The Armed Citizen® August 31, 2020

by
posted on August 31, 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 (4)
Armed Citizen® Today

A homeowner defended himself and his family in Lakeland, Fla., when a 6-ft. 250-lb. man forced his way into the home on the morning of Aug. 28, 2020. 

The home invasion occurred after a spree of incidents where the intruder had acted violently toward others in the area. The series of incidents began earlier that Friday morning around 6:10 a.m. when the man and a woman with him were driving a pickup on Old Polk City Rd. from Orlando. The truck started swerving and eventually drove off the road, through a fence and crashed into a tree.

After the crash, the man reportedly became crazed and left the vehicle walking back into the road. On the road, the man, bleeding, screaming and growling, began jumping onto vehicles passing by. The man targeted a school bus with at least one child onboard and attempted to enter it, but was thwarted when the driver locked the doors.

The crazed man then made his way to the homeowner's residence and crashed through the glass front door. At the time, the homeowner's parents, grandparents and 9-year-old child were also in the residence. The homeowner called the police and verbally attempted to make the intruder leave to no avail. After the crazed intruder grabbed a large piece of glass from the door and threw it at him, the homeowner shot the intruder.

Police arrived shortly afterward and attempted to aid the intruder, who died of his wounds. Authorities said that the homeowner was justified in his action of shooting the intruder in self defense. (orlandosentinel.com
, Orlando, Fla., 08/28/2020)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives February 1987  

A vacationing Texas policeman and his wife were parked on a New Orleans, La., street looking at a map when they were approached by three men. The trio walked away after asking Rudolpho Salazar for the time, but one returned with a gun when Salazar got out of his car.

The armed man tried to rob him and threatened his life. The policeman waited for the would-be burglar to repeat the demand several times, then drew a .25-cal. pistol from his pocket and fatally wounded the armed man. (The State-Times, New Orleans, La.)

Latest

National Firearm Act
National Firearm Act

150,000 NFA Applications Filed On Day 1 After $0 Tax Stamp Becomes Official

Approximately 150,000 NFA enthusiasts filed their paperwork through ATF’s electronic system in just the first 24 hours of 2026, the first day after the $0 tax stamp for most NFA items became official.

Gun Of The Week: Caracal USA CMP9K

Caracal's CMP9K pistol is based on a design originally produced to replace the aging stock of Heckler & Koch MP5s in United Arab Emirates service.

The Armed Citizen® Jan. 9, 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.

Preview: Roundhouse Provisions Ultimate Campout Kit

Founded by Chuck Norris (yes, that Chuck Norris), Roundhouse Provisions is a company that produces emergency foodstuffs designed to be quickly and simply prepared that will stay fresh for years.

New For 2026: Taurus TX9 Pistol

Taurus launches the TX9 family of striker-fired, polymer-frame pistols, adding to its popular TX series of handguns.

Heavy Browning At War: Combat Tales Of The Browning M1917 Machine Gun

For the first half of the 20th century, one of the most important firearms in the U.S. military arsenal was the water-cooled Browning M1917, known to gunners and infantrymen alike as the "Heavy Browning."

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.