The Armed Citizen® June 16, 2023

by
posted on June 16, 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

A man and woman sitting inside a vehicle near a park in Kelso, Wash., were assaulted by two men, forcing the male driver of the car to defend himself and his companion on April 27, 2023.

At about 4:30 p.m. that Thursday, the man and woman were sitting inside their vehicle in the driveway of their house when a pair of men approached the car. One of the suspects, a 21-year-old male, approached the driver's side door, opened it and then allegedly began assaulting the man, accusing him of being in a rival gang. The driver drew a concealed handgun, exited the car during the assault and opened fire. The shot struck the other suspect, a 19-year-old male, and both subjects fled the scene.

Police responded and found the armed citzen, who acknowledged that he had fired a shot at the assault suspects. The armed citizen was temporarily detained while police obtained witness statements and video recording of the altercation, which supported his self-defense claim. He was released without charges.

The wounded assailant was located in a vehicle nearby with the other suspect and was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Both suspects were booked into Cowlitz County Jail on charges of 4th Degree Assault and 2nd Degree Criminal Trespass. (Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office; Kelso, Wash.; 4/27/23)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives – July 1962

While making a routine check of his sporting goods store in Monahans, Texas, Lyle Saunders heard noises in a back room. He drew his gun, discovered a burglar at work, and held the intruder until police arrived. (Monahans News; Monahans, Texas)

Latest

Stoeger STR-9 Thinline+ pistol
Stoeger STR-9 Thinline+ pistol

New for 2026: Stoeger STR-9 Thinline+ Pistol

Stoeger refines its STR-9 Thinline pistol to be even easier to carry.

Finding The Natural Point Of Aim

Nearly every shooter understands the basic principles of marksmanship: position, grip, sight alignment, breathing, trigger control and follow-through.

Firearm Ownership Reaches New Record

The NSSF estimates there are more than 32 million modern sporting rifles in circulation.

Preview: Hornady 12th Edition Reloading Manual

While the internet offers quick access to information, trusting unvetted recipes for cooking up ammunition is less than ideal, which is why makers of reloading products like Hornady publish thorough books for such tasks.

Review: Bushmaster V-Radicator

The business of dispatching unwanted critters requires a platform capable of a high degree of accuracy. Nuisance animals such as prairie dogs are both small and skittish in nature, meaning that they tend to keep their distance and scurry away upon the arrival of incoming fire.

New for 2026: Smith & Wesson FPC in 5.7x28 mm

The folding carbine line expands to include the 5.7 mm chambering.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.