Greetings Sheepdogs,
This newsletter is continuing education for students of defensive pistolcraft.
Ya, I know I repeat a lot of stuff. The newsletter is not just for you. It is also
for those who are reading it for the first time. And since blogger.com says we are
up to 5300 unique IP addresses hitting the newsletter, I have to write for the 1.52%
of first time readers. I also have to be careful to write for those whose first language
is not American English. (Which has turned out to be more of a problem than
I had imagined it could be.)
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***** ***** ***** Prevention ***** ***** *****
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----- Mindset (figuring out the correct way to think) -----
"Resistance is Never Futile" by Mark Hatmaker
https://indigenousability.blogspot.com/2018/05/resistance-is-never-futile-by-mark.html
Excerpt:
I must offer a brief digression on resistance when it comes to rape. I have actually
come across more than a few purported women’s self-defense programs that advocate
not fighting back during a rape. The strategy is a form of the above two thinking errors,
but it is also, in my mind, grossly reprehensible and criminally irresponsible advice.
Telling a woman to submit to a rape is a hateful strategy. I have seen it originate,
more often than not, from male-led programs with very little protest from the female
audience--this dumbfounds me. I wonder if the vast majority of rape victims were
men instead of women; men who were being brutally sodomized and forced to orally
pleasure their attackers, I wonder if this same advice would be offered? I wonder if
the all-male audience would be so accepting? I seriously doubt it.
This heinous, complacent strategy would be dismissed vociferously, as it should be.
Women should dismiss it with even more disdain. It seems to be offered from the
“Well, you’re women and you can’t fight off a man” perspective. That is unadulterated,
insulting, demeaning bullshit.
Fight back. Always.
“You are no more armed because you are wearing a pistol
than you are a musician because you own a guitar.”
from Principles of Personal Defense by Col. Jeff Cooper, USMC, (1920 – 2006 A.D.)
---
It takes a lot of expert training, dedicated practice, effort, and time to become armed.
It doesn't happen when you buy the gun. It won't happen overnight.
“No possible rapidity of fire can atone for
habitual carelessness of aim with the first shot.”
-- Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States,
"The Wilderness Hunter", 1893
---
If you hit with the first shot, you're not damaging property, hitting innocent bystanders,
and maybe killing them.
If you hit with the first shot, you might not have to shoot anymore. Which eliminates
the subsequent shots damaging property, hitting innocent bystanders, and maybe killing
them.
So hitting with the first shot is a big win for you.
---
For those who train to "double tap" or practice this for competition (which will cause
you to do it in combat), please consider that 90% of criminal attacks are stopped by the
good guy presenting the pistol and never firing; according to the NRA Personal Protection
class. Also note that a statistically significant number of criminal attacks are stopped
with a single shot. (I resist citing a source because I am not satisfied with any. I am
just aggregating the news reports that I have seen.) Every one of your shots must be
justified. If you can justify the second shot that's fine. But it's really the prosecutor who
must feel that any subsequent shot is justified. And if you're in a big city, the prosecutor
is probably a flaming liberal who does not believe in self-defense as a God given duty.
Just because you intend your double tap to hit in a tight group, does not mean the
bullets will. Shooting is a probabilistic event, not a deterministic event. It's much
harder to get the surprise break on the second shot. It's much harder to get the sights
aligned on the second shot of a double tap. If you're even bothering to get a sight picture
on the second shot of your double tap.
One sight picture for two shots? I've never thought that a good idea. I think you
need two sight pictures, one before (aiming) and one after (follow through) each shot.
---
"Be careful what you practice.
Because you will do in combat whatever you have practiced,
no matter how ridiculous."
-- "Shooting in Self-Defense" by Sara Ahrens
If you look at someone bigger, faster, and stronger and immediately think,
' I'm at a disadvantage ',
I have news for you: you are.
But that's only because you just put yourself there for no reason.
The truth is that anyone can do debilitating violence to anyone else.
Your size, your speed, your strength, your gender --
all the factors that untrained people think make
the difference when it comes to violence --
all matter far less than your mindset and your intent.
-- Tim Larkin
"When people become angry, or frightened, they stop thinking with their forebrain
(the mind of a human being) and start thinking with their midbrain (which is
indistinguishable from the mind of an animal). They are literally “scared out of their wits.”
The only thing that has any hope of influencing the midbrain is also the only thing that
influences a dog: classical and operant conditioning.
That is what is used when training firefighters and airline pilots to react to emergency
situations: precise replication of the stimulus that they will face (in a flame house or
a flight simulator) and then extensive shaping of the desired response to that stimulus.
Stimulus-response, stimulus-response, stimulus-response. In the crisis, when these
individuals are scared out of their wits, they react properly and they save lives."
-- Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, "On Killing"
"We don’t decide what is necessary to survive a lethal force encounter initiated
by someone else. That person decides what’s necessary for us to survive."
– William Aprill
Fear is an instinct. Courage is a choice."
-- Rear Admiral Joseph Kernan, USN
Joe Dolio says, "This is called “normalcy bias” and it’s downright DANGEROUS.
Normalcy Bias is why people wait too long to evacuate during hurricanes and fires,
and it's why people die when denying that a robbery or assault is happening.
This 3,000-year-old Tactical Wisdom from the Bible proves it’s been going on forever:
". . . then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword
comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head."
-- Ezekiel 33:4
"Panic is simply the lack of preprogrammed responses."
-- Tom Givens
“Willingness” is a state of mind. Readiness is a statement of fact!”
-- David M Shoup, USMC Commandant, 1960-1963
"You need to have the capacity for danger. You need to be ‘dangerous’.
Yet, you need to learn how to not use it except when necessary.
And, that is not the same thing as being harmless. . . .
There's nothing virtuous about harmlessness.
Harmless just means you’re ineffectual and useless."
-- Jordan Peterson
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----- Safety ----- (How to prevent the bad thing from happening in the first place.
How to avoid shooting yourself, friendlies, and innocent bystanders.)
Jeff Cooper's Rules of Gun Safety
RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED.
RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER
ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY.
RULE III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER [in the register position]
UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET.
RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET. [Also, what may move in front of your
target (in case someone panics and runs in front of you) and what is beyond your
target (in case your shot misses or passes through your intended target).]
RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED
There are no exceptions. Do not pretend that this is true. Some people and
organizations take this rule and weaken it; e.g. "Treat all guns as if they were loaded."
Unfortunately, the "as if" compromises the directness of the statement by implying
that they are unloaded, but we will treat them as though they are loaded. No good!
Safety rules must be worded forcefully so that they are never treated lightly or
reduced to partial compliance.
All guns are always loaded - period!
This must be your mind-set. If someone hands you a firearm and says,
"Don't worry, it's not loaded," you do not dare believe him. You need not be impolite,
but check it yourself. Remember, there are no accidents, only negligent acts. Check it.
Do not let yourself fall prey to a situation where you might feel compelled to squeal,
"I didn't know it was loaded!"
Excerpted from: The Modern Technique of the Pistol, by Greg Morrison,
Gunsite Press, Paulden, Arizona,
ISBN 0-9621342-3-6,
Library of Congress Number 91-72644.
"Don't Look Like a Victim; Ideas to Avoid Inviting Unwanted Behavior"
by Jeff L. Gonzales
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3duAE16vyg
If your gait is enticing to criminal predators, you are WRONG. Fix yourself! If you
don't know how, ASK!
Girls learn how to walk in a sexy manner. This is wrong! This attracts predators.
Male homosexuals learn to walk in an attractive way to let others know that they are
homosexual. This is wrong! This attracts predators.
No earbuds! No texting! Pay attention!
"If violent crime is to be curbed, it is only the intended victim who can do it.
The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge nor jury.
Therefore what he must fear is his victim."
-- Col. Jeff Cooper
"Shambolic Display As Officer Shoots Her Partner" by Active Self Protection
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zwaxOyeuc0
Know the level of competence of your partner or the people you are with. Communicate
with them. Take control of the situation. Issue orders. Command your subordinates.
Tell them what to do, so they don't panic. If you give orders, they will follow. (Preferably
before first contact. In the Marine Corps, we were taught to use hand signals to control
movement before contact. Once the shooting starts, yelling and screaming are okay.
They've got to be able to hear you over the gun fire. Commands must be simple and direct.)
If you are going to shoot into two or more entangled persons, you must lock up with one
of them (preferably one of the friendlies). Ralph Mroz teaches such techniques in his
Police Officers Safety Association series of training (available on DVD).
NEVER give up your grip on your pistol. NEVER! If you have to key your microphone,
use your other hand. Releasing your grip on your pistol is a step toward losing your pistol.
Hearing loss is permanent and cumulative.
As is losing an eye.
So always wear ear and eye protection.
"Breaking Auto Glass- The Right Tool for the Job." by Jonathan Willis
https://www.activeresponsetraining.net/breaking-auto-glass-the-right-tool-for-the-job
Excerpts:
"These methods are of course rare and nonsensically dangerous. It goes without
saying that if you try these you are wrong."
"Generally, you have a windshield made of laminated glass, which cannot be
breached using any common tool in the expedient circumstance or without detailed
training. The fire service uses a special glass saw, or reciprocating saw to work
windshields. To put it simply, pick a different window."
"Remember the common adage in our world, “TRY before you PRY.”
It is the path of least resistance to try the other doors before you break glass and
attempt to get yourself or others through a window."
"If you are injured or partially submerged you may not be able to generate
enough force to break a window with other styles of glass breaker, an idea often
lost on folks who have never operated in these environments."
---
I carry a ball point pen with a tungsten carbide punch on the other end.
"Glass Breaker Tactical Pen"
https://readyupgear.com/product/glass-breaker-tactical-pen/
But the tool, RESQME, described in the above article is far better.
https://www.amazon.com/01-100-09-Original-Emergency-Keychain-Seatbelt/dp/B01G6C18EC
As Mr. Willis says, you might not be able to swing your arm to generate
enough force to break anything with a punch. So a spring loaded punch is the way
to go. The seatbelt cutter is also safe. Deploying a knife and using it in a high stress
situation is problematic.
---
This is significant! ". . . an idea often lost on folks who have never operated in
these environments." Have you ever operated in a combat environment? Have you
ever operated in a hostile environment? Have you every operated under water?
Have you every operated while under fire (friendly or otherwise)? Have you ever
operated while trapped in a car? under a fallen tree? in a collapsed building?
