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

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.