First Aid, it’s what’s first!

This is a reposted article. September is National Preparedness month. It is a good time to look at your preparedness plan and add to, or take away from. Use this article as a starting point. 

Recently we have been putting together our kids’ go bags. These 2 kids are in college and living away from home. As we came to their first aid kits, we weren’t real sure what we needed to include. I have a YouTube channel that I follow. Nutnfancy is the guy that makes videos about outdoor adventure. He reviews guns, knives, and other gear. I highly recommend his channel and videos. His POU (philosophy of use) and mine match up nicely. He did a few videos specifically on first aid kits. First, he did a video describing an experience he had with a bad car wreck. From that experience he vowed to never be unprepared in the first aid area again. He does two other video series on "level 1" and "level 2" kits. The level 1 kit is a one-to-two-person kit. It is small and compact but covers the items that are needed. He focuses on blood stoppers but goes beyond what a store-bought kit would be. Store bought kits usually have a lot of band-aids and maybe some aspirin. In his videos he explains why he included each item. I am not going to go through a list but will touch on a few things I feel are important. Like a go bag or 72-hour kit, first aid is up to the individual. Usually, the items you would include will match your capabilities and training. If you have had training putting in an IV, you would probably want that in your kit. If you know how to suture, you will probably have a suture kit. Make sure you have training and experience with the procedures you are planning for. If you have no training, I would strongly suggest you start with a Red Cross course in first aid and CPR. Get trained and stay current. If you have a friend who is a doctor or Nurse, ask them for training. Don’t get too technical but it is good to know when and why you should do a procedure. Learn what can go wrong and how to correct or treat the problem. As was mentioned, the Red Cross is a good source of training. Also mentioned were friends who are Doctors or Nurses, EMTs. A Boy Scout Troop might be another source. There are many good books, websites, and videos. Be careful about self-education. Ensure you have good information by checking with a credible source to verify what you’ve learned is actually how it is. Another good YouTube channel that I like is PatriotNurse. She is very informative and does not get too technical. She teaches in layman’s terms and realizes everyone hasn’t had several years of college courses concerning medicine. Also, if you know someone in the military they receive a lot of training in first aid procedures. A combat medic can teach some things that a doctor would not know. Most Doctors have an office or hospital with equipment and other professionals at their disposal. A combat medic is usually alone and is taught on a level that you and I may experience. If you come upon a car wreck, you won’t have a full staff and facility to use in treating the injured. I would highly recommend courses that focus on field first aid.  EMT’s and combat medics, first responders if you will; in my opinion have the most practical experience for survival or emergency medicine. As I said above, most doctors and nurses have experience in a controlled environment. Now I’m not saying those professionals are not trained in this type of medicine, many are but many have little or no experience in this type of medicine.   

As you put together your kit think about experiences you’ve had with first aid and what you need. Then look at your skills and training and add those items. Then, think of what you think you may need in the future and add those items. Then get the proper training to support those possible future events. Remember that it’s always better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. Ask those who know about their gear. Find out what professionals use and try to obtain the same items that they use. Buying in bulk is always cheaper. If you need 3X3 surgical pads, find a good price on the internet and buy a bulk amount. You will need them for other kits. We have a kit in every go bag, then one in each vehicle or "get home" bag. You may want one at your place of work or school. There will always be a use for certain bulk items.

Pick a container that can meet your needs. For me it would always be contingent on SWB (size, weight, bulk). Also, how functional is the case, or box? Can you get to everything quickly? Can you find most things in it by sight, or do you have to dump out the whole container first? Is it easy to carry? Are things clearly labeled so someone unfamiliar with the kit can use it quickly and efficiently? Is it easily accessed or hard to find?  All this and more should be considered when choosing a kit container.

First aid skills will generally not change although some procedures do change, such as CPR.  Become trained and practice on occasion.  This could be a family activity.  To make it real and more fun, employ makeup for real looking wounds.  Stick to the basics and don’t try to practice medicine.  This is first aid after all.  Think of first responders and their job.  That is what you become, the first one on the scene.

Recently I was with a Scout troop who were training in first aid from the Scout manual.  Most of what was taught is very valuable.  I told the boys that they just received more first aid training that night than most Americans ever receive.  There was one thing that bothered me though.  I know the Boy Scouts of America have a liability problem, but I felt every part of this first aid training ended in seeking medical help.  I am definitely an advocate of seeking competent medical help whenever possible, but I feel more training can make you more self-sufficient.  Build your skills and kits around the possibility that medical help will not be available.  Two e-books that come to mind are“Where there is no Doctor”, and “Where there is no Dentist”.  These are geared toward the possibility that no help is available.  They are free in digital form if you do a search.

