Hi Sheepdogs,
***** ***** ***** Software ***** ***** *****
"Fear is an instinct. Courage is a choice."
-- Rear Admiral Joseph Kernan, USN
----- Mindset -----
"We must all be active participants in our own rescue!!"
- Dave Spaulding, 2010 Law Enforcement Trainer of the Year
On the Shoulders of Giants by Anthony Winegar
https://www.breachbangclear.com/on-the-shoulders-of-giants/
A friend at work, who is attached to a Marine Corps Reserve Military Police unit
preparing for deployment, told me that a second Marine in his unit has committed
suicide this year. When I was in boot camp, our Drill Instructors told us that Marines
solve their problems by killing their enemies, not themselves. And that killing
yourself never solves your problems. It just creates problems for your family.
Your enemies expend huge resources to kill you. If you kill yourself, you have
saved your enemies a huge expense. Which is wrong on many levels.
"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
Contact-Distance Gunfighting by Michael Janich
https://www.recoilweb.com/preview-contact-distance-gunfighting-62889.html
Excerpt:
For the “round guy, square range” crowd, this type of suspended reality is
extremely seductive. For those of us who are serious about personal defense,
it’s a potential black hole of complacency. Let’s be smarter than that.
It’s about prevention, not response.
-- Michael Mann
Child Soldiers: A Tale Of Two Roys by Will Dabbs, MD
https://americanhandgunner.com/guncrank-diaries/child-soldiers-a-tale-of-two-roys/
Openrange Defense - Is Awareness Mightier than the Gun? by Marlan Ingram
https://www.openrangesports.com/blogs/blog/openrange-defense-is-awareness-mightier-than-the-g/
Excerpt:
"Yes, being armed and trained for your own personal defense is good,
but being so far AWARE and ahead of the game that you don't HAVE to resort
to using that firearm is best."
"Panic is simply the lack of preprogrammed responses."
-- Tom Givens
Do not fight. Kill quickly and efficiently.
It is then a judgment call:
In a civilized society where the rule of law prevails,
you might want to stick around and claim self defense.
In a lawless society, probably best to leave. Worldwide,
very few killings turn into criminal cases. Of those, few cases
are actually closed. Of those, very few result in prosecutions.
Of those prosecuted, most result in conviction. You might have
noticed that the liberal prosecutors are prosecuting law abiding
citizens who defend themselves and intentionally neglecting to
prosecute the rioters and looters who are burning down Democrat
controlled cities.
That's just reality.
3 Things You Do That Make You a Target For Crooks by Sheriff Jim Wilson
https://www.nrafamily.org/articles/2020/10/20/3-things-you-do-that-make-you-a-target-for-crooks/
“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.)
----- Safety -----
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 UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET
RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET
Criminal Mindset – Make Yourself Harder to Kill by Travis Pike
https://gatdaily.com/criminal-mindset-make-yourself-harder-to-kill/
Read the info graphic carefully and look at the back of your car.
"The fast and/or emphatic reholster is an awesome way to shoot yourself."
-- Chuck Haggard
Always Treat the Gun As If It’s Loaded by Joshua Gillem
https://www.concealedcarry.com/safety/always-treat-the-gun-as-if-its-loaded/
Never Point Your Gun At Things You Don’t Want To Shoot by Joshua Gillem
https://www.concealedcarry.com/safety/never-point-your-gun-at-things-you-dont-want-to-shoot/
Keep Your Finger Out of the Trigger Guard, Off Trigger Until Ready by Joshua Gillem
https://www.concealedcarry.com/safety/keep-your-finger-out-of-the-trigger-guard-off-trigger-until-ready/
Joshua Gillem uses the term "trigger wall". I think this is equivalent to what
John Farnam refers to as "Break Dawn". As in Trigger terms:
slack = trigger movement without sear movement (necessary for combat pistols)
break dawn = the hard stop at the end of slack and the start of sear movement
creep = the movement of the sear before the break (there shouldn't be any)
break = when the sear releases the firing pin
over-travel = movement of the trigger after the break (this should be minimized)
reset = releasing the trigger until you hear or feel the click of the trigger resetting
(if your pistol does not have a distinct reset, you pistol is not working properly as
a combat weapon) [Okay, Farnam uses the term "catching the link", but that is verbose
compared to "reset".]
Don't go to stupid places. (If you wouldn't go there without a gun, DON'T go there at all.)
Don't do stupid things. (If your drunk buddies think it's a good idea, DON'T.)
Don't hang out with stupid people. (This includes all criminals and all drug users.)
Be in bed by 10 PM. Your own bed.
Don't look like a freak.
Don't fail the attitude test.
-- John Farnam
----- Training -----
"The real value of training and practice isn't gaining technical competence,
it's achieving confidence in your abilities."
-- Claude Werner
The Mercaz HaRav Attack: Detection and Response
https://www.facebook.com/SafeWithMann/videos/385562632829216
Detection and prevention at the site is the best we can do as law abiding civilians.
(We don't do extra legal stuff.)
But, that's not going to stop the dedicated terrorist. So, how did the second President
Bush stop all the terrorist attacks? The Global War On Terrorism, an executive order,
not a congressional declaration of war. (Only congress can declare war.) Intel identified
the bad guys. Presented the evidence to an O-6 or higher. (Usually an O-6, because the
O-7s and above don't want their fingerprints on these operations. Might hinder their
promotion or cushy civilian job when they get out.) The O-6 would sign a finding.
Intel would write up an order and issue it to the trigger pullers. You've probably heard
of the drone strikes (in Yemen, controlled by an Airman in Charleston, SC). But, those
were rare. More common would be that the ground team would surveil the target, wait for
him to go to sleep and shoot him to death as he slept. We're not looking for a fight.
We might get hurt. If that bothers you, remember 9/11. And think about the lack
of such an event on U.S soil since then.
Your Best Defense: Staying Out of Trouble by the Tactical Professor (Claude Werner)
https://tacticalprofessor.wordpress.com/2020/09/30/your-best-defense-staying-out-of-trouble/
Excerpt:
"I was able to spend some time talking with Michael Bane last week about ‘Staying Out of Trouble.’
***** ***** ***** Software ***** ***** *****
"Fear is an instinct. Courage is a choice."
-- Rear Admiral Joseph Kernan, USN
----- Mindset -----
"We must all be active participants in our own rescue!!"
- Dave Spaulding, 2010 Law Enforcement Trainer of the Year
On the Shoulders of Giants by Anthony Winegar
https://www.breachbangclear.com/on-the-shoulders-of-giants/
A friend at work, who is attached to a Marine Corps Reserve Military Police unit
preparing for deployment, told me that a second Marine in his unit has committed
suicide this year. When I was in boot camp, our Drill Instructors told us that Marines
solve their problems by killing their enemies, not themselves. And that killing
yourself never solves your problems. It just creates problems for your family.
Your enemies expend huge resources to kill you. If you kill yourself, you have
saved your enemies a huge expense. Which is wrong on many levels.
"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
Contact-Distance Gunfighting by Michael Janich
https://www.recoilweb.com/preview-contact-distance-gunfighting-62889.html
Excerpt:
For the “round guy, square range” crowd, this type of suspended reality is
extremely seductive. For those of us who are serious about personal defense,
it’s a potential black hole of complacency. Let’s be smarter than that.
It’s about prevention, not response.
-- Michael Mann
Child Soldiers: A Tale Of Two Roys by Will Dabbs, MD
https://americanhandgunner.com/guncrank-diaries/child-soldiers-a-tale-of-two-roys/
Openrange Defense - Is Awareness Mightier than the Gun? by Marlan Ingram
https://www.openrangesports.com/blogs/blog/openrange-defense-is-awareness-mightier-than-the-g/
Excerpt:
"Yes, being armed and trained for your own personal defense is good,
but being so far AWARE and ahead of the game that you don't HAVE to resort
to using that firearm is best."
"Panic is simply the lack of preprogrammed responses."
-- Tom Givens
Do not fight. Kill quickly and efficiently.
It is then a judgment call:
In a civilized society where the rule of law prevails,
you might want to stick around and claim self defense.
In a lawless society, probably best to leave. Worldwide,
very few killings turn into criminal cases. Of those, few cases
are actually closed. Of those, very few result in prosecutions.
Of those prosecuted, most result in conviction. You might have
noticed that the liberal prosecutors are prosecuting law abiding
citizens who defend themselves and intentionally neglecting to
prosecute the rioters and looters who are burning down Democrat
controlled cities.
That's just reality.
3 Things You Do That Make You a Target For Crooks by Sheriff Jim Wilson
https://www.nrafamily.org/articles/2020/10/20/3-things-you-do-that-make-you-a-target-for-crooks/
“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.)
----- Safety -----
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 UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET
RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET
Criminal Mindset – Make Yourself Harder to Kill by Travis Pike
https://gatdaily.com/criminal-mindset-make-yourself-harder-to-kill/
Read the info graphic carefully and look at the back of your car.
"The fast and/or emphatic reholster is an awesome way to shoot yourself."
-- Chuck Haggard
Always Treat the Gun As If It’s Loaded by Joshua Gillem
https://www.concealedcarry.com/safety/always-treat-the-gun-as-if-its-loaded/
Never Point Your Gun At Things You Don’t Want To Shoot by Joshua Gillem
https://www.concealedcarry.com/safety/never-point-your-gun-at-things-you-dont-want-to-shoot/
Keep Your Finger Out of the Trigger Guard, Off Trigger Until Ready by Joshua Gillem
https://www.concealedcarry.com/safety/keep-your-finger-out-of-the-trigger-guard-off-trigger-until-ready/
Joshua Gillem uses the term "trigger wall". I think this is equivalent to what
John Farnam refers to as "Break Dawn". As in Trigger terms:
slack = trigger movement without sear movement (necessary for combat pistols)
break dawn = the hard stop at the end of slack and the start of sear movement
creep = the movement of the sear before the break (there shouldn't be any)
break = when the sear releases the firing pin
over-travel = movement of the trigger after the break (this should be minimized)
reset = releasing the trigger until you hear or feel the click of the trigger resetting
(if your pistol does not have a distinct reset, you pistol is not working properly as
a combat weapon) [Okay, Farnam uses the term "catching the link", but that is verbose
compared to "reset".]
Don't go to stupid places. (If you wouldn't go there without a gun, DON'T go there at all.)
Don't do stupid things. (If your drunk buddies think it's a good idea, DON'T.)
Don't hang out with stupid people. (This includes all criminals and all drug users.)
Be in bed by 10 PM. Your own bed.
Don't look like a freak.
Don't fail the attitude test.
-- John Farnam
----- Training -----
"The real value of training and practice isn't gaining technical competence,
it's achieving confidence in your abilities."
-- Claude Werner
The Mercaz HaRav Attack: Detection and Response
https://www.facebook.com/SafeWithMann/videos/385562632829216
Detection and prevention at the site is the best we can do as law abiding civilians.
(We don't do extra legal stuff.)
But, that's not going to stop the dedicated terrorist. So, how did the second President
Bush stop all the terrorist attacks? The Global War On Terrorism, an executive order,
not a congressional declaration of war. (Only congress can declare war.) Intel identified
the bad guys. Presented the evidence to an O-6 or higher. (Usually an O-6, because the
O-7s and above don't want their fingerprints on these operations. Might hinder their
promotion or cushy civilian job when they get out.) The O-6 would sign a finding.
Intel would write up an order and issue it to the trigger pullers. You've probably heard
of the drone strikes (in Yemen, controlled by an Airman in Charleston, SC). But, those
were rare. More common would be that the ground team would surveil the target, wait for
him to go to sleep and shoot him to death as he slept. We're not looking for a fight.
We might get hurt. If that bothers you, remember 9/11. And think about the lack
of such an event on U.S soil since then.
Your Best Defense: Staying Out of Trouble by the Tactical Professor (Claude Werner)
https://tacticalprofessor.wordpress.com/2020/09/30/your-best-defense-staying-out-of-trouble/
Excerpt:
"I was able to spend some time talking with Michael Bane last week about ‘Staying Out of Trouble.’
That means emphasizing the ‘Avoid’ and ‘Escape’ steps in the Avoid, Escape, Confront, Resist paradigm."
"It's easy to step on a mine."
"Self defense is a mindset."
"It's better to stay out of trouble than to get out of trouble. The gun is to get you
out of trouble."
"Carry pepper spray in hand when in any transitional space." (between the store and your car)
If you don't have a flashlight on you, how are you going to blind the attacker?
Having the tactical flashlight (500 lumens or more, the one on my belt right now is 1000 lumens)
is more important than having a pistol. Because you can blind the bad guy without shooting him.
But, you can't shoot the bad guy without positively identifying him. Ya, I know you are sure
that you are aiming at the bad guy, but all kinds of strange things happen in combat. All kinds
of strange things happen in the dark in combat. Remember, Pat Tillman was killed by friendly
fire.
Looking for Concealment by Matthew Allen
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2015/9/16/looking-for-concealment/
Excerpts:
"Going to the range and shooting seven yards, running through an IDPA match,
or continually practicing mag changes are all good things
but they are also rudimentary elements that are not going to prepare you
for the shock and awe of real world violence.
You have to think differently and train accordingly."
"Confucius once wrote that when a wise man points at the moon the imbecile
examines the finger. If you are of the mindset that you don't need to seek out
training in order to better prepare yourself for a gunfight I can assure you,
you're not pointing at the moon."
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)
Trained VS Prepared . . . Are You Ready? by Joe Hahn
https://ccwsafe.com/blog/33788
Defenders And Disciples
https://defendersanddisciples.com/
Some interesting articles that you might find useful.
The What & the Why – Selecting an Instructor by Doug Larson
https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/the-what-the-why-selecting-an-instructor/
Excerpts:
". . . many so-called self-defense instructors do not know what
happens in a gunfight and what the proper responses are."
"So there are really two issues here:
The first is finding someone who has the skill and ability to teach, and
the second is finding someone who knows the subject matter."
May I invite your attention to the video titled,
"Reality Check Special Edition -- 2020 West Freeway Church of Christ Shooting"
at the web site,
https://www.frontsight.tv/
midway down the web page in the upper right corner of videos.
Brad Ackman talks about specific training standards.
[I notice Dr. Piazza refers to Front Sight as "Front Sight Resorts" as opposed
to "Front Sight Firearms Training Institute". Things change.]
---
When I took my first Driver's Education class in high school, we were
taught that all accidents are avoidable. I believed that for some time.
Then my paternal grandmother told me that that wasn't true. Her example
was being stopped at a traffic light and someone ramming you from behind.
So, I believed her for some time.
When I attended my first class at Front Sight, Brad told the story
of his mother who was stopped at a traffic light. Because she had left
space in front of her car when she stopped, and because she was paying
attention to her surroundings, in particular her rearview mirror, she saw
a car speeding toward her. So, she drove onto the sidewalk to get out of
his way. He rammed the car that was in front of her and pushed it into the
intersection, where another car T-boned it.
All collisions are avoidable, if you choose to pay attention and take
decisive action.
---
The church security team could have interdicted the bad guy in the parking
lot before he entered the building. They could have confronted the bad guy when
he got in the usher's face. They could have shot the bad guy when he presented
the shotgun. But, those things are not going to magically happen by getting a
concealed carry permit and a little training. It takes a lot of expert training
and dedicated practice.
---
How do you surreptitiously search the person in the parking lot?
Extend your right hand to shake hands.
If he takes your hand to shake, grip warmly and don't let go. Place your
left hand on his right hip to feel for a concealed weapon. If you feel a
pistol, hang onto his hand and ask him if he has a permit for it and ask to
see the permit. If he can't produce a permit, ask him to leave the pistol
in his car. Keep watching him. Be polite.
If he refuses to shake hands, ask him if he is carrying a weapon.
---
How do you interdict? Ask him a question. Ask another question based
on the response to the previous question. Dig deep for detail. Keep digging.
