The Armed Citizen® October 2, 2020

A 78-year-old grandmother was awakened from sleep one night by her dog barking, so she grabbed her shotgun and went to investigate.

by posted on October 2, 2020
** 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. **
NRA Women The Armed Citizen Aiming A Pistol

A 78-year-old grandmother was awakened from sleep one night by her dog barking. Immediately sensing something was wrong, the woman grabbed her shotgun and crept outside of her bedroom. When she reached the laundry room she spotted the reason for her dog’s alert: a man standing only feet away from her. The woman confronted the intruder, and he turned to leave. But the woman wasn’t having any of it, telling reporters she ordered him to “stay right there!” and stood over him with her shotgun. She then directed him onto her porch, where she detained him until police arrived and took him in to custody. The woman dropped the charges after she later learned that the male suspect told deputies that “he'd been looking for his wife and that God sent him to the elderly woman's address.”  (TheBlaze.com, 9/28/20)

A 63-year-old former New York police officer was standing outside her home on a Wednesday afternoon when a man attempted to mug her. She ordered the thief to back up, but he ignored her, and she ran to her house. Inside, the man yelled threats and chased her, threatening her with a cable box. When he pushed her up against a wall, she drew her .38-cal. service revolver and fired it at him, hitting him in the thigh. She detained him until police arrived and took the aggressor into custody, charging him with robbery and burglary. (NYPost.com, New York, N.Y., 08/19/20)

Latest

2026 Gba Nra Media F
2026 Gba Nra Media F

NRA Announces 2026 Golden Bullseye Award Winners

Golden Bullseye Awards are given not only for new, innovative products offered by the firearm, ammunition, and optics industries, but also for four awards recognizing individual contributions to freedom and the shooting sports.

The Incomparable, Inimitable Phil Schreier—1962-2025

A friend since childhood and NRA colleague for more than 30 years, Mark Keefe pays tribute to one of NRA's most memorable and important employees.

Blind Spots: Don’t Just Look for the Threat

Situational awareness is great, but hyper-focusing on it can create its own type of blind spot when it comes to personal safety.

The Armed Citizen® January 2, 2026

Brotherly Love, Sisterly Affection—not so much for one Philadelphia woman in her car late at night. Fortunately she was a CCW holder.

Winchester's .21 Sharp: The Future of Rimfire?

Will Winchester's new twist on an old cartridge be the next big thing or the latest niche option?

What Is Still-Hunting?

When treestand hunting isn’t practical or you want to mix up your hunting method, try a still-hunt. How?

Women's Interests



Get the best of NRA Women delivered to your inbox.