (Las Cruces Sun-News, Las Cruces, NM, 11/22/15)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
January 1977
Alvin Thompson of Wilshire, Calif., was in the back room of his house when he heard someone breaking down the front door. He reached his .38 Spl.-chambered revolver just in time for the intruder to crash into his living room. When the invader reached for his belt, Thompson fired, fatally wounding him. (The Herald Examiner, Los Angeles, CA)

Latest

Range Ready Plinkapalooza 1
Range Ready Plinkapalooza 1

Shooting Is Fun: How I Rediscovered the Benefits of Rimfire

A recent event at Range Ready in Robert, La., reminded us how much fun the simple rimfire firearm can be, whether in handgun, carbine or rifle form.

New for 2026: Daniel Defense MUTE30Ti & NULL9Ti Suppressors

Daniel Defense was one of the first manufacturers to employ additive manufacturing techniques in suppressor-making, and now, the company has expanded its line with the MUTE30Ti and NULL9Ti silencers.

The Fight for America’s Rifle

Despite the warning we’ll sue to protect commonly owned AR-type rifles, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed Senate Bill 749, which will make it illegal to sell, purchase, import, manufacture or transfer such firearms starting on July 1. 

Gun of the Week: Henry Repeating Arms SPD Predator

The new SPD Predator, an extension of Henry's magazine-fed Lever Action Supreme Rifle design, looks to extract the greatest possible degree of accuracy and precision from a modern lever gun.

The Armed Citizen® May 15, 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.

The Politically Incorrect Truth About the Armed Citizen

The Second Amendment doesn’t—and should not be treated as if—it ends at state lines. American citizens need the national reciprocity legislation that is now active in Congress.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.