Watch for pre-assult cues.
---
Ya, there is a lot more. Got to get training to learn how to do these
things. Otherwise, . . .
Firearms Training Starts with Having the Right Attitude by Sheriff Jim Wilson
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2020/10/9/firearms-training-starts-with-having-the-right-attitude/
Excerpt:
"No, life isn’t fair. But that crook who is about to shoot you isn’t going to
be moved by your whining or your excuses. Get busy and get better — whatever it takes.
When you decide that you aren’t going to be a willing victim, you’ll develop a
fighting attitude and, more importantly, you’ll do what it takes to develop
the skills to make that happen."
---
I've got arthritis in my right big toe, a bone spur on my right heel (the asymmetry
has destroyed my gait, so I can't run), a right index finger (trigger finger) that
doesn't work very well, muscles between my right should and neck that are degenerating
"It's easy to step on a mine."
"Self defense is a mindset."
"It's better to stay out of trouble than to get out of trouble. The gun is to get you
out of trouble."
"Carry pepper spray in hand when in any transitional space." (between the store and your car)
If you don't have a flashlight on you, how are you going to blind the attacker?
Having the tactical flashlight (500 lumens or more, the one on my belt right now is 1000 lumens)
is more important than having a pistol. Because you can blind the bad guy without shooting him.
But, you can't shoot the bad guy without positively identifying him. Ya, I know you are sure
that you are aiming at the bad guy, but all kinds of strange things happen in combat. All kinds
of strange things happen in the dark in combat. Remember, Pat Tillman was killed by friendly
fire.
Looking for Concealment by Matthew Allen
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2015/9/16/looking-for-concealment/
Excerpts:
"Going to the range and shooting seven yards, running through an IDPA match,
or continually practicing mag changes are all good things
but they are also rudimentary elements that are not going to prepare you
for the shock and awe of real world violence.
You have to think differently and train accordingly."
"Confucius once wrote that when a wise man points at the moon the imbecile
examines the finger. If you are of the mindset that you don't need to seek out
training in order to better prepare yourself for a gunfight I can assure you,
you're not pointing at the moon."
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)
Trained VS Prepared . . . Are You Ready? by Joe Hahn
https://ccwsafe.com/blog/33788
Defenders And Disciples
https://defendersanddisciples.com/
Some interesting articles that you might find useful.
The What & the Why – Selecting an Instructor by Doug Larson
https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/the-what-the-why-selecting-an-instructor/
Excerpts:
". . . many so-called self-defense instructors do not know what
happens in a gunfight and what the proper responses are."
"So there are really two issues here:
The first is finding someone who has the skill and ability to teach, and
the second is finding someone who knows the subject matter."
May I invite your attention to the video titled,
"Reality Check Special Edition -- 2020 West Freeway Church of Christ Shooting"
at the web site,
https://www.frontsight.tv/
midway down the web page in the upper right corner of videos.
Brad Ackman talks about specific training standards.
[I notice Dr. Piazza refers to Front Sight as "Front Sight Resorts" as opposed
to "Front Sight Firearms Training Institute". Things change.]
---
When I took my first Driver's Education class in high school, we were
taught that all accidents are avoidable. I believed that for some time.
Then my paternal grandmother told me that that wasn't true. Her example
was being stopped at a traffic light and someone ramming you from behind.
So, I believed her for some time.
When I attended my first class at Front Sight, Brad told the story
of his mother who was stopped at a traffic light. Because she had left
space in front of her car when she stopped, and because she was paying
attention to her surroundings, in particular her rearview mirror, she saw
a car speeding toward her. So, she drove onto the sidewalk to get out of
his way. He rammed the car that was in front of her and pushed it into the
intersection, where another car T-boned it.
All collisions are avoidable, if you choose to pay attention and take
decisive action.
---
The church security team could have interdicted the bad guy in the parking
lot before he entered the building. They could have confronted the bad guy when
he got in the usher's face. They could have shot the bad guy when he presented
the shotgun. But, those things are not going to magically happen by getting a
concealed carry permit and a little training. It takes a lot of expert training
and dedicated practice.
---
How do you surreptitiously search the person in the parking lot?
Extend your right hand to shake hands.
If he takes your hand to shake, grip warmly and don't let go. Place your
left hand on his right hip to feel for a concealed weapon. If you feel a
pistol, hang onto his hand and ask him if he has a permit for it and ask to
see the permit. If he can't produce a permit, ask him to leave the pistol
in his car. Keep watching him. Be polite.
If he refuses to shake hands, ask him if he is carrying a weapon.
---
How do you interdict? Ask him a question. Ask another question based
on the response to the previous question. Dig deep for detail. Keep digging.
Watch for pre-assult cues.
---
Ya, there is a lot more. Got to get training to learn how to do these
things. Otherwise, . . .
Firearms Training Starts with Having the Right Attitude by Sheriff Jim Wilson
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2020/10/9/firearms-training-starts-with-having-the-right-attitude/
Excerpt:
"No, life isn’t fair. But that crook who is about to shoot you isn’t going to
be moved by your whining or your excuses. Get busy and get better — whatever it takes.
When you decide that you aren’t going to be a willing victim, you’ll develop a
fighting attitude and, more importantly, you’ll do what it takes to develop
the skills to make that happen."
---
I've got arthritis in my right big toe, a bone spur on my right heel (the asymmetry
has destroyed my gait, so I can't run), a right index finger (trigger finger) that
doesn't work very well, muscles between my right should and neck that are degenerating
(so I'm practicing carrying and shooting left handed), and eyes that are irreparable
under modern medicine.
under modern medicine.
If you don't figure out how to compensate for your disabilities, you become combat
ineffective. Then seniors will write things on your fitness report like, "Would not go
into combat with this Marine." But, who cares about fitness reports at this stage of life?
The real problem is that combat ineffective means you can't protect your loved ones.
So, ask for help and fix yourself. You have a responsibility.
In a previous blog post, I mentioned a lady that attended a class in South Carolina
who was missing both hands. She sought out help and became combat effective. She was
never disabled in the sense that she took care of the baby and cooked dinner just fine.
Zen and the Art of Not Shooting by Mark Luell
How often are you practicing not shooting your gun?
https://www.growingupguns.com/2015/10/17/zen-and-the-art-of-not-shooting/
Excerpt:
"If I’m ever asked in court, “Well, Mr. Mark, in all your years of gun training,
have you ever practiced NOT shooting when your gun comes out?”
I’d like to be able to answer yes."
Once you can shoot . . .
https://www.patreon.com/posts/43213970
Comparison to police is always dangerous. Police react. We, as protectors, prevent.
A big, significant difference. Police pursue and arrest, after the crime is done.
We, as sheepdogs, shoot to stop the attack, to prevent the attack. We don't have to wait
for a crime to occur. We only have to have a reasonable belief that death or serious injury
is imminent. Self defense is prevention, not retaliation.
"Training is NOT an event, but a process.
Training is the preparation FOR practice".
-- Claude Werner
----- Practice -----
Practice is the small deposits you make over time,
so that in an emergency, you can make that big withdrawal.
-- Chesley Burnett Sullenberger, III
Forty-Five Drill: Testing Your Defensive Handgun Training by Richard A. Mann
https://gundigest.com/more/how-to/firearm-training/forty-five-drill-testing-your-defensive-handgun-training
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
6 Best Self Defense Handgun Training Drills by Richard Mann
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2020/10/21/6-best-self-defense-handgun-training-drills/
"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
----- Techniques -----
"Use only that which works,
and take it from any place you can find it."
-- Bruce Lee
Immediate Action: The Easiest Way to Keep Your Gun Operational by Richard Mann
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2020/10/17/immediate-action-the-easiest-way-to-keep-your-gun-operational/
Mr. Mann recommends reloading instead of performing a type 3 (double feed) malfunction
clearing. As Bruce Lee says, hack away at the inessentials!
Skill Set: Control Drill by Tiger McKee
https://www.thetacticalwire.com/features/8f6d17bd-f079-440a-8337-098ca807f784
". . . in real life you won’t see the hit on the threat - they’re unlikely to
be standing still while you hit them. As I like to tell people, if you have to look
to see where the hit went you haven’t actually learned how to shoot. This is
assuming you’ve fired the weapon so you know it’s zeroed and rounds hit where you
intend."
"Any round that actually hits cardboard means you fired too fast (usually “too fast”
on pressing the trigger)."
[The presentation from holster to target is always fast. The trigger pressed is slowed
on long distance or small targets to improve accuracy. -- Jon Low]
"When you have to reload or clear a stoppage, do it at a speed that is
free of mistakes. Properly. Once the weapon is running again, regulate your speed
to ensure the next shot is a hit."
"Self-control begins on the range, but applies to other aspects of life too."
"Skill Set: Trigger Manipulation Pt. I" by Tiger McKee
https://www.thetacticalwire.com/features/4a6fe606-efd4-4852-8c51-0a7ec483fbdc
Excerpt:
"This technique – verbalization – works like magic.
The key is you have to say it out loud.
Just thinking it in your mind doesn’t work well,
especially in the beginning."
---
"Skill Set: Trigger Manipulation – Pt II" by Tiger McKee
https://www.thetacticalwire.com/features/ab021b8f-a9a5-4292-b197-d397f24a9423
---
Sight alignment, sight movie, and trigger control (achieving a surprise
trigger break) determine where the pistol is pointed when the firing pin hits
the primer. Follow through determines where the pistol is pointed when the
bullet exits the muzzle, a thousandth of a second later, which is more than
enough time to push the sights off the intended target (which means onto an
unintended target). You have to keep pressing the trigger and keep aiming
(bringing the sights back onto the target after recoil). Every shot should
have two sight pictures: one before you released the shot and one after
the follow though.
"Fall without breaking things" by The Tactical Professor (Claude Werner)
https://tacticalprofessor.wordpress.com/2020/10/06/fall-without-breaking-things/
Lewinski shoves Mr. Sapienza to the ground causing death by blunt force
trauma. Lewinski is arrested and charged with criminally negligent homicide.
Under New York law Lewinski is immediately released without bail. And if
convicted faces a maximum of 4 years in prison. (Lucky you don't live in New York.)
This is yet another reason to never carry in the 6 o'clock position,
small of the back carry. Even if you fall correctly, you can damage your spinal
column.
I once taught an elderly lady how to move across slippery ice. The techniques
were basically crawling: high crawl, low crawl, etc. She told me,
"I would never do that, it's undignified."
But, you've previously fallen and broken your hip.
In my classes, we always discuss how much abuse you are willing to tolerate
before you shoot the guy. As explained in the article, getting shoved to the
ground may be enough to kill you. I tell my students that I have decided that
I am not going to allow anyone to hit me. Because, at my age and health, I
know that I could die of internal bleeding.
"Well, that was just a superficial bruise. It wasn't life threatening."
That may be, but I reasonably believed that the attack would continue
to my death. So, I shot him.
"You could not have known that the attack would continue."
That may be true, but I can't predict the future nor read minds.
The law does not require me to sustain significant injury before responding.
The purpose of self defense is to prevent injury. Retaliation after the injury
is illegal. But, lethal force before (or during) the attack to prevent injury is
legal self defense. Of course, once you are incapacitated, you can't apply force.
You just lie there while the bad guys stomp you to death. So, you have to
ineffective. Then seniors will write things on your fitness report like, "Would not go
into combat with this Marine." But, who cares about fitness reports at this stage of life?
The real problem is that combat ineffective means you can't protect your loved ones.
So, ask for help and fix yourself. You have a responsibility.
In a previous blog post, I mentioned a lady that attended a class in South Carolina
who was missing both hands. She sought out help and became combat effective. She was
never disabled in the sense that she took care of the baby and cooked dinner just fine.
Zen and the Art of Not Shooting by Mark Luell
How often are you practicing not shooting your gun?
https://www.growingupguns.com/2015/10/17/zen-and-the-art-of-not-shooting/
Excerpt:
"If I’m ever asked in court, “Well, Mr. Mark, in all your years of gun training,
have you ever practiced NOT shooting when your gun comes out?”
I’d like to be able to answer yes."
Once you can shoot . . .
https://www.patreon.com/posts/43213970
Comparison to police is always dangerous. Police react. We, as protectors, prevent.
A big, significant difference. Police pursue and arrest, after the crime is done.
We, as sheepdogs, shoot to stop the attack, to prevent the attack. We don't have to wait
for a crime to occur. We only have to have a reasonable belief that death or serious injury
is imminent. Self defense is prevention, not retaliation.
"Training is NOT an event, but a process.
Training is the preparation FOR practice".
-- Claude Werner
----- Practice -----
Practice is the small deposits you make over time,
so that in an emergency, you can make that big withdrawal.
-- Chesley Burnett Sullenberger, III
Forty-Five Drill: Testing Your Defensive Handgun Training by Richard A. Mann
https://gundigest.com/more/how-to/firearm-training/forty-five-drill-testing-your-defensive-handgun-training
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
6 Best Self Defense Handgun Training Drills by Richard Mann
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2020/10/21/6-best-self-defense-handgun-training-drills/
"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
----- Techniques -----
"Use only that which works,
and take it from any place you can find it."
-- Bruce Lee
Immediate Action: The Easiest Way to Keep Your Gun Operational by Richard Mann
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2020/10/17/immediate-action-the-easiest-way-to-keep-your-gun-operational/
Mr. Mann recommends reloading instead of performing a type 3 (double feed) malfunction
clearing. As Bruce Lee says, hack away at the inessentials!
Skill Set: Control Drill by Tiger McKee
https://www.thetacticalwire.com/features/8f6d17bd-f079-440a-8337-098ca807f784
". . . in real life you won’t see the hit on the threat - they’re unlikely to
be standing still while you hit them. As I like to tell people, if you have to look
to see where the hit went you haven’t actually learned how to shoot. This is
assuming you’ve fired the weapon so you know it’s zeroed and rounds hit where you
intend."
"Any round that actually hits cardboard means you fired too fast (usually “too fast”
on pressing the trigger)."
[The presentation from holster to target is always fast. The trigger pressed is slowed
on long distance or small targets to improve accuracy. -- Jon Low]
"When you have to reload or clear a stoppage, do it at a speed that is
free of mistakes. Properly. Once the weapon is running again, regulate your speed
to ensure the next shot is a hit."
"Self-control begins on the range, but applies to other aspects of life too."
"Skill Set: Trigger Manipulation Pt. I" by Tiger McKee
https://www.thetacticalwire.com/features/4a6fe606-efd4-4852-8c51-0a7ec483fbdc
Excerpt:
"This technique – verbalization – works like magic.
The key is you have to say it out loud.
Just thinking it in your mind doesn’t work well,
especially in the beginning."
---
"Skill Set: Trigger Manipulation – Pt II" by Tiger McKee
https://www.thetacticalwire.com/features/ab021b8f-a9a5-4292-b197-d397f24a9423
---
Sight alignment, sight movie, and trigger control (achieving a surprise
trigger break) determine where the pistol is pointed when the firing pin hits
the primer. Follow through determines where the pistol is pointed when the
bullet exits the muzzle, a thousandth of a second later, which is more than
enough time to push the sights off the intended target (which means onto an
unintended target). You have to keep pressing the trigger and keep aiming
(bringing the sights back onto the target after recoil). Every shot should
have two sight pictures: one before you released the shot and one after
the follow though.
"Fall without breaking things" by The Tactical Professor (Claude Werner)
https://tacticalprofessor.wordpress.com/2020/10/06/fall-without-breaking-things/
Lewinski shoves Mr. Sapienza to the ground causing death by blunt force
trauma. Lewinski is arrested and charged with criminally negligent homicide.
Under New York law Lewinski is immediately released without bail. And if
convicted faces a maximum of 4 years in prison. (Lucky you don't live in New York.)
