The Armed Citizen® April 2, 2013

by
posted on April 2, 2013
** 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

When two men walked into Rafael Lantigua's store after dark with their hoods pulled tight exposing only their eyes, he grew suspicious. Understandably so, as one of the men produced a gun and pointed it at him. Lantigua quickly reached for his own firearm from his waist band and pointed it in their direction. Both men jumped back in surprise before fleeing the premises. It was last reported that both men were still at large. According to police, Lantigua was unharmed and nothing was stolen from his store. (The Eagle-Tribune, Lawrence, MA, 1/14/13)

The Armed Citizen Extra

A homeowner shot and injured an intruder who broke into his home and refused to leave early Sunday, then held the man at gunpoint until sheriff's deputies could arrive at the scene. Police later determined the intruder was high on methamphetamine. At 4:45 a.m. Sunday the homeowner heard someone talking outside his home. He called 911 then armed himself with a pistol while waiting for the police to respond. The intruder burst into the home and approached the homeowner who was standing in front of his bedroom door to protect his wife. The homeowner warned him to stop, but was charged at instead. The homeowner fired one shot, hitting the intruder who kept coming at him and tackled the homeowner. The two fought until the homeowner could break free, and hold the intruder at gunpoint until police arrived 20 minutes after receiving the call. (Komo News, Chehalis, WA, 3/1/13)

From The Armed Citizen Archives

February 1963: While walking her dog, Mrs. Victoria Roginski, an apartment house manager in Cleveland, Ohio, noticed three men working on a car in the darkness behind the house. She got her .32 pistol and returned to find the trio removing the tires and battery from a station wagon. One of the car strippers ran when Mrs. Roginski appeared, but the other two remained stationary while a neighbor called the police. (Cleveland Press)

Latest

procarry.jpg
procarry.jpg

Open Carry in California?

On January 2, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit struck down California’s ban on open carry in most of the state. The panel decision was 2-1.

Gun Skills | Press Check

Back when I was a new gun owner, I drilled in a habit of checking to be sure my firearm was unloaded, which was also a terrific opportunity to work on gun-handling skills like racking the action and activating the controls.

The Incomparable, Inimitable Phil Schreier—1962-2025

The NRA took a serious hit on December 28th. We lost Phil Schreier, director of NRA Museums. He did everything the doctors asked of him and then some. But it wasn’t enough. Leukemia won, and we all lost.

No More Tax on Suppressors!

When President Donald Trump (R) signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) into law on July 4, 2025, he scheduled the end of the burdensome $200 excise tax imposed on suppressors, short-barreled firearms and “any other weapons” as defined by the National Firearms Act (NFA). That end came on January 1.

Armed Citizens are the “Rugged Individualists” Mamdani Despises

In his inauguration speech as the new mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani said, behind his characteristically easy smile, “We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.”

Conscientious Carry

While going about armed, you need to fit into society responsibly and politely. Here’s how.



Get the best of America's 1st Freedom delivered to your inbox.