The Armed Citizen® Reload October 17, 2025

In two separate incidents, women who feared for their lives while being attacked came out on the winning end.

by posted on October 17, 2025
** 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 with their handguns appeared in earlier editions of The Armed Citizen®.

From the NRA Official Journals: A licensed concealed-carry holder used her personal handgun to stop an alleged attack outside a bank in Roseland, Ill., and she credited her CCW pistol for saving her life. The woman had left the bank with cash in her hand and was getting into her car, when she was approached by an alleged carjacker. The man opened her front door and aimed a gun at her head. The woman pulled out her own pistol and began firing at the man, who ran from the scene. The woman then ran inside the bank to get help. "Thank god I had my gun, or I'd probably be dead right now," the woman said. "I pray every night that I don't have to shoot nobody, but I have to, then I'm prepared and ready." (CBS Chicago, Roseland, Ill., 11/29/22)

A woman who had been arguing with her husband left their home to spend the night at a business the couple owned together. But the following morning the husband showed up at the business and began to beat her, threatening to kill her. The woman was armed and, fearing for her life, shot her husband in self-defense, fatally wounding him. The woman then sought help from another local business owner. The man called 9-1-1, and authorities responded to her place of business, where she had returned. The woman was still holding her handgun, and once she let go of it, was taken into custody. Police determined that the shooting was an act of self-defense, and the woman was not charged. (rdrnews.com; Roswell, N.M.; 1/24/23)

Latest

Donna Zoey 3
Donna Zoey 3

NICS Checks Top 530K for 2025 “Black Friday” Week

The number of checks is down from 2024’s total of 613,380 for the same period, which translates to a 13.6 percent decrease.

Gertrude Claus: Santa’s Better Half 

It is said that behind every successful man is a great woman, and that includes the jolliest of men!

Review: Henry's G2 Mini Bolt Youth .22 LR Rifles

2025 year marks the welcome return of Henry's handy, lightweight single-shot rifle.

We Love It: Smith & Wesson Barrel Bag

Need to carry more than your car keys when you purse carry? This roomy CCW off-body option goes against convention by not requiring the extreme editing of your contents as you keep your personal safety in mind.

3 Great Reads for Firearms Instructors

For the holidays or anytime, these books make great gifts for any hunter, shooter, firearm instructor or trainer.

New Guns 2026: EAA MC 1911 250th Anniversary of U.S. Independence Special Edition Pistol 

This exclusive model celebrates the nation’s free spirit and the constitutional right to bear arms.

Women's Interests



Get the best of NRA Women delivered to your inbox.