I was driving home from the NRA shooting range on Saturday when I got a call from my brother who lives in Utah. My brother recently graduated from the police academy and spends a lot of time at the range because he thinks one day he’ll be able to shoot like his brother…
Even though he forgets that he still owes me a whopping $5.00 from when I beat him at a shooting competition when he was in town for my wedding this summer. It was actually the day before my wedding and we were supposed to be shoe shopping or something like that. Obviously, a shooting competition was more important than shoe shopping, although when I explained this to my future wife later in the day, to my astonishment, she did not agree.
Anyway, when my brother called me he told me that at the shooting range he frequents, a father had accidentally shot his son the night before. What happened was that at the end of their shooting session the father was getting ready to pack up his gun. He did not unload the gun before he packed it up and as he was putting it into the case he put his finger on the trigger and fired the gun. The bullet struck his son’s hand, penetrating through to his son’s stomach.
According to the news article…
The kid laid on the ground until the ambulance came and he’s supposed to be just fine. Unfortunately, the father has to live with this for the rest of his life, but it’s obviously better than losing a son. (Just imagine how that phone conversation goes with your wife: “Hi honey, I just wanted to let you know that Joe and I are going to be a little late coming home from the range tonight... Because I shot him.”)
The reason this happened is because the father violated numerous safety rules and these are the same rules that I see violated at shooting ranges all of the time. First off, he was packing up a loaded gun. Before you pack up your gun for the day and put it in the case, always unload it. The only time I leave the shooting range with a loaded gun is when it’s on my hip in the holster. If I have multiple guns with me, they’re all unloaded except the one I’m carrying concealed.
Secondly, this father had his finger on the trigger of the gun.
Never put your finger on the trigger until you’ve identified your threat and you’re ready to shoot. When you are packing up a gun at the end of the day you still need to be aware of how you’re handling the gun to make sure your finger is out of the trigger guard.
Lastly, this father was not paying attention to the muzzle of the gun. You and I know that you never point the muzzle of the gun at anything you’re not willing to destroy. In fact, this is probably the most violated rule I see at a shooting range, which is why when I’m coming and going from my own lane at a range I’m always paying attention to those around me to make sure nobody is muzzling me.
The fact is, there are a lot of unsafe people at shooting ranges so not only do you have to worry about yourself following the safety rules, you also have to make sure nobody else is putting your life in danger.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Should You Wear Body Armor?
When I was a police officer I always wore my bulletproof vest no matter what. I knew some guys that didn’t wear theirs often and I always thought they were nuts, but hey, that’s their choice.
I’ll admit wearing a vest isn’t fun and is downright miserable during the summer months. I remember sweating through my undershirt in about 2.5 seconds and having to change it multiple times, especially when I was working a double shift.
But again, I was a police officer and I think it’s crucial that any law enforcement officer or military personnel should obviously be wearing body armor at all times. But what about us civilians who carry concealed on the streets every day?
Well, if you’re super paranoid…
And are preparing for the end of days (like that crazy preacher who can’t get the date of the end of the world right) then yes, you might want to throw on some body armor. But for the average person I would say don’t worry about running out and purchasing any armor this weekend. Why? To tell you the truth, it’s because you probably wouldn’t ever wear it.
You see, in the self-defense and gun world at lot of the suggestions sound good, but are highly impractical and nobody actually follows them. For instance, I know that 99% of people would never wear body armor even if it was given to them free because it’s uncomfortable, because it’s hot and because it wouldn’t fit under a lot of the clothes they wear.
In fact, I’d be highly skeptical of anyone that tells you they wear body armor and that you must too. I’d be willing to bet they watched one too many SWAT-type movies or read one too many issues of Soldier of Fortune magazine. (I’d also be willing to bet the person works at a gun store, but that’s another topic in itself.)
The bottom line is…
If you want to get body armor go ahead and do so. Make sure that you’re legally allowed to do so in your area and make sure you’re getting quality armor. A lot of places will sell you a $199 vest that only covers the front of your body and won’t withstand larger caliber bullets. A decent vest is going to cost you around $700, and if you’re going to buy one there’s no point in buying a cheap one that’s not reliable.
But if you’re like most Americans, don’t worry about buying body armor. Then again, if you live in Baltimore City, Detroit, Memphis, and a few other cities in this country you may want to forget everything I just said and get a vest today. Of course, a far better idea might be to move because one of the best ways to keep yourself safe and keep yourself from ever having to use a gun in the first place is by not putting yourself in bad/dangerous situations to begin with.
I’ll admit wearing a vest isn’t fun and is downright miserable during the summer months. I remember sweating through my undershirt in about 2.5 seconds and having to change it multiple times, especially when I was working a double shift.
But again, I was a police officer and I think it’s crucial that any law enforcement officer or military personnel should obviously be wearing body armor at all times. But what about us civilians who carry concealed on the streets every day?
Well, if you’re super paranoid…
And are preparing for the end of days (like that crazy preacher who can’t get the date of the end of the world right) then yes, you might want to throw on some body armor. But for the average person I would say don’t worry about running out and purchasing any armor this weekend. Why? To tell you the truth, it’s because you probably wouldn’t ever wear it.