This is yet another reason to never carry in the 6 o'clock position,
small of the back carry. Even if you fall correctly, you can damage your spinal
column.
I once taught an elderly lady how to move across slippery ice. The techniques
were basically crawling: high crawl, low crawl, etc. She told me,
"I would never do that, it's undignified."
But, you've previously fallen and broken your hip.
In my classes, we always discuss how much abuse you are willing to tolerate
before you shoot the guy. As explained in the article, getting shoved to the
ground may be enough to kill you. I tell my students that I have decided that
I am not going to allow anyone to hit me. Because, at my age and health, I
know that I could die of internal bleeding.
"Well, that was just a superficial bruise. It wasn't life threatening."
That may be, but I reasonably believed that the attack would continue
to my death. So, I shot him.
"You could not have known that the attack would continue."
That may be true, but I can't predict the future nor read minds.
The law does not require me to sustain significant injury before responding.
The purpose of self defense is to prevent injury. Retaliation after the injury
is illegal. But, lethal force before (or during) the attack to prevent injury is
legal self defense. Of course, once you are incapacitated, you can't apply force.
You just lie there while the bad guys stomp you to death. So, you have to
apply the force before you get incapacitated.
So, the choice is yours, until you fail to make the choice. Because,
failing to choose is choosing to lose.
Gripping an auto-loading pistol correctly to reduce malfunctions by the Tactical Professor
https://tacticalprofessor.wordpress.com/2020/10/22/gripping-an-autoloading-pistol-correctly-to-reduce-malfunctions/
"increasing the tension in a shooter’s wrists"
That's one way to solve the problem.
Another way is to push with the firing side hand and pull with the support side hand.
This is difficult to do in an isosceles position. Easy to do in the Chapman version of
the Weaver position. Because the support side bicep can be used to pull.
I had written (because I had learned it from my betters) that one should carry a
flashlight strong enough to blind the enemy. Because if you can blind him, you might
not have to shoot him. Which is a big win for you.
Shining a bright light in the bad guy's eyes is not what will stop the fight.
The temporary blinding of your enemy is to give you time to access your weapon.
Just as the magician magically makes the coin appear out of nowhere, so you will make
your pistol appear. And because the enemy did not see you accessing your pistol,
you will be ahead (A technical term in the magic community, meaning the trick is
already done. You are now just waiting for the other guy to realize what happened.
You are ahead in time. You now have the choice of what to do, as opposed to reacting
to what the bad guy does.). You still have to be decisive. Your pistol will not
magically stop the fight; just as your flashlight did not magically stop the fight.
The bad guy might really want your girl, and he may be willing to risk getting shot
by your puny little pop gun. The bad guy may believe that he can take your pistol
and shove it up your ass. Or, shoot you with it. (It happens all the time, even
to cops.) So, you have to be decisive.
I was talking to a patient in the emergency room the other night. The police had
brought him in, and so had to watch him continuously. I gave the cop a bathroom break.
I asked the patient, didn't you know he had a gun? He said, ya, so what? He shot me
twice, but I still beat him. (Meaning the patient had beaten the victim to death.)
So, the patient knew the victim had a gun, and attacked anyway. The patient got shot
twice, and continued to attack. This is reality.
Some instructors teach, as the first step in the presentation,
Step to the side and yell "STOP!". Moving reduces the probability of you getting hit by about 40%.
(citation – Police Officer’s Safety Association lecture) Yelling, STOP! attracts attention,
which you want and the bad guy doesn’t want. If you don't practice yelling, “STOP”, who knows
what derogatory nonsense may come out of your mouth during a high stress situation. (Remember how
the Bible tells us to be careful of our tongues.)
I think this is wrong because:
It complicates the presentation. You have to keep things simple, especially in high stress
situations, as combat.
Talking is a high order intellectual activity. Most humans cannot talk and shoot at the same time.
So, shut up and think. As a civilian, if you have gone to your gun, you are far beyond verbal judo.
Your voice will betray your fear, which will embolden your enemy.
It's hard to hit your target when you're moving. Better to stay still, focus on the front sight,
and press the trigger for a surprise break.
Stepping to the side assumes that the enemy is aiming at you (to avoid hitting innocent bystanders).
This is a false assumption. Thinking that criminals think the way you think is a fatal mistake.
They will be spraying bullets in your general direction. So, it doesn't matter if your are here or there.
It doesn't change the probability of you getting hit, because you are not dodging aimed fire. This is
not infantry combat. (If you are fighting trained operators, that's a different situation. In that
case, moving makes sense. The Zetas, Mexican drug cartel, were founded by former Mexican Special Forces
and they continue to recruit from their former units. The Wagner group recruits from former Warsaw Pact
Special Forces. Blackwater recruited from former NATO Special Forces. Executive Action recruited from
South African and Rhodesian Special Forces.)
Thanks to Claude Werner, the Tactical Professor.
When doing the 360 degree scan to survey your surroundings after the lethal force incident,
I used to teach holding the pistol at the low ready.
Then a few years later I started teaching holding the pistol at a compressed ready
(close contact) position with a correct two handed grip and both forearms tight against the rib cage.
Because it would be harder for the enemy to grab your pistol.
Then a few years later, I was teaching the Sul position, because others were. Because, you
didn't want to be pointing at things around you. So, better to point it down in front of you.
Not satisfied with the Sul position because you only had one hand gripping the pistol,
I started teaching a retention Sul position, where the support side hand is on top of the pistol,
instead of under the pistol against the chest.
Then I read of the Los Angeles Police Department Metro Division using a cheek index
(Andy Sanford's book), which made sense because it kept both hands in the correct grip.
So, one did not have to change from the Sul position to the correct two handed grip.
So, I started teaching the cheek index. Now that's fine if you're a cop and you want everyone
to see that you have a gun. But, as a civilian, a lower profile would be better to avoid getting
shot by the cops.
So, now days, I teach a compressed ready position with the pistol pointed down at the ground
in front of you. It's an elbow rotation, not a wrist rotation. It's important to keep the wrists
straight to maintain a strong grip.
That's the problem with taking classes from other instructors. The best practices keep
changing. Because the thinking changes.
"[Guide] How to Grip a Pistol: Pictures & Video" by Eric Hung
https://www.pewpewtactical.com/how-to-grip-a-pistol/
I don't agree with bending the wrist. I think that weakens the grip. I think you should
have your wrists straight, which means your thumbs are pointing up, not forward. But, I might
be wrong. I often am. But, probably not this time, as Tom Givens teaches thumbs up, straight
wrists. Though an appeal to authority is a logical fallacy.
Trigger control --
Touch the trigger. - Just touch it to find out where it is. We are not on your favorite range
in pristine conditions. We are in awkward position, perhaps being thrown to the ground, or
tangled up in tables and chairs. We have snatched our pistol in a high stress situation.
So, it is unlikely that we have a perfect grip. We need to find out where the trigger is
relative to our hand.
Take the slack out of the trigger. - You have to know where the break dawn is. If you yank
through the slack, you won't get an accurate shot.
Press the trigger straight to the rear. - Smoothly increase pressure. Do not fire the pistol.
Just smoothly increase pressure while holding the sights on the target. The pistol will fire.
But, because you did not intentionally fire the shot, you will achieve a surprise trigger
break. Thus, defeating all of your autonomic nervous systems responses to the recoil and report.
A right handed shooter who scatters his rounds low left should recognize this as anticipating the
recoil and pushing against it. Left handed shooters who push against the anticipated recoil
will scatter low right. The surprise break will solve this problem. Because the bullet will
be out of the muzzle before any pushing occurs. Similarly for flinching, jerking, freezing,
closing your eyes, tensing up, etc. Because the brain does not know that the shot is being
released, any autonomic nervous system response will lag the firing of the shot by more than the
thousandth of a second necessary for the bullet to exit the muzzle. Signals traveling along
human nerves are electro-chemical signals that take on the order of 10ths of seconds. (At
least mine did the last time I was tested.)
Trap the trigger to the rear. - Keep pressing the trigger. Get the sights back on the
target. The recoil may have pushed the sights off the target. Sight alignment and sight
movie determine where the pistol is pointed when the firing pin hits the primer. Follow through
determines where the pistol is pointed when the bullet exits the muzzle, a thousandth of a
second later. More than enough time to move the sights completely off the target.
Reset the trigger. - Release the trigger just enough to hear and feel the click.
If your pistol does not have a distinct reset, it has a design flaw and should be replaced.
Maintain contact between your trigger finger and the trigger. A trigger finger flying off
the trigger after a shot is WRONG!
Take the slack out of the trigger. - Yes, there will be slack in the trigger after reset.
. . .
When your sights come off the target, your trigger finger moves to the register position.
Recoil Management For The Woman Shooter by Carrie Lightfoot
https://thewellarmedwoman.com/training-handling/recoil-management-for-the-woman-shooter/
The caption to the diagram says "equal and opposite force". This is false. The bullet
has enough force to punch a hole through you. The pistol does not.
The text says "equal and opposite energy". This is false. Total energy in a closed
system is theoretically conserved. But, kinetic energy is not. After the cartridge is fired,
the bullet has a huge amount of energy, the pistol has very little. That's why pistols are
effective tools.
The only thing that is "equal and opposite" is momentum, because mechanical momentum
on a macroscopic scale is conserved.
The way to control recoil is to push with the firing side hand and pull with the support
side hand. If your position does not allow you to do this, your position is wrong. That's
why Col. Cooper taught the Weaver position. If you don't understand this, take a class from
someone who does.
Skill Set: Verbal Commands by Tiger McKee
https://www.thetacticalwire.com/features/9d6b350f-5e32-4fda-8493-30825fab65b0
Issuing verbal commands is a good idea, if you can do it.
You have to have practiced it a lot to be able to do it.
If you don't practice, who knows what derogatory provoking nonsense will come out
So, the choice is yours, until you fail to make the choice. Because,
failing to choose is choosing to lose.
Gripping an auto-loading pistol correctly to reduce malfunctions by the Tactical Professor
https://tacticalprofessor.wordpress.com/2020/10/22/gripping-an-autoloading-pistol-correctly-to-reduce-malfunctions/
"increasing the tension in a shooter’s wrists"
That's one way to solve the problem.
Another way is to push with the firing side hand and pull with the support side hand.
This is difficult to do in an isosceles position. Easy to do in the Chapman version of
the Weaver position. Because the support side bicep can be used to pull.
I had written (because I had learned it from my betters) that one should carry a
flashlight strong enough to blind the enemy. Because if you can blind him, you might
not have to shoot him. Which is a big win for you.
Shining a bright light in the bad guy's eyes is not what will stop the fight.
The temporary blinding of your enemy is to give you time to access your weapon.
Just as the magician magically makes the coin appear out of nowhere, so you will make
your pistol appear. And because the enemy did not see you accessing your pistol,
you will be ahead (A technical term in the magic community, meaning the trick is
already done. You are now just waiting for the other guy to realize what happened.
You are ahead in time. You now have the choice of what to do, as opposed to reacting
to what the bad guy does.). You still have to be decisive. Your pistol will not
magically stop the fight; just as your flashlight did not magically stop the fight.
The bad guy might really want your girl, and he may be willing to risk getting shot
by your puny little pop gun. The bad guy may believe that he can take your pistol
and shove it up your ass. Or, shoot you with it. (It happens all the time, even
to cops.) So, you have to be decisive.
I was talking to a patient in the emergency room the other night. The police had
brought him in, and so had to watch him continuously. I gave the cop a bathroom break.
I asked the patient, didn't you know he had a gun? He said, ya, so what? He shot me
twice, but I still beat him. (Meaning the patient had beaten the victim to death.)
So, the patient knew the victim had a gun, and attacked anyway. The patient got shot
twice, and continued to attack. This is reality.
Some instructors teach, as the first step in the presentation,
Step to the side and yell "STOP!". Moving reduces the probability of you getting hit by about 40%.
(citation – Police Officer’s Safety Association lecture) Yelling, STOP! attracts attention,
which you want and the bad guy doesn’t want. If you don't practice yelling, “STOP”, who knows
what derogatory nonsense may come out of your mouth during a high stress situation. (Remember how
the Bible tells us to be careful of our tongues.)
I think this is wrong because:
It complicates the presentation. You have to keep things simple, especially in high stress
situations, as combat.
Talking is a high order intellectual activity. Most humans cannot talk and shoot at the same time.
So, shut up and think. As a civilian, if you have gone to your gun, you are far beyond verbal judo.
Your voice will betray your fear, which will embolden your enemy.
It's hard to hit your target when you're moving. Better to stay still, focus on the front sight,
and press the trigger for a surprise break.
Stepping to the side assumes that the enemy is aiming at you (to avoid hitting innocent bystanders).
This is a false assumption. Thinking that criminals think the way you think is a fatal mistake.
They will be spraying bullets in your general direction. So, it doesn't matter if your are here or there.
It doesn't change the probability of you getting hit, because you are not dodging aimed fire. This is
not infantry combat. (If you are fighting trained operators, that's a different situation. In that
case, moving makes sense. The Zetas, Mexican drug cartel, were founded by former Mexican Special Forces
and they continue to recruit from their former units. The Wagner group recruits from former Warsaw Pact
Special Forces. Blackwater recruited from former NATO Special Forces. Executive Action recruited from
South African and Rhodesian Special Forces.)
Thanks to Claude Werner, the Tactical Professor.
When doing the 360 degree scan to survey your surroundings after the lethal force incident,
I used to teach holding the pistol at the low ready.
Then a few years later I started teaching holding the pistol at a compressed ready
(close contact) position with a correct two handed grip and both forearms tight against the rib cage.
Because it would be harder for the enemy to grab your pistol.
Then a few years later, I was teaching the Sul position, because others were. Because, you
didn't want to be pointing at things around you. So, better to point it down in front of you.
Not satisfied with the Sul position because you only had one hand gripping the pistol,
I started teaching a retention Sul position, where the support side hand is on top of the pistol,
instead of under the pistol against the chest.
Then I read of the Los Angeles Police Department Metro Division using a cheek index
(Andy Sanford's book), which made sense because it kept both hands in the correct grip.
So, one did not have to change from the Sul position to the correct two handed grip.
So, I started teaching the cheek index. Now that's fine if you're a cop and you want everyone
to see that you have a gun. But, as a civilian, a lower profile would be better to avoid getting
shot by the cops.
So, now days, I teach a compressed ready position with the pistol pointed down at the ground
in front of you. It's an elbow rotation, not a wrist rotation. It's important to keep the wrists
straight to maintain a strong grip.
That's the problem with taking classes from other instructors. The best practices keep
changing. Because the thinking changes.
"[Guide] How to Grip a Pistol: Pictures & Video" by Eric Hung
https://www.pewpewtactical.com/how-to-grip-a-pistol/
I don't agree with bending the wrist. I think that weakens the grip. I think you should
have your wrists straight, which means your thumbs are pointing up, not forward. But, I might
be wrong. I often am. But, probably not this time, as Tom Givens teaches thumbs up, straight
wrists. Though an appeal to authority is a logical fallacy.
Trigger control --
Touch the trigger. - Just touch it to find out where it is. We are not on your favorite range
in pristine conditions. We are in awkward position, perhaps being thrown to the ground, or
tangled up in tables and chairs. We have snatched our pistol in a high stress situation.
So, it is unlikely that we have a perfect grip. We need to find out where the trigger is
relative to our hand.
Take the slack out of the trigger. - You have to know where the break dawn is. If you yank
through the slack, you won't get an accurate shot.
Press the trigger straight to the rear. - Smoothly increase pressure. Do not fire the pistol.
Just smoothly increase pressure while holding the sights on the target. The pistol will fire.
But, because you did not intentionally fire the shot, you will achieve a surprise trigger
break. Thus, defeating all of your autonomic nervous systems responses to the recoil and report.
