The Armed Citizen Sept. 24, 2021

Law-Abiding Citizens Using Their 2nd Amendment Rights In Self-Defense

by
posted on September 24, 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

A man was forced to defend himself when he was ambushed by a group of thugs outside of an Austin, Ill., home on July 27, 2021.

The 42-year-old man was speaking with his uncle in the front yard of a home around 10:30 p.m. that Tuesday night, when a car drove by with the window down as the driver glared at the man. The car went around the block before pulling up again and coming to a stop. The driver said to the man, "What's up?" as five to six others got out of the car. Members of the group punched the man, who saw that another was armed with a handgun. The armed assailant then shot the man in the thigh, and the man responded by drawing his own concealed-carry handgun and firing back.

The armed assailant was struck in the shoulder by the man's shot, and the band of thugs jumped back into the car before driving off. Police were able to get a partial description of the car and its license plate, and they soon found it and the wounded assailant. As it turned out, the assailant that had the gun was a 16-year-old. During the teen's court hearing, the judge came down on him with a Class X felony charge of aggravated battery with a gun and set bond at $500,000, saying, "This is the definition of violence right here.” (news.yahoo.com, Chicago, Ill., 07/29/2021)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives - November 1986

As Harold Tomlin was closing his Bakersfield, Calif., pharmacy, a man approached and tried to rob the pharmacist, threatening to kill him. When the intruder began to pull a pistol, Tomlin drew his .38-cal. revolver and fired. He missed, but the man dropped to the floor and pleaded with Tomlin not to kill him, saying the gun was a toy. The pharmacist held the man for police. (The Californian, Bakersfield, Calif.)

Latest

firing a musket rifle
firing a musket rifle

Today’s Makers of Yesterday’s Firearms

Original firearms from the American Revolution era are valuable and best preserved for posterity. For those who want to shoot them, several modern makers offer quality reproductions.

Left Turn (Bolt): Tikka's New Left-Handed T3x Ace Rifles

Lefties of the world unite and rejoice, as Tikka has announced left-hand versions of its award-winning T3x Ace chassis rifles.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 14, 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.

Skills Check: Rifle Standard Delta 2

Carbine performance is all about maintaining control. The Rifle Standard Delta 2 is a drill that pressures recoil control, visual discipline and cadence as distance decreases and time compresses.

Gun Sales Up for the 7th Month in a Row in 2026

The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s (NSSF) estimate of last month’s gun sales was up 2.2 percent compared to August 2025.

Caring For & Feeding Your Cap-and-Ball Revolvers

Compared to pistoleros of the 19th century, today’s handgunners have it easy. It's not enough just to get an old-school, cap-and-ball revolver. You also need to acquire everything to shoot and clean it.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.