You see, in the self-defense and gun world at lot of the suggestions sound good, but are highly impractical and nobody actually follows them. For instance, I know that 99% of people would never wear body armor even if it was given to them free because it’s uncomfortable, because it’s hot and because it wouldn’t fit under a lot of the clothes they wear.
In fact, I’d be highly skeptical of anyone that tells you they wear body armor and that you must too. I’d be willing to bet they watched one too many SWAT-type movies or read one too many issues of Soldier of Fortune magazine. (I’d also be willing to bet the person works at a gun store, but that’s another topic in itself.)
The bottom line is…
If you want to get body armor go ahead and do so. Make sure that you’re legally allowed to do so in your area and make sure you’re getting quality armor. A lot of places will sell you a $199 vest that only covers the front of your body and won’t withstand larger caliber bullets. A decent vest is going to cost you around $700, and if you’re going to buy one there’s no point in buying a cheap one that’s not reliable.
But if you’re like most Americans, don’t worry about buying body armor. Then again, if you live in Baltimore City, Detroit, Memphis, and a few other cities in this country you may want to forget everything I just said and get a vest today. Of course, a far better idea might be to move because one of the best ways to keep yourself safe and keep yourself from ever having to use a gun in the first place is by not putting yourself in bad/dangerous situations to begin with.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Is That A Gun In Your Pocket?
Did you know that in 1987 the state ofFloridaissued the first concealed firearms permit? Ever since then we’ve been trying to perfect the whole “concealed” part, which includes making smaller and smaller firearms.
These days there’s an endless array of pocket guns such as the Kel-Tec PF9… the Glock 26… the Kahr PM9… and the snub-nosed revolver, to name a few. But just because a gun is small enough to fit in your pocket, does that mean you should carry one there?
Well, the advantage of pocket carry is that it’s comfortable.
You don’t have a gun on your hip or strapped to your ankle that might cause you a bit of discomfort. Secondly, if the hair raises on the back of your neck and you feel like you’re in a dangerous situation you can reach in your pocket and have your hand on the gun without anyone being the wiser.
Unfortunately, in my opinion, those are the only advantages of pocket carry and there are a lot more disadvantages. First off, it’s tough to draw a gun from your pocket while sitting down. Just try reaching in your front pocket and pulling out a large object while you’re driving. It’s not easy to do.
Next, and the biggest problem of all, is the gun itself.
The itsy bitsy guns that fit in your pocket are obviously more difficult to shoot and have a heck of a lot more recoil. Plus, there’s the confidence factor. If you’re ever in a gunfight and your life is on the line, do you want to draw a tiny gun from your pocket that’s more difficult to shoot? If you can honestly answer yes and have practiced with the gun, then go ahead and carry it. However, if the thought of drawing a Seecamp .380 from your pocket makes you shudder, then find a gun you’d be willing to bet your life on.
If you do find that gun, then always use a pocket holster. Never, ever carry in your pocket without one because something could get in the trigger, plus the gun could get all kinds of gunk and lint in it.
Also, practice drawing from your pocket in front of the mirror. You’ll quickly realize that you have to have your hand flat (in a spear shape) to get in your pocket… you’re not going to be able to have your hand in a fist.
Lastly, make sure you’ve got the right type of pants on. Most jeans pockets are too tight and you’ll have a giant bulge in your pocket. You’ll likely have to wear either Khaki’s or some type of cargo pants. Of course, before you stroll out of the house make sure you don’t look ridiculous and or that the world can tell you’ve got an abnormally large object in your pocket.
That brings me to my final point. I know this is common sense, but since there are a lot of knuckleheads in the world, pocket carry is for pocket guns. In other words, if your full-size 1911 is protruding from your pocket, it doesn’t qualify as pocket carry.
These days there’s an endless array of pocket guns such as the Kel-Tec PF9… the Glock 26… the Kahr PM9… and the snub-nosed revolver, to name a few. But just because a gun is small enough to fit in your pocket, does that mean you should carry one there?
Well, the advantage of pocket carry is that it’s comfortable.
You don’t have a gun on your hip or strapped to your ankle that might cause you a bit of discomfort. Secondly, if the hair raises on the back of your neck and you feel like you’re in a dangerous situation you can reach in your pocket and have your hand on the gun without anyone being the wiser.
Unfortunately, in my opinion, those are the only advantages of pocket carry and there are a lot more disadvantages. First off, it’s tough to draw a gun from your pocket while sitting down. Just try reaching in your front pocket and pulling out a large object while you’re driving. It’s not easy to do.
Next, and the biggest problem of all, is the gun itself.
The itsy bitsy guns that fit in your pocket are obviously more difficult to shoot and have a heck of a lot more recoil. Plus, there’s the confidence factor. If you’re ever in a gunfight and your life is on the line, do you want to draw a tiny gun from your pocket that’s more difficult to shoot? If you can honestly answer yes and have practiced with the gun, then go ahead and carry it. However, if the thought of drawing a Seecamp .380 from your pocket makes you shudder, then find a gun you’d be willing to bet your life on.
