The Armed Citizen® August 4, 2011

by
posted on August 4, 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

Seeking help following an assault at the hands of her boyfriend, a woman phoned her parents. They quickly picked her up and brought her to their home, calmed their terrified daughter and she went to sleep. Then a banging at the door arose-the boyfriend had found her hiding place. The parents would not answer, so the suspect kicked in the door and began assaulting them. The mother was able to struggle free and ran to the bedroom to get her pistol. Meanwhile, the suspect turned his attention to the father. The mother returned to find the suspect badly beating her husband. She opened fire, killing the suspect. (The Orange Leader, Orange, TX, 05/16/11)

The Armed Citizen Extra

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

A 40-year-old man was asleep in his mobile home when he heard loud music and screeching tires outside. Within moments, two men forced their way into the mobile home, and shoved the homeowner to the ground. The homeowner ran to his bedroom, shut the door and grabbed a semi-automatic pistol. When the intruders forced their way into the bedroom, the homeowner fired at the men, injuring one and killing the other. (The Santa Fe New Mexican, Santa Fe, NM, 04/12/10)

From The Armed Citizen Archives

August 1976: A lone gunman entered a Bellville Ill., pharmacy and at gunpoint demanded drugs from store manager Leonard Lautz. Instead of handing over the drugs, Lautz drew a pistol and fired one shot over the would-be robber's head. The surprised crook quickly surrendered. (The Steeleville Ledger, Steeleville, Ill.)

Latest

weapons of war
weapons of war

A Deadly Testing Ground: Guns of the Spanish Civil War

Great powers have often used smaller conflicts as test beds for new weapon systems, and also as dumping grounds for obsolete machinery. The Spanish Civil War was one such conflict.

Sequel: The New Taurus Judge

Not content to merely mark the gun's 20th anniversary with a special engraved edition, Taurus also introduced the New Taurus Judge this year.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 3, 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.

Questions & Answers: A Wreck of a Remington 40-X

An American Rifleman reader writes in about a project Remington 40-X .22 target rifle that needs some serious help.

New for 2026: KJI K950 Tripod and Titan Inverted Ball Head

KJI (formerly Kopfjäger) releases the carbon-fiber K950 tripod and Titan inverted-ball head.

Book Review | Guns, Shooting and Hunting: What I’ve Learned in 60 Years

Much of what one learns is truly inexpressible to others—so it’s a wonderful rarity when someone can put their knowledge into words.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.