The Armed Citizen® March 16, 2014

by
posted on March 16, 2014
** 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 (1)

Shortly before midnight, three men entered Kochanski's Concertina Beer Hall brandishing weapons and attempted to rob the polka bar. The owner of the business, Andy Kochanski, pulled out his own firearm and fired on the suspects, killing one. The other two robbers fled the scene, but were later arrested. "I defended myself," said Kochanski. "I did the shooting. Two guys with guns, what are you going to do? Protect yourself and your customers, that's what I did." (The Huffington Post, Milwaukee, Wis., 8/19/13)

Jeanna Harris, 43, was asleep when an intruder forced his way into her home through a patio door. Around 1:15 a.m. Harris awoke to the sound of someone rummaging through the belongings in her bedroom. Despite the darkness of the room, Harris could see that the intruder was just a foot or so away from her bed. She wasted no time grabbing the .20-gauge shotgun she kept next to it. She shouted at the burglar, who fled the home after seeing Harris' firearm. Harris called 911, and the 28-year-old intruder was arrested on a charge of second-degree burglary soon thereafter. No shots were fired during the incident. (The Decatur Daily, Decatur, Ala., 1/15/14)

From The Armed Citizen® Archives

August 1959: When Ray Bandle drove by his Las Vegas garage, he spied a light in the closed office. Slipping quietly into the building, Bandle trapped a burglar and held him at gunpoint until police arrived. (Las Vegas Review-Journal, Las Vegas, Nev.)

Latest

Gotw Wilson Combat Divison 77 Project 1 Web
Gotw Wilson Combat Divison 77 Project 1 Web

Gun Of The Week: Wilson Combat Division 77 Project 1

Join American Rifleman staff on the range in this video to get a closer look at Wilson Combat’s somewhat cryptically named “Division 77 Project 1.” 

The Armed Citizen® July 18, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Review: POF-USA LMR BASE Rifle

The Patriot Ordnance Factory LMR Base offers a .308 Win. chambering in a lightweight, AR-15-size package, which makes it a capable platform for today's new gun owner. And it comes at a fair price.

2025 Accessory Of The Year: Wyoming Sight Drifter

For each of the past 23 years, the editors of American Rifleman have convened to select our top picks for the past year’s best and most innovative products. Here are the most recent winners.

Henry Donates Rifles To Support Young Leukemia Victim

Henry Repeating Arms has donated a limited run of 50 “Team Keane” Golden Boy .22 lever-action rifles to support 13-year-old Keane Rhodes of Universal City, Texas, who is currently undergoing aggressive treatment for ALL T-cell leukemia.

Rifleman Review: Springfield Armory Echelon

Springfield Armory introduced its Echelon in 2023, bringing a modernized, chassis-style, striker-fired handgun to the market that has since seen several notable line extensions.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.