The Armed Citizen® Dec. 9, 2024

by
posted on December 9, 2024
** 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. **
The Armed Citizen

Armed Citizen® Today

A 19-year-old man who had been known to law enforcement and had been facing charges was shot and killed in an early morning home invasion in Herrick, Ill., according to local reports.

A press release from the Shelby County Sheriff detailed the October 25th incident, in which the intruder had broken into the house around 5:25 a.m. and was allegedly threatening the home's occupants. One of the residents armed themselves and warned the suspect that he needed to stop his advance into the house. The suspect continued to move deeper into the home, ignoring the verbal warnings. The resident fired several shots, striking the 19-year-old intruder. Police arrived on scene, along with EMS, who transported the suspect to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his wounds.

Earlier in the month, the man had been charged with aggravated fleeing from a police officer, unlawful possession of a firearm, underage liquor transportation, property damage and operating an uninsured vehicle. The year before, he had also been charged with aggravated fleeing and speeding, but local prosecutors had dismissed the fleeing charge and ordered the man to pay a fine and perform community service. (Effingham Daily News; Shelby County, Ill.; 10/25/24)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives – January 1968

Hearing glass shatter in his Tampa, Fla. store, Fernando Carreras picked up a pistol and dashed from his apartment in the rear to investigate. Coming upon a prowler removing glass from the front door, Carreras fired one shot. The man fled but was found dead a few blocks away. (Tampa Tribune)

Latest

FP 6.5Peak Launch Fusion Terminalascent Peakalloy 19
FP 6.5Peak Launch Fusion Terminalascent Peakalloy 19

Federal's New 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak: The Peak Alloy Case Goes Mainstream

Federal introduced its high-pressure Peak Alloy case design with the 7 mm Backcountry in 2025. Now, the company is incorporating it into high-pressure 6.5 Creedmoor loads with the +Peak design.

I Carry: Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0FC in a JM Custom Kydex Holster

In our latest "I Carry" video, a Springfield Echelon 4.0FC is outfitted with Aimpoint's new COA enclosed-emitter red-dot optic, and to carry this optic-equipped handgun, we've selected a JM Custom Kydex holster.

The Armed Citizen® June 5, 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.

Multi-Caliber MK24 to Replace SCAR-H For SOCOM

U.S. Special Forces will soon be replacing their 7.62-NATO-chambered SCAR-Hs with a new, barrel-swapping MK24 Mid-Range Gas Gun-Assault (MRGGA) gun capable of running either 7.62 NATO or 6.5 Creedmoor.

Rifle Renaissance 2026: Exploring Rifle Skills Beyond Marksmanship

Being able to shoot in contextual situations, shoot from unusual positions, manipulate the rifle quickly and rapidly adjust one’s position based on distance are all essential skills for a well-trained rifleman. To train these abilities, The Complete Combatant hosted the first annual Rifle Renaissance event in March 2026.

New Guns For 2026: A Full Guide

While it’s claimed the firearms industry is experiencing a slowdown, that hasn’t meant a stall to innovation. It means gunmakers are working harder than ever to earn your business.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.