That's why you need training. Not that you will ever be in that situation. But
because the training will prepare you mentally for the stress of any unforeseen situation.
"How was he able to remain calm and operate correctly in that situation?"
He had training. Not in rope and rappelling rescue (which was that particular
situation), but in self-defense. So he stayed calm and figured out what needed
to be done, and did it. As long as you don't panic, you can survive. As long as you
don't give up, you can prevail. The training changes your attitude, and to an extent,
your personality. Training gives you confidence. Which is invaluable.
Nouveau riche families would send their daughters to finishing schools. But
that addresses the symptom, not the cause. Sending your daughter to a school to
learn defensive pistolcraft would be addressing the root cause.
Actors (such as Alec Baldwin) are worthless because they have no real training.
While Joe training junkie can handle the situation (at least he won't shoot the
friendlies).
"Defensive Gun Uses By People Legally Carrying Guns:
28 Cases During February 2023"
https://crimeresearch.org/2023/06/defensive-gun-uses-by-people-legally-carrying-guns-28-cases-during-february-2023/
The more good guys carrying guns => the more dangerous for criminals to operate =>
the lower the crime rate.
John Farnam's rules to keep you out of trouble:
Don’t go to stupid places.
Don’t associate with stupid people.
Don’t do stupid things.
Be in bed by 10:00pm (your own bed!).
Don’t look like a freak.
Don’t fail the attitude test.
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----- Training (figuring out the correct tasks to practice) -----
You need training because:
You don't know what you don't know.
Much of what you know is false.
It's good to the have the answers before the criminal tests you.
-- Claude Werner (paraphrased)
"Today the body of scientific data supporting realistic training is so powerful that there is
a Federal Court Court decision which states that, for law-enforcement firearms training to be
legally sufficient, it must incorporate realistic training, to include stress, decision making,
and shoot--don't shoot training. This is the Tuttle v. Oklahoma decision (1984, 10th Federal
Circuit Court), and today many law-enforcement trainers teach that law-enforcement
agencies are probably not in compliance with federal circuit court guidance if they are still
shooting at anything other than a clear, realistic depiction of a deadly force threat."
-- Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, "On Killing"
I interpret this to mean that you should be training on photo realistic targets where the
person or animal in the photo would pose a lethal force threat in the scenario that the
instructor has described. So the persons in the photo need not have weapons in their hands.
There are lots of scenarios where a weapon need not be present for lethal force to be at play.
If you have trained yourself not to shoot unless you see a weapon, you're a fool. And if
your instructor is teaching you that, he's a fool.
I often urge my students to take training from the best instructors in the industry,
because they are all old (that's why they are the best, experience and a life time of
learning). So they won't be around much longer.
In a similar vein, I urge you to visit historic towns in our country before they
disappear. Such as Jackson, Mississippi.
"Jackson the fastest shrinking city in America. See how far it has fallen" by Ross Reily
https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2023/05/30/jackson-population-shrinking-at-alarming-rate/70260052007/
The resident interviewed blames it on "institutional racism". But Jackson's booming
past proves that is false. At the end of the article is a list of shrinking cities in the U.S.
Guess what they all have in common? A population that consistently votes for their own
destruction by electing corrupt leaders. No, it's not that they are all Democrat. There are
many thriving Democrat controlled cities. Corrupt people elect corrupt leaders, resulting
in the good productive people leaving. I have recently spent time in Jackson. I talked to
the locals and historians (academics in the universities). There used to be many Chinese
grocery stores. There are none now. They left because they were physically attacked,
robbed, their stores looted. So they left. Why did the police not protect the Chinese
grocers? Why did the neighbors not protect the Chinese grocers? How are the local
Blacks going to get their food now? Oh, right, the food desert is the fault of
"institutional racism". It has nothing to do with the fact that the police refused to arrest
the Black criminals. The police were just following orders. So, many Blacks opened
grocery stores (the local government created monetary incentives). Guess what
happened to the Black grocery stores? They all closed. Too much crime. Whose fault
is that?
Yes, as a matter of fact, this is an important training point. Do you get it?
And it's still going on,
"Self-Defense Tip: Don't Shoot Perps In The Back" by Docent
https://practicaleschatology.blogspot.com/2023/05/self-defense-tip-dont-shoot-perps-in.html
--- Classes ---
FPF Training (John Murphy),
https://www.fpftraining.com/
Course calendar,
https://www.fpftraining.com/fpf-calendar
Course descriptions,
https://www.fpftraining.com/concealed-carry
Sign up for the newsletter,
a window will pop up when you go to the main web page.
Security Operations Summit 2023, $159.00
https://fbsnamerica.com/sos/
Attendees must be an active first responder (uniformed / credentialed officer, responder
or chaplain) or serving a specific faith-based organization in a leadership or safety / security
role to attend. Because our speakers know they are speaking to a restricted audience,
more sensitive information is shared. We could fill more seats by opening up registration
— but we want real operators getting unfiltered information. We want the RIGHT seats
filled. NOTE: Because it is a vetted audience, it is not live-streamed or available remotely.
Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 8:00 AM CDT
-to-
Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 1:00 PM CDT
The Journey Church
1240 Leeville Pike
Lebanon, TN 37090
Guardian Conference, $650
https://guardianconference.com/
Oklahoma City Gun Club
12465 NE 234th St, Arcadia, OK 73007
Friday, Sept 15th, 2023; 7:15 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday, Sept 16th, 2023; 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday, Sept 17th, 2023; 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Active Self Protection National Conference 2023, $600
https://activeselfprotection.com/asp-national-conference-bullets-and-bibles-2023/
September 29th – October 1st of 2023 A.D.
Manhattan, KS
"Protective Pistolcraft Instructor Development Course, 5 Days
Five full, immersion level days of classroom and range training,
to include close quarters and low light instruction." $1,460.34
by Tom Givens
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/protective-pistolcraft-instructor-development-course-5-days-tickets-291828445737
October 14 · 9am - October 18 · 6pm CDT
4220 Gravel Pit Rd 4220 Gravel Pit Road White Hall, AR 71602
Tac Con 2024, $595
https://taccon.info/
Friday to Sunday, April 5-7, 2024. Classes run all day, from 8am to 6pm.
Dallas Pistol Club, just outside of Dallas, TX.
1830 W Belt Line Rd; Carrollton, TX 75006.
If you fill out the registration form, you'll be put on a waiting list.
"Rangemaster Master Instructor Development Course" by Uncle Zo
https://unclezo.com/2023/04/09/rangemaster-master-instructor-development-course/
An After Action Report (AAR). I'm hoping to attend in the near future.
--- End of Classes ---
"Take training from different instructors.
We are all wrong about something."
-- John Farnam
"Do THIS drill today (especially) if you wear glasses or sunglasses"
https://dryfiretrainingcards.com/blog/do-this-drill-today-especially-if-you-wear-glasses-or-sunglasses/
Eye drills.
“The secret of success is this.
Train like it means everything when it means nothing –
so you can fight like it means nothing when it means everything.”
-- Lofty Wiseman
"Training Modes
Taking your skills to the next level means thinking in different ways."
by Steve Tarani
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/training-modes/
Excerpt:
". . . if you aspire to achieve more than what your agency offers,
you will need to seek outside training."
[Those who intend to prevail, train on their own time, on their own dime. -- Jon Low]
". . . Bracketing, Modality, Dialing, and Imprinting."
[Mr. Tarani doesn't say it explicitly, so I will. When "mak[ing] subtle adjustments to their
technique", change only one thing at a time. Less experienced (less mature) athletes will
make several changes in hopes that performance will improve. It might. But they have
no idea which change made the difference. The scientific methods requires you to make
only one change at a time in any experiment. Record the results of the experiment in your
journal, otherwise you're wasting your time.
The one thing all world class athletes have in common is that they keep highly
detailed journals. This data allows them to apply the scientific method to force
improvement in their performance.
-- Jon Low]
"Proctor’s skills development motto is "Train to Perfection," emphasizing the
importance of deliberate, purposeful, and mindful training to develop comfortable,
fluid, and repeatable performance."
["neutral body position" means no extraneous muscle tension. This coincides with
Natural Point of Aim. -- Jon Low]
"Stages Of Skill Development And The Best Way To Master It" by Chris Sajnog
https://www.chrissajnog.com/blog/five-stages-of-skill-development/
When I first learned this stuff at Front Sight, the lowest level was Intentionally Incompetent.
Those were guys who refused to train or practice because they didn't want to let anyone know
how bad they were. Chris is being kind and optimistic by neglecting this level.
Chris' 5th level, Consciously Unconscious Competence, is new to me.
Hi Friends in the Middle Tennessee area,
May I invite your attention to the following list of classes and matches
within driving distance?
Security Operations Summit 2023, $159.00
27 - 29 July 2023 A.D.,
07:30 Thursday morning to 13:00 Saturday
The Journey Church
1240 Leeville Pike
Lebanon, TN 37090
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ejlksn3ice449a46&llr=econctzab
If you decide to go, register now, because it takes time to vet you. And they will.
Let me know if you need a ride. I'll be driving from Nashville.
Who Wins, Who Loses, and Why
By John Hearne
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/who-wins-who-loses-and-why-camden-tn-tickets-606794658157
Friday, November 17, 2023
9am - 6:30pm CST
Tactical Response
116 Wood Avenue Camden, TN 38320
Let me know if you need a ride. I'll be driving from Nashville.
---
There are others a bit further away and a bit more expensive. If you're
interested let me know and I'll send you a list.
Matches in the Nashville area -
Costs about $30 and requires about 200 rounds of practice ammo.
---
On Target, 4803 Old Hickory Blvd, Hermitage, TN 37129
https://ontargetshootingsports.com
IDPA matches on the 2nd and 4th Thursday every month.
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
$20
(also in Murfreesboro)
---
Glock Store, 1930 Air Lane Drive, Nashville, TN 37210
https://www.glockstore.com/
Low Light Outlaw match, 4th Saturday of the month,
3 squads at 08:30, 12:00, and 15:30.
USPSA match, 2nd Saturday of the month,
3 squads at 08:30, 12:00, and 15:30.
Indoor. $35
---
Royal Range, Nashville, TN
7741 Highway 70 South, Nashville, TN, 37221
Phone: +1 (615) 646-9333
https://www.royalrangeusa.com/
1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, 18:00 - 21:00, IDPA, Indoor.
