The Armed Citizen® April 26, 2011

by
posted on April 26, 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

It was less than a year ago that Chicago's government was forced to repeal many of its rights-infringing laws, and a southside resident recently joined the growing list of armed citizens owing their lives to the Supreme Court's ruling. Hearing glass breaking in her basement, a 45-year-old got her handgun and confronted two intruders already inside the home. "I was scared for my life," she explained, "I've never been so scared before in my entire life." One of the men wielded a tire iron, and the woman opened fire on him. He fell and died. His accomplice fled. "I thank God that I'm still here," the woman said. (The Chicago Tribune, Chicago, IL, 02/21/11)

Armed Citizen Extra

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

Around 9 p.m. in the evening, a homeowner heard a noise at his back door and went to investigate. He discovered that someone had put a hand through an exterior door and was attempting to rip the door down. The homeowner returned to the door with a shotgun and warned the suspect to leave, but the person continued to try and break the door latch. The homeowner then fired one round from the shotgun, causing the suspect to flee. (Lewistown Sun Journal, Lewiston, ME, 02/23/11)

From The Armed Citizen Archive

May 1980: John F. Tress recently put 3 would-be bandits to flight by yanking out a pistol when they announced a stickup of his Baltimore liquor store. When another gunman tried the same thing in recent weeks, Tress again grabbed his cal .32 and shot him in the stomach. The wounded bandit gasped, "I was only fooling," and staggered out the door. Hospital officials later reported his admittance for treatment, and responding police placed him under guard. (Baltimore Evening Sun, Baltimore, MD)

Latest

10 Lies About Guns And Crime The Trump Administration Has Exposed
10 Lies About Guns And Crime The Trump Administration Has Exposed

Dispelling Anti-Gun Disinformation | Here Are 10 Lies About Guns And Crime The Trump Administration Has Exposed

Crime is a major problem in the United States, 66% of Americans believe, with 81% saying it is a major problem in large cities, according to an August 2025 poll by the Associated Press/NORC [previously the National Opinion Research Center].

The Greatest Second Amendment Victory in a Century

On July 4, 2025, Americans celebrated not only our nation’s independence, but also the restoration of our constitutional Second Amendment rights becoming unconstrained by burdensome and arbitrary fees.

Opening Salvo | More Evidence That Gun-Control Groups are Freaking Out

With the Trump administration’s law-and-order push showing America’s crime problem is clearly not the fault of lawfully armed citizens, gun-control groups are freaking out.

John Rich has a Song for Armed Citizens

John Rich's latest song is "The Righteous Hunter." It is a moving tune about standing up to stop those with evil intentions. It is a song for lawfully armed citizens.

This Department of Education Grant Could Change Things

The University of Wyoming’s Firearms Research Center has been awarded a nearly $1 million grant by the U.S. Department of Education to develop a nationwide program on the origins, meaning and implications of the Second Amendment.

From the Editor | Charlie Kirk Lived for Freedom

“Give me liberty, or give me death,” are the immortal words of Patrick Henry spoken on March 23, 1775, to the Second Virginia Convention in Richmond, Va. His impassioned words were a call to arms against British tyranny.  

Interests



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