The Armed Citizen® July 3, 2012

by
posted on July 3, 2012
** 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

Rev. Henry Guyton, 71, a Baptist church pastor, called 911 one afternoon when a man at the church began acting as if he was having a heart attack. The man, 38-year-old Jesse Gates, left the church after being examined by EMS. Gates returned to the church later that day carrying a shotgun. The reverend’s grandson, Aaron Guyton, 26, spotted the shotgun and locked the doors. Gates, however, kicked open a side door of the sanctuary and pointed the gun at the pastor and congregation. As a concealed carry permit holder, Aaron acted quickly to detain Gates at gunpoint until police arrived. Everyone was reportedly unharmed. (goupstate.com, Boiling Springs, S.C., 3/25/12)

From The Armed Citizen Archives

July 1977: Two holdup men, disguised as electric company employees, entered the New York City apartment of Carlos Rodriguez and forced his wife and small son into a rear room. As the two thieves ransacked the place, Rodriguez and a friend, Manual Liriano, unexpectedly walked in. The robbers opened fire, wounding Rodriguez, but Liriano, firing his own legally-registered pistol, killed on thug and wounded the other. (The Daily News, New York, N.Y.)

From The Armed Citizen Archives

August 1978: Hearing screams, Perfect Oliver, a retired Army officer, grabbed his pistol, and ran out behind his diner in Hamilton Township, N.J. and came upon a man raping a woman on the sidewalk. Seeing Oliver, the attacker left the woman where she was lying and advanced toward him, whereupon Oliver raised his gun and fired one fatal shot. (The Daily Advocate, Dover, N.J.)

Latest

John Commerford
John Commerford

Political Report | America at 250: Celebrate Our History

It isn’t news to the patriotic members of the National Rifle Association that July 4, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States of America.

Benelli Updates Its M2 Field Shotgun

Over the years, Benelli shotguns have gotten subtle updates that have made their reliability and usability even better. New for 2026, Benelli’s M2 Field models are getting added features for better comfort and control.

It’s OK to Have Fun

A gun is a serious tool, but it can also be an object of joy.

Gun of the Week: Springfield Armory Model 2020 Boundary

While the company's initial Model 2020 Waypoint design was intended to be more of a precision platform, Springfield has since come out with several field-ready variants of the Model 2020, including the Boundary.

Standing Guard | The NRA and Freedom’s 250th

A quarter of a millennium ago this July 4, John Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence.

The Armed Citizen® June 19, 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.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.