You must register on Monday to shoot the match on Thursday. $25
2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, 18:00 - 21:00,
Outlaw Shooting League, Indoor. $25
---
Nashville Armory, 4290 Kenilwood Drive, Nashville, TN 37204.
https://www.armoryranges.com/location/nashville-armory
Last Tuesday of the month, 18:00. Indoor.
(also in Franklin at Franklin Armory)
---
Sumner Gun & Supply, 526 W Main St, Gallatin, TN 37066-3122.
https://www.sumnergunstore.com/home
2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, 17:00 set up, 18:00 shoot. Indoor.
---
Strategic Edge Gun Range, 2613 Hwy 270, Chapel Hill, TN 37034
http://www.strategicedge.us/gun-range
3rd Saturday of the month, 07:00 set up, 08:00 register, 09:00 shoot. Outdoor.
---
Volunteer Pistol Club, 21 Barns Lane, Brush Creek, TN
2nd Sunday of the month, 13:00, except Mother's Day. Outdoor.
---
Music City Tactical Shooters
Eagle Eye Shooting Complex
30 Elk Ridge Road, Mt. Pleasant, TN 38474. Outdoor.
Rattlesnake Ridge
698 7 Mile Ridge Rd, Indian Mound, TN 37079. Outdoor.
you have to check their web site cause it changes,
http://www.mctsclub.com/matches/
---
Middle Tennessee Shooters Club, Manchester, TN. Outdoor.
Club Rep: Bill Dukemineer
256-426-9014 or duckfisher@mediacombb.net
---
Middle Tennessee Sporting Association nee Gallatin Gun Club
175 Dry Branch Road, Dixon Springs TN
https://www.midtnsportingassociation.com/
Robert Standley runs it.
They shoot every weekend either IDPA or IPSC.
---
Range 16 on Fort Campbell, KY
If you have trouble getting through the Ft Campbell gate,
call Range 16 at +1 (270) 412-7939
1st Saturday of every month.
0700 Match set up
Directions to Range 16
From Gate 4, Take Screaming Eagle Blvd until it dead ends into
Market Garden Road. You will go through 6 traffic lights.
The road will briefly change names to Normandy Blvd but go
back to Screaming Eagle Blvd. Take a left onto Market Garden
Road and your first right onto range 16. There will be a concrete
block with the numbers 15 / 16.
---
Using the IDPA or IPSC match as tactical training --
"Those motivated by a desire to improve their gunfighting skills as opposed
to a quest for trophies, must be willing to bleed ego on the match results to avoid
shedding real blood in combat." -- Andy Stanford
What does this mean?
When we shoot the match, we will go very slowly to ensure we
positively identify every shoot-target and every no-shoot-target.
We will not be racing to win the game.
It is common for the Safety Officer to inform the shooter that
he failed to engage several targets, because he just ran past them
without seeing them. Moving faster than you can see.
Moving faster than you can think.
We will stay back away from corners, windows, and doors, because we
understand that there is someone hiding behind the corner who will
grab our pistol.
We will shoot at the first part of the enemy that comes into view,
because we can do so without exposing our bodies. We can always
get the center-of-mass hit later as we come around the corner.
We understand that whoever gets the first hit will usually win the gunfight.
We will not muzzle no-shoot-targets. We will not sweep across
no-shoot-targets when transitioning from one shoot-target to another
shoot-target. Because unlike the other competitors, we are not playing a game.
We are training for combat. Shooting the no-shoot-target is shooting faster
than you can think. (Muzzling the innocent bystander is aggravated assault
with a firearm, there is a 10 year sentencing enhancement for the firearm.)
Do not do "walk throughs". Do not choreograph the scenario. Shoot the
targets as they come into view. Do not count rounds. Do not plan your reloads.
Shoot until empty, then reload. Planning a scenario is a training scar.
Combat is surprising.
Remember, we are training for civilian concealed carry for self-defense.
We are not playing the game.
Cheers,
Jon
Training is NOT an event, but a process.
Training is the preparation FOR practice".
-- Claude Werner
*************************************************************************
----- Practice (how to get competent at that task) -----
"Train, Practice, Compete
are the key elements in the development of humans."
-- John M. Buol, Jr.
"Dry Practice: The Path to Competence and Confidence
Improve your marksmanship skills without spending a penny on ammo."
by Chris Cypert
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/dry-practice-the-path-to-competence-and-confidence/
Excerpt:
Practice these steps until you can perform them correctly and automatically,
with little deliberate thought. Practice these steps until you are comfortable handling
your gun with a focused but relaxed mindset that will allow you to get the most out
of your live-fire practice and training. Your range sessions and formal class experiences
will be much more enjoyable if you are competent and comfortable handling your
firearm safely, and routine, thoughtful dry-practice will help you get there.
Practice is the small deposits you make over time,
so that in an emergency, you can make that big withdrawal.
-- Chesley Burnett Sullenberger, III
"7 Pistol-Shooting Tips For People With Arthritis" by Dr. Joseph Logar, PT, DPT
https://www.nrafamily.org/articles/2018/5/17/7-pistol-shooting-tips-for-people-with-arthritis/
"A physician provides valuable information about strategies arthritic folks can implement
to avoid painful shooting sessions. From personal experience, I can also highly recommend
topical diclofenac gel (now available without a prescription) before and after your practice
sessions."
-- Greg Ellifritz
[Dr. Logar suggests changing your recoil spring in your semi-auto pistol. What that means
is to replace your factory spring with a stiffer (higher number of pounds) after market spring.
(Brownells, Mid Way, et al) This is most effective if your pistol has a long barrel (which
implies a long slide travel path). The recoil impulse is distributed over a longer
distance / time, and the impact of the slide banging into the frame is less.
A recoil buffer (rubber or synthetic bumper) would also reduce the felt impact of the slide
banging into the frame.
Also helpful would be to increase the mass of the slide (though this will slow the
cycling of the action, unless you are a high level competitor you'll never notice it).
Porting your barrel is only a good idea if you will never be shooting your pistol from a
close contact position. Because if you do, the pistol will blow hot gas and burning powder
up into your eyes.
-- Jon Low]
Why practice?
"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
I went to an "Outlaw" pistol match this evening at Royal Range in Nashville, TN.
It was a bowling pin match with no time limits. Five bowling pins on a table, 4 X 8
foot piece of plywood. For those shooting 45 ACP, the pins are set at the front of the
table. For those shooting 9mm, the pins are set in the middle of the table. For those
shooting 22 rimfire, the pins are set at the back of the table to make it easier for them
to fall off the table.
You have 12 rounds. On the command you must engage all 5 pins until you knock
them all down. 1 point if the pin is down on the table. 2 points if the pin is off the table.
(Once you knock down the pin, it doesn't make sense to shoot it again to try to knock
it off the table. Because you only get one more point for knocking it off the table,
and you get 2 points for every round that you don't fire.)
If you have knocked down all 5 pins, you may fire one bullet to hit the tennis ball
hanging from a string attached to the ceiling for 5 points.
You also get 2 points for every round that you did not fire.
Everyone fires from 6, 10, and 16 yards.
I was hitting at 6 and 10. I was missing at 16. Because there is no time limit, I could
stop and analyze. The backstop was ground up tires, flat black, very dark as the backstop
is not lit. My sights were flat black. Not enough contrast to see my sights against the
background. At 6 and 10 the range lights had lit up my sights so I could see them. At 16
there were no lights behind me. So my sights were dark. I will fix this by installing
tritium glow in the dark sights. One must be able to see one's sights in all conditions.
(Ya, I could paint the sights, but what if the background matched the sights?)
Learning about sighting problems in an academic class is entirely different from
learning by experience.
Only by shooting different matches at different places do you learn what doesn't work.
Otherwise, you are blissfully ignorant, thinking everything works, and will work fine in
combat.
On the theory that we train and practice so that when it happens in the real world,
it won't be the first time. So we won't be as surprised. "I've done this before. I know
what to do." Been there, done that.
All participants remove all weapons, including ammo. Check each other for weapons.
No, really, pat down the other person; your life depends on it.
With your blue gun (inert piece of solid plastic that is an exact external duplicate of
your pistol) in your holster and concealed, training partner approaches you from 20 yards,
present to high thoracic cavity. to low ready. to retention position. Give commands if
appropriate.
With your blue gun in your holster and concealed, training partner approaches you
from 15 yards, present to ???. Do whatever seems appropriate. Why?
With your blue gun in your holster and concealed, training partner approaches you
from 10 yards, present to ??? Do whatever seems appropriate (Move to the side, not
backwards. Why? Easy to trip, can't see where you're going). What happens at this
distance? (Remember Mike Waidlich, Dennis Teuller, et al?) Why?
With your blue gun in your holster and concealed, training partner approaches you
from 5 yards, present to close contact. Do whatever seems appropriate (move?). Why?
What happens at this distance?
With your blue gun in your holster and concealed, training partner approaches you
from 3 yards, present to close contact. Do whatever seems appropriate. Why? What
happens at this distance? What do you need to do in order to facilitate your presentation?
With your blue gun in your holster and concealed, training partner has hands on
your shoulders (not pushing, just touching), present to close contact. Do whatever seems
appropriate. Why? What happens at this distance? What do you need to do in order
to facilitate your presentation?
With your blue gun in your holster and concealed, training partner is grabbing
your shirt (by the collar or somewhere else), present to close contact. Do whatever seems
appropriate. What happens at this distance? What do you need to do in order to
facilitate your presentation?
With your blue gun in your holster and concealed, training partner has hands grabbing
your shirt and is jostling you (pushing you back, pushing you to the side, attempting
to take you down with a leg sweep, etc.), present to close contact. Do whatever seems
appropriate. What happens in this situation? What do you need to do in order to
facilitate your presentation?
With your blue gun in your holster and concealed, training partner has you on the
ground on your back and has mounted you (sitting on your chest or stomach), present
to close contact. Do whatever seems appropriate. What happens in this situation?
What do you need to do in order to facilitate your presentation? (This was George
Zimmerman's situation when Trayvon Martin attacked Zimmerman.)
"Be careful what you practice.
Because you will do in combat whatever you have practiced,
no matter how ridiculous."
-- "Shooting in Self-Defense" by Sara Ahrens
*************************************************************************
***** ***** ***** Intervention ***** ***** *****
*************************************************************************
----- Strategy (deciding on the end state and how to achieve it,
which tactics to use, which includes walking away) -----
Awareness, Avoidance, De-Escalation, and Escape
How do you win a gunfight?
