The Armed Citizen® Jan. 20, 2023

Law-Abiding Citizens Using Their Second Amendment Rights In Self-Defense

by
posted on January 20, 2023
** 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 concealed carry permit holder in Chicago, Ill., defended himself and another when they were allegedly targeted by a trio of men on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022.

The permit holder and a companion were walking to their vehicle in the parking lot of the Chicago Ridge Mall, when they were approached by three men. According to police, the trio encircled the two and assaulted them, which spurred the permit holder to draw his pistol, and he fired multiple rounds at their assailants, striking two of the men in the process.

The two injured suspects suffered non-lethal injuries, and one of the trio, a 24-year-old man, was charged with battery for the incident. After an investigation of the incident, authorities declined to charge the permit holder for his use of defensive force. (patch.com, Oak Lawn, Ill., 012/16/2022)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives – Sept. 10, 1987

Syracuse, N.Y., cab driver Gregory Blesch had just dropped off two fares and was giving change to one of his passengers when the man started to choke him and tried to grab his wallet. Pulling away from his attacker, Blesch grabbed his licensed handgun and subdued the man. He then forced the pair to sit on the ground to await the arrival of police. (The Herald-Journal, Syracuse, N.Y.)

Latest

target with holes
target with holes

Resisting the Temptation of "Good Enough" for Firearm Performance

No matter what firearm you're using for whatever purpose, even if it's simply a trip to the range, always resist the temptation to accept “good enough” if there is the possibility of better performance.

Armed Citizens Stop a Lot More Criminals Than Most in the Media Will Admit

Since January 2025, the Crime Prevention Research Center has documented 16 defensive gun uses in which police say armed citizens stopped mass public killings.

Federal & Mossberg Collaborate on Autonomous Airborne Drone Defense

Federal and Mossberg are working with Palladyne AI in the creation of SwarmShot, a kinetic defense system that employs swarms of armed drones to shield troops from unmanned aircraft system threats.

Cold Performance: How to Prepare for the Uncertainty of Self-Defense

Defensive gun use is defined by uncertainty. You don’t know when it will happen, how far away the threat will be, how many threats you will face or what position you will be in when it begins.

Derya Goes Silent: The OBone Suppressor

In 2025, Turkish manufacturer Derya Arms opened a new facility in Florida, enabling the company to produce a number of new products domestically, such as its new OBone suppressor.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 26, 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.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.