Saturday, July 29, 2017

CWP, 29 July 2017 Anno Domini

Greetings Sheepdogs,

     Greg Ellifritz does a fine job of compiling
useful information with his Weekly Knowledge Dump.
http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/weekend-knowledge-dump-july-14-2017

***** Mindset *****

"There are things that you cannot imagine,
but there is  nothing that may not happen!"
-- CIA Axiom

     Blind spots are not things you cannot see.
(Because you can imagine them, visualize them,
even if you can't see them.)
Blind spots are things that you don't know
you cannot see.
     Superstitions are not beliefs that you know
are false.  Superstitions are beliefs that you
know are true, that are false.
     Training (not just education) is required
to defeat blind spots and superstitions.
Of course, if the instructor is reinforcing
your superstitions, the training is bad.  The
solution is to take classes from many different
instructors (even if they are at the same school).
If you can count the names of your instructors
on one hand, your training is not diverse enough.
     That's why attending the Tactical Conference
http://rangemaster.com/2018-tactical-conference/
is so valuable.  In one weekend, you will have
the opportunity to learn from many instructors
and to talk to them, between classes, at dinner,
at lunch, etc. 

Fatal Fantasies!
http://defense-training.com/2017/fatal-fantasies/

Skill Set: Justified
http://www.thetacticalwire.com/features/231865

Docternal Change!
http://defense-training.com/2017/docternal-change/

How To Develop A Survivor Mindset
https://survivalreport.org/develop-survivor-mindset/

Not This Again! (A Handy Reminder)
by Tamara Keel
http://www.breachbangclear.com/not-this-again/
     Scroll to the bottom of the web page to see
her picture and read the caption.  A girl after
my own heart.

Beyond the Gun: Overview Of A Street Encounters Class
https://www.concealedcarry.com/training-2/beyond-the-gun-street-encounters/
     Watch the video by Craig Douglas.

5 Things to Say When Talking to Your Kids About Guns
(or anyone for that matter)
https://www.nrafamily.org/articles/2017/7/24/5-things-to-say-when-talking-to-your-kids-about-guns/

When Do You Carry A Concealed Handgun?
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2017/7/20/when-do-you-carry-a-concealed-handgun/
" . . . having a gun is really the first — and most important — rule
in winning a fight . . . "

***** Training *****

Training Scars
http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/training-scars

Glad for my toolbox
http://shortbarrelshepherd.com/glad-for-my-toolbox-car-evolution-minnesota-ecqc-2017/

Breaking the connection between stress and tunnel vision
http://exclusive.multibriefs.com/content/breaking-the-connection-between-stress-and-tunnel-vision/law-enforcement-defense-security


Visual perception delay and its effect on shooting
by Mike Ox
http://exclusive.multibriefs.com/content/visual-perception-delay-and-its-effect-on-shooting/law-enforcement-defense-security
     I've cited this article before, but it's worth
repeating in the context of this newsletter.

     Shootout Between Officers and Armed Robber Caught from Multiple Angles
https://activeselfprotection.com/shootout-between-officers-and-armed-robber-caught-from-multiple-angles/
     The Dundalk Gunfight – Multiple Perspectives
http://www.breachbangclear.com/dundalk-gunfight-multiple-perspectives/
     The Baltimore Transit Bus Shoot Out, A Critical Assessment
https://www.blacksheepwarrior.com/baltimore-transit-bus-shoot/
     Tourniquets are fine, but the correct first aid
is immediate direct pressure to the wound to stop the
bleeding.  Then, while someone is applying pressure,
you may apply a tourniquet.

Skill Set: Repetition
http://www.thetacticalwire.com/features/231903
     I took the Front Sight 4-day Defensive Handgun class
four times before I earned the graduate certificate.  And
then I have taken the class several more time since. 
Because I enjoy taking others to the class.  And I learn
something new every time.  Because there is always a
different instructor, and I am using different equipment,
and the students are different, so the discussions are
different.

