The Armed Citizen® May 21, 2021

by
posted on May 21, 2021
** 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 85-year-old homeowner in Cathedral City, Calif., was forced to act in self-defense when an intruder broke in on May 16, 2021.

The incident began around 6:15 p.m. that Sunday afternoon when a man forced his way into residence. Once inside, the intruder came across the occupants and a confrontation began. At this point, the the residents called authorities to report the intruder.

At some point during the confrontation, the intruder began to make death threats against the residents, spurring the 85-year-old homeowner to grab a gun. The homeowner then shot the intruder once in the upper body. The intruder was critically wounded by the shot and was taken to a local medical center intensive-care unit. None of the residents of the home were injured during the incident. (patch.com, Palm Desert, Calif, 05/17/2021)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives November 1985

Hearing a crash, Valerie Donaldson grabbed a gun and opened her bedroom door to find four masked and armed men who had burst into her Seattle, Wash., apartment. One burglar fired, wounding her in the stomach, but Donaldson shot and killed one burglar and sent the others running for cover. (The Chronicle, Spokane, Wash.)

Latest

Match Ready M1 Garand 1
Match Ready M1 Garand 1

Making a Match-Ready M1 Garand

For decades, fans of the M1 Garand have gone to Camp Perry to shoot the John C. Garand match, a test of their shooting skills and rifles. Here, one M1 Garand enthusiast prepares his rifle and ammo for the shoot.

Will the USPS Allow Handguns to Be Mailed?

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) on April 2, 2026, published a proposed rule that would permit the mailing of lawful handguns through the U.S. mail for the first time in nearly a century.

The Trijicon AccuPoint 1-8x24 mm: A Flexible Optic for Dangerous Game Hunting

Trijicon is probably best known for its military and law-enforcement optics, but the company is also serious about its commercial line of riflescopes designed for hunting.

U.S. Army Bases Will No Longer Be Gun-Free Zones

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced this week that U.S. Army bases will no longer be gun-free zones.

Gun of the Week: CZ Shadow 2 Carry

One of the latest concealed-carry handguns to hit the consumer market is the CZ's Shadow 2 Carry. Watch our "Gun of the Week" episode to see the details of this carry-oriented design.

The Armed Citizen® April 3, 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.