Just over a year ago, employees and customers at Concertina Beer Hall in Milwaukee, Wisconsin got more than they were expecting when they entered the bar. On August 13, 2013, three armed men attempted to rob the business. The attempted armed robbery led to the owner of the bar killing one of the suspects and injuring another while the third fled the scene.
The two surviving criminals have both been arrested and tried. Jose Munoz, the convicted criminal is awaiting his sentence, and the other has been acquitted.
It was determined that Concertina Beer Hall owner, Andy Kochanski, acted in self-defense when he pulled the gun on the armed robbers. Kochanski says he just feels lucky to be alive.
“I guess just being very lucky. Lucky that I was able to calmly do what I did and take control of the situation.”
A year following this frenzy, over 100 people gathered at the bar for a free concealed carry course. This was the second concealed carry course offered at the establishment. The first course was held just nine days after the shooting occurred. The class was held by Wisconsin Carry Inc. Daniel Brooker from Wisconsin Carry Inc. says that if he had been in the same situation as Kochanski, he would have done the same thing.
“There’s a fine line when it comes to the things you do with your firearm. You need to know where that line is…I would have done the same thing. It’s a hard choice to make. You don’t want to have to make it – but it’s your life or theirs.”