Don't be there.
-- John Farnam
"You win gunfights by not getting shot."
-- John Holschen
*************************************************************************
----- Tactics (tasks that you should strive to be competent to do in support of your strategy) -----
"Real fights are short."
-- Bruce Lee
"Bad Decisions" by Greg Ellifritz (the globe trotting playboy)
https://www.activeresponsetraining.net/bad-decisions
Excerpt:
All of our tactical plans are great, but we all must be prepared to change those plans
when we are confronted with a variable or variables we didn’t anticipate. Nothing will
ever happen the way we expect it to. The wise tactician thinks about all the ways his
plan might go really bad, and comes up with mitigation strategies to deal with those
unexpected variables.
“Fortuitous outcomes reinforce poor tactics.”
-- Chuck Haggard
"Should You Go for the Weapon or the Attacker?" by Tim Larkin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgI5ItHecu8
Decrementing function or breaking structure (of the enemy). The weapon is not the
problem. The bad guy is the problem. Focus on the bad guy. Don't get distracted by
the gun.
Clint Smith says, “People shoot you because they see you.
They see you because you let them. Don’t let them see you.”
---
Notice concealment (as when you enter any room or transitional space),
because you can't predict when you will need it.
Claude Werner's analysis of the
"Charlotte Bus Shootout" by the Tactical Professor
https://thetacticalprofessor.net/2023/06/01/charlotte-bus-shootout/
"The shorter the fight, the less hurt you get."
-- John Holschen
*************************************************************************
----- Techniques (ways to execute a given task in support of your tactics) -----
"Use only that which works,
and take it from any place you can find it."
-- Bruce Lee
"Despite Stigma, Interest Grows For Off-Body Carry Education" by Ashley McGee
https://shootingindustry.com/discover/despite-stigma-interest-grows-for-off-body-carry-education/
Hat tip to Greg Ellifritz.
Excerpt:
“Off-body carry has long been condemned and ignored by instructors and
the majority of the firearms community, but it doesn’t change the fact concealed
carry bags and purses are often preferred over on-body holsters, especially with
new shooters,” said Vicki Farnam of Defense Training International and
DTI for Women.
“It’s no one’s place to dictate how another person should carry a gun as long as
they’re doing so responsibly.” -- Vicki Farnam
"Awareness Drill: The Top-Down Scan" by Mark Hatmaker
https://indigenousability.blogspot.com/2018/05/awareness-drill-top-down-scan-by-mark.html
Hat tip to Greg Ellifritz.
"Shooting Fundamentals: Hold Control" by Larry Quandahl
https://www.nrafamily.org/content/shooting-fundamentals-hold-control/
The author fails to explain Natural Point of Aim. So I will.
Aim in. Close your eyes. Relax. Open your eyes. Where ever you are presently aimed is
your natural point of aim. It is where you are aiming when you are relaxed and there is no
muscle tension forcing your point of aim somewhere else. You move your NPoA by moving
whatever part of your body is in contact with the ground. If you're standing, rotate your
entire position by moving your feet. Aim in. Close your eyes. Relax. Open your eyes.
1. If you are aimed at your intended target, look at your foot position. That is your foot
position relative to the target for your NPoA.
2. If you are not aimed at your intended target, adjust your foot position. Aim in.
Close your eyes. Relax. Open your eyes. Go to 1.
The author does not mention all of the things that will prevent you from holding your
sights on the target while pressing the trigger, such as your autonomic nervous system
responses to the recoil (firearm pushing against you, due to conservation of momentum)
and report (the loud, BANG!). Both of these cause autonomic nervous system responses,
such as pushing, jerking, flinching, freezing, closing your eyes, tensing and hunching your
shoulders, etc. Unfortunately, these responses occur before the bullet has exited the muzzle,
which throws your point of impact off (possible off the target frame). You may not believe
that, but it's true. If you look at video of yourself shooting, you will see it. I have viewed
many such videos at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO during coaching
classes. (I am a level 3 rifle coach.) What can you do to ensure the bullet has exited the
muzzle before any of these autonomic nervous system responses occur? As Col. Cooper
taught us, the surprise trigger break. What is that? Do not intentionally fire the shot.
Rather, align the sights with the target, take the slack out of the trigger, and smoothly
increase pressure on the trigger, without intentionally firing the shot. Eventually, the
pistol will fire. But because you did not know exactly when it would fire, the bullet
will be out of the muzzle before any autonomic nervous system responses occur. And the
bullet will go where you aimed, instead of low left for right-handed shooters or low right
for left-handed shooters. That scattering is due to pushing against the recoil in anticipation
of the recoil (so you're actually pushing before the recoil occurs, you may not believe that,
but it's true). Other instructors say the scattering is due to other things, but they are wrong.
Those who think they know everything irritate those of us who do.
The author is correct about how you need to get expert coaching to improve. Stumbling
around in your ignorance is a slow way to learn. And you probably don't have the patience
or self-discipline to do it on your own. (I use the word "expert" as opposed to "professional",
because "professional" means he gets paid to coach, not that he's a good coach. And as we
have seen from recent events, that you can have a great social media presence and be
incompetent.)
"Bindon Aiming Concept Vs. Occluded Shooting" by Travis Pike
https://gatdaily.com/bindon-aiming-concept-vs-occluded-shooting/
Excerpt:
"What’s the Bindon Aiming Concept?
The [shooter] will look through the magnified optic and find [his] target.
If the target begins to move, the shooter can then use his nondominant
eye to track the target outside of the magnification."
[So I guess occluded shooting would mean closing the non-aiming eye. -- Jon Low]
Holstering – (not reholstering, stand up comics, as Erica Rhodes, love grammar jokes)
1. Safety. Pull back into close contact with two hands. Look around to make sure
everything is copasetic*. Trigger finger is in the register position. If you have a thumb
safety, thumb the safety on and then immediately place the thumb on top of the safety
in preparation to thumb the safety off. If you have a decocker, decock your pistol.
2. Chest. Support-side hand clears the concealment garment. If you don’t intentionally
do something with your support side hand, you risk muzzling your support side hand.
3. Holster. Watch what you are doing. Carefully and gently, while keeping your thumb
in contact with your body, rotate the muzzle down and insert the pistol into your holster,
while maintaining your high tight grip with your trigger finger in the register position
away from the frame of the pistol. So, that the trigger finger ends up in the register
position outside of the holster. (As long as you keep your thumb in contact with your
body, you won’t be pointing the pistol into your body.)
You don't have to look around while you are holstering. You wouldn't be holstering
in the first place if it were not safe to do so.
Dave Spaulding teaches bring the pistol down to the holster while still pointing it
forward, dragging the dust cover over the top of the holster, and rotate the muzzle into
the holster. This allows you to holster without looking at the holster. Try it. See if it
works for you.
If something doesn't feel right, STOP! Bring the pistol back to the close contact
position, clear the obstruction (with your support side hand), and try again.
Only when the pistol is completely in the holster will you release your high tight grip.
If you release your grip before the pistol is completely in your holster, you will
eventually drop the pistol. (I know some people teach that you should holster while
continuing to look around. You would not be holstering in the first place if there were
still a threat. Holstering is statistically the most dangerous operation in your manual
of arms. This is where people most often shoot themselves. So, you must watch what
you're doing. And do it carefully and gently.)
4. Sweep your hand between the pistol grip and your body to ensure that your blouse
or draw string from your jacket is not caught in your holster. (Thanks to Steve Cooper
of Paladin Training, Florence, SC.)
5. Dial 911 to report the incident. Tuck the arm of your phone hand against your chest,
brace the forearm of your dialing hand against your chest, then dial. (Thanks to Marc
MacYoung, "In The Name Of Self-Defense".) Because you might be shaking
uncontrollably and otherwise may not be able to dial.
* "copasetic", strange word with no known etymology.
"Massad Ayoob's Tips for Older Shooters - Critical Mas Ep 63"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHyx_a_EJks
Mas says to wrap your knuckle in a Band Aid to avoid "Glock knuckle". I think a better
solution is to file or Dremel tool the trigger guard. It's called under cutting the trigger guard.
You simply remove the material from the trigger guard where it connects to the grip that is
irritating your knuckle. Finish it nice and smooth.
"Marine Veteran Puts Man In Deadly Chokehold In NYC Subway" by Tim Larkin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXwInrK-aSM
Media / liberal propaganda.
You must know how to use a blood choke (as opposed to an air choke, cause a
guy can go without breathing for a couple of minutes) and you must know when to
release it. (As soon as the guy goes limp, release the choke. In the Marine Corps
we were taught that the guy will go limp in at most 7 seconds, often much less.
I've had guys go limp instantly.) Tim gives a detailed explanation of how to apply
a blood choke and how it works. "Everybody responds to trauma differently."
If you hold the guy's arm, he can't tap out. But if the guy is threatening people,
citizens will hold his arms.
From the bad guy's words, it looks like suicide by righteous citizen to me. The bad
guy said he wanted to die.
"It's not daily increase but daily decrease - hack away at the inessentials!"
-- Bruce Lee
*************************************************************************
***** ***** ***** Postvention ***** ***** *****
*************************************************************************
----- Aftermath (You have to be alive to have these problems:
criminal and civil liability.) -----
In the last posting, I said,
- "You can't get in trouble if you tell the truth." FALSE, completely false. -
I was not saying you should lie. I was saying that you should keep your mouth shut.
Remain silent. Because telling the "truth" will get you arrested and convicted.
Even if the polygraph operator (witch doctors at best) confirms that you are telling
the truth, your statement won't match the physical evidence. Because high stress
causes temporary amnesia and false memories. Because your brain will fill in the blanks,
because that is what human brains do. And there will be lots of blanks due to tunnel
vision and auditory exclusion.
If you think you need to tell your side of the story, you are WRONG. Keep your mouth shut.
If you think that by telling the police what happened that you can avoid being arrested.
You might be right. But your statement will result in your eventual conviction, which is
far worse. So, bite the bullet and spend a few days in jail, until your bail hearing. You'll
meet all kinds of people that you can write about in your blog.
