The Armed Citizen® April 20, 2011

by
posted on April 20, 2011
** 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 (1)

When 70-year-old Watson Green discovered a man attempting to break into his home late one evening, he immediately called 9-1-1 and got his handgun. Green advised the 9-1-1 operator that he was armed. The operator told him to put the gun away and wait for the police but Green chose to do otherwise. In fear of his life, Green fired a single shot, killing the suspect. Two weeks prior to his death, the suspect was arrested for burglary in a separate incident. "We've had a lot of break-ins in Hobbs lately," said Hobbs, N.M., Police Officer Mike Stone. "The residents of the home were probably scared." (KRQE-TV, Albuquerque, NM, 02/23/11)

Armed Citizen Extra

(The following account did not appear in the printed version of American Rifleman.)

During his shift at a small coffee shop, a male barista was approached by a man weilding a gun and demanding money. After allowing the robber to take cash from the register, the barista was asked to turn around and face the wall. Thinking he was about to be shot, the barista took one last look behind him and saw that the thief had looked away for a moment. The barista quickly drew his handgun and fired several shots at the suspect, killing him. After the suspect was down, his accomplice appeared with a gun, and the barista fired twice toward him, causing the man to flee. (Statesman Journal, Salem, OR, 01/21/11)

From The Armed Citizen Archive

May 1980: A roof-top burglar eased himself through a bathroom window in Willie Dry's apartment in Palmetto, Fla., entered the bedroom, struck a match, and was killed when Dry fired his 12-ga. shotgun at him. (St. Petersburg Times)

Latest

Daniel Defense H9
Daniel Defense H9

Review: Daniel Defense H9

Is the third time the charm? Daniel Defense has introduced a third version of the Hudson H9 pistol. Smaller, lighter and less radical, it could be “the one.”

Supreme Plus: Ranger Point Precision & Line49 Rifle Henry LASR Conversions

A new collaboration between modern lever-action specialists Ranger Point Precision and Line49 Rifle transforms Henry’s groundbreaking Lever Action Supreme Rifle.

The Armed Citizen® June 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.

NRA Launches "ARC Across America" National Challenge

The National Rifle Association is inviting Americans, coast-to-coast, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States—and the freedom for which it stands—by exercising their rights by participating in the "ARC Across America" National Challenge.

New for 2026: Sightmark Strikon Prism Optics

Sightmark now offers two different prismatic optics for carbines and shotguns.

Q&A: Getting the Lead Out of Revolver Cylinders & Barrels

One American Rifleman reader wrote in, asking how to clean lead build-up out of his Colt revolver and also prevent lead from building up with his cast bullets.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.