     Tom Givens' advice for preparing for a training class: 
     Do not be late.  [At Front Sight, they would tell us,
if you can't be on time, be early. -- Jon Low]
     You are expected to wear a gun throughout the course.
[Tom runs a hot range, as do all the best gun schools.
(Does that mean that the military gun schools are not the best?
Yes, that's exactly what that means.  Unrealistic behavior
in practice leads to unrealistic behavior in combat.)
Guns loaded and holstered.  Round in the chamber, full
magazine in the magazine well. -- Jon Low]
Bring a reliable pistol, of at least 9X19mm or .38 Special caliber,
and at least three magazines/speedloaders for it (more magazines,
more better!). You will need a good, concealment type belt holster
and magazine pouches.
     You don’t need to wear more than 2 spare magazines on your
person, but having more spares is always good. When you show up
for class, have your holster and magazine pouches on your belt,
with the gun and magazines in them. Please don’t show up not
wearing your gear. If you are a police officer, you may use your
duty rig, if you like.
     I suggest bringing a second gun just like your primary,
in case something breaks. This way you can still use the same
magazines, holster and ammo. Not mandatory, just a suggestion
based on experience. 
[But this should be mandatory.  Otherwise, the instructors will
have to loan you equipment when your equipment fails.  -- Jon Low]
If you wear a BUG (back up gun), feel free to wear it in class.
     Please bring 1,000 rounds of quality, factory or
re-manufactured, jacketed or plated ammunition.  This will be
used for your record qualification shooting. 
BE SURE THIS AMMO FEEDS RELIABLY IN YOUR GUN
AND THAT IT HITS TO THE SIGHTS. 
You might as well have every edge you can for your make it or
break it qualification. I suggest factory ball ammo, such as
Federal American Eagle, Winchester White Box,Independence, or
MagTech ball. All ammo must be jacketed or plated. 
Ammunition you reloaded is allowed, as long as it is jacketed.
[I, Front Sight, and many other gun schools forbid reloads of any kind.
Just because the reloader thinks that he is competent, does not
mean that he is competent.  Incompetent reloaders destroy guns
and injure shooters and spectators. -- Jon Low]
     A cooler with drinks and snacks would help you get through
the day with energy and comfort.

***** Tactics *****

Skill Set: Parking Lot
http://www.thetacticalwire.com/features/231856

***** Techniques *****

Strong Hand & Support Hand Only - Reloads
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fRp5UHQn0Y&feature=youtu.be
     These techniques work.  I recommend Bob Allen.
     I don't teach these because I'm not willing to
bet that the slide will lock back on an empty magazine. 
I don't think the shooter should be using fine motor
operations in a high stress situation.  Better to
stick to gross motor operations.
Some of my students do not have the flexibility to
reach the magazine well when the pistol is holstered. 
     Don't stick your pistol into your Blackhawk
SERPA holster backwards.  It can get stuck.
     It's good to take classes from different
instructors.  You can never have too many software
tools in your software toolbox (your brain).

Armed 11-year-old boy saves fishing party from charging bear
http://juneauempire.com/news/2017-06-30/armed-11-year-old-boy-saves-fishing-party-charging-bear
     A gun in hand is better than one slung on
your shoulder.

The Dangers of Backing Up . . . QUICKLY!
by Dave Spaulding
http://handguncombatives.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-dangers-of-backing-up-quickly.html
     I teach my students to lean forward when moving
backwards to avoid falling backwards.

Patrick Van Horne on Situational Awareness and Threat Detection
http://www.theideavacuum.com/podcast/patrick-van-horne-situational-awareness-threat-detection-idea-vacuum-podcast-006/

***** Gear *****

Fenix Store
https://www.fenix-store.com/
Use code NASHVILLE20 for 20% off.
Tactical flashlights,
https://www.fenix-store.com/tactical-flashlights/
Free shipping in the U.S.

***** Instructors *****

Cross-Dominant Eye Shooting
https://americanhandgunner.com/exclusive-cross-dominant-eye-shooting/
     Eye dominance is not correlated to vision acuity. 
You might see better with your non-dominant eye. 
     Eye dominance is only slightly correlated with
handedness.  You might be right handed, but left eye
dominant. 
     I haven't been able to find any literature in
the peer reviewed journals indicating a correlation
between eye dominance and right or left brain
hemisphere dominance (concerned with high order
intellectual or cognitive things).  [I mention this
because a student asked me.]  Eye dominance is
an optical thing, controlled in the back of the brain. 
The high order intellectual cognitive stuff is
controlled in the frontal lobes of the brain.  (But,
I'm not an expert in the field.  I just spent too
much time in the psych department when an undergrad.)