Of course, if you've got a decent self-defense insurance policy, your attorney will show
up at the scene to assist you, before the responding officers show up. No, really, I'm not
joking. Your attorney should be able to talk to the responding officers and get you released
on your own recognizance. The police are not going to arrest you if they think they can be
sued for false arrest, because that is "abuse of power under color of law and actions outside
of their job description". Yes, those are the magic words. If the judge finds that the police
officer's actions were an abuse of power under color of law and outside of the officer's
job description, the judge will forbid the police department from defending the police
officer. At that point the police union may or may not defend the police officer. Remember,
the police union has limited funds. And the police union is just as political as any other
organization. So, no sane police officer is going to risk making a false arrest.
In the right hand column of this web page, click on "Never Talk To The Police"
or use the direct address
https://defensivepistolcraft.blogspot.com/p/never-talk-to-police.html
“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him,
but because he loves what is behind him.”
― G.K. Chesterton
In the right hand column, click on the link labeled "Self Defense Insurance".
Or, the direct link is,
http://defensivepistolcraft.blogspot.com/p/self-defense-insurance.html
Read this before you buy insurance. You need to make an informed decision.
"You need to read the fine print." -- Massad Ayoob
“Your understanding and consent are not required
for someone to take your life, kill your loved ones,
and destroy all you hold dear.”
-- William Aprill
----- Survival, Medical, etc. -----
"If you prepare for the emergency,
the emergency ceases to exist!"
-- Sherman House
"From Tactical Tampons to Top-Notch Tools:
Unveiling the Essentials of a Stop the Bleed Kit"
by Mitch Goerdt
https://www.concealedcarry.com/medical/tampons-dont-stop-the-bleed/
---
"Important items to add to your trauma kit. I would also say that if you didn’t
know about these items before reading the article, your should probably seek
more training before buying more stuff."
-- Greg Ellifritz
---
Amen! As my father would always tell me, invest in education, no one can
take that from you. All the fancy tools / sports equipment / weapons are useless
without the training on how to use them.
No, a pistol's use is not obvious. Using a pistol is not instinctive. It's not natural.
Using a pistol is a skill that must be learned from experts. Otherwise, you will waste
huge amounts of time trying to figure it out yourself. If you're smart enough to
figure it out by yourself. "Smart" means you recognize that you can't figure it out
by yourself and seek expert training.
"If you stay fit, you do not have to get fit.
If you stay trained, you do not have to get trained.
If you stay prepared, you do not have to get prepared."
-- Robert Margulies
*************************************************************************
***** ***** ***** Education ***** ***** *****
*************************************************************************
"You will never get smarter or broaden your horizons
if you're unwilling to learn from others and read."
-- Becca Martin
Rangemaster newsletter,
https://rangemaster.com/newsletter/
June 2023 issue,
https://d74722.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023-06_RFTS-Newsletter.pdf
---
"Massive errors in FBI’s Active Shooting Reports regarding cases where civilians stop attacks:
Instead of 4.4%, the correct number is at least 34.4%. In 2021, it is at least 49.1%.
Excluding gun-free zones, it averaged over 50%."
https://crimeresearch.org/2022/10/massive-errors-in-fbis-active-shooting-reports-regarding-cases-where-civilians-stop-attacks-instead-of-4-4-the-correct-number-is-at-least-34-4-in-2021-it-is-at-least-49-1-excluding-gun-free-zon/
---
Please read the article "Primacy Matters".
"Research: Startle Response and Firearm Draws" by Von Kliem, JD, LL.M
https://www.forcescience.com/2023/05/research-startle-response-and-firearm-draws/
Hat tip to Stephen P. Wenger, http://spw-duf.info
The article has embedded links to cited papers, all of which are downloadable free of charge.
"The Influence of Officer Positioning on Movement during a Threatening Traffic Stop Scenario"
by Force Science
https://www.forcescience.com/2013/03/the-influence-of-officer-positioning-on-movement-during-a-threatening-traffic-stop-scenario/
"Startle Response and Firearm Draw Performance in Law Enforcement Officers
during a Lethal Force Simulated Domestic Assault"
by Michael A Kantor, Dane E. Bartz, William J. Lewinski, and Robert W. Pettitt
https://www.walshmedicalmedia.com/open-access/startle-response-and-firearm-draw-performance-in-law-enforcement-officers-during-a-lethal-force-simulated-domestic-assault-119739.html
[It's always important to read the primary source documents, because authors draw
conclusions from the cited papers that you may or may not agree with. -- Jon Low]
"Organizing, Training & Running a House of Worship Armed Congregant Security Team Part 1
An Interview with Emanuel Kapelsohn" by Gila Hayes
https://armedcitizensnetwork.org/house-of-worship-armed-security-1
Your medical team has to have EMT or Paramedic training. The oncology specialist is
worthless. If they have only practiced in a hospital setting, they are not prepared for
field trauma. If they have only practiced in an emergency room, they are not prepared
for combat trauma.
Your security team should have trauma training: tourniquets, wound packing,
pressure dressings, chest seals, etc. Knowing how to take blood pressure and
temperature is worthless. They need training in how to use the AED (automated external
defibrillator). Ya, it will talk you through the procedure. But you've got to understand
what the machine is saying. Which would be difficult in a high stress situation. But,
if you've had training, it's easy.
"Cogito, ergo armatum sum." (I think, therefore armed am I.)
-- John Farnam
***** ***** ***** Legal ***** ***** *****
"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.
It is wholly inadequate for the governance of any other.
-- John Adams, October 11, 1798
"ALWAYS Ask For Your Lawyer If You Don't Want Trouble" by Andrew Branca
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aHoqyvvk1g
"Freedom is not a gift bestowed on us by other men,
but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature."
-- Benjamin Franklin
"Sinzae Reed fired first before being killed in Columbus shooting, prosecutor says"
by Mark Feuerborn
https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/sinzae-reed-fired-first-before-being-killed-in-columbus-shooting-prosecutor-says/
Excerpt:
"After initially denying owning a firearm or that he shot back at Reed when officers
arrested him, the prosecutor noted Butler later admitted to returning fire and then got
rid of his gun after leaving the scene."
[This is why you should never talk to police. Let your attorney talk for you. -- Jon Low]
---
Weekend Knowledge Dump by Greg Ellifritz
https://www.activeresponsetraining.net/weekend-knowledge-dump-may-26-2023
"Sinzae Reed fired first before being killed in Columbus shooting, prosecutor says"
And speaking of legal issues, I present this case for all the “never talk to the police
after a defensive shooting” crowd.
“Initially, witnesses found at the scene — located in the 800 block of Wedgewood
Drive — told police they saw Butler get out of a red pickup truck and shoot, hitting Reed
twice, before getting back in and driving away. Records showed Butler was initially
charged with a single count of murder in Franklin County Municipal Court.
However, the prosecutor said while being interrogated by police, Butler said other
witnesses to the shooting would corroborate his claim of self-defense. He did not know
them, but gave descriptors for investigators to look for them.
Police then found and interviewed three people who confirmed Reed fired first,
according to the prosecutor. All three of them added that after Reed collapsed in the street,
they also saw someone approach and remove what they thought was a firearm from his
body. The latter detail matched what one initial witness told investigators, but that person
only described it as an object.”
I have long advocated following Massad Ayoob’s advice about telling cops that you
were attacked and are willing to file charges, describing the suspects and any other
potential witnesses, and pointing out evidence that may help your case. If you can limit
your statement to these topics, talking to the cops is more likely to help your case than
harm it. [But if you cannot "limit your statement to these topics", you need to keep your
mouth shut. High stress induces constipation of the brain and diarrhea of the mouth.
-- Jon Low]
With police staffing shortages, even at homicide scenes, cops may not be able to
quickly interview all witnesses. The smart witnesses are likely to get the hell away
from the scene. The ones remaining might be friends with the dude you shot and be
willing to hide the suspect’s gun and lie to the police.
-- Greg Ellifritz
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,
the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
-- Second Amendment, U.S. Constitution
But WHY?
https://www.facebook.com/johniharris/posts/pfbid02eeV5oLPds12QvMe6oESWPttS8BZBKFsFRBWeHnw4qxAjXEAX3tfh3A7456uEn5LTl
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty.
Suspect every one who approaches that jewel.
Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force.
Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined."
-- Patrick Henry, speech of June 5, 1788 A.D.
"Militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves . . .
And include all men capable of bearing arms."
-- Senator Richard Henry Lee, 1788, on "militia" in the 2nd Amendment
"Are You Liable for a Passthrough or Missed Shot?" by Phillip Nelsen
https://mylegalheat.com/blog/are-you-liable-for-a-passthrough-or-missed-shot/
Hat tip to Greg Ellifritz,
https://www.activeresponsetraining.net/weekend-knowledge-dump-may-26-2023
Nelsen discusses the "doctrine of transferred intent". Which is correct as he states it.
But only works if your were not reckless.
The plaintiff (family, estate, etc.) is not going to sue you for wrongfully shooting
the innocent bystander (who might be the plaintiff, if he's still alive). The plaintiff is
going to sue you for "recklessness" resulting in injury. The doctrine of transferred intent
does not protect you from recklessness.
Take Andrew Branca's class in person or on DVD. He explains this in detail.
Were you reckless? Who knows? The prosecutor was not there. The judge was not
there. No one on the jury was there. How the hell are they supposed to know?
You see the problem?
"Loading and Openly Carrying Gun in Own Yard Isn't Criminal Use of Deadly
Force Under Florida Law"
"[O]ne [tree-cutting] crew member made sexually suggestive gestures towards
his fiancée and another waved a running chainsaw towards his dogs with the
apparent threat to dismember them . . . "
by Eugene Volokh
https://reason.com/volokh/2023/05/24/loading-and-openly-carrying-gun-in-own-yard-isnt-criminal-use-of-deadly-force-under-florida-law/
Hat tip to Stephen P. Wenger, http://spw-duf.info
Excerpt:
Burns moved to dismiss the aggravated assault charge on grounds that he used
a justifiable level of force during the incident. After considering the evidence
presented at the immunity hearing prompted by the motion, . . . [T]he trial court
denied Burns' motion on grounds that his "menacing" act of chambering a round
in the firearm, coupled with the display of the weapon without pointing it at anyone,
constituted an unjustified threatened use of deadly force. The trial court determined
that, because Burns was not in reasonable fear of imminent death or great bodily
harm at the time of the incident, his actions were not justified under the circumstances.
We [Florida Court of Appeal] disagree . . . We [Florida Court of Appeal] therefore
grant Burns' petition for writ of prohibition and direct the trial court to grant his
motion to dismiss, thereby discharging him from further criminal prosecution on
the aggravated assault charge.