If you do find that gun, then always use a pocket holster. Never, ever carry in your pocket without one because something could get in the trigger, plus the gun could get all kinds of gunk and lint in it.
Also, practice drawing from your pocket in front of the mirror. You’ll quickly realize that you have to have your hand flat (in a spear shape) to get in your pocket… you’re not going to be able to have your hand in a fist.
Lastly, make sure you’ve got the right type of pants on. Most jeans pockets are too tight and you’ll have a giant bulge in your pocket. You’ll likely have to wear either Khaki’s or some type of cargo pants. Of course, before you stroll out of the house make sure you don’t look ridiculous and or that the world can tell you’ve got an abnormally large object in your pocket.
That brings me to my final point. I know this is common sense, but since there are a lot of knuckleheads in the world, pocket carry is for pocket guns. In other words, if your full-size 1911 is protruding from your pocket, it doesn’t qualify as pocket carry.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Tips for Winter Concealed Carry
When I was with the Agency, I did a lot of cold weather shooting. I remember shooting thousands of rounds with snow and ice covering the ground, bundled up like an Eskimo. And now that winter is slowly approaching, it’s time to prepare to carry in the cold once again and to consider the following important points.
First off, I’m not a fan of open carry or outside the waistband holsters. (I always use an inside the waistband holster.) However, during the winter I know a lot of people use an outside the waistband holster because the jacket covers the firearm. I have no problem with this, as long as you remember to practice your draw with this holster and remember to properly sweep the jacket back.
After all, if you’re used to lifting up a t-shirt or drawing from another location, you need to build the proper muscle memory for how you’re going to carry during the winter.
Secondly, I would avoid gloves if I were you.
When I was with the Agency, I was issued gloves, but never wore them. I could never get comfortable enough with them and I never liked how they felt on my grip and trigger pull. For example, if you carry a 1911 handgun, have you tried to take off the thumb safety wearing gloves? If you carry a revolver, have you tried loading your revolver wearing gloves? Heck, maybe you have those puffy gloves and you can’t even get your finger in the trigger guard.
In short, if you’re going to wear gloves make sure and practice with them often, by going to your local shooting range and bringing the gloves with you. But, if you’re like me and decide not to wear gloves then you’ve got to remember to never, ever wear them. It doesn’t matter if it’s 60 below because I have the strange feeling that if a mugger stops you on the street during a snow storm, you’re not going to be able to say to him “Excuse me sir, time out for a second. I need to take off my gloves so I can draw my gun on you.”
Be very careful about what type of jacket you wear during the winter too.
You don’t want anything hooded that obstructs your vision. Wearing a hooded jacket cuts off your peripheral vision and you’ll lose your situational awareness. Also, make sure the jacket fits. Don’t wear the winter jacket you had in high school 20 years ago that’s skin tight and doesn’t allow you to properly use your arms. (Remember that scene with the kid from the movie The Christmas Story?)
Lastly, if you’re real ambitious, go out this winter and practice shooting in the snow. If nothing else, it will be a good confidence builder because you’ll realize that you can shoot just as well in the heat of the summer as in the freezing cold.
First off, I’m not a fan of open carry or outside the waistband holsters. (I always use an inside the waistband holster.) However, during the winter I know a lot of people use an outside the waistband holster because the jacket covers the firearm. I have no problem with this, as long as you remember to practice your draw with this holster and remember to properly sweep the jacket back.
After all, if you’re used to lifting up a t-shirt or drawing from another location, you need to build the proper muscle memory for how you’re going to carry during the winter.
Secondly, I would avoid gloves if I were you.
When I was with the Agency, I was issued gloves, but never wore them. I could never get comfortable enough with them and I never liked how they felt on my grip and trigger pull. For example, if you carry a 1911 handgun, have you tried to take off the thumb safety wearing gloves? If you carry a revolver, have you tried loading your revolver wearing gloves? Heck, maybe you have those puffy gloves and you can’t even get your finger in the trigger guard.
In short, if you’re going to wear gloves make sure and practice with them often, by going to your local shooting range and bringing the gloves with you. But, if you’re like me and decide not to wear gloves then you’ve got to remember to never, ever wear them. It doesn’t matter if it’s 60 below because I have the strange feeling that if a mugger stops you on the street during a snow storm, you’re not going to be able to say to him “Excuse me sir, time out for a second. I need to take off my gloves so I can draw my gun on you.”
Be very careful about what type of jacket you wear during the winter too.
You don’t want anything hooded that obstructs your vision. Wearing a hooded jacket cuts off your peripheral vision and you’ll lose your situational awareness. Also, make sure the jacket fits. Don’t wear the winter jacket you had in high school 20 years ago that’s skin tight and doesn’t allow you to properly use your arms. (Remember that scene with the kid from the movie The Christmas Story?)
Lastly, if you’re real ambitious, go out this winter and practice shooting in the snow. If nothing else, it will be a good confidence builder because you’ll realize that you can shoot just as well in the heat of the summer as in the freezing cold.
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