The Armed Citizen® July 1, 2024

by
posted on July 1, 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 thief's attempt to rob an Omaha, Neb., jewelry store was thwarted by the store owner's willingness to defend his livelihood with a gun.

On May 4, 2024, an alleged thief clad in black threw a rock into one of the store's glass windows to gain entry. The store's owner was in a back room and was armed. "I typically carry a firearm on my waist, even after hours," the store owner told local reporters. "It's just one of those things: keys, wallet, firearm."

As the thief raised a tool to break into the glass display cabinets full of jewelry, the owner emerged from the back room, pointing the gun at the intruder, and yelled. The sight was enough to send the thief running back through the broken window.

The shop owner, an Air Force veteran who had spent three years on deployment, told local news that he was glad to have the ability to defend his business, calling his firearm a tool for the job. "My use of [a pistol] is the same as any of the other tools I have back here," he said. "They all serve a purpose. But this is the one tool that I hope to never have to use." (KETV; Omaha, Neb.; 5/7/24)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives – September 1973

Hearing glass breaking in his Everett, Wash., market long after he had closed for the night, Arthur Burnett got a revolver and went to investigate. He found a man inside the store and announced that he was armed. When the man charged at him, Burnett fired two shots and mortally wounded the prowler. (Seattle Times; Seattle, Wash.)

Latest

SA Echelon Alpha 01
SA Echelon Alpha 01

Affordable & Feature-Rich: The Springfield Armory Echelon Alpha 4.0C

Springfield Armory entered the world of modular, striker-fired handguns in 2023 with its Echelon line of pistols, and for 2026, Springfield is introducing an entry-level Echelon model with the Alpha 4.0C.

5 New SBRs for 2026

It has never been easier for gun owners to buy and use short-barreled rifles, and for the occasion, we have five of the latest SBRs on the market right now.

Review: Military Armament Corporation MAC-5K

SDS Arms, under its Military Armament Corporation (MAC) brand, imports Turkish-made roller-delayed handguns of the H&K MP5 pattern called the MAC-5K.

8 New Revolvers for 2026

Despite the incredible array of polymer-frame, striker-fired, semi-automatic handguns on the market, the classic revolver not only refuses to die, it has seen something of a resurgence in recent years.

The Armed Citizen® May 18, 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.

8 New Semi-Auto Shotguns for 2026

For 2026, the semi-automatic shotgun market has seen even more growth, with some manufacturers expanding their current offerings and other makers entering the marketplace with novel designs.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.