The Armed Citizen® October 23, 2020

by
posted on October 23, 2020
** 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. **
armed-citizen-main-image.jpg (5)
Armed Citizen® Today

A man attempting to burglarize a Paradise Township, Penn., home found out that he picked the wrong residence when the homeowner, a Vietnam War veteran, defended his property with a firearm on Oct. 18, 2020.

The incident started around 4:45 p.m. that Sunday when a 38-year-old man from Bronx, N.Y., who police said was under the influence of drugs at the time, walked up to the residence. The owner of the home, a 72-year-old Vietnam vet, noticed a figure standing out front of his home while sitting in a chair in the living room. The homeowner then got up and went to the front door to talk to the individual.

The man then started telling the homeowner to call police and that a gang was trying to kill him. The homeowner then called authorities as the stranger asked and began to report what he had said. While on the phone with police and standing in his garage, the homeowner then heard a crash in his house. The stranger had broken through a window into the home.

Still on the phone with police, the homeowner confronted the would-be burglar in the kitchen and pulled out his pistol. He then held the intruder at gunpoint for 10 minutes until state police arrived. The homeowner said his experience from the war helped him keep composure during the incident, in which no shots were fired. The burglar was charged with criminal trespass, simple assault and criminal mischief. (
wnep.com, Scranton, Penn., 10/20/2020)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives June 1982

Rev. Martin Jarreau was asleep in the rectory of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Miami when he heard strange noises. He grabbed a .38-cal. revolver and went to investigate. He found a would-be burglar trying to exit via a bathroom window. Fr. Jarreau held the man, who had a long criminal record, for police. (
The Herald, Miami, FL)

Latest

Springfield Armory Hellcat 380 Gun of the Week
Springfield Armory Hellcat 380 Gun of the Week

Gun of the Week: Springfield Armory Hellcat in .380 ACP

Springfield's latest Hellcat chambering makes the small pistol easier to shoot.

New for 2026: Stoeger M3000 Sporting Shotgun

Stoeger adds a new sporting model to its M3000 semi-automatic shotgun line.

New for 2026: Shadow Systems Axio Pistol Platform

A duty-size handgun platform joins the Shadow Systems family of 9 mm pistols.

The Armed Citizen® Jan. 30, 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.

Review: Hi-Point HP-15 Carbine

In 2025, Hi-Point Firearms surprised the firearm community with the news that it would offer a complete line of HP-15 carbines and pistols. Since then, the company has expanded their offerings.

New for 2026: Springfield Armory Saint Victor .300 BLK 9.5” Pistol

Springfield Armory’s Saint Victor family now has a pistol in .300 BLK.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.