A right handed shooter who scatters his rounds low left should recognize this as anticipating the
recoil and pushing against it. Left handed shooters who push against the anticipated recoil
will scatter low right. The surprise break will solve this problem. Because the bullet will
be out of the muzzle before any pushing occurs. Similarly for flinching, jerking, freezing,
closing your eyes, tensing up, etc. Because the brain does not know that the shot is being
released, any autonomic nervous system response will lag the firing of the shot by more than the
thousandth of a second necessary for the bullet to exit the muzzle. Signals traveling along
human nerves are electro-chemical signals that take on the order of 10ths of seconds. (At
least mine did the last time I was tested.)
Trap the trigger to the rear. - Keep pressing the trigger. Get the sights back on the
target. The recoil may have pushed the sights off the target. Sight alignment and sight
movie determine where the pistol is pointed when the firing pin hits the primer. Follow through
determines where the pistol is pointed when the bullet exits the muzzle, a thousandth of a
second later. More than enough time to move the sights completely off the target.
Reset the trigger. - Release the trigger just enough to hear and feel the click.
If your pistol does not have a distinct reset, it has a design flaw and should be replaced.
Maintain contact between your trigger finger and the trigger. A trigger finger flying off
the trigger after a shot is WRONG!
Take the slack out of the trigger. - Yes, there will be slack in the trigger after reset.
. . .
When your sights come off the target, your trigger finger moves to the register position.
Recoil Management For The Woman Shooter by Carrie Lightfoot
https://thewellarmedwoman.com/training-handling/recoil-management-for-the-woman-shooter/
The caption to the diagram says "equal and opposite force". This is false. The bullet
has enough force to punch a hole through you. The pistol does not.
The text says "equal and opposite energy". This is false. Total energy in a closed
system is theoretically conserved. But, kinetic energy is not. After the cartridge is fired,
the bullet has a huge amount of energy, the pistol has very little. That's why pistols are
effective tools.
The only thing that is "equal and opposite" is momentum, because mechanical momentum
on a macroscopic scale is conserved.
The way to control recoil is to push with the firing side hand and pull with the support
side hand. If your position does not allow you to do this, your position is wrong. That's
why Col. Cooper taught the Weaver position. If you don't understand this, take a class from
someone who does.
Skill Set: Verbal Commands by Tiger McKee
https://www.thetacticalwire.com/features/9d6b350f-5e32-4fda-8493-30825fab65b0
Issuing verbal commands is a good idea, if you can do it.
You have to have practiced it a lot to be able to do it.
If you don't practice, who knows what derogatory provoking nonsense will come out
of your mouth.
(Sorry, that's just reality.)
If you don't practice, you will lose control of the situation and be unable to shoot.
Talking is a high order intellectual activity. For most of us, it is impossible to shoot and
talk at the same time. (I once knew a girl, Larry [short for Loraine], who could carry on a
conversation while shooting tight groups. She was unusual to put it mildly.) That's why we
are taught to ask the disturbed person a question and attempt the disarming when he starts
to answer the question. Or, in a hostage situation, ask, "What do you want?" and then shot
bad guy in the head when he starts to answer.
It's hard to shoot while talking, but it's real easy to get shot while talking. Talking
causes a huge reaction time delay.
Tips on How to Conceal Your Handgun by Richard Nance
https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/tips-on-how-to-conceal-your-handgun/385188
Excerpt:
"As the good guy, the element of surprise is one of the few advantages you have
should you be attacked. Don’t blow it with a haphazard attempt at concealing your defensive handgun."
"It's not daily increase but daily decrease - hack away at the inessentials!"
-- Bruce Lee
----- Tactics -----
How do you win a gunfight?
Don't be there.
-- John Farnam
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In last month's newsletter, I posted --
"Contact Distance Shooting . . . Rescuing a Friend or Family Member" by Greg Ellifritz
http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/contact-distance-shooting-rescuing-a-friend-or-family-member
Ralph Mroz teaches to grab and lock up with the good guy, so you are moving with him,
and then shoot the bad guy.
---
Ralph sent me an email saying --
Jon -
Thanks for the mention, but I learned this tactic at Tactical Defense
Institute, in a class that had John Benner and Greg Ellifritz teaching.
I don't know which of them developed it. If I've ever written about it
without giving credit to them, it was a mistake.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cover and Concealment [TACTICS] by Taylor
https://defendersanddisciples.com/use-of-cover-and-concealment/
Excerpt:
"Unless you practice and vet your tactics and skills regularly, you cannot trust them."
What a great 12 second video explaining "stand-off" cover. This is why the
guys shooting the IDPA matches who crowd cover are tactically wrong, and will get
themselves shot in combat. This is a horrible training scar.
Do not fire warning shots. You won’t be on a multi-million dollar
range with berms to catch your bullets.
Any bullet you shoot up into the air will come down with near equal
speed on an innocent’s head. (Earth's gravitational field is a conservative
field. Ya, I know there is air friction. But, the bullet only has to go
400 feet per second to penetrate skin. And your bullet is going to be
going much faster than that.)
Any bullet you shoot down into the ground will ricochet off the concrete
sidewalk, asphalt road, or rock in the ground and hit an innocent
bystander or you.
Do not shoot to wound. Always shoot to the center of mass, because
this gives you the highest probability of a hit. (Hitting your intended
target in a high stress situation is a low probability event.) Aiming
for an arm or leg reduces your probability of a hit to near zero. Which
means you will hit something that you don’t want to, destroying property
and injuring bystanders, maybe killing them.
A letter to the American public: Why ‘shoot them in the leg’ is not an effective strategy
https://www.police1.com/officer-shootings/articles/a-letter-to-the-american-public-why-shoot-them-in-the-leg-is-not-an-effective-strategy-UOXIOH6n4pwJFmyf/
Shooting to center of mass in a lethal force encounter is a low probability event.
Aiming one's shots to hit a leg or arm is a zero probability event. Which means the
shooter will be hitting unintended targets.
Vice President Joe Biden is an idiot, as is anyone who would advocate such.
You win gunfights by not getting shot.
-- John Holschen
----- Education -----
"Cogito, ergo armatum sum." (I think, therefore armed am I.)
-- John Farnam
Bought a Gun? – Read a Book by Rich Grassi
https://www.shootingwire.com/features/2c6d52e2-7eb8-4171-85f0-98b748dfa52b
Gun Digest’s 10 Best Shooting Drills And Firearms Training Posts by Gun Digest Editors
https://gundigest.com/more/how-to/firearm-training/gun-digests-10-best-shooting-drills-and-firearms-training-posts
This article has links to 10 other articles that I found worth reading.
Civil Unrest & Houses of Worship: Preparing for Protests and Demonstrations
by Michael Mann Security Services
https://youtu.be/x4K2eI--AQA
Videos,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joPw7dgdmKA&list=PLDvxJM6mdzwbOnKiPhNTelDjegr_n28YC
Text articles,
https://michaelmannsecurityservices.com/articles/
Podcasts,
https://michaelmannsecurityservices.com/podcast-2/
Webinars,
https://michaelmannsecurityservices.com/videos/
RECOIL TV
https://videos.recoilweb.com/pages/discover/d/home
Lots of educational stuff.
Concealed Carry Lecture Series by John Murphy
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkL2g0uY2GSduhVBwzGL2ROyN-TSdDGLq
Worth watching again. I met him at Tac Con and took his class. Very competent.
Mas Ayoob and Marty Hayes, have produced an excellent video on the subject
of strategies for effectively dealing with mob violence.
https://youtu.be/tj7suPt9nHE
Hat tip to John Farnam.
The situation is much more difficult for the good guy, than the bad guy.
Because, you, the good guy, don't want to shoot the innocent bystanders. And
it may be impossible to distinguish bad guys from innocents.
Strategic withdrawal is not cowardice. Retreat is not surrender.
Farnam says, don't go to stupid places. Any riot is a stupid place. Thinking
that a protest will not turn into a riot is naive, to put it politely.
An excellent reason to deactivate your air bags and fuel cut off. You
don't want to get stuck.
Eye and ear protection as always. You vehicle glass will shatter into your eyes.
Firing in a closed car is deafening.
That's a real problem with Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network. They
decide whether or not what you did was self defense. So, you may have loyally
paid for years, but if they don't think you were righteous they don't pay anything.
It doesn't matter what you think. There is no mechanism to force them to pay.
You think that's bad, USCCA is worse.
USCCA Sued in Federal Court: Refused to Cover Platinum Member?
https://lawofselfdefense.com/uscca-sued-in-federal-court-refused-to-cover-platinum-member/
As Andrew Branca says,
"If, however, the “self-defense insurance” provider you’ve spent years
paying, reserves to right to DECLINE to cover you, at THEIR discretion, in
the ABSENCE of any apparent qualifications to make such an assessment, and
even worse WITHOUT prior notice to their members that they intend to reserve
the option to apply this condition, ambush-style — well, then what the heck
have you been paying for all those years?"
All kinds of gun books from Gun Digest (this link should get you a 20% discount)
https://www.gundigeststore.com/?coupon-code=heaters&utm_source=bm23&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Get+20%25+off+Button&utm_content=Is+that+a+pistol+in+your+pocket+or...?&utm_campaign=W3-1+-+Sunday+Relationship+Email+%2B+Store+Offer
"You will never get smarter or broaden your horizons
if you're unwilling to learn from others and read."
-- Becca Martin
***** ***** ***** Hardware (which includes you) ***** ***** *****
"I would like to see every
woman know how to handle
guns as naturally as they
know how to handle babies."
-- Annie Oakley
----- Gear -----
“Mission drives the gear train.”
-- Pat Rogers
Body Armor for Armed Citizens by Greg Ellifritz
https://www.activeresponsetraining.net/the-definitive-body-armor-qa
Why I Don’t Carry an Expandable Baton by Greg Ellifritz
https://www.activeresponsetraining.net/why-i-dont-carry-an-expandable-baton
Greg recommends against carrying a telescoping baton for civilian concealed carry
for several good reasons. In Tennessee, one needs training and certification to legally
carry and use a baton. Even though I have such, I would never carry a baton off duty.
It's just too difficult to conceal.
Greg recommends pepper spray. I think that's great if you're not too suseptible.
The reason I don't carry pepper spray is that I am very sensitive to it (at age 61,
not so much when I was in my 20's). I used to be able to operate after inhaling CS gas,
well into my 40's. Can't do it anymore. Now days I get blinded and can't breathe.
Similarly for pepper spray. So, I don't carry it. Because when it gets blown back
into my face, I'm incapacitated. A man's got to know his limits.
"Free women do not ask permission to bear arms."
-- Good Patriot [https://www.goodpatriot.com]
“A Rusty Rod” by John Farnam
https://defense-training.com/a-rusty-rod/
Clean your gun! Even if it looks clean. Even if you haven't shot it
since the last time you cleaned it. Because lint and dust will accumulate,
causing problems with your trigger mechanism. Because gunk (carbon, oil,
dust, lint, sand, dirt, etc.) will magically appear and cause malfunctions.
As the Kimber owner's manual says, "Rust is neglect."
How to Concealed Carry With a Belly Band Holster by Wendy LaFever
https://www.nrawomen.com/content/how-to-concealed-carry-with-a-belly-band-holster/
Excerpt:
". . . and don’t forget just how well a busy pattern can fool the eye."
Why Hollow Points Are The Only Option For Self-Defense by Joshua Gillem
https://www.concealedcarry.com/gear/why-hollow-points-are-the-only-option-for-self-defense/
Mr. Gillem gives cogent arguments for his opinion. I don't agree.
But, we must keep an open mind. I may be wrong. I often am.
Why you should use copper jacketed round nose ammunition for combat
(self defense is combat):
1. Feeding and chambering are more important than terminal ballistics.
The gun must go BANG! when you pull the trigger. Copper jacketed round
nose bullets feed and chamber more reliably than any other bullet type.
Remember Murphy's Law, anything that can go wrong will go wrong,
at the worst possible time. So, we must strive to make our weapon system
so that nothing can go wrong.
[Internal ballistics is what happens as the bullet accelerates from chamber to muzzle.
External ballistics is what happens as the bullet free falls from muzzle to target.
Terminal ballistics is what happens as the bullet decelerates inside the target.]
2. Copper jacketed round nose bullets give you deeper penetration.
You may need the penetration to shoot through protective clothing (body armor,
leather jackets, etc.), body parts (arms, ribs, etc.), or other objects
(doors, car doors, car windshields, etc.) to reach a vital organ to stop
the attack. [Yes, as a matter of fact, you can penetrate many of the
commercially available soft body armors. Police officer, Gregory Stevens,
who stopped the Jihadist attack in Garland, TX, penetrated the Jihadi's
body armor with his standard issue service pistol.]
Statistically speaking, over-penetration is not a problem (citation Massad Ayoobs's
MAG-20 class). It just doesn't happen often enough for us to be concerned about it.
On the other hand, 41% of bullets fired by police in the line of duty shootings
that hit humans did not expand (citation Ralph Mroz' Police Officer Safety Association
class).
3. Another reason you may need deep penetration is that you may
not be shooting at a human.
A friend of mine in Charleston, SC had to shoot a dog that jumped
over a fence and attacked him. He fired 5 copper jacketed round nose
bullets from a 5 inch barrel model 1911. None of the bullets exited the dog.
Without deep penetration, you are not going to reach a vital organ in a
large dog. Look at how a dog's head is shaped. Putting a round into a
dog's brain is extremely difficult. Look at how a dog's rib cage is shaped.
You're going to need deep penetration to break the bones to get to a vital
organ.
If you are hunting an animal, you can sneak up to get that flanking
view for that heart-lung shot. But, if the animal is attacking you,
you only have a front view.
You may be shooting to stop a vehicle. Hey, don't discount it as
improbable. All kinds of crazy things happen in combat. Front windshields
are very difficult to penetrate.
I often work in the emergency room of hospitals. We get lots of
dog bites. We don't get many gun shot wounds. So, my statistically
insignificant anecdotal sample causes me to believe that having to shoot
a dog is much more likely than having to shoot a person.
Creedmoor 5.56 NATO 75 Gr HPBT Ammunition In LC [Lake City, I assume] Brass
https://www.creedmoorsports.com/product/creedmoor-5-point-56-nato-75-grain-hpbt-ammunition-in-lc-brass/creedmoor
Use code "FREESHIP" for free shipping.
The TWAW Slide Spider (to help with racking the slide)
https://thewellarmedwoman.com/product/the-twaw-slide-spider/
use promo code TWAW for $10 off your purchase
Red Dot Sight Buyer’s Guide by Forrest Cooper
https://www.recoilweb.com/red-dot-sight-buyers-guide-162797.html
Age, genetics, injury, etc. degrade my vision. Red dot sights really help.
Recoil magazine promo code,
RECOILSURVEY
-- good for 20% OFF at
https://www.gundigeststore.com/
Get Free Shipping when you load your cart up with orders over $59.
Where Can I Find Ammunition Online? by Maureen P. Sangiorgio
https://www.nrawomen.com/content/where-can-i-find-ammunition-online/
If My Gun Can Run Dirty, Why Must I Clean It? by Becky Yackley
https://www.nrawomen.com/content/if-my-gun-can-run-dirty-why-must-i-clean-it/
Step-By-Step Instructions to Clean Your Handgun, Rifle and Shotgun by Becky Yackley
https://www.nrawomen.com/content/step-by-step-instructions-to-clean-your-handgun-rifle-and-shotgun/
4 Must-Have Concealed Carry Upgrades (2020) by Elwood Shelton
https://gundigest.com/handguns/concealed-carry/4-concealed-carry-upgrades
Grips
Magazine Holder
Night Sights
Gun Belt
I agree, except for the night sights.
If you've got enough light on the target to positively identify your target,
you've got enough light to silhouette your iron sights on the target.
If you don't have enough light / contrast to see your sights against your target,
then you don't have enough light to positively identify your target and should not be
shooting at it in the first place.