***** Pedagogy *****

Criticism <not equal to> Teaching
http://chirontraining.blogspot.com/2017/07/criticism-teaching.html

***** Education *****

How to be a World-Class Negotiator
Life Lessons to Help Entrepreneurs, Business Owners & Creators
https://betterhumans.coach.me/how-to-be-a-world-class-negotiator-522feb081483
Talk given by Christopher Voss, former international FBI hostage negotiator.

***** Legal and Political stuff *****

California Senate Takes Up Bill Ensuring Teachers Cannot Shoot Back
http://www.breitbart.com/california/2017/07/06/senate-committee-hear-bill-ensuring-teachers-cannot-shoot-back/

Concealed Carry Permit Holders Across the United States:  2017
https://poseidon01.ssrn.com/delivery.php?ID=291017116081001114102017083075020069055063001016012032102066118104008070111023118007027096058007119109030021071127002102125031041042078020060025078065123090024081050017026083095110112015114097064070029123085015013120068003091093126080117115119081&EXT=pdf

Appeals court invalidates District of Columbia’s
"good reason" constraint on public carry of firearms
http://legalinsurrection.com/2017/07/appeals-court-invalidates-d-c-s-good-reason-constraint-on-public-carry-of-firearms/
     The citizens asked the appeals court (Federal Circuit Court)
to grant an injunction because the law would probably be
overturned by the trial court (Federal District Court) because
the law requiring "good reason" to keep and bear arms is
unconstitutional.  But, the appeals court did not grant an
injunction.  Rather, they (three Federal Circuit Court Judges)
ruled that the law was unconstitutional and did not allow the
District Court to hear the case.  Wow!  This rarely happens.
Big win for gun rights!

***** Survival Tips *****

Burglary of Residence Prevention Tips
https://blog.hsoi.com/2017/07/05/burglary-of-residence-prevention-tips/

***** For Beginners *****


***** Miscellany *****

Rifles for Defense
An Interview with John and Vicki Farnam
https://armedcitizensnetwork.org/rifles-for-defense

Yet more excuses as to why I missed
https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2017/7/3/the-forces-at-work-when-a-bullet-leaves-a-gun/
     Having worked as an artillery forward observer
and cannoneer (though never as a fire control person,
though I did grind through the calculations in
artillery school at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii)
I can attest to the reality of these things.  And I can
assure you that at pistol distances, they are of absolutely
no concern to us.  So, the picture of the person shooting
a pistol at the top of the article is misleading to put it
politely.  Even for long range rifle shooters, these are
third and fourth order effects.

The Best 1911 for the Money in 2017 (on Any Budget)
https://gunnewsdaily.com/best-1911-money/

     If you would like the lesson plans for my
NRA Defensive Pistol course, send me an email,
and I'll send you the latest version.

"I am sorry this letter is so long.  If I had had more
time, I would have written a shorter letter."
-- Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon I, Emperor of the French
(not Emperor of France, for he was not a monarch
who owned all of the land of France)

Cheers,
Jon

Jonathan Low
Jon_Low@yahoo.com

Saturday, July 1, 2017

CWP, 1 July 2017 Anno Domini

Greetings Sheepdogs,

***** Mindset *****

“Without your rifle, you are nothing, worthless. 
You are  waiting for death, any minute, any second.”
-- Aron Bielski,
WWII Jewish Resistance Fighter in Eastern  Europe

JUSTIFIED KILLING - ISTANBUL DRILL APPLICATIONS
http://blog.suarezinternational.com/2017/07/justified-killing-istanbul-drill-applications.html

We Shoot Back!
by John Farnam | 14 Jun 2017
http://defense-training.com/2016/we-shoot-back/

Theory and Practice
http://defense-training.com/2016/theory-and-practice/

Attitude is critical.  Consider the first article
in the Rangemaster newsletter.
http://rangemaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2017-06_RFTS-Newsletter.pdf
     Please evangelize.  The life you save may be
your own, or a loved one.

