The Armed Citizen® August 4, 2017

by
posted on August 4, 2017
** 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

During a road trip, a Texas man and his wife received an unpleasant late-night visit to their hotel room in the town of Hot Springs, Ark. The couple heard someone banging on their door in the overnight hours. Not knowing who it could be, the man armed himself with his firearm before he answered the door. One assailant struck the man in the face as soon as he opened the door, causing the Texan to fall backward into the room. Three men and a woman then forced their way into the room. The armed citizen responded by firing at the man who hit him and at a second assailant, hitting each and scaring off the others. The four were later apprehended. The suspects told the police that they were retaliating against the couple for a suspected burglary of their rooms a few days prior. (Arkansas Democrat, Hot Springs, AK, 5/11/17) 

The Armed Citizen® Extra
Late one night, two would-be burglars were staking out neighborhood homes before choosing to enter one of the homes through a garage. Luckily, the act was caught on film from a neighbor’s surveillance camera. The footage showed the two intruders, one of whom was wearing a mask, entering the garage where the homeowner often watched television with the door open. The intruders ordered the homeowner to open a safe that was in his garage. Police said, “After being confronted by the armed suspects, the resident/victim retrieved a firearm and fired at the victims in his own defense,” killing the two intruders. The homeowner was not charged as the police lieutenant stated, “You have a right to defend yourself in your home.” (Ventura County Star, San Francisco, CA, 6/23/17)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
July 1983
Carolyn Bennett had her reading interrupted by noises late at night in her Tice, Fla., home. She picked up a gun before investigating, then discovered a masked man in the hallway. Bearing a knife, he threatened to kill her. Instead, when he advanced, she shot him dead. Police said the man recently had been paroled from a Florida prison. (The News-Press, Ft. Myers, FL)

Latest

Colt’s 1849 London Pocket
Colt’s 1849 London Pocket

I Have This Old Gun: Colt’s 1849 London Pocket

Encouraged by his generally positive reception at the Great Exhibition in 1851, and always anxious to gain elusive government contracts, Colt, in 1853, opened a London factory where he would make a number of revolvers, including his popular 1849 Pocket Model.

Modern Cowboy Gun: The Savage Arms Revel Tactical

Savage Arms jumped back into the lever-action market in 2024 with its rimfire Revel platform, and this year, the company is expanding with a feature-rich Revel Tactical model.

Hunting with a Legend: Sierra’s MatchKing X Bullet

Sierra’s MatchKing is a highly respected target bullet, but for the new trend of long-range hunting, the design needed to offer improved terminal performance. Enter the MatchKing X.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 19, 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.

Review: Stoeger STR-9 Thinline

The new Stoeger carry gun loses nothing—except some weight and girth. This is the Stoeger STR-9 Thinline.

5 Great Products for Your Next Hunt

These five products will help boost your chances at success in the field.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.