So, tritium glowing sights are really a solution looking for a problem.
Another problem with using the tritium vials to aim your pistol is that they
may not give you the same point of impact as the silhouette of your iron sights.
Having two different sighting systems on your weapon system is wrong.
CCW Weekend: This Is How To Maintain A Magazine Because You Need To Maintain A Magazine
https://dailycaller.com/2020/10/17/ccw-weekend-this-is-how-to-maintain-a-magazine-because-you-need-to-maintain-a-magazine/
Excerpt:
". . . eventually the metal deforms and loses strength."
[If the spring deforms, it is being stretched or compressed beyond its elastic limit.
Which is a design flaw. What I think the author means is the compression cycles cause
the spring to fatigue. This means work hardening of the metal, which leads to cracks
and breaking. If you let the spring rust, it will crack and break much sooner. -- Jon Low]
Concealed Carry for Women of All Body Types by Carrie Lightfoot
https://thewellarmedwoman.com/concealed-carry/concealed-carry-for-women-of-all-body-types/
---
Kristin Benton asks, should your gun have a safety?
Evan Daire's response --
So my explanation for this usually depends on how much time I have.
If I’m really short on time I typically explain it as — and this is especially effective
to long gun shooters that are new to handguns -
Basically all rifles and shotguns have a safety. This is because there is absolutely nothing
covering the trigger guard. If you are out in the woods, or in law enforcement and military
roles carrying the rifle, it’s not impossible for a foreign object, some piece of gear or a
tree branch or something, to get into the trigger guard. In our use, it may be that it’s
1 am and you just grabbed at it at night because you heard a bump.
Handguns on the other hand, are almost always stored IN something. Be it a holster,
or a safe. The trigger can’t even be reached until you have taken it out. Basically the
holster or the safe IS the safety. So therefore handguns don’t necessarily need a safety.
Now I’m not going to say you should or shouldn’t have one, but it does add one more
complication that you need to deal with in an emergency, so you must train with it if you
pick a manual safety.
If I have a long time I’ll go into DASA (double action on first shot, single action
on subsequent shots), vs SAO (single action only), vs striker.
With DA (double action) essentially being the safety because the trigger pull is so deliberate
[long heavy trigger press -- Jon Low].
But you really need to practice that first shot because it will be more challenging.
SAO has a very light trigger, but because it’s so light these guns MUST have safeties on them
to be carried safely.
Striker is kinda an in between. It’s currently the most popular because it’s the simplest.
Some people feel the striker fired trigger is heavy enough by itself. Others do still think
it’s too light and want a safety.
I don’t go down that rabbit hole unless I have a lot of time to demonstrate the triggers though.
And they thoroughly understand that the safety rules are truly what’s more important
regardless of their choice.
Jon Low's response --
I have read many reports where the good person was not able to fire the pistol
because the person failed to defeat the safety. It's a lack of training and practice
that is common among the self-defense community. So, eliminating this feature / bug
in pistol design is progress. Because Murphy's Law says that anything that can go wrong,
will go wrong, at the worst possible time. So, we must eliminate anything that can
go wrong in our weapon system.
---
Flashbang Bra Holster Review by Melody Lauer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXluce4xdgg
An in depth review.
Purse Carry is the Worst Carry: Part 1 by Melody Lauer
https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/purse-carry-worst-carry-part-1/
Purse Carry Part 2: Shooting Through Purses by Melody Lauer
https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/purse-carry-part-2-shooting-purse/
There is all kinds of stupidity on the internet. Please read these articles
so you don't get misled by the nonsense espoused by people who don't know.
Suarez Street Comp 43
https://vimeo.com/395729907
Gabe Suarez is advocating a compensator on your carry pistol.
I think that is a terrible idea. A mugger is not going to attack
you from across the parking log. He's going to get up close first.
So, you will be shooting from a close contact position, to prevent
him from grabbing your pistol. A compensator will throw hot gas
and particulate matter up into your eyes.
But, as my girlfriend says, "That's a terrible idea. What time?"
“Your car is not a holster.”
– Pat Rogers
----- Technical -----
"Real fights are short."
-- Bruce Lee
"Fit versus Feel -- No, they’re not the same thing . . . " by Massad Ayoob
https://gunsmagazine.com/discover/fit-versus-feel/
Pros and Cons of Red Dot Sights by Memphis Beech
https://www.facebook.com/groups/CitizensSafety/permalink/833225554081376/
A detailed in depth look at red dot sights. Definitely worth the time to read.
Why you should NEVER rechamber the same AR-15 round twice by Caleb
http://preparedgunowners.com/2015/09/17/why-you-should-never-rechamber-the-same-ar-15-round-twice/
Excerpt:
"Once a round has been chambered, DO NOT RE-CHAMBER IT for duty use.
Do NOT re-chamber it again, except for training. This is CRITICAL!!!" -- DocGKR
The article also cites and reprints a U.S. ARMY “Maintenance Advisory Message”
recommending that the same rounds not be repeatedly chambered.
This article applies to all magazine fed firearms.
"Ammo 101: The 4 Parts Of A Cartridge" by Jonathan Kilburn
https://www.pewpewtactical.com/ammo-101-parts-cartridge/
How a Glock Works
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2RDitgCaD0
How a gun (Colt M1911) works! (Animation)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjQrhDKDWFk
When I was the battalion armorer for 1st Radio Battalion, 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade,
Fleet Marine Force Pacific, we were trained by 1st BSSG (Brigade Service Support Group). There,
we learned that modern firearms use smokeless powder (Smokeless powder is not smokeless. It does
create smoke, the product of the chemical reaction. “Smokeless powder” is just the American
generic name for modern firearm propellants.), which is a nitrocellulose-nitroglycerin compound,
which is a propellant, not an explosive. When ignited, it burns fast, creating a large volume
of hot gas that pushes the bullet through the barrel. There is no supersonic detonation shock wave
as with explosives. This is good because the detonation shock wave damages the firearm, eventually
making the firearm unserviceable.
Older firearms used black power, which is an explosive. This means that upon ignition there
is a supersonic detonation shock wave. It is still the large volume of hot expanding gas that
pushes the bullet through the barrel, not the shock wave.
The primer is an explosive. It is a pressure sensitive stable explosive. The primer is so
small that it does not create a significant detonation shock wave in the cartridge. It just
creates a flame that ignites the smokeless powder.
Why Not All Magazine Components Are Compatible by George Harris
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2020/10/11/why-not-all-magazine-components-are-compatible/
"The shorter the fight, the less hurt you get."
-- John Holschen
***** ***** ***** 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 Instructor’s Burden by Justin
https://swiftsilentdeadly.com/the-instructors-burden/
Excerpts:
Have I prepared myself for class?
Am I prepared for student questions?
Am I willing to stay late or come in early?
I love it when I get emails asking, "Okay, Staff, so what was the point?"
The story about me teaching the elderly lady was to point out that she is one of
the 5 million first time guy owners since the start of the pandemic and the rioting.
(Citation: National Shooting Sports Foundation.)
They are not the type of person you meet at the Tactical Conference or at any of
the big gun schools. And she cannot be treated as you would a student at Tac Con or
a prestigious gun school. For suggestions on how to treat them, see the following
article by John Correia.
"Four Tenets of Teaching a First Time Gun Owner" by John Correia
https://www.recoilweb.com/four-tenets-of-teaching-new-shooters-162900.html
Massad Ayoob says many people cannot afford training, cannot afford to take
time off from work to attend training, cannot afford to travel to get the training,
so you should feel the duty to teach them.
The paragraph on my aiming protocol was just to mention a concept that some of
you might not be familiar with. Combat is never as pristine as your air conditioned
carpeted range, where waiters bring you drinks and hors d'oeuvres (this is my
sister in Austin, TX; no waiter service at my range, though Tony and Chris do feed
us lunch after a range work day). So, you had better have prepared for suboptimal
circumstances. And you should be teaching your students to prepare for combat
situations, when they are in awkward positions (because they stumbled or were thrown
to the ground), holding things that they just can't drop (as a baby), can't see very
well (got their glasses knocked off or something thrown in their face), can't hear
anything (auditory exclusion), tunnel vision, injured, etc. Because, if you've never
considered it, much less prepared for it, it's going to be difficult to figure it
out in combat. But, if you've at least considered it, thought about it, visualized it;
you've got a good chance of handling the situation without panicking. If you've
actually practiced protocols for suboptimal conditions, you've got an excellent
chance of avoiding panic.
Stay in your lane. Only teach material that you have expertise in. If your course
covers stuff that you lack expertise in, bring in experts to teach that portion of the
course. In our Defensive Pistol course, we use Andrew Branca's live online Law of Self Defense
class for the law section; we use Bob Allens's Home Defense class for the Simunitions
force-on-force section; we use Bill Hayes' class for the video simulator judgment exercises;
we use one of the local IDPA or IPSC club shoots for the tactical exercises; we use Jason Rader
and Josh Black's class on Tactical Emergency Casualty Care. You can't do everything well.
And there is no need to. Use others. Good leaders delegate authority and assume responsibility.
Don't attempt to micro-manage. Trust your instructors to do their job.
I've got certificates that say I'm competent to teach all kinds of things, and
I have in the past, but I don't anymore. Because I realized that I was doing my students
a disservice. So, now I only teach a small section of self defense, in particular
civilian concealed carry of pistols for self defense. This may seem to be a very narrow subject,
but it is in fact a vast field of study.
I refer my students (and inquiries) to others for shotgun, carbine, pepper spray,
baton, knife, submachinegun, etc.
Even in my part-time some-time job, I will only teach mechanics and electromagnetism,
and only at the introductory level in the physics departments (even though I've done
research in other fields). [I know it's hard to believe, but Middle Tennessee State
University and others sometimes use me as an adjunct professor.]
In the math departments, I'll teach analysis, but won't teach algebra (even though I've done
a lot of research in finite fields and Galois Theory), because I don't spend the time keeping
up with the latest developments. And teaching stuff that is obsolete / wrong is the epitome
of "bad teacher". Yes, of course, there are honest mistakes. But, if you are not attending
the colloquia and conferences to know (and understand) what is going on at the cutting edge
(bleeding edge) of research, you can't intelligently answer your student's questions.
The stuff in text books is 20 years old, because that's how long it takes to get into a
textbook. The stuff in the peer reviewed journals is about 5 years old, because that's
how long it takes the peer review process (if the journal is legitimate). Anything more
recent requires attendance at conferences or colloqia.
The stuff in the "science" magazines may be recent, but it's usually false.
Fake news isn't just in the political realm. Remember cold fusion?
What you teach will determine whether or not your student survives the gunfight.
Your student's family is betting their future on what you are teaching.
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
----- Pedagogy -----
"The most valuable resource that all teachers have is each other.
Without collaboration, our growth is limited to our own perspectives."
-- Robert John Meehan
Tom Givens is always encouraging his people by word and example to take courses
from other instructors. When I was teaching at Front Sight (decades ago), the
Director of Training, Brad Ackman, would take classes from other gun schools to bring
the best practices back to us.
Fighting the Fight You’re Given by Matt Graham (interviewer David Reeder)
https://www.recoilweb.com/preview-matt-graham-62707.html
Excerpt:
M.G.: My wife is an English teacher, so by default that makes me anti-semantic.
Training might show you how — teaching will show you why. I believe there is a huge
difference between the two, and the distinction that I make is that a teacher has a
vested interest in your learning. A teacher engages you, finds your needs, and
teaches to you, the student, at the place where you are.
Teach positive. Teach what to do. Don't talk about what not to do.
-- John Farnam
TARGET BASED BEHAVIORAL CONDITIONING by Trevor Thrasher
https://www.breachbangclear.com/target-based-behavioral-conditioning/
Excerpt:
"There are several options, but standing, commanding, and taking deliberate
aim is generally the wrong thing to condition."
Still Training After All These Years by Marcus Wynne
https://marcuswynne.com/still-training-after-all-these-years/
Excerpt:
"When you are in the business of saving lives, and saving lives via training,
take your work seriously. But never take yourself seriously while doing it.
Your ego will kill your effectiveness as an instructor and, possibly, one of your students."
“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
A young (at my age, everyone is young) lady flew in from the Portland, Oregon
area for a few days of training. (She told me how bad it was in Portland.)
I usually face the right handed students and perform the manipulations left handed,
so they can see me while keeping their pistols pointed down range. But, she was
left handed. It was such a pleasure to be able to perform the manipulations right
handed as she mirrored my actions.
She was not able to execute some of the lower positions due to flexibility
constraints and anatomical proportions. That's why it is so important that you
know and are able to teach several techniques to achieve any given task. Everyone
is different. Some students will not be able to perform a given technique,
so you must have an alternative for them. You can't just skip over it and say
don't worry about it. Because they will worry about it.
She had never operated, field stripped, nor cleaned some of the firearms
that she used. So, it took a lot of time. Be patient. Allot the time, spend
the time. Yes, time is invaluable. Yes, your time is money. But, all that
pales in comparison to the student's knowledge. Because, if she leaves without
knowing how to do the things you are teaching; you, as an instructor, have failed.
Instructors, be professional, maintain professional distance from your students.
Be objective towards your students. If you are sleeping with someone in the class,
no one in the class should even suspect it.
Thought For The Day by Marcus Wynne
https://marcuswynne.com/thought-for-the-day-2/
An instructor should not expect any learning to take
place the first time new information is presented.
-- "Building Shooters" by Dustin Solomon
***** ***** ***** Legal, Political, and Philosophical ***** ***** *****
"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
Concealed carry law seminar
https://blackwingsc.com/concealed-carry-law-seminar/
These classes are given periodically. Can't go wrong for $20 and 2 hours.
John Farnam cites some highlights of the Democrat Party Platform, particularly page 47.
"Page 47" by John Farnam
https://defense-training.com/page-47/
"I know not what course others may take, but as for me,
give me liberty or give me death."
-- Patrick Henry
Michael Mann did a video on insurance and pre-paid legal plans for church security teams.
https://www.facebook.com/122547545813979/videos/785147812284872/
Lots of good information at
https://www.facebook.com/SafeWithMann/videos/?ref=page_internal
The Falco holster company
https://www.falcoholsters.com/blog/general
has some interesting blog postings, such as,
Guide to Open and Concealed Carry Laws Across the Nation
https://www.falcoholsters.com/blog/guide-to-open-and-concealed-carry-laws-across-the-nation
USCCA’S CONCEALED CARRY RECIPROCITY MAP & GUN LAWS BY STATE
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/
"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 of the Constitution of the United States of America
The word "regulated" does not mean "regulated by the government".
In context and time period, the word is used as a verb, not an adjective.
Its meaning is as definition 3 of "regulate" in the Random House Dictionary,
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/regulate?s=t
Or, as definition 3 in the American Heritage Dictionary,
https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=regulate
The colonial militias were never subordinate to the governments.
Unfortunately, many intellectually dishonest federal judges willfully
misinterpret the plain English text. The plain English text of the Second
Amendment clearly enforces the right of the "people" to keep and bear arms,
not the right of the "militia" to keep and bear arms.
"Some have made the argument, bordering on the frivolous, that only those
arms in existence in the 18th century are protected by the Second Amendment.
We do not interpret constitutional rights that way. Just as the First Amendment
protects modern forms of communication . . . and the Fourth Amendment applies
to modern forms of search . . . the Second Amendment extends, prima facie, to
all instruments that constitute bearable arms, even those that were not in
existence at the time of the founding."
-- Justice Antonin Scalia, District of Columbia v. Heller
Knife Laws and Regulations of All 50 States
https://www.shtfblog.com/knife-laws-and-regulations-of-all-50-states/
In Tennessee, there is no such thing as an illegal knife.
UNDERSTANDING THE GRAND JURY’S DECISION IN THE BREONNA TAYLOR CASE
https://www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/understanding-the-grand-jurys-decision-in-the-breonna-taylor-case/
Excerpt:
"The law essentially says, “You don’t have to be right, you have to be reasonable.” "
Miss Taylor violated Farnam's rule: "Don't hang out with stupid people."