First Aid skills are probably more important than first aid materials, because you can improvise if you have the knowledge.  So, get trained.  But with that training make sure you know how to use your equipment and materials in your first aid kit.  Be familiar with how to use these items so you won’t fumble with them when you have to use them.  After your training you get your kit together so you have the items that will make your knowledge applicable to the emergency you are responding to. 

Put together a list that fits with your skills.  Remember that others may have some skills you may not have.  Once you get a list, start putting together the items in your container of choice.  When I did this, I considered SWB (size, weight, bulk).  If your budget doesn’t allow buying products all at once, put it together a little at a time.  Maybe a few items a month.  Make sure you write all this down and set your goal.  Then keep track of your progress.  In no time at all you will see kits being built.  You may want to put temporary items in your kit until you can purchase what you really want.  Such as scissors.  Put in what you have until you get what you want.

This is truly a labor of love because these first aid kits may save the life of you or your loved ones one day.

 

Semper Paratus

 

Burn

 

Shooting An Automatic Weapon

 Automatic weapons, or machine guns, have been depicted as the weapon of choice for bad guys and heroes alike.  Movies, television, and the media think full autos are all over the place on the streets.  Most of this is complete fabrication.  Even if you could find a fully automatic rifle you would need some experience to use it effectively.  I taught military and law enforcement to shoot with these weapons for years.  They are not easy to use.  Sure, you could pick one up and start shooting, but without competent instruction, and some practice, you would only succeed at giving cover fire at the very best or shooting someone or something you don’t intend to at the worst.  These guns are useful in combat, or for keeping heads down, but not much use at all.  When I was in combat, I seldom had my weapon on “auto”.  If I wanted to be effective the most, I would fire 3 round bursts.  These guns tend to “ride” or have a muzzle rise that you must control.  Also know that squeezing and going “Rambo” is not that great for the gun.  No matter if it is a sub machine gun or a machine gun you’re bound to have this rise.  And barrels get hot fast!  With our M-60 we switched barrels quite often.

In 2014 in Arizona a 9-year-old girl was legally shooting a sub machine gun at a range when she lost control of the gun and ended up shooting her instructor.  The instructor was rushed to the hospital but died from the gun shot.

What’s the difference between a machine gun and a submachine gun?  A submachine gun shoots pistol caliber ammunition. Usually, these will have a lower recoil, have reduced ranges compared to rifle caliber machine guns, and require a better grip.   

One of the most important aspects of shooting full auto is grip. Your support hand (for right-handed shooters, this will be your left hand) should grip the gun and pull it back into your body. This allows the gun to sit firmly just inside your shoulder and acts as both a steerer of the gun and controls it. This is the most important part of the grip, as your support hand is doing most of the work.  Your strong hand will rest relaxed, but firm against the gun’s grip and that’s about it (in most cases).

The two major points to shooting auto are leaning into the gun, which will help to manage the amount of recoil you feel, and making sure you are balanced.   Your foot position can vary a bit depending on the types and calibers of gun you are shooting, as well as your body type.

Just as the different types of full autos are slightly different than one another, the shooter has to make slight adjustments for the platform they are firing.   The basics are the same, but a few minor changes will set you up for safe success. Submachine guns have more muzzle rise than most other auto platforms.   This can be due to rate of fire, with some guns that have the back end being heavier than the front, or simply because the gun is lighter than most.  

I recommend taking a small step forward with your support foot.   You then want to bend that front knee and sink your weight onto that leg, which will lean your weight into the gun.  Combine this with using your support hand to pull the rifle snugly into your shoulder, and you have set up a solid foundation for most rifle systems.

Do not try to learn from video games, TV shows, or movies.  They lie and promote disinformation.  They do it so naturally and off hand.  I was just watching a series from the 90’s called The Mentalist yesterday.  It’s basically a cop show.  They were talking about someone having a registered gun.  Most non-gun people (and some gun people!) think that guns are registered in this country.  I know a lot of law enforcement would like that because it would make their work much easier.  Like many things in law enforcement, if we didn’t have rights their job would be easier.  But we do have rights. I see law enforcement often try to trick people into giving up their rights just to do their work.  I think it’s disgusting.  Many have fought and died for those rights that someone who has sworn to uphold, yet they try and get around it.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the U.S. law enforcement.  Most in law enforcement are honorable, good people.  There are some who ruin things for all of them.  It is unlawful to have a registry for guns.  In landmark cases District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) and McDonald v. City of Chicago (2010) the Supreme Court has affirmed the individual right to keep and bear arms for self-defense in the home. A federal firearms register can be seen as an infringement on this right in several ways:

·          Chilling Effect: Knowing their gun ownership is recorded and potentially accessible to the government can deter individuals from exercising their Second Amendment right. This self-censorship directly undermines the purpose of the amendment.

