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

Match Ready M1 Garand 1
Match Ready M1 Garand 1

Making a Match-Ready M1 Garand

For decades, fans of the M1 Garand have gone to Camp Perry to shoot the John C. Garand match, a test of their shooting skills and rifles. Here, one M1 Garand enthusiast prepares his rifle and ammo for the shoot.

Will the USPS Allow Handguns to Be Mailed?

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) on April 2, 2026, published a proposed rule that would permit the mailing of lawful handguns through the U.S. mail for the first time in nearly a century.

The Trijicon AccuPoint 1-8x24 mm: A Flexible Optic for Dangerous Game Hunting

Trijicon is probably best known for its military and law-enforcement optics, but the company is also serious about its commercial line of riflescopes designed for hunting.

U.S. Army Bases Will No Longer Be Gun-Free Zones

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced this week that U.S. Army bases will no longer be gun-free zones.

Gun of the Week: CZ Shadow 2 Carry

One of the latest concealed-carry handguns to hit the consumer market is the CZ's Shadow 2 Carry. Watch our "Gun of the Week" episode to see the details of this carry-oriented design.

The Armed Citizen® April 3, 2026

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

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.