Stupid people includes all active criminals. Especially, drug dealers / addicts. Dave Ramsey says drug
addicts steal 100% of the time and lie 100% of the time.
The police violated our safety rule: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET. They shot
an innocent bystander. No, it was not justified. It was excusable, because it was
reasonable.
"I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery."
-- Thomas Jefferson
Pennsylvania Superior Court Rules the PLCAA is Unconstitutional by Carl Bussjaeger
https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/pennsylvania-superior-court-rules-the-plcaa-is-unconstitutional/
Primary source,
http://www.pacourts.us/assets/opinions/Superior/out/J-A23024-19o%20-%20104558198114689518.pdf
A state court ruling that at federal law is unconstitutional. A violation of
federal supremacy?
Plaintiff's attorney ". . . alleged a design defect, because the gun lacked
a safety feature to disable it from firing without the clip attached."
[I assume they mean "magazine inserted". -- Jon Low]
As the author points out, "Lack of a magazine disconnect is a feature, not a bug."
[A magazine safety is a design flaw, because you must be able to shoot the round in the
chamber if attacked while reloading. -- Jon Low]
Take a step back and look at the big picture. A 14 year old unlawfully accessed a
Springfield Armory XD-9 pistol and then shoots and kills a 13 year old.
So, the parents of the 13 year old sue the manufacturer, Springfield Armory.
The parents' mindset, if allowed to spread and succeed by the courts,
would eventually destroy capitalism. (As intended?)
Free men do not ask permission to bear arms.
United States of America, Bill of Rights, 1791
Aftermath by Jason Squires
https://www.recoilweb.com/preview-aftermath-62825.html
Excerpt:
"Do not run, hide, or disturb the scene because of fears of “this looks bad.”
Never make law enforcement track you down. Any detective will instantly approach
a suspect with greater suspicion if the suspect does anything perceived as running
from the law or “doctoring” the scene. Run to the law, not away from them.
Call 911 and articulate your fears and ask them for help."
Concealed Carry Nudges Toward 20 Million by Dave Workman
https://americanhandgunner.com/discover/concealed-carry-nudges-toward-20-million/
Excerpts: (paraphrased)
5 million first time buyers, since the start of the pandemic and rioting.
Of those 5 million, 40% were women. Half of the first time buyers were 40 years
of age or less. A quarter of the first time buyers were 30 years of age or less.
". . . primary motivation was personal protection . . . "
"During the first six months of 2020, the average increase in gun sales for
retailers was a stunning 95% over last year in the same period. Meanwhile, the
average increase in ammunition sales was 139%!"
[Ya, we've all noticed the ammo shortage. I've got less than a pallet of
ammo in my garage. And I've got three classes and Tac Con coming up. -- Jon Low]
The DC Project Women for Gun Rights (NSSF, the firearm industry trade association)
https://youtu.be/W5DiYTHnkBo
Because the 2nd Amendment protects all the rest.
“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 an dishonorable population
represents the height of self-deception.”
-- James Madison, 1788
***** ***** ***** Survival, Medical, Security, and such ***** ***** *****
"If you prepare for the emergency,
the emergency ceases to exist!"
-- Dr. Sherman House
Lead Poisoning and the Shooter by Mark Passamaneck, PE
http://www.carbonarms.us/Lead.html
Willingness is a state of mind.
Preparedness (or lack thereof) is a fact.
***** ***** ***** Basics ***** ***** *****
“Often, it’s what you don’t know that kills you!”
-- Carr
Women & Guns: The Basics – An Online Course
https://thewellarmedwoman.com/blog/women-guns-the-basics-an-online-course/
Smith & Wesson estimates that 40% of recent gun purchases were made by first time
buyers. So, they set up a web site with videos for beginners.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k17a-n1Vkhw&list=PLl50hdzUoLg6Yav6PcpnE33oJyB62U4wb
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
FIREARM BASICS
SHOOTING FUNDAMENTALS
PERSONAL PROTECTION
A series of videos will play. No commercials! (Well, they do talk about the pistols
they manufacture.) Professionally done.
Julie Golob's video,
"10 Tips For Your First Time On The Range"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0v1OiraBmg&list=PLl50hdzUoLg6Yav6PcpnE33oJyB62U4wb&index=3
are deep words of wisdom that should be noted before going to the range
for the first time or taking a first time shooter to the range.
"Talking to your Children about Gun Safety"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLL9_qEpeGg&list=PLl50hdzUoLg6Yav6PcpnE33oJyB62U4wb&index=4
is also excellent.
"Train, Practice, Compete
are the key elements in the development of humans."
-- John M. Buol, Jr.
***** ***** ***** Miscellany ***** ***** *****
"Good habits and skill beat luck every time."
-- Sheriff Jim Wilson
Missive from Tom Givens --
I’m in a mid-size city in Georgia tonight, between classes. After dinner,
I decided to walk about 1.5 miles, to get some exercise after sitting in the truck
all day. My route took me through an area being developed for warehouse space,
paved street but no open businesses. It was right at dusk, and I saw a total of
8 deer on my walk, in groups of 2-4. I was able to get within 35 yards of some
of them.
The first pair were 250 yards from a busy hotel. The average city dweller
has no idea how much wildlife lives right around them, often quite close by.
This is one of many reasons that I suggest getting your head up and being aware
of what is around. I see lots of neat things the average person misses every day.
Let me clear up a couple of misconceptions.
The primary job of the military sniper is reconnaissance / intelligence gathering.
They report back to the intelligence unit (by radio, because sometimes they don't
get back in a timely manner). That's why the Marine Corps calls them Scout Snipers.
They operate behind enemy lines. So, they don't want to engage targets of opportunity.
Because, it's hard to escape when an enemy force is chasing you; you are sometimes
forced to abandon equipment. In reality, the primary characteristic of a sniper is
patience.
The primary job of the police SWAT unit is to calm the situation. They don't
win by killing the suspect. They win when a peaceful arrest is made. So, they
Sit, Wait, And, Talk. The primary characteristic of a police SWAT sniper is patience.
That's why FBI Agent Lon Horiuchi is a total failure on every level. The manslaughter
charges may have been dropped, but everyone knows what he did. I choose to believe
every word of his deposition. But, he violated our safety rule, BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET.
And so, shot and killed Vicki Weaver as she held her baby in the front door of her
house.
If you research the historical records, as in scholarly research, not mass media
research, you will see that all of the top snipers were women. (And I think still
are.) Why then have you only heard of the male snipers? Because the women do not
write books about themselves. They do not let others write books about them. They
do not consent to interviews. They do not go on talk shows. They are self effacing.
Such is a characteristic that goes hand in hand with patience. And it is tactically
smart. The enemy cannot put a bounty on you, if they cannot identify you.
Just as you've never heard of the best spies. You only hear of the ones that
get caught or defected (because they knew that they were going to get caught).
My mother explained to me that if the characters in the story were smart and
behaved correctly / morally there would be no drama. So, you could not make a
TV show or movie about it. The movie may make the soldiers look like heroes, but
the only reason they were able to make a movie, the only reason there was a story
at all is because someone made a mistake / was incompetent. If everyone is well
trained and behaves competently, nothing goes wrong. Everyone gets home safely.
There is no drama.
Hard Lessons by John Connor
https://gunsmagazine.com/odd-angry-shot/hard-lessons/
Excerpt:
"I learned peace usually exists only when others are convinced
you can hurt them a lot worse than they could hurt you — and you’re willing to do it."
"I learned some kids die fighting only because their fathers wouldn’t."
"I learned sometimes when you “come home,” in many, many ways, it’s not there anymore."
"I learned most “mercenaries” aren’t very mercenary at all, instead,
driven by ideals their birth-nations espouse, . . ."
American Heritage Dictionary
https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=eristic
Random House Dictionary
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/eristic?s=t
[My pastor told me that peace exists in only two places: a maximum security prison and
a totalitarian government. So, do not pray for peace. Pray for victory. Freedom is not
peaceful. Freedom is always violent. Love freedom!]
California is patient zero of radical leftist ideology | Calvary Chapel Chino Hills
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKGIP0EkR3s
Please view this. If you don't understand your enemy, they will eventually defeat you.
All kinds of neat stuff at:
Practical Eschatology by Mark
https://practicaleschatology.blogspot.com/
The Tactical Professor is Claude Werner
https://tacticalprofessor.wordpress.com/
Active Response Training by Gregg Ellifritz
http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/
Quips by John Farnam
https://defense-training.com/quips/
Rangemaster newsletter by Tom Givens
https://rangemaster.com/publications/rangemaster-newsletter/
CIVILIAN DEFENDER by Sherman House
https://civiliandefender.com/
Handgun Combatives by Dave Spaulding
https://www.youtube.com/c/handguncombatives/videos
Marcus Wynne
https://marcuswynne.com/blog/
(Sorry, that's just reality.)
If you don't practice, you will lose control of the situation and be unable to shoot.
Talking is a high order intellectual activity. For most of us, it is impossible to shoot and
talk at the same time. (I once knew a girl, Larry [short for Loraine], who could carry on a
conversation while shooting tight groups. She was unusual to put it mildly.) That's why we
are taught to ask the disturbed person a question and attempt the disarming when he starts
to answer the question. Or, in a hostage situation, ask, "What do you want?" and then shot
bad guy in the head when he starts to answer.
It's hard to shoot while talking, but it's real easy to get shot while talking. Talking
causes a huge reaction time delay.
Tips on How to Conceal Your Handgun by Richard Nance
https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/tips-on-how-to-conceal-your-handgun/385188
Excerpt:
"As the good guy, the element of surprise is one of the few advantages you have
should you be attacked. Don’t blow it with a haphazard attempt at concealing your defensive handgun."
"It's not daily increase but daily decrease - hack away at the inessentials!"
-- Bruce Lee
----- Tactics -----
How do you win a gunfight?
Don't be there.
-- John Farnam
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In last month's newsletter, I posted --
"Contact Distance Shooting . . . Rescuing a Friend or Family Member" by Greg Ellifritz
http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/contact-distance-shooting-rescuing-a-friend-or-family-member
Ralph Mroz teaches to grab and lock up with the good guy, so you are moving with him,
and then shoot the bad guy.
---
Ralph sent me an email saying --
Jon -
Thanks for the mention, but I learned this tactic at Tactical Defense
Institute, in a class that had John Benner and Greg Ellifritz teaching.
I don't know which of them developed it. If I've ever written about it
without giving credit to them, it was a mistake.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cover and Concealment [TACTICS] by Taylor
https://defendersanddisciples.com/use-of-cover-and-concealment/
Excerpt:
"Unless you practice and vet your tactics and skills regularly, you cannot trust them."
What a great 12 second video explaining "stand-off" cover. This is why the
guys shooting the IDPA matches who crowd cover are tactically wrong, and will get
themselves shot in combat. This is a horrible training scar.
Do not fire warning shots. You won’t be on a multi-million dollar
range with berms to catch your bullets.
Any bullet you shoot up into the air will come down with near equal
speed on an innocent’s head. (Earth's gravitational field is a conservative
field. Ya, I know there is air friction. But, the bullet only has to go
400 feet per second to penetrate skin. And your bullet is going to be
going much faster than that.)
Any bullet you shoot down into the ground will ricochet off the concrete
sidewalk, asphalt road, or rock in the ground and hit an innocent
bystander or you.
Do not shoot to wound. Always shoot to the center of mass, because
this gives you the highest probability of a hit. (Hitting your intended
target in a high stress situation is a low probability event.) Aiming
for an arm or leg reduces your probability of a hit to near zero. Which
means you will hit something that you don’t want to, destroying property
and injuring bystanders, maybe killing them.
A letter to the American public: Why ‘shoot them in the leg’ is not an effective strategy
https://www.police1.com/officer-shootings/articles/a-letter-to-the-american-public-why-shoot-them-in-the-leg-is-not-an-effective-strategy-UOXIOH6n4pwJFmyf/
Shooting to center of mass in a lethal force encounter is a low probability event.
Aiming one's shots to hit a leg or arm is a zero probability event. Which means the
shooter will be hitting unintended targets.
Vice President Joe Biden is an idiot, as is anyone who would advocate such.
You win gunfights by not getting shot.
-- John Holschen
----- Education -----
"Cogito, ergo armatum sum." (I think, therefore armed am I.)
-- John Farnam
Bought a Gun? – Read a Book by Rich Grassi
https://www.shootingwire.com/features/2c6d52e2-7eb8-4171-85f0-98b748dfa52b
Gun Digest’s 10 Best Shooting Drills And Firearms Training Posts by Gun Digest Editors
https://gundigest.com/more/how-to/firearm-training/gun-digests-10-best-shooting-drills-and-firearms-training-posts
This article has links to 10 other articles that I found worth reading.
Civil Unrest & Houses of Worship: Preparing for Protests and Demonstrations
by Michael Mann Security Services
https://youtu.be/x4K2eI--AQA
Videos,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joPw7dgdmKA&list=PLDvxJM6mdzwbOnKiPhNTelDjegr_n28YC
Text articles,
https://michaelmannsecurityservices.com/articles/
Podcasts,
https://michaelmannsecurityservices.com/podcast-2/
Webinars,
https://michaelmannsecurityservices.com/videos/
RECOIL TV
https://videos.recoilweb.com/pages/discover/d/home
Lots of educational stuff.
Concealed Carry Lecture Series by John Murphy
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkL2g0uY2GSduhVBwzGL2ROyN-TSdDGLq
Worth watching again. I met him at Tac Con and took his class. Very competent.
Mas Ayoob and Marty Hayes, have produced an excellent video on the subject
of strategies for effectively dealing with mob violence.
https://youtu.be/tj7suPt9nHE
Hat tip to John Farnam.
The situation is much more difficult for the good guy, than the bad guy.
Because, you, the good guy, don't want to shoot the innocent bystanders. And
it may be impossible to distinguish bad guys from innocents.
Strategic withdrawal is not cowardice. Retreat is not surrender.
Farnam says, don't go to stupid places. Any riot is a stupid place. Thinking
that a protest will not turn into a riot is naive, to put it politely.
An excellent reason to deactivate your air bags and fuel cut off. You
don't want to get stuck.
Eye and ear protection as always. You vehicle glass will shatter into your eyes.
Firing in a closed car is deafening.
That's a real problem with Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network. They
decide whether or not what you did was self defense. So, you may have loyally
paid for years, but if they don't think you were righteous they don't pay anything.
It doesn't matter what you think. There is no mechanism to force them to pay.
You think that's bad, USCCA is worse.
USCCA Sued in Federal Court: Refused to Cover Platinum Member?
https://lawofselfdefense.com/uscca-sued-in-federal-court-refused-to-cover-platinum-member/
As Andrew Branca says,
"If, however, the “self-defense insurance” provider you’ve spent years
paying, reserves to right to DECLINE to cover you, at THEIR discretion, in
the ABSENCE of any apparent qualifications to make such an assessment, and
even worse WITHOUT prior notice to their members that they intend to reserve
the option to apply this condition, ambush-style — well, then what the heck
have you been paying for all those years?"
All kinds of gun books from Gun Digest (this link should get you a 20% discount)
https://www.gundigeststore.com/?coupon-code=heaters&utm_source=bm23&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Get+20%25+off+Button&utm_content=Is+that+a+pistol+in+your+pocket+or...?&utm_campaign=W3-1+-+Sunday+Relationship+Email+%2B+Store+Offer
"You will never get smarter or broaden your horizons
if you're unwilling to learn from others and read."
-- Becca Martin
***** ***** ***** Hardware (which includes you) ***** ***** *****
"I would like to see every
woman know how to handle
guns as naturally as they
know how to handle babies."