"To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment
when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and
offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique
to them and fitted to their talents.  What a tragedy if
that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for
that which could have been their finest hour."
-- Winston Churchill

     My experience has been that the most interesting
missions, the most significant missions, are not those
that you are assigned in the course of your normal
duties, nor are they the ones you volunteer for.  Those
special missions are those you are tapped for, selected
because of your reputation and skill set.  They are the
missions that you never would have thought existed. 
That's why it is so important to be of good character.

Less than optimal!
http://defense-training.com/2016/less-than-optimal/
     This is the mind set that you must have to win.

3 Huge Concealed Carry Myths Debunked
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2017/6/19/3-huge-concealed-carry-myths-debunked/

***** Training *****

     Being able to focus on the front sight is essential. 
If you can't, fix the problem.  Yes, as a matter of fact
this is a matter of life or death.  (Yes, you need to be
able to shoot without your glasses or with the wrong
glasses, as Mr. Farnam states in his article, "Less Than
Optimal" above.  But, as a matter of training, you must
be able to achieve a high resolution image of your front
sight.)  Visual focus is inextricably connected to mental
focus.  If you focus on the front sight, you know where
the gun is pointed and can aim.  If you don't or can't
focus on the front sight, you will focus on the target,
in which case the sight will wander all over the place;
and you'll never notice it.  Failure to focus on the
front sight ensures you will miss.
     Yes, I know this is hard to achieve.  And I know
that you will need to practice it all the time, because
without recent practice, you won't do it automatically.

Training: One-handed shooting, practicing both hands
6/15/17 | by Eve Flanigan
http://www.guns.com/review/training-one-handed-shooting-practicing-both-hands/

Spot shooting (Part II)
https://tacticalprofessor.wordpress.com/2017/05/28/spot-shooting-part-ii/
     Don't shoot at an area.  Pick a point to aim at.
If a point doesn't exist, visualize a point and aim at it.

Switch Hitting Shooting Drill
http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/switch-hitting-shooting-drill

LEARNING TO MOVE - THE WHY OF KATA
http://blog.suarezinternational.com/2017/06/learning-to-move-the-why-of-kata.html

Training: Practice shooting variances for pistol,
sitting, empty, one hand
http://www.guns.com/review/training-practice-shooting-variances-for-pistol-sitting-empty-one-hand/
     Suggestions to prevent dry practice from
becoming boring.

     I had a student who was having malfunctions (failure to fire),
because he was not compressing the grip safety.  His grip strength
was sufficient to compress the safety.  Everyone is different. 
When he had a correct grip with the barrel in a straight line with
the bones of his forearm and his thumb high (in this case on top
of the thumb safety), the base of his thumb did not naturally
compress the safety.  The solutions we came to: 
1.  When using two hands, push with the firing side arm and
pull with the support side arm.  (The standard Weaver system. 
It's really hard to get this dynamic tension using an Isosceles
system.)
2.  With one hand, (after pushing the safety off) bring the
thumb down to hold the pistol as a hammer.

***** Tactics *****

Your Tactical Training Scenario- Pistol as Impact Weapon
http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/your-tactical-training-scenario-pistol-as-impact-weapon

***** Techniques *****

Col. Cooper's Modern Pistol Technique
1.  Weaver stance
2.  Flash sight picture
3.  Compressed surprise break
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m9pZNRhNZk

     One of my students attended a course given by
John Connor (the firearms instructor, not the hero
of the Terminator movies).  Mr. Connor had said
that when scanning, you should look deep into the
background.  Most people only look about 50 feet
from their location.  So, they don't notice important
things further out.

***** Gear *****

New Concealed-Carry Gun Must-Do's
https://www.nrafamily.org/articles/2017/6/19/video-new-concealed-carry-gun-must-dos/

On-Body CCW For Women: Real Talk
https://www.nrafamily.org/articles/2017/6/20/on-body-ccw-for-women-real-talk/
     The author recommends professional instruction before
using the "Flash Bang" bra holster. (Because there are
documented cases of women shooting themselves while
holstering.  At least one that I know of resulting in
death.)  I recommend not using this type of holster. 
As I do not wear a bra, I am not writing from firsthand
experience.  But, as with shoulder holsters or
cross draw holsters, it is impractical to bring
the muzzle to bear on the target without sweeping the 90
degree quadrant to the left of the target (for a right
handed shooter).  So, it violates our safety rule.

