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

Armed Citizen Podcast Grey Team F
Armed Citizen Podcast Grey Team F

A Memorial Day Conversation With Grey Team

Grey Team was founded to help armed services members and veterans with the physiological impacts traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain and more.

42 New Handguns for 2026

Within the entire firearm marketplace, handguns continue to be some of the most popular offerings, and for good reason.

The Armed Citizen® May 25, 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.

President’s Column | Hope Is Not a Strategy

It was great meeting so many enthusiastic and supportive NRA members at the NRA Annual Meeting in Houston. Your words of encouragement and suggestions are propelling your NRA 2.0 forward.

Data Centers Planned for Remington’s Legendary Factory Site

The historic Ilion, N.Y., factory that produced Remington firearms and parts for nearly 200 years may soon become the site of a 200-megawatt data center.

6 New Semi-Automatic Rifles for 2026

While the AR-pattern design continues to be the most popular and prolific semi-automatic rifle platform in America, don't think that means that there aren't other great, new options emerging on the market.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.