The Armed Citizen® July 13, 2011

by
posted on July 13, 2011
** 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. **
ac2009_fs.jpg

When a noise woke an 84-year-old grandmother, she noticed her hall light was on and knew something was awry. The sharp-thinking, independent woman opened a nightstand drawer and quickly grabbed her .38-cal. revolver. “My mind told me to get that gun,” she explained. No sooner had she done so than an intruder appeared at the bedroom door. The woman fired a shot, striking the wall. The intruder ran out the back door, which he had kicked in. (KTVU-TV, Oakland, CA, 03/03/11)

The Armed Citizen Extra

(The following account did not appear in the print version of American Rifleman.)

A 26-year-old man's burglary attempt was foiled when the homeowner of the house he was attempting to break into ended up being at home. When the homeowner discovered that his door was being forced open, he approached the would-be burglar with a gun, causing the man to flee on foot. He was arrested shortly after by police and charged with second-degree burglary. (Press-Republican, 02/05/11)

 

From The Armed Citizen Archive

July 1961: Because of recent burglaries, druggist John Skinner had been sleeping in his San Francisco store. Awakened by sounds of drilling, Skinner armed himself with a cal. .32 pistol and went around back to accost 2 men. Told to halt, they began edging in opposite directions. Skinner fired a warning shot, then felled one with a bullet to the leg as both ran. (Oakland Tribune)

Latest

M2 .50-caliber machine gun
M2 .50-caliber machine gun

The Short Life of America’s Anti-Tank Rifles

At the dawn of mechanized warfare, the U.S. Military contended with the reality that infantrymen would need an effective arm to defeat tanks. Their idea? Bring more gun.

Springfield Armory's XD Mod.4 OSP: Anything But Basic

For nearly 25 years, Springfield Armory has offered its affordable and reliable XD series of handguns, and for 2026, that design has now entered its fourth generation with the Mod.4 OSP.

The Armed Citizen® March 23, 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.

Suppressor Sales Reach Unprecedented Levels

According to 4473 Cloud, a service provider to federal firearms licensees, more than 1.5 million Form 4s for suppressor transfers have been filed so far this year.

First Look: Shooters Global SG Pulse Pro

The Shooters Global SG Pulse Pro is an impressive all-in-one gadget, offering you a timer, DOPE cards, a level and a stability tracker in one aluminum, water-resistant body with multiple mounting options.

The Guns of Shanghai 1937: A Prelude to WWII's Brutal Urban Combat

Often overlooked by Western military historians, the Battle of Shanghai in 1937 was an early sign of the brutal urban combat that would characterize much of World War II. An incredible array of arms was used in the fighting.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.