Impeachments of Federal Judges
https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/impeachments-federal-judges
"Supreme Court Issues Unanimous Decision Helping To End ATF Tyranny!!!"
by Armed Scholar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTtJh2qpGto
Cited case,
SACKETT ET UX . v. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ET AL .
https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/21-454_4g15.pdf
"Ignorance Is Bliss
And Stupid Is As Stupid Does"
by Dave Workman
https://americanhandgunner.com/discover/ignorance-is-bliss/
Excerpt:
"[States that have enacted onerous gun-control laws] Michigan, Minnesota,
Oregon, New York, New Jersey, California; wherever you go and the government
is “blue,” the “safety” efforts these people champion are not about safety at all
but about making it harder for average citizens — you know, people like you and
your neighbors — to exercise the rights protected by the Second Amendment and
more than 40 state constitutions."
[Because the purpose of gun-control legislation is to criminalize the behavior
of political opponents. So that they can be arrested, convicted (disenfranchised),
and imprisoned (prevented from voting, donating, and working on political
campaigns). Any other reason given is a lie. And everybody knows it's a lie.
-- Jon Low]
" “High Caps” & Handicaps " by Massad Ayoob
https://gunsmagazine.com/guns/handguns/high-caps-handicaps/
Excerpt:
"And such ill-conceived, poorly-researched laws have their cruelest, most disparate
negative impact on the physically disabled members of society."
"Vermont BANS The Well Regulated Militia, Necessary To The Security Of A Free State"
by Dan Wos
https://www.ammoland.com/2023/05/vermont-bans-the-well-regulated-militia-necessary-to-the-security-of-a-free-state/
Hat tip to Stephen P. Wenger.
Excerpts:
“. . . will be used in or in furtherance of a civil disorder?”
". . . this law doesn’t criminalize militia activity, but rather the training that may or
may not be used during militia activity."
[Anyone remember the movie "Minority Report" with Tom Cruise? It's all about
arresting persons for future crimes (crimes of intent), not crimes that were actually
committed. Notice that this is not a conspiracy law. The Democrats are smart. They
know how to write laws to entrap law abiding citizens. -- Jon Low]
Victory in Hawaii!
"Big win for homesick sailor forced to surrender guns" by Tom Knighton
https://bearingarms.com/tomknighton/2023/05/26/big-win-for-homesick-sailor-forced-to-surrender-guns-n70882
Hat tip to Stephen P. Wenger.
Excerpt:
"The case of Santucci V. City and County of Honolulu saw a preliminary
injunction become permanent today."
". . . However, the court found no basis for requiring a doctor’s letter after an affirmative
response to Question 11, as neither the statute nor the prescribed form supported such
a requirement. The court granted the preliminary injunction, ordering the return of
Mr. Santucci’s firearms, and enjoined Honolulu from demanding specific certifications
solely based on an affirmative response to Question 11. It also stipulated legal fees to
be paid in the matter, with Honolulu paying $102,500 and the State paying $28,000 more."
Hello Jonathan,
You might believe that if you keep yourself within the plain English reading
of a statute, you'd be safe from criminal liability.
In fact, you'd be mistaken in that belief. Statutes don't mean what their plain
English reading might suggest they mean. As a result, following the plain English
reading of a statute can easily trap you into a lengthy prison sentence.
. . .
You carry a gun so you’re hard to kill.
Know the law so you’re hard to convict!
Stay safe!
--Andrew
Attorney Andrew F. Branca
Law of Self Defense LLC
"More than half a million teachers are keen to be armed in class to stop a
mass shooter — but even more say guns make classrooms deadlier, poll says
. . .
Republicans have pushed for $25,000 pay bumps for armed educators"
by James Reinl
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12139773/More-half-million-teachers-keen-armed-class-stop-mass-shooter.html
Remember, the reason that there are so many school shootings in the first place is that
the U.S. Congress made all schools gun-free-zones. Thereby creating unarmed victims for
armed criminals to prey upon. This was intentional. They knew what the results of their
legislation would be. Yes, as a matter of fact, Congress is evil.
This is significant. You might want to read this.
"Second Amendment Roundup: U.S. Seeking Cert on Prohibited Persons"
by Stephen Halbrook
https://reason.com/volokh/2023/05/29/second-amendment-roundup-u-s-seeking-cert-on-prohibited-persons/
"Biggest Gun Ban in US History!" by Liberty Doll
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5okNH8yzaQ
Hey, I know Evan Nappen. He was my attorney when the Department of Defense
Police on Fort Dix arrested me on my way to deployment immediately after the
September 11th attacks. Ya, the DoD Police are that stupid.
Cited article,
"New Jersey Politicians Enact Largest Gun Ban in U.S. History" by Evan Nappen
https://www.ammoland.com/2023/05/new-jersey-politicians-enact-largest-gun-ban-us-history/
It just occurred to me that, except for one family, all of the people I know who live in
New Jersey are attorneys who had worked for me in the past. And that one family is
looking for a home in Tennessee. The father had called me for a real estate agent in
Nashville. Smart people, people with money, productive citizens leave such states
and move to the Land of Dixie.
"In Texas, 92% of child abuse accusations are found to be unsubstantiated"
https://crimeresearch.org/2023/05/in-texas-92-of-child-abuse-accusations-are-found-to-be-unsubstantiated/
From my experience and study, 50% of rape accusations are provably false; both in the
military and civilian worlds. So for people talking to police, lying is far more probable
than telling the truth. (Stop and think about who talks to police in the first place. I haven't
talked to a cop in an official capacity in decades. Except for speeding tickets, but that's my
genetic mental defect. I was born that way!) That's why when you are forced to shoot
the bad guy, you must remain silent. The police know with high probability that you are
lying if you are talking. Just like politicians, criminals have a hard time keeping their
mouths shut. I know Mas makes fun of people who remain silent and ask for their mouth
piece (attorney), but it's the smart thing to do. When I worked security at Nashville
General Hospital (located in the slums of Nashville), police officers and deputy sheriffs
would bring in suspects for drug tests, psych evaluations, and such. Inevitably, the
suspects would be running their mouths at full speed while being recorded by our cameras
(which also have audio) and the body cameras (including audio) of the officers. I wanted
to go up to the suspect and say, "Stop talking. You're giving them the evidence to convict
you." I imagine, if I had recognized the suspect as a former student, I would have. But
that would be highly unlikely. Criminals are a self-selected group, as are students of
handgun classes. A Venn diagram wouldn't just show null intersection, it would show
the subsets at opposite ends of the universe.
"The primary caveat in statistics is that correlation does not prove causality."
-- Stephen P. Wenger
“Is there no virtue among us? If there is not, we are without hope!
No form of government, existing nor theoretical, will keep us from harm.
To think that any government, in any form, will insure liberty and happiness
for a dishonorable population represents the height of self-deception.”
-- James Madison, 1788
***** ***** ***** Instruction ***** ***** *****
Colonel Robert Lindsey to his fellow trainers:
"We are not God's gift to our students.
Our students are God's gift to us."
----- Instructors -----
"Remember,
the students who require the extra effort
are the ones who need us the most!"
-- John Farnam
“The one important thing I have learned over the years
is the difference between taking one’s work seriously and
taking one’s self seriously.
The first is imperative and the second is disastrous.”
-- Prima Ballerina Dame Margot Fonteyn
---
If you take yourself so seriously that you cannot laugh at yourself or feel offended
when students laugh at you, you're wrong. And need to fix yourself.
Qui docet, discit. (Who teaches, learns.)
-- motto of the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers
"Teach them diligently . . . "
-- Deuteronomy 6:7
Be careful what you teach.
Because your students will do in combat
whatever you have trained them to do,
no matter how ridiculous.
-- "Shooting in Self-Defense" by Sara Ahrens
----- Andragogy -----
An instructor should not expect any learning to take
place the first time new information is presented.
-- "Building Shooters" by Dustin Salomon
"The biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has happened."
"Every time I teach a class,
I discover I don't know something."
-- Clint Smith, Director of Thunder Ranch
"The most valuable resource that all teachers have is each other.
Without collaboration, our growth is limited to our own perspectives."
-- Robert John Meehan
*************************************************************************
***** ***** ***** Gear ***** ***** *****
*************************************************************************
“Mission drives the gear train.”
-- Pat Rogers
Go to every gun store you can and try every gun you can. Work the safeties,
cycle the actions, dry fire, insert and extract the magazine. Ensure you know how
to operate the weapon system. If you can't figure it out, ask for help. If the store
clerk can't help you, pull up a YouTube.com video.
You don't know what you're going to pick up in combat. As a civilian, which
99.9% of you are, nobody is going to bring you an assortment of small arms and
teach you how to operate them. So you have to.
Familiarizing yourself with different pistols is free and fun. Just takes time.
You either do or you don't, there is no in-between.
If your hands don't work too well or you don't have two hands, consider the
"SLAP Loader for Glock 9mm / .40 S&W Magazines"
https://gunmagwarehouse.com/unorthodox-designs-slap-loader-for-glock-9mm-40-s-w-magazines.html
"Seven Things You Don’t Know About Body Armor" by Greg Ellifritz
https://www.activeresponsetraining.net/seven-things-you-dont-know-about-body-armor
Excerpts:
You won’t be able to fire that ammo or eat all that stored food if you get shot and
die because you didn’t have body armor.
If you have enough time to grab your rifle when an intruder breaks into your house,
you also likely have enough time to throw a vest over your chest. I believe it’s a
sensible and necessary piece of equipment for any home defense plan.
When you get your armor, make sure you train in it. It WILL alter many of the
things you do with your firearm. You should be aware of how that works before
you actually wear your armor in combat.
"Assistance With Seeing At Distance" by Erick Gelhaus
https://americancop.com/assistance-with-seeing-at-distance/
Your Every Day Carry (EDC) should include lots of ammunition. You may not
need to reload, but you might. You may not get a chance to reload, but you might.
I carry a round in the chamber, 13 in the magazine in the pistol, and three 13-round
magazines in pouches on my belt (and a flashlight).
The guys in infantry would tell me to carry extra water and ammunition. If need be,
they would drop everything except for their weapon, ammo, and water.
