The Armed Citizen® Reload April 24, 2026

Take the TV, take the jewelry, take the cash—but abscond with the four-legged family member and all bets are off.

by posted on April 24, 2026
** 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 Shooting A Pistol

These accounts of brave armed women who defended themselves appeared in earlier editions of The Armed Citizen®.

A 29-year-old woman was awakened at about 5:45 a.m. by banging on her front door. When she went to investigate, she discovered a man attempting to abscond with some of her property—including her dog. The woman ordered the man to leave, but he refused. Fearing for her life and in defense of her property, the woman fired at the intruder multiple times. The man, 20, fled and was discovered 200 yards from the home with gunshot injuries to his lower right leg, as well as a superficial gunshot wound to his right side. The man was taken to the hospital and released a few hours later, then charged with first degree burglary and possession of stolen property. His bond was set at $75,000. Sheriff’s reports confirmed that the man was not known to the homeowner. The suspect’s car was subsequently seized while investigators awaited a search warrant. (cbs17.com, Dunn, N.C., 10/5/22)

 A 22-year-old man with a history of alcohol and substance abuse was shot and killed by a 50-year-old California woman as he violently attacked her husband outside their home. As the men struggled outside of the front door, with the aggressor trying to forcibly enter, the wife ran upstairs to a bedroom and retrieved a revolver that she had purchased the day before the incident. In fear for her husband’s life, the woman fired at the aggressor. When police arrived, they found the man unresponsive. “The fight with the homeowner was a pretty violent one,” sheriff’s Sgt. Luke Schwartz told the Modesto Bee via text. “Can only imagine how terrifying it must’ve been for these folks.” Video surveillance footage and witness statements corroborated the homeowners’ account. The husband received scrapes and scratches during the fight as he was "trying to defend his home," the sheriff's office said. Reports said that early findings indicate the incident was "strictly self-defense,” and that the man was previously unknown to the couple. (theblaze.com, Patterson, Calif., 9/26/22)

Latest

Ruger Logo
Ruger Logo

Ruger Safety Bulletin: LCP MAX Manual Safety Models

The recess that retains the safety lever detent spring may not be machined properly, but the other safety mechanisms, including the trigger safety, are not affected and will still function properly.

Review: KelTec PR-3AT Defender Package

The latest addition to this company’s fixed magazine series is lightweight and pocket sized!

The Armed Citizen® Reload June 5, 2026

These intruders met their fate after breaking into a home where mothers' protective instincts were on high alert.

Olympic Silver Medalist Kayle Browning Among Team Federal Top Shooters on U.S. National Trap Teams

Three Olympic hopefuls—current Federal sponsored shooters—have qualified for the 2026 U.S. National team in Trap following the Shotgun National Championships, which took place at Hillsdale College.

NSSF-Adjusted NICS Background Checks Show Increase for May 2026

The data shows an increase of 3.2 percent compared to the May 2025 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,071,685.

Lox & Loaded: Teaching the American-Jewish Community How to Be Armed

This gun club's co-founder is now overseeing 50 chapters across the United States, an endeavor that was borne out of an intense need to do something after acts of evil.

Women's Interests



Get the best of NRA Women delivered to your inbox.