***** Instructors *****

     Sometimes your assistant instructors or students will feel
uncomfortable reading the lectures, because of mature, sexual,
or violent content.  So, you should read the lecture. 
     We once had an assistant instructor who would not use the
foul language in the lecture because a 12 year old girl was in
the class.  Once, a student self censored herself because the
other students were strangers to her, and she could not bring
herself to talk about impotence or sexual dysfunction that
resulted from the trauma of shooting an assailant in a self
defense situation.
     Be aware, and do not put your assistants or students in
awkward situations.

THIS NEEDED TO BE SAID
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7Y797rkbrA

***** Pedagogy *****

     Make sure to have handouts covering all of the material
that you present in class (and maybe material you don't have
time to present in class).  Because some students learn by
reading.  Some students have bad memories.  Some students have
poor hearing.  And all kinds of other reasons. 
     If you are afraid of your precious copyrighted
material being copied and distributed without your permission,
your attitude is wrong.  As Col. Jeff Cooper said, you may
freely distribute my works.  (as paraphrased in his writings
in the Scones).  This should be your attitude.
     Musical performers don't make money off the selling of
their recordings.  The recordings only serve to cause people
to want to attend concerts (live performances in person or
online).  That's where the performers make their money. 
That's the music industry business model.  This should be
your business model.
     The person who learned something from reading your works
may have saved their life or the lives of loved ones.  You
win!  You may not have made any money, but you won.  And who
knows, the person may attribute their success to you.  What
a reputation builder.

***** Education *****

Intellectual ammunition
http://crimeresearch.org

***** Legal and Political stuff *****

Justice Thomas and Gorsuch dissent in
EDWARD PERUTA, ET AL v. CALIFORNIA, ET AL
http://blog.lawofselfdefense.com/2017/06/26/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-peruta/

Peruta
by John Farnam | 26 Jun 2017
http://defense-training.com/2016/peruta/

Florida Changes Burden of Proof on Self-Defense Immunity
http://blog.lawofselfdefense.com/2017/06/09/florida-changes-burden-of-proof-on-self-defense-immunity/

Armed Homeowners in
Christiana (Rutherford County), Tennessee 
Capture Georgia Cop Killers
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/georgia-inmates-captured-ricky-dubose-donnie-russell/

National concealed reciprocity bill
picks up 200th supporter in House
http://www.guns.com/2017/06/22/national-concealed-reciprocity-bill-picks-up-200th-supporter-in-house/

Czech Republic Parliament Passes
Constitutional Right to Bear Arms
http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/06/29/czech-republic-passes-constitutional-right-to-bear-arms/

***** Survival Tips *****

"A free people ought not only be armed and disciplined,
but  they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to
maintain a status of  independence from any who might
attempt to abuse them, which would include their  own
government." -- George Washington

***** For Beginners *****

"Fiction is much harder to write than non-fiction
because fiction has to make sense."
-- Mark Twain

     Self-defense instruction is the hardest to
write because it has to be true philosophically,
correct tactically, correct legally, and make sense
to the student.  And most difficult of all, the
students must understand why the instructor is
telling them to do it that way, and must be
able to execute the instructions competently under
debilitating stress.
     So, if your instructor is teaching you some
high-speed low-drag super-duper fancy technique
that they used in his special operations unit,
be careful.  Under stress simple works, complicated
fails.
     My fencing coaches told me, there are no secrets. 
Everything has been known for millennia.  The coach
is there to teach you how to do it correctly, not
to teach you something he recently discovered.
     Good cryptology is open source.  Because when
a thousand eyes look at an algorithm or protocol,
the flaw is obvious to one of them.  In secret or
proprietary contexts, very few eyes see the source
code, so the probability of someone seeing the
problem is very low.  And on the off chance that
one of the few sees the problem, he is probably
related to the creator and doesn't want to criticize
his advisor or his advisor's advisor.  Yes, I've
been there.  I know what I'm talking about.

***** Miscellany *****

Do not regret growing older.
It is a privilege denied to many.

LETS TALK ABOUT SHOTGUNS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbqe7idEcLM

     Old lesson plans may be found at
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/474513
or send me an email requesting the latest
version.

Cheers,
Jon