I was never infantry. We always had lots of water. Often pallets of bottled water
staged all over the place. But, I always kept lots of ammo. Often the command would
not issue ammo. Would not issue weapons. We always had weapons and ammo,
even if we had to get them on the black market. In war zones, the black market is
actually part of the open market. It's not like the black market in the civilian world in
CONUS.
During Operation Iraqi Freedom, I was a non-combatant advisor to the Royal Saudi
Air Force (RSAF). No weapons. You bet we had weapons stashed in the compound,
in the cars, and in the offices. And if we could hide weapons where we would be
meeting people, we did. Stashing stuff in the dry desert is great. Nothing rusts.
Revenant Corps (weapons for non-permissive environments)
https://revenantcorps.com/custom-order-portfolio
Hat tip to Travis Pike
https://gatdaily.com/the-revenant-corps-discreet-stabber/
Cited item,
https://revenantcorps.com/g10-knives/ols/search?keywords=sharpie&sortOption=descend_by_match
"The Magic Wheel" by Clint Smith
https://americanhandgunner.com/handguns/the-magic-wheel/
Excerpt:
". . . yes, the gun in your pocket is better than the one at home in the safe when
the fight starts. Someplace in between these vastly split poles is the equator of common
sense for personal protection.
". . . S&W and Taurus are the only two significant makers actively manufacturing
revolvers in any number for self-defense needs." [A self-defense revolver is not the same
as a target shooting revolver or a collectable revolver. -- Jon Low]
---
Revolvers are inappropriate for self-defense because as Tom Givens says,
they need to reloaded too often,
they are more difficult [than semi-autos] to reload, and
they take more time to reload.
---
The belief that revolvers are more reliable than semi-autos is a myth. Ask any
mechanical engineer to inspect any modern semi-auto produced for self-defense
and any modern revolver produced for self-defense, and he will tell you that the
semi-auto is more reliable in theory (Because it has fewer moving parts and fewer
small parts and fewer parts needing to fit precisely.) and more reliable in practice
(Because a loose fit in a semi-auto, while increasing the size of your groups [reducing
precision, not accuracy], increases reliability [the primary characteristic of any
weapon system is reliability]. On the other hand, everything in a revolver must
fit tightly. Otherwise, it won't work.).
Shake a semi-auto pistol designed for self-defense. It will rattle, because the frame
and slide have a loose fit. Not good for precision, but essential for reliability. Because
it has to fire when dirty, dropped in sand or mud, etc.
Shake a revolver. It doesn't rattle. If it did, it would not work correctly. Everything
has to be fitted and timed precisely, otherwise it won't work. (Well, the cartridges
might rattle in the cylinder, because when the revolver is fired the cases will expand
to form an air tight seal against the chamber. And then the cases will return to a loose
fit in the chamber, allowing easy extraction. But unloaded, revolvers should not
rattle.)
The only time a hammerless revolver is better than a semi-auto is when shooting
from inside a purse or pocket. The confined space may prevent the spent case from
ejecting, thereby preventing the semi-auto from loading the next cartridge.
Yes, the picture is correct. There should be lots of light on either side of the front sight,
because in low light conditions the space on either side of the front sight will look very
thin or disappear if the rear sight notch is too small.
If you can’t see a generous amount of light on both sides of the front sight when viewed
through the rear sight, have a machinist open the rear sight. Or have a gunsmith do it.
This will happen at around age 40 when your eyes start changing. One or two hundredths
of an inch from each side should be sufficient.
We are practicing combat shooting in adverse conditions, not target shooting in pristine
conditions. So, open your rear sight.
The rear sight is a window. You look through the rear sight to see the front sight.
The front sight is the object of interest. Yes, I know that's counter intuitive. You're
thinking the bad guy should be the object of interest. But, if you focus on the bad guy,
the front sight will wander off and you'll never notice it. Then you'll wonder why you're
not hitting where you are aiming. It's because you are not aiming. Focusing on the
front sight is aiming. Focusing on the threat is what scared bunnies do. Don't be a
scared bunny. Be a competent operator. Focus on the front sight.
To focus on the front sight, you must be able to focus on the front sight.
Do you need glasses? New glasses? Reading glasses? If you use a pistol without the
ability to see well enough to aim the pistol, you're being reckless. Remember, militia
refers to able bodied men, as in able to aim their weapon.
I got a used Sprinfield Armory XD (regular with the 4" barrel, not the Tactical
with the 5" barrel) in 45 ACP and 3 magazines for $365.11 (that includes everything)
from Guns.com. Check out the
Police Trade In Guns,
https://www.guns.com/firearms/police-trade-ins
Certified Used Guns,
https://www.guns.com/used-guns/certified-used
I love buying used guns. That way, I don't feel too bad if I mess up the modifications.
Guns.com is selling 1000 rounds of 45 ACP for $500.
50¢ per round is a bit too expensive for me. But I thought I'd mention it.
If you've got money burning a hole in your pocket,
"Memorial Day Gun Deals" by Eric Hung
https://www.pewpewtactical.com/memorial-day-gun-deals/
45 ACP for 40¢ per round,
https://palmettostatearmory.com/aac-45-acp-ammo-230-grain-fmj-50rd-box.html
"Biofire Isn't Letting Anyone Review Their Smart Gun" by Liberty Doll
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1WYAq-0aXg
Red flag. Manufacturers usually beg gun writers to review their products by
sending them free pistols and bribes.
---
Biofire designed and manufactured their pistol to satisfy a law introduced by
New Jersey State Senators Loretta Weinberg and Richard Codey. Oh, now a lot
of things start making sense.
"New Jersey’s Effort to Pave the Way for Smart Guns Hits Another Bump"
by Champe Barton
https://www.thetrace.org/2023/05/new-jersey-childproof-smart-handgun-law/
Excerpt:
The company’s CEO, Kai Kloepfer, told The Trace he has no plans to submit
his gun to New Jersey’s Personalized Handgun Authorization Commission for review,
which might trigger the law’s requirement for gun sellers to stock it. No gun has yet
been submitted for review, and the commission has not yet agreed upon technical
criteria, but once a model is approved, it will need to be stocked by the state’s more
than 300 gun stores.
“There is not a world where Biofire will be applying for inclusion,” Kloepfer said.
“We do not support mandates of any kind. We’re looking to build positive long-term
relationships with gun stores and forcing these additional administrative burdens
doesn’t incentivize them to support our technology; it does the opposite.”
[It sounds as though Kloepfer may be a bit smarter than his so-called “smart” gun.
-- Stephen P. Wenger]
[Biofire's advertisement says its pistol can recognize the user's face through a mask
and it can recognize the user's fingerprints through gloves. Stop and think about that.
-- Jon Low]
Check out,
Accufire Technology Inc.
1225 W. College Ave #610.
Carrollton, TX 75006
https://www.accufiretech.com/
"19 Shot .45 ACP: More on the New FN 545" by Chris Eger
https://www.guns.com/news/2023/05/30/19-shot-45-acp-more-on-the-new-fn-545
This pistol is ambidextrous. Manufactured in Columbia, SC. Yeah!
Excerpts:
". . . chambered in "God's caliber." "
"MSRP of $1,139" [A bit steep for my tastes. -- Jon Low]
[Ya, I agree the trigger is not too good. For $1139, I expected much better.
I had to file and Dremel tool the under side of the trigger guard where it meets
the grip to prevent "Glock knuckle" as Aq calls it. (The trigger guard rubs against the
knuckle of the middle finger of the firing side hand. Design flaw.)
Hey, if you're going to shoot bowling pins, the 45 ACP is the way to go. The 10mm
has too much recoil to be fun or pleasant.
I like the Glock 21. I have bought several. But the grip just doesn't fit my hand.
I don't know what orangutan they designed it for.
I can buy a used SA XD in 45 ACP for $365 in total from Guns.com. I can buy
a new one for around $500 at Music City Pawn. I don't know what makes the FN 545
worth $1139. I guess you're paying for the name. Or, maybe they are marketing to
people not like me? Maybe the price will come down with time?
-- Jon Low]
These look like nice Christmas gifts.
https://dryfiretrainingcards.com/self-standing-dry-fire-target/
And they do make nice laundry hampers.
"Weekend Knowledge Dump" by Greg Ellifritz
https://www.activeresponsetraining.net/weekend-knowledge-dump-june-3-2023
Excerpt:
When I was the department training officer, I would occasionally get donations of
Egyptian surplus pistol ammo from people in the community. Usually they bought a
large amount of the ammo for a cheap price at a gun show. It generally proves to be
so unreliable, that the original purchaser just wants to get rid of it. They usually
dumped it at the police department.
I’ve shot a bunch of it over the years. It is without a doubt the worst ammo I’ve
ever seen. Lots of squibs, casehead separations, and split cases. I won’t shoot it
anymore. Don’t buy any Egyptian surplus ammo. It usually comes in thin cardboard
packaging (often pink colored) with Arabic writing on it. Most of the boxes are
rectangular and hold 20 rounds. Stay away.
"3 Things To Know About Wheelchair CCW
Does your physical challenge require a wheelchair or scooter? Read this!"
by Dr. Joseph Logar, PT, DPT
https://www.nrafamily.org/content/3-things-to-know-about-wheelchair-ccw/
Hi Colleague,
May I urge you to change your holster (SERPA by Blackhawk)?
May I invite your attention to the attached documents? [If you are on
the emailing list, you got the documents from the U.S. Department of
the Interior and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. If not,
send me an email at Jon_Low@yahoo.com and I will email them to
you.]
There are 3 main reasons for not using a holster that uses the trigger
finger to release the pistol:
1. In a high stress situation, the trigger finger will continue to press, firing
the pistol when it exits the holster. Lots of documented cases. Lots of
law-enforcement officers and civilians have shot themselves in the leg.
2. Sand, dirt, gravel, small pebbles, snow, and such will jam the release
mechanism. Which will happen when wrestling a bad guy on the ground.
3. If you insert your pistol into the holster backwards, it will jam and you
won't be able to get your pistol out. (You will have to disassemble the holster
to get your pistol out.) Inserting your pistol backwards in your holster is the
standard technique taught at FLETC (Federal Law Enforcement Training
Centers) for support-hand-only presentation from the holster to the target
(as in when your firing-hand is injured, holding a baby, or otherwise
incapacitated).
I know the U.S. Army issues these holsters. That just shows how
stupid the U.S. Army is. Just about all federal law-enforcement forbids
such holsters in particular FLETC. All IPSC and IDPA matches forbid
such holsters. All of the firearms classes that I have recently attended have
forbidden these holsters.
