The Armed Citizen® Jan. 3, 2025

by
posted on January 3, 2025
** 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

An employee arriving to work in Hewitt, Texas, was able to defend himself from a surprise attack from a rifle-wielding attacker, according to police reports.

Officers say the victim arrived at his place of work, parked inside of the lot and was immediately blocked in by another vehicle driven by the suspect, who had been lying in wait. The 37-year-old attacker then sprayed the victim with pepper spray before switching to a rifle. He then attempted to shoot the victim multiple times with the rifle. The victim was armed and able to return fire, and he struck the attacker twice.

The wounded suspect then fled the scene before police arrived. Officers later found the suspect at a local hospital, where he had driven to seek treatment for his gunshot wounds. The man was taken into custody and currently faces a second-degree felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. (Waco Tribune-Herald; Waco, Texas; 11/8/24)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives – January 1980

Steve Menich, a disabled veteran, was sleeping alone at his Ohioville, Pa., home when the burglar alarm sounded. Armed with a pistol, Menich slowly searched the house. When he opened the cellar door, he was attacked by several intruders. Struck on the head and knocked to the floor, Menich still managed to fire several rounds at the intruders, all of whom quickly fled. (The Beaver County Times; Beaver, Pa.)

Latest

firing a musket rifle
firing a musket rifle

Today’s Makers of Yesterday’s Firearms

Original firearms from the American Revolution era are valuable and best preserved for posterity. For those who want to shoot them, several modern makers offer quality reproductions.

Left Turn (Bolt): Tikka's New Left-Handed T3x Ace Rifles

Lefties of the world unite and rejoice, as Tikka has announced left-hand versions of its award-winning T3x Ace chassis rifles.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 14, 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.

Skills Check: Rifle Standard Delta 2

Carbine performance is all about maintaining control. The Rifle Standard Delta 2 is a drill that pressures recoil control, visual discipline and cadence as distance decreases and time compresses.

Gun Sales Up for the 7th Month in a Row in 2026

The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s (NSSF) estimate of last month’s gun sales was up 2.2 percent compared to August 2025.

Caring For & Feeding Your Cap-and-Ball Revolvers

Compared to pistoleros of the 19th century, today’s handgunners have it easy. It's not enough just to get an old-school, cap-and-ball revolver. You also need to acquire everything to shoot and clean it.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.