The Armed Citizen® July 14, 2023

by
posted on July 14, 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

An armed homeowner kept a knife-wielding burglar at bay until police arrived in Ider, Ala., on Saturday, May 6.

The knife-armed suspect allegedly attempted to break into a home that day when the homeowner returned to his house. The alleged burglar hid from the homeowner and fled into nearby woods, but then he returned to the house. When the homeowner saw the knife-armed man approaching from the woods, he called police. Dispatchers heard the homeowner pleading with the suspect to drop the knife.

The alleged burglar acted as though he would give up, but then stood up and brandished his knife again. The homeowner then drew a firearm and told the burglar that he would shoot if he did not drop the knife. The armed citizen kept the would-be intruder at bay until officers arrived on scene.

Authorities arrested the suspect, who is being held at the DeKalb County Jail and faces charges of second-degree burglary, menacing, first-degree trespassing and third-degree criminal mischief. (WVUA 23; 5/6/23; Ider, Ala.)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives – August 1970

Hearing sounds at his door, Gennie Conner of Avondale, Tenn., picked up his gun and went to investigate. When he returned to his bedroom, he found a burglar rummaging through a jewelry box. He captured the burglar, who was later accused by police of three other break-ins. (Chattanooga Times, Chattanooga, Tenn.)

Latest

Icarry Springfield Sa35 Polished 1
Icarry Springfield Sa35 Polished 1

I Carry: Springfield Armory SA-35 Polished in a Falco C631 Gorham Holster

In our latest episode of "I Carry" above, we're taking a closer look at the details of the new Springfield Armory SA-35 Polished, and we're packaging it with a high-quality leather holster from Falco Holsters, along with a new EDC knife from Work Sharp.

ATF Suffers Major Cybersecurity Incident

On Aug. 27, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced that an outside group had breached its systems in what it termed a "major incident."

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 28, 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.

A Conversation About Gun-Making in America

Recently, a paper titled “The American Tradition of Self-Made Arms" written by Joe Greenlee, director of NRA-ILA's Office of Litigation Counsel,was cited by a court in an important ruling on frame-or-receiver litigation.

The Model 87 Ultra Special: A Rare Survivor of Ithaca's Final Gamble

In the spring of 1990, an 18-year-old received a shotgun he didn't order. The Ithaca Model 87 Ultra Special he got instead was the last gasp of one of America's most iconic shotgun makers.

As Gun Sales Stay High, Violent Crime Hits a Historic Low

According to a recent report from the FBI on national crime statistics, violent crime has decreased 9.3 percent from 2024, marking the largest year-to-year drop since the 1930s.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.