If I have not convinced you, please read
"The Serpa Compendium" by Greg Ellifritz
https://www.activeresponsetraining.net/the-serpa-compendium
This is a real problem that will get you killed in combat. Getting
shot by the enemy is bad enough. Having the enemy laugh at you
because you shot yourself adds insult to injury.
Cheers,
Jon
"Carbine vs. Pistol for Home Defense" by Mike Ox
https://dryfiretrainingcards.com/blog/carbine-vs-pistol-for-home-defense/
Mike lists the pros and cons. Worth considering.
Gun Mag Warehouse has some good prices on ammo.
https://gunmagwarehouse.com/
“Your car is not a holster.”
-- Pat Rogers
*************************************************************************
***** ***** Religion, Politics, History, War Stories, et al ***** ***** *****
*************************************************************************
"Good habits and skill beat luck every time."
-- Sheriff Jim Wilson
Rest In Peace Maj. Ric Crocker
KIA, 25 May 2005, Haditha, Iraq
https://www.facebook.com/greg.kitchens.9/posts/pfbid02oCjdGFuYNjqem4AjGRyShwPAwGvKCwLsDZ2rUNbPWiqTKPK2129tSD6g8Vy8QNfVl
If you live in Tennessee, you ought to attend.
TFALAC’s 2023 Annual Event is set for Saturday, September 9, 2023
(the Saturday after Labor Day).
https://tfalac.org/2023-annual-event/
Gun Rights Policy Conference, FREE!
https://www.saf.org/grpc/
Marriott Phoenix Airport
1101 North 44th St
Phoenix, AZ 85008
September 22nd – September 24th, 2023
The conference is free and as in past years, we will start with a Friday night reception,
continue the conference all day on Saturday, end Saturday with another evening
reception and finish Sunday strong with another half day of presentations.
Complimentary light appetizers are served at the receptions and a complimentary
box lunch is provided Saturday.
"The Human Factor: John Hearne Discusses Building Better Survivors
We pick the mind of John Hearne, a man with a long career in law enforcement,
academic training, and a lifetime in public service." by Tom Marshall
https://www.offgridweb.com/survival/the-human-factor-building-better-survivors/
Nice to hear others speak well of Front Sight. I too am a product of Front Sight.
Front Sight went bankrupt last year. But in their beginning (1995 A.D.) they were a
fine civilian training facility. And I often saw Marine units there taking classes.
"In a world of propaganda, truth is always ‘a conspiracy'. "
-- Herbert Hildebrant
"2024" by John Farnam
https://defense-training.com/2024-2/
“Enforced ‘tolerance’ will reach such a level that intelligent people
will be banned from thinking, so as not to offend imbeciles.”
-- Dostoevsky
"French running target shooter Quentin Schiltz"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiUwwlKwdzw
Used to be Running Boar, with a picture of a boar instead of a bullseye.
But that was politically incorrect.
"I Worked at a PRISON?!"
(What all male prisoners have in common, no father figure in their life.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2rfguBYVpY
"How To Get Into The Top 1% (worldwide)" by Jordan Peterson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt0Vw2Ahon8
Earn $32,000 per year.
Never judge a book by its movie.
"You can judge a man by his bookcover." -- Erica Rhodes
"Your Opinion Matters! Do Not Forget That! Words Of Tucker"
by Bontrager Legacy Media Group
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gufhhJVAbWk
"Jesse Watters: Our society doesn’t have standards anymore"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_TLvcRIUoI
"Supreme Court Issues Another Major 9-0 Ruling"
by Facts Matter with Roman Balmakov
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV0afDdKunE
Allowing the Internal Revenue Service to get anyone's bank accounts without notice
(in secret).
U.S. Supreme Court ruling,
POLSELLI ET AL. v. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/21-1599_l5gm.pdf
Analysis by Epic Times,
https://www.theepochtimes.com/supreme-court-rules-irs-can-secretly-grab-bank-records-of-outside-parties_5277279.html
Might be behind a pay wall. If so use a new email account to access the article.
"SELF OWN: Progressive Lefties at TYT inadvertently sealed the deal
for securing our Gun Rights" by Langley Outdoors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR5KD0KXAgA
Meat starts at 2:00.
"Firefighting Feminists Are On FIRE!" by Brett Cooper (at my last job, I worked with a
guy who dated this gal, small world)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_Su_MP-1dk
"Hunter Biden For Prez" by Ben Shapiro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaQsTzam06I
As I remember it,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFS0jwT5Abk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jWteSj7HmI
Sparkles, glitter, and sequins on the carpet are evidence of little girls roaming
around the house.
"Fulfillment in life is loving a good woman and killing a bad man."
--Robert Heinlein
"Rowan Atkinson on free speech" by The Christian Institute
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUezfuy8Qpc
Ya, this is in the United Kingdom, but it's happening here in the U.S. too.
"Your character is what you do when no one is looking."
-- Thomas Jefferson
*************************************************************************
***** ***** ***** Cryptology ***** ***** *****
"Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe,
and preserve order in the world as well as property.
Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of their use."
-- Thomas Paine
[Cryptosystems are considered "arms" by federal law.
ITAR, International Traffic in Arms Regulations]
"Entropy (for data science) Clearly Explained!!!" by Josh Starmer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtebGVx-Fxw
Tutorial on deriving the entropy of a system. Note that in thermodynamics and physics
in general, we usually talk about a change in entropy; there is no absolute entropy. This
video is talking about information theoretic entropy. Since we have a discrete finite set,
we have an entropy as a scalar value, not a difference.
Of course, the probabilities are correctly taken from the underlying population, not
the sample estimate.
“The past is never dead.
It's not even ‘past!’ ”
-- Faulkner
"Why Japan's Moon Lander Crashed Due to An Unbelievable Computer Bug"
by Scott Manley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JlUnOAiMm4
This is why software engineering is so stressful. No one got killed in this incident.
But in "mission critical" software, errors get friendlies killed. The sick thing is that a
lot of these errors are intentional (That is to say, they were known and intentionally
not fixed.). The nameless faceless bureaucrats who know that they will never face
any consequences for their actions make decisions to make themselves look good
(meeting deadlines and budgets). When they know that the software needs more time
and effort to make it correct. "Skip the testing. The software is good enough for
government work." Software ain't rocket science, it's much more complex (by orders
of magnitude). In any spacecraft software is the most expensive part, but it weighs
nothing, and takes up no space. So the project leaders easily neglect it.
On your personal computer, the one you take with you on vacations, do you have a
compiler installed on it? a bit level editor? a packet sniffer?
"Premature optimization is the root of all evil."
-- Donald Knuth
*************************************************************************
***** ***** ***** Intelligence ***** ***** *****
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,
the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
-- Second Amendment, U.S. Constitution
The 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution has nothing to do with self-defense,
hunting, sport shooting, etc. The purpose of the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
is to ensure that the people always have the ability to overthrow the government.
As they did in the American Revolutionary War, and more recently in Athens, TN.
And elsewhere.
Always cite an open source article to avoid accusations of divulging classified
information.
"Illustrated Guide to Transformers Neural Network: A step by step explanation"
by Michael Phi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Bdc55j80l8
---
"Attention Is All You Need"
by Ashish Vaswani, Noam Shazeer, Niki Parmar, Jakob Uszkoreit,
Llion Jones, Aidan N. Gomez, Lukasz Kaiser, Illia Polosukhin
Abstract,
https://arxiv.org/abs/1706.03762
Paper,
https://arxiv.org/pdf/1706.03762.pdf
Presented at
Proceeding of Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems 30 (NIPS 2017)
---
"Attention Is All You Need - Paper Explained"
by Mohammad Namvarpour (Halfling Wizard)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XowwKOAWYoQ
“Who don’t move, don’t notice their chains.”
-- Rosa Luxemburg
"Russia charges hypersonic missile scientists with treason!?" by Sandboxx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzCcvPvCXuI
"Russia Just Lost the Biggest Tank Battle of the War" by The Military Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPmxaNe7qQs
Vuhledar
"How the China narrative is Wrong" by Peter Zeihan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlCuapsYoFg
Excerpt:
It's still possible. It's just not sane. (That China will attack Taiwan.)
Laser weapon by Dark Tech
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFMnP3V6Yww
Lockheed Martin announced on January of 2023 that DEIMOS,
Directed Energy Interceptor for Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense System,
their laser weapon system that will be mounted on a Stryker combat
vehicle, has achieved the first light, meaning that the laser’s optical
performance parameters align with the system design requirements.
"Lockheed Martin Achieves First Light in Latest Laser Lab Demonstration"
https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2023-01-23-Lockheed-Martin-Achieves-First-Light-In-Latest-Laser-Lab-Demonstration
"India's Fight Against China is a Nightmare" by Task & Purpose
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJxyJtlMlIY
"Africa’s $5BN Megadam Will Block the Nile" by The B1M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_-BrHqQwXI
Ethiopia is Christian controlled. Sudan is Sunni Muslim. Egypt is Muslim
(predominantly Sunni). (According to the CIA World Fact Book.)
Why didn't the Egyptians bomb the dam? Why have all negotiations stalled?
Who is paying for the dam? What's on the other side of Ethiopia? Yes, Somalia
(Sunni Muslim, official state religion, according to the 2012 Transitional Federal
Charter) is and has been a problem for a long time. Remember the pirates? My
daughter (Naval Surface Warfare Officer) fought the Somali pirates. She saw
more combat than I did.
Why are some countries in poverty and some not? Corruption. The people put
corrupt leaders into power, or fail to remove corrupt leaders from power. We have
the 2nd Amendment to ensure the people's ability to overthrow the government.
Why do we have corrupt government? Maybe because the corruption has not caused
widespread poverty yet? Maybe because the people are complacent?
Oh. Making sense?
The Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection at the University of Texas is still
the best.
https://maps.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/eritrea_ethiopia_2009.jpg
“If you are reading this and can’t put your hand on your defensive firearm,
all of your training is wasted.” -- Col. Jeff Cooper
*************************************************************************
"You can’t truly call yourself 'peaceful' unless you are capable of great violence.
If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not peaceful, you’re harmless.
Important distinction." -- Stef Starkgaryen
Semper Fidelis,
Jonathan D. Low
Email: Jon_Low@yahoo.com
Radio: KI4SDN
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