The Armed Citizen® October 30, 2012

by
posted on October 30, 2012
** 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

Martha Lewis was at home with her two daughters when she heard a loud noise. It was 3 a.m., so Lewis immediately called police and grabbed her gun. She went to her daughters’ room and told them each to get something with which to defend themselves. They were at the top of the stairs when a man, who had kicked in the door and entered the home, spotted them. When the man started up the stairs toward them, Lewis warned the intruder that she would shoot him. When he ignored her warnings, Lewis fired causing him to stumble outside where police found him. The 25-year-old male was hospitalized in stable condition. After the incident, Lewis said, “There’s so much talk about banning guns and gun control, but they’re for protection. There’s no way that I could have fought him off.” (The Blaze, Dora, AL, 8/17/12)

From The Armed Citizen Archives

September 1985: Dino Starn awoke to find a man climbing through the bedroom window of his New Jersey home. "He picked the wrong window," said Starn, who, for the second time in two years, used a handgun for protection. He shot once at the intruder, who was apparently hit in the arm and ran. Starn had previously used the gun to capture two burglars in his home. (The Press, Atlantic City, N.J.)

From The Armed Citizen Archives

November 1977: A would-be rapist met an untimely end when he attempted to molest an unidentified New Orleans, La., woman cab driver. When the man jumped into the front seat and attacked, she drew a cal. .357 revolver and fired, killing him. (The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, La.)

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.