The Armed Citizen® September 22, 2011

by
posted on September 22, 2011
** 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 (2)

When a homeowner’s dogs began barking in bizarre fashion, he grabbed a handgun to investigate while his wife called the police. The victim of two burglaries in recent weeks, the homeowner cautiously approached his detached garage. He confronted two prowlers lurking inside, drew his handgun and told them not to move. Initially it appeared the suspects would wait for police, but suddenly the desperate men charged. The homeowner made quick work of the criminals, opening fire and connecting with each shot. One suspect fell dead. The other lay wounded. The homeowner grabbed a medical kit and provided assistance to the wounded man until police arrived. (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA, 05/23/2011)

The Armed Citizen Extra

(The following account did not appear in the print version of American Rifleman.)

A man and a woman awoke in the middle of the night to the sounds of what they figured to be someone breaking into their home. When they went to investigate, their suspicions were correct; two masked men had entered their home. One of the intruders approached the man, demanding money and jewelry, and then pistol whipped him, giving the woman time to grab their shotgun. The woman handed the gun to the man, and he and the suspects exchanged fire. One of the intruders fled, and the other was fatally shot and found by police in the driveway of the home. The male resident sustained minor injuries. (The Daily Herald, Tacoma, WA, 11/04/10)

From The Armed Citizen Archives

September 1971: Mrs. Edith M. Barry, 41, woke up one morning and discovered a burglar in her bedroom. Seizing a .22 revolver, she shot him. He staggered outside and was later arrested. (The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Ariz.)

Latest

Robinson Armament Xcrl Gotw 1
Robinson Armament Xcrl Gotw 1

Gun of the Week: Robinson Armament XCR-L

One man, Alex Robinson, took it upon himself to address what he saw as several shortcomings in the AR-15 design. He consulted with special forces operators and asked what they wanted in a rifle platform. The result was the Robinson Armament XCR.

Maryland Bans Glocks and the NRA Responds

Legislation recently signed into law by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore essentially bans nearly every Glock and Glock-style pistol on the market from being sold within the state.

The Armed Citizen® May 29, 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.

Federal Signs Agreement With U.S. Army to Improve Ammo Performance

Federal Ammunition announced this week that it has entered into an agreement that allows the U.S. Army to utilize its patented Peak Alloy ammunition case technology for use in multiple cartridges and weapon systems.

Four Armed Citizen Stories That Tell us a Lot

Each self-defense case is different. As we read them, we find ourselves wondering what we would have done, and then asking if the citizen made the best decisions possible in the worst-case scenario.

The Three Rs of Performance Shooting: Rise, Return & Realignment

Way back in the day, the three Rs of learning were colloquially known as "Readin’, Rightin’ and Rithmatic." In today's modern performance shooting, the three Rs become Rise, Return and Realignment, the core mechanics of recoil control.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.