-- Annie Oakley
----- Gear -----
“Mission drives the gear train.”
-- Pat Rogers
Body Armor for Armed Citizens by Greg Ellifritz
https://www.activeresponsetraining.net/the-definitive-body-armor-qa
Why I Don’t Carry an Expandable Baton by Greg Ellifritz
https://www.activeresponsetraining.net/why-i-dont-carry-an-expandable-baton
Greg recommends against carrying a telescoping baton for civilian concealed carry
for several good reasons. In Tennessee, one needs training and certification to legally
carry and use a baton. Even though I have such, I would never carry a baton off duty.
It's just too difficult to conceal.
Greg recommends pepper spray. I think that's great if you're not too suseptible.
The reason I don't carry pepper spray is that I am very sensitive to it (at age 61,
not so much when I was in my 20's). I used to be able to operate after inhaling CS gas,
well into my 40's. Can't do it anymore. Now days I get blinded and can't breathe.
Similarly for pepper spray. So, I don't carry it. Because when it gets blown back
into my face, I'm incapacitated. A man's got to know his limits.
"Free women do not ask permission to bear arms."
-- Good Patriot [https://www.goodpatriot.com]
“A Rusty Rod” by John Farnam
https://defense-training.com/a-rusty-rod/
Clean your gun! Even if it looks clean. Even if you haven't shot it
since the last time you cleaned it. Because lint and dust will accumulate,
causing problems with your trigger mechanism. Because gunk (carbon, oil,
dust, lint, sand, dirt, etc.) will magically appear and cause malfunctions.
As the Kimber owner's manual says, "Rust is neglect."
How to Concealed Carry With a Belly Band Holster by Wendy LaFever
https://www.nrawomen.com/content/how-to-concealed-carry-with-a-belly-band-holster/
Excerpt:
". . . and don’t forget just how well a busy pattern can fool the eye."
Why Hollow Points Are The Only Option For Self-Defense by Joshua Gillem
https://www.concealedcarry.com/gear/why-hollow-points-are-the-only-option-for-self-defense/
Mr. Gillem gives cogent arguments for his opinion. I don't agree.
But, we must keep an open mind. I may be wrong. I often am.
Why you should use copper jacketed round nose ammunition for combat
(self defense is combat):
1. Feeding and chambering are more important than terminal ballistics.
The gun must go BANG! when you pull the trigger. Copper jacketed round
nose bullets feed and chamber more reliably than any other bullet type.
Remember Murphy's Law, anything that can go wrong will go wrong,
at the worst possible time. So, we must strive to make our weapon system
so that nothing can go wrong.
[Internal ballistics is what happens as the bullet accelerates from chamber to muzzle.
External ballistics is what happens as the bullet free falls from muzzle to target.
Terminal ballistics is what happens as the bullet decelerates inside the target.]
2. Copper jacketed round nose bullets give you deeper penetration.
You may need the penetration to shoot through protective clothing (body armor,
leather jackets, etc.), body parts (arms, ribs, etc.), or other objects
(doors, car doors, car windshields, etc.) to reach a vital organ to stop
the attack. [Yes, as a matter of fact, you can penetrate many of the
commercially available soft body armors. Police officer, Gregory Stevens,
who stopped the Jihadist attack in Garland, TX, penetrated the Jihadi's
body armor with his standard issue service pistol.]
Statistically speaking, over-penetration is not a problem (citation Massad Ayoobs's
MAG-20 class). It just doesn't happen often enough for us to be concerned about it.
On the other hand, 41% of bullets fired by police in the line of duty shootings
that hit humans did not expand (citation Ralph Mroz' Police Officer Safety Association
class).
3. Another reason you may need deep penetration is that you may
not be shooting at a human.
A friend of mine in Charleston, SC had to shoot a dog that jumped
over a fence and attacked him. He fired 5 copper jacketed round nose
bullets from a 5 inch barrel model 1911. None of the bullets exited the dog.
Without deep penetration, you are not going to reach a vital organ in a
large dog. Look at how a dog's head is shaped. Putting a round into a
dog's brain is extremely difficult. Look at how a dog's rib cage is shaped.
You're going to need deep penetration to break the bones to get to a vital
organ.
If you are hunting an animal, you can sneak up to get that flanking
view for that heart-lung shot. But, if the animal is attacking you,
you only have a front view.
You may be shooting to stop a vehicle. Hey, don't discount it as
improbable. All kinds of crazy things happen in combat. Front windshields
are very difficult to penetrate.
I often work in the emergency room of hospitals. We get lots of
dog bites. We don't get many gun shot wounds. So, my statistically
insignificant anecdotal sample causes me to believe that having to shoot
a dog is much more likely than having to shoot a person.
Creedmoor 5.56 NATO 75 Gr HPBT Ammunition In LC [Lake City, I assume] Brass
https://www.creedmoorsports.com/product/creedmoor-5-point-56-nato-75-grain-hpbt-ammunition-in-lc-brass/creedmoor
Use code "FREESHIP" for free shipping.
The TWAW Slide Spider (to help with racking the slide)
https://thewellarmedwoman.com/product/the-twaw-slide-spider/
use promo code TWAW for $10 off your purchase
Red Dot Sight Buyer’s Guide by Forrest Cooper
https://www.recoilweb.com/red-dot-sight-buyers-guide-162797.html
Age, genetics, injury, etc. degrade my vision. Red dot sights really help.
Recoil magazine promo code,
RECOILSURVEY
-- good for 20% OFF at
https://www.gundigeststore.com/
Get Free Shipping when you load your cart up with orders over $59.
Where Can I Find Ammunition Online? by Maureen P. Sangiorgio
https://www.nrawomen.com/content/where-can-i-find-ammunition-online/
If My Gun Can Run Dirty, Why Must I Clean It? by Becky Yackley
https://www.nrawomen.com/content/if-my-gun-can-run-dirty-why-must-i-clean-it/
Step-By-Step Instructions to Clean Your Handgun, Rifle and Shotgun by Becky Yackley
https://www.nrawomen.com/content/step-by-step-instructions-to-clean-your-handgun-rifle-and-shotgun/
4 Must-Have Concealed Carry Upgrades (2020) by Elwood Shelton
https://gundigest.com/handguns/concealed-carry/4-concealed-carry-upgrades
Grips
Magazine Holder
Night Sights
Gun Belt
I agree, except for the night sights.
If you've got enough light on the target to positively identify your target,
you've got enough light to silhouette your iron sights on the target.
If you don't have enough light / contrast to see your sights against your target,
then you don't have enough light to positively identify your target and should not be
shooting at it in the first place.
So, tritium glowing sights are really a solution looking for a problem.
Another problem with using the tritium vials to aim your pistol is that they
may not give you the same point of impact as the silhouette of your iron sights.
Having two different sighting systems on your weapon system is wrong.
CCW Weekend: This Is How To Maintain A Magazine Because You Need To Maintain A Magazine
https://dailycaller.com/2020/10/17/ccw-weekend-this-is-how-to-maintain-a-magazine-because-you-need-to-maintain-a-magazine/
Excerpt:
". . . eventually the metal deforms and loses strength."
[If the spring deforms, it is being stretched or compressed beyond its elastic limit.
Which is a design flaw. What I think the author means is the compression cycles cause
the spring to fatigue. This means work hardening of the metal, which leads to cracks
and breaking. If you let the spring rust, it will crack and break much sooner. -- Jon Low]
Concealed Carry for Women of All Body Types by Carrie Lightfoot
https://thewellarmedwoman.com/concealed-carry/concealed-carry-for-women-of-all-body-types/
---
Kristin Benton asks, should your gun have a safety?
Evan Daire's response --
So my explanation for this usually depends on how much time I have.
If I’m really short on time I typically explain it as — and this is especially effective
to long gun shooters that are new to handguns -
Basically all rifles and shotguns have a safety. This is because there is absolutely nothing
covering the trigger guard. If you are out in the woods, or in law enforcement and military
roles carrying the rifle, it’s not impossible for a foreign object, some piece of gear or a
tree branch or something, to get into the trigger guard. In our use, it may be that it’s
1 am and you just grabbed at it at night because you heard a bump.
Handguns on the other hand, are almost always stored IN something. Be it a holster,
or a safe. The trigger can’t even be reached until you have taken it out. Basically the
holster or the safe IS the safety. So therefore handguns don’t necessarily need a safety.
Now I’m not going to say you should or shouldn’t have one, but it does add one more
complication that you need to deal with in an emergency, so you must train with it if you
pick a manual safety.
If I have a long time I’ll go into DASA (double action on first shot, single action
on subsequent shots), vs SAO (single action only), vs striker.
With DA (double action) essentially being the safety because the trigger pull is so deliberate
[long heavy trigger press -- Jon Low].
But you really need to practice that first shot because it will be more challenging.
SAO has a very light trigger, but because it’s so light these guns MUST have safeties on them
to be carried safely.
Striker is kinda an in between. It’s currently the most popular because it’s the simplest.
Some people feel the striker fired trigger is heavy enough by itself. Others do still think
it’s too light and want a safety.
I don’t go down that rabbit hole unless I have a lot of time to demonstrate the triggers though.
And they thoroughly understand that the safety rules are truly what’s more important
regardless of their choice.
Jon Low's response --
I have read many reports where the good person was not able to fire the pistol
because the person failed to defeat the safety. It's a lack of training and practice
that is common among the self-defense community. So, eliminating this feature / bug
in pistol design is progress. Because Murphy's Law says that anything that can go wrong,
will go wrong, at the worst possible time. So, we must eliminate anything that can
go wrong in our weapon system.
---
Flashbang Bra Holster Review by Melody Lauer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXluce4xdgg
An in depth review.
Purse Carry is the Worst Carry: Part 1 by Melody Lauer
https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/purse-carry-worst-carry-part-1/
Purse Carry Part 2: Shooting Through Purses by Melody Lauer
https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/purse-carry-part-2-shooting-purse/
There is all kinds of stupidity on the internet. Please read these articles
so you don't get misled by the nonsense espoused by people who don't know.
Suarez Street Comp 43
https://vimeo.com/395729907
Gabe Suarez is advocating a compensator on your carry pistol.
I think that is a terrible idea. A mugger is not going to attack
you from across the parking log. He's going to get up close first.
So, you will be shooting from a close contact position, to prevent
him from grabbing your pistol. A compensator will throw hot gas
and particulate matter up into your eyes.
But, as my girlfriend says, "That's a terrible idea. What time?"
“Your car is not a holster.”
– Pat Rogers
----- Technical -----
"Real fights are short."
-- Bruce Lee
"Fit versus Feel -- No, they’re not the same thing . . . " by Massad Ayoob
https://gunsmagazine.com/discover/fit-versus-feel/
Pros and Cons of Red Dot Sights by Memphis Beech
https://www.facebook.com/groups/CitizensSafety/permalink/833225554081376/
A detailed in depth look at red dot sights. Definitely worth the time to read.
Why you should NEVER rechamber the same AR-15 round twice by Caleb
http://preparedgunowners.com/2015/09/17/why-you-should-never-rechamber-the-same-ar-15-round-twice/
Excerpt:
"Once a round has been chambered, DO NOT RE-CHAMBER IT for duty use.
Do NOT re-chamber it again, except for training. This is CRITICAL!!!" -- DocGKR
The article also cites and reprints a U.S. ARMY “Maintenance Advisory Message”
recommending that the same rounds not be repeatedly chambered.
This article applies to all magazine fed firearms.
"Ammo 101: The 4 Parts Of A Cartridge" by Jonathan Kilburn
https://www.pewpewtactical.com/ammo-101-parts-cartridge/
How a Glock Works
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2RDitgCaD0
How a gun (Colt M1911) works! (Animation)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjQrhDKDWFk
When I was the battalion armorer for 1st Radio Battalion, 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade,
Fleet Marine Force Pacific, we were trained by 1st BSSG (Brigade Service Support Group). There,
we learned that modern firearms use smokeless powder (Smokeless powder is not smokeless. It does
create smoke, the product of the chemical reaction. “Smokeless powder” is just the American
generic name for modern firearm propellants.), which is a nitrocellulose-nitroglycerin compound,
which is a propellant, not an explosive. When ignited, it burns fast, creating a large volume
of hot gas that pushes the bullet through the barrel. There is no supersonic detonation shock wave
as with explosives. This is good because the detonation shock wave damages the firearm, eventually
making the firearm unserviceable.
Older firearms used black power, which is an explosive. This means that upon ignition there
is a supersonic detonation shock wave. It is still the large volume of hot expanding gas that
pushes the bullet through the barrel, not the shock wave.
The primer is an explosive. It is a pressure sensitive stable explosive. The primer is so
small that it does not create a significant detonation shock wave in the cartridge. It just
creates a flame that ignites the smokeless powder.
Why Not All Magazine Components Are Compatible by George Harris
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2020/10/11/why-not-all-magazine-components-are-compatible/
"The shorter the fight, the less hurt you get."
-- John Holschen
***** ***** ***** 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 Instructor’s Burden by Justin
https://swiftsilentdeadly.com/the-instructors-burden/
Excerpts:
Have I prepared myself for class?
Am I prepared for student questions?
Am I willing to stay late or come in early?
I love it when I get emails asking, "Okay, Staff, so what was the point?"
The story about me teaching the elderly lady was to point out that she is one of
the 5 million first time guy owners since the start of the pandemic and the rioting.
(Citation: National Shooting Sports Foundation.)
They are not the type of person you meet at the Tactical Conference or at any of
the big gun schools. And she cannot be treated as you would a student at Tac Con or
a prestigious gun school. For suggestions on how to treat them, see the following
article by John Correia.
"Four Tenets of Teaching a First Time Gun Owner" by John Correia
https://www.recoilweb.com/four-tenets-of-teaching-new-shooters-162900.html
Massad Ayoob says many people cannot afford training, cannot afford to take
time off from work to attend training, cannot afford to travel to get the training,
so you should feel the duty to teach them.
The paragraph on my aiming protocol was just to mention a concept that some of
you might not be familiar with. Combat is never as pristine as your air conditioned
carpeted range, where waiters bring you drinks and hors d'oeuvres (this is my
sister in Austin, TX; no waiter service at my range, though Tony and Chris do feed
us lunch after a range work day). So, you had better have prepared for suboptimal
circumstances. And you should be teaching your students to prepare for combat
situations, when they are in awkward positions (because they stumbled or were thrown
to the ground), holding things that they just can't drop (as a baby), can't see very
well (got their glasses knocked off or something thrown in their face), can't hear
anything (auditory exclusion), tunnel vision, injured, etc. Because, if you've never
considered it, much less prepared for it, it's going to be difficult to figure it
out in combat. But, if you've at least considered it, thought about it, visualized it;
you've got a good chance of handling the situation without panicking. If you've
actually practiced protocols for suboptimal conditions, you've got an excellent
chance of avoiding panic.
Stay in your lane. Only teach material that you have expertise in. If your course
covers stuff that you lack expertise in, bring in experts to teach that portion of the
course. In our Defensive Pistol course, we use Andrew Branca's live online Law of Self Defense
class for the law section; we use Bob Allens's Home Defense class for the Simunitions
force-on-force section; we use Bill Hayes' class for the video simulator judgment exercises;
we use one of the local IDPA or IPSC club shoots for the tactical exercises; we use Jason Rader
and Josh Black's class on Tactical Emergency Casualty Care. You can't do everything well.
And there is no need to. Use others. Good leaders delegate authority and assume responsibility.
Don't attempt to micro-manage. Trust your instructors to do their job.
I've got certificates that say I'm competent to teach all kinds of things, and
I have in the past, but I don't anymore. Because I realized that I was doing my students
a disservice. So, now I only teach a small section of self defense, in particular
civilian concealed carry of pistols for self defense. This may seem to be a very narrow subject,
but it is in fact a vast field of study.
I refer my students (and inquiries) to others for shotgun, carbine, pepper spray,
baton, knife, submachinegun, etc.
Even in my part-time some-time job, I will only teach mechanics and electromagnetism,
and only at the introductory level in the physics departments (even though I've done
research in other fields). [I know it's hard to believe, but Middle Tennessee State
University and others sometimes use me as an adjunct professor.]
In the math departments, I'll teach analysis, but won't teach algebra (even though I've done
a lot of research in finite fields and Galois Theory), because I don't spend the time keeping
up with the latest developments. And teaching stuff that is obsolete / wrong is the epitome
of "bad teacher". Yes, of course, there are honest mistakes. But, if you are not attending
the colloquia and conferences to know (and understand) what is going on at the cutting edge
(bleeding edge) of research, you can't intelligently answer your student's questions.
The stuff in text books is 20 years old, because that's how long it takes to get into a
textbook. The stuff in the peer reviewed journals is about 5 years old, because that's
how long it takes the peer review process (if the journal is legitimate). Anything more
recent requires attendance at conferences or colloqia.
The stuff in the "science" magazines may be recent, but it's usually false.
Fake news isn't just in the political realm. Remember cold fusion?
What you teach will determine whether or not your student survives the gunfight.
Your student's family is betting their future on what you are teaching.
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
----- Pedagogy -----
"The most valuable resource that all teachers have is each other.
Without collaboration, our growth is limited to our own perspectives."
-- Robert John Meehan
Tom Givens is always encouraging his people by word and example to take courses
from other instructors. When I was teaching at Front Sight (decades ago), the
Director of Training, Brad Ackman, would take classes from other gun schools to bring
the best practices back to us.
Fighting the Fight You’re Given by Matt Graham (interviewer David Reeder)
https://www.recoilweb.com/preview-matt-graham-62707.html
Excerpt:
M.G.: My wife is an English teacher, so by default that makes me anti-semantic.
Training might show you how — teaching will show you why. I believe there is a huge
difference between the two, and the distinction that I make is that a teacher has a
vested interest in your learning. A teacher engages you, finds your needs, and
teaches to you, the student, at the place where you are.
Teach positive. Teach what to do. Don't talk about what not to do.
-- John Farnam
TARGET BASED BEHAVIORAL CONDITIONING by Trevor Thrasher
https://www.breachbangclear.com/target-based-behavioral-conditioning/
Excerpt:
"There are several options, but standing, commanding, and taking deliberate
aim is generally the wrong thing to condition."
Still Training After All These Years by Marcus Wynne
https://marcuswynne.com/still-training-after-all-these-years/
Excerpt:
"When you are in the business of saving lives, and saving lives via training,
take your work seriously. But never take yourself seriously while doing it.
Your ego will kill your effectiveness as an instructor and, possibly, one of your students."
“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
A young (at my age, everyone is young) lady flew in from the Portland, Oregon
area for a few days of training. (She told me how bad it was in Portland.)
I usually face the right handed students and perform the manipulations left handed,
so they can see me while keeping their pistols pointed down range. But, she was
left handed. It was such a pleasure to be able to perform the manipulations right
handed as she mirrored my actions.
She was not able to execute some of the lower positions due to flexibility
constraints and anatomical proportions. That's why it is so important that you
know and are able to teach several techniques to achieve any given task. Everyone
is different. Some students will not be able to perform a given technique,
so you must have an alternative for them. You can't just skip over it and say
don't worry about it. Because they will worry about it.
She had never operated, field stripped, nor cleaned some of the firearms
that she used. So, it took a lot of time. Be patient. Allot the time, spend
the time. Yes, time is invaluable. Yes, your time is money. But, all that
pales in comparison to the student's knowledge. Because, if she leaves without
knowing how to do the things you are teaching; you, as an instructor, have failed.
Instructors, be professional, maintain professional distance from your students.
Be objective towards your students. If you are sleeping with someone in the class,
no one in the class should even suspect it.
Thought For The Day by Marcus Wynne
https://marcuswynne.com/thought-for-the-day-2/
An instructor should not expect any learning to take
place the first time new information is presented.
-- "Building Shooters" by Dustin Solomon
***** ***** ***** Legal, Political, and Philosophical ***** ***** *****
"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
Concealed carry law seminar
https://blackwingsc.com/concealed-carry-law-seminar/
These classes are given periodically. Can't go wrong for $20 and 2 hours.
John Farnam cites some highlights of the Democrat Party Platform, particularly page 47.
"Page 47" by John Farnam
https://defense-training.com/page-47/
"I know not what course others may take, but as for me,
give me liberty or give me death."
-- Patrick Henry
Michael Mann did a video on insurance and pre-paid legal plans for church security teams.
https://www.facebook.com/122547545813979/videos/785147812284872/
Lots of good information at
https://www.facebook.com/SafeWithMann/videos/?ref=page_internal
The Falco holster company
https://www.falcoholsters.com/blog/general
has some interesting blog postings, such as,
Guide to Open and Concealed Carry Laws Across the Nation
https://www.falcoholsters.com/blog/guide-to-open-and-concealed-carry-laws-across-the-nation
USCCA’S CONCEALED CARRY RECIPROCITY MAP & GUN LAWS BY STATE
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/
"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 of the Constitution of the United States of America
The word "regulated" does not mean "regulated by the government".
In context and time period, the word is used as a verb, not an adjective.
Its meaning is as definition 3 of "regulate" in the Random House Dictionary,
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/regulate?s=t
Or, as definition 3 in the American Heritage Dictionary,
https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=regulate
The colonial militias were never subordinate to the governments.
Unfortunately, many intellectually dishonest federal judges willfully
misinterpret the plain English text. The plain English text of the Second
Amendment clearly enforces the right of the "people" to keep and bear arms,
not the right of the "militia" to keep and bear arms.
"Some have made the argument, bordering on the frivolous, that only those
arms in existence in the 18th century are protected by the Second Amendment.
We do not interpret constitutional rights that way. Just as the First Amendment
protects modern forms of communication . . . and the Fourth Amendment applies
to modern forms of search . . . the Second Amendment extends, prima facie, to
all instruments that constitute bearable arms, even those that were not in
existence at the time of the founding."
-- Justice Antonin Scalia, District of Columbia v. Heller
Knife Laws and Regulations of All 50 States
https://www.shtfblog.com/knife-laws-and-regulations-of-all-50-states/
In Tennessee, there is no such thing as an illegal knife.
UNDERSTANDING THE GRAND JURY’S DECISION IN THE BREONNA TAYLOR CASE
https://www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/understanding-the-grand-jurys-decision-in-the-breonna-taylor-case/
Excerpt:
"The law essentially says, “You don’t have to be right, you have to be reasonable.” "
Miss Taylor violated Farnam's rule: "Don't hang out with stupid people."
Stupid people includes all active criminals. Especially, drug dealers / addicts. Dave Ramsey says drug
addicts steal 100% of the time and lie 100% of the time.
The police violated our safety rule: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET. They shot
an innocent bystander. No, it was not justified. It was excusable, because it was
reasonable.
"I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery."
-- Thomas Jefferson
Pennsylvania Superior Court Rules the PLCAA is Unconstitutional by Carl Bussjaeger
https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/pennsylvania-superior-court-rules-the-plcaa-is-unconstitutional/
Primary source,
http://www.pacourts.us/assets/opinions/Superior/out/J-A23024-19o%20-%20104558198114689518.pdf
A state court ruling that at federal law is unconstitutional. A violation of
federal supremacy?
Plaintiff's attorney ". . . alleged a design defect, because the gun lacked
a safety feature to disable it from firing without the clip attached."
[I assume they mean "magazine inserted". -- Jon Low]
As the author points out, "Lack of a magazine disconnect is a feature, not a bug."
[A magazine safety is a design flaw, because you must be able to shoot the round in the
chamber if attacked while reloading. -- Jon Low]
Take a step back and look at the big picture. A 14 year old unlawfully accessed a
Springfield Armory XD-9 pistol and then shoots and kills a 13 year old.
So, the parents of the 13 year old sue the manufacturer, Springfield Armory.
The parents' mindset, if allowed to spread and succeed by the courts,
would eventually destroy capitalism. (As intended?)
Free men do not ask permission to bear arms.
United States of America, Bill of Rights, 1791
Aftermath by Jason Squires
https://www.recoilweb.com/preview-aftermath-62825.html
Excerpt:
"Do not run, hide, or disturb the scene because of fears of “this looks bad.”
Never make law enforcement track you down. Any detective will instantly approach
a suspect with greater suspicion if the suspect does anything perceived as running
from the law or “doctoring” the scene. Run to the law, not away from them.
Call 911 and articulate your fears and ask them for help."
Concealed Carry Nudges Toward 20 Million by Dave Workman
https://americanhandgunner.com/discover/concealed-carry-nudges-toward-20-million/
Excerpts: (paraphrased)
5 million first time buyers, since the start of the pandemic and rioting.
Of those 5 million, 40% were women. Half of the first time buyers were 40 years
of age or less. A quarter of the first time buyers were 30 years of age or less.
". . . primary motivation was personal protection . . . "
"During the first six months of 2020, the average increase in gun sales for
retailers was a stunning 95% over last year in the same period. Meanwhile, the
average increase in ammunition sales was 139%!"
[Ya, we've all noticed the ammo shortage. I've got less than a pallet of
ammo in my garage. And I've got three classes and Tac Con coming up. -- Jon Low]
The DC Project Women for Gun Rights (NSSF, the firearm industry trade association)
https://youtu.be/W5DiYTHnkBo
Because the 2nd Amendment protects all the rest.
“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 an dishonorable population
represents the height of self-deception.”
-- James Madison, 1788
***** ***** ***** Survival, Medical, Security, and such ***** ***** *****
"If you prepare for the emergency,
the emergency ceases to exist!"
-- Dr. Sherman House
Lead Poisoning and the Shooter by Mark Passamaneck, PE
http://www.carbonarms.us/Lead.html
Willingness is a state of mind.
Preparedness (or lack thereof) is a fact.
***** ***** ***** Basics ***** ***** *****
“Often, it’s what you don’t know that kills you!”
-- Carr
Women & Guns: The Basics – An Online Course
https://thewellarmedwoman.com/blog/women-guns-the-basics-an-online-course/
Smith & Wesson estimates that 40% of recent gun purchases were made by first time
buyers. So, they set up a web site with videos for beginners.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k17a-n1Vkhw&list=PLl50hdzUoLg6Yav6PcpnE33oJyB62U4wb
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
FIREARM BASICS
SHOOTING FUNDAMENTALS
PERSONAL PROTECTION
A series of videos will play. No commercials! (Well, they do talk about the pistols
they manufacture.) Professionally done.
Julie Golob's video,
"10 Tips For Your First Time On The Range"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0v1OiraBmg&list=PLl50hdzUoLg6Yav6PcpnE33oJyB62U4wb&index=3
are deep words of wisdom that should be noted before going to the range
for the first time or taking a first time shooter to the range.
"Talking to your Children about Gun Safety"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLL9_qEpeGg&list=PLl50hdzUoLg6Yav6PcpnE33oJyB62U4wb&index=4
is also excellent.
"Train, Practice, Compete
are the key elements in the development of humans."
-- John M. Buol, Jr.
***** ***** ***** Miscellany ***** ***** *****
"Good habits and skill beat luck every time."
-- Sheriff Jim Wilson
Missive from Tom Givens --
I’m in a mid-size city in Georgia tonight, between classes. After dinner,
I decided to walk about 1.5 miles, to get some exercise after sitting in the truck
all day. My route took me through an area being developed for warehouse space,
paved street but no open businesses. It was right at dusk, and I saw a total of
8 deer on my walk, in groups of 2-4. I was able to get within 35 yards of some
of them.
The first pair were 250 yards from a busy hotel. The average city dweller
has no idea how much wildlife lives right around them, often quite close by.
This is one of many reasons that I suggest getting your head up and being aware
of what is around. I see lots of neat things the average person misses every day.
Let me clear up a couple of misconceptions.
The primary job of the military sniper is reconnaissance / intelligence gathering.
They report back to the intelligence unit (by radio, because sometimes they don't
get back in a timely manner). That's why the Marine Corps calls them Scout Snipers.
They operate behind enemy lines. So, they don't want to engage targets of opportunity.
Because, it's hard to escape when an enemy force is chasing you; you are sometimes
forced to abandon equipment. In reality, the primary characteristic of a sniper is
patience.
The primary job of the police SWAT unit is to calm the situation. They don't
win by killing the suspect. They win when a peaceful arrest is made. So, they
Sit, Wait, And, Talk. The primary characteristic of a police SWAT sniper is patience.
That's why FBI Agent Lon Horiuchi is a total failure on every level. The manslaughter
charges may have been dropped, but everyone knows what he did. I choose to believe
every word of his deposition. But, he violated our safety rule, BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET.
And so, shot and killed Vicki Weaver as she held her baby in the front door of her
house.
If you research the historical records, as in scholarly research, not mass media
research, you will see that all of the top snipers were women. (And I think still
are.) Why then have you only heard of the male snipers? Because the women do not
write books about themselves. They do not let others write books about them. They
do not consent to interviews. They do not go on talk shows. They are self effacing.
Such is a characteristic that goes hand in hand with patience. And it is tactically
smart. The enemy cannot put a bounty on you, if they cannot identify you.
Just as you've never heard of the best spies. You only hear of the ones that
get caught or defected (because they knew that they were going to get caught).
My mother explained to me that if the characters in the story were smart and
behaved correctly / morally there would be no drama. So, you could not make a
TV show or movie about it. The movie may make the soldiers look like heroes, but
the only reason they were able to make a movie, the only reason there was a story
at all is because someone made a mistake / was incompetent. If everyone is well
trained and behaves competently, nothing goes wrong. Everyone gets home safely.
There is no drama.
Hard Lessons by John Connor
https://gunsmagazine.com/odd-angry-shot/hard-lessons/
Excerpt:
"I learned peace usually exists only when others are convinced
you can hurt them a lot worse than they could hurt you — and you’re willing to do it."
"I learned some kids die fighting only because their fathers wouldn’t."
"I learned sometimes when you “come home,” in many, many ways, it’s not there anymore."
"I learned most “mercenaries” aren’t very mercenary at all, instead,
driven by ideals their birth-nations espouse, . . ."
American Heritage Dictionary
https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=eristic
Random House Dictionary
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/eristic?s=t
[My pastor told me that peace exists in only two places: a maximum security prison and
a totalitarian government. So, do not pray for peace. Pray for victory. Freedom is not
peaceful. Freedom is always violent. Love freedom!]
California is patient zero of radical leftist ideology | Calvary Chapel Chino Hills
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKGIP0EkR3s
Please view this. If you don't understand your enemy, they will eventually defeat you.
All kinds of neat stuff at:
Practical Eschatology by Mark
https://practicaleschatology.blogspot.com/
The Tactical Professor is Claude Werner
https://tacticalprofessor.wordpress.com/
Active Response Training by Gregg Ellifritz
http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/
Quips by John Farnam
https://defense-training.com/quips/
Rangemaster newsletter by Tom Givens
https://rangemaster.com/publications/rangemaster-newsletter/
CIVILIAN DEFENDER by Sherman House
https://civiliandefender.com/
Handgun Combatives by Dave Spaulding
https://www.youtube.com/c/handguncombatives/videos
Marcus Wynne
https://marcuswynne.com/blog/
Tactical Moment by John Holschen
https://www.youtube.com/user/tacticalmoment
“In the long-run, there is no such thing as ‘luck’.
However, the short-run is longer than many individual lifetimes!”
-- Anon
“In the long-run, there is no such thing as ‘luck’.
However, the short-run is longer than many individual lifetimes!”
-- Anon
Semper Fidelis,
Jonathan D. Low
Jon_Low@yahoo.com
Jonathan D. Low
Jon_Low@yahoo.com