·         Potential for Abuse: Registration lists have historically been used for confiscation efforts. The mere existence of such a list presents the temptation for future abuse, whether through misguided policy or outright tyranny.

·         Facilitating Confiscation: A comprehensive register makes it significantly easier for the government to identify and potentially confiscate firearms, especially during emergencies or in response to perceived threats.

Understanding the historical context surrounding the Second Amendment is crucial. The Founding Fathers, deeply distrustful of centralized power and standing armies, enshrined the right to bear arms to ensure the people could resist potential government overreach. A federal firearms register, essentially providing the government with a detailed list of armed citizens, directly contradicts this foundational principle.

The fear of a standing army and the importance of an armed citizenry to prevent tyranny were paramount concerns for the framers. A registration scheme empowers the federal government with detailed knowledge of who possesses what arms, thereby diminishing the people’s ability to act as a check on potential governmental abuses of power.

So, there is no registry and it has the force of law behind it.  The closest thing is a semi-registry of guns used in crimes. 

Machine guns and sub-machine guns have been regulated since 1938.  The crime organizations of the 20’s and 30’s are what brought this law to be.  The St. Valentines Day massacre comes to mind.

Would you like to own a machine gun legally?  This is a portion of an article from The Gun Zone

https://thegunzone.com/how-to-buy-a-machine-gun-legally/

How to buy a machine gun legally

September 30, 2024, by William Taylor

 

Steps to Legal Acquisition

1.      Determine Eligibility: Federal law dictates who can own NFA firearms. You must:

·         Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.

·         Be at least 21 years of age.

·         Reside in a state where machine gun ownership is legal. (Not all states permit private ownership of machine guns.)

·         Be legally eligible to possess a firearm, meaning you cannot have any felony convictions or other disqualifying conditions as outlined in federal and state law.

·         Not be prohibited under the provisions of the NFA.

2.      Research State and Local Laws: Even if federal law allows machine gun ownership in your state, your state and local laws may impose further restrictions or outright bans. Thoroughly research your local ordinances before proceeding.

3.      Find a Transferable Machine Gun: Because of the Hughes Amendment, you can only purchase machine guns that were registered with the ATF before May 19, 1986. These firearms are significantly more expensive due to their limited availability. Reputable Class 3 dealers (dealers licensed to sell NFA firearms) are your primary source for finding such firearms.

4.      Arrange the Transfer: Once you’ve found a suitable machine gun, the transfer process begins. This typically involves working with a Class 3 dealer who will initiate the necessary paperwork with the ATF.

5.      Complete ATF Form 4 (Application for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration of Firearm): This form is the cornerstone of the legal transfer process. You must provide detailed information about yourself, the firearm, and the seller. This form also requires your local Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) to be notified. The CLEO must sign the form; however, their signature only serves as a notification that you are seeking to acquire a regulated NFA item.

6.      Submit Fingerprint Cards and Photographs: The ATF requires fingerprint cards and passport-style photographs as part of the Form 4 application.

7.      Pay the Transfer Tax: A $200 transfer tax is levied on each transfer of a machine gun. This payment is submitted along with the Form 4 application.

8.      Wait for ATF Approval: This is the most time-consuming part of the process. The ATF conducts a background check and verifies the information provided on the Form 4. The approval process can take several months, and sometimes even longer.

9.      Receive Approved Form 4 and Take Possession: Once the ATF approves the Form 4, they will return it to the transferring dealer. The dealer can then legally transfer the machine gun to you. You must keep the approved Form 4 in your possession whenever you possess or transport the machine gun.

 

Thanks to The Gun Zone and William Taylor for giving us the steps of an NFA Firearms acquisition. 

As you can see, acquiring, owning, and even shooting an automatic weapon is not common or simple.  If you are so inclined, we wish you luck and remember:

“Happiness is a belt-fed weapon!”

 

Semper Paratus

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The Miracle of Paracord

 Shortly before World War II, Wallace Carothers of DuPont invented a “synthetic silk”, a polyamide they named Nylon. Its invention made a new kind of large-scale, mobile airborne warfare possible, and the paratroopers were born. Previously, parachutes were made from silk, something that was in very short supply due to the natural method of its production – the humble silkworm. This new, synthetic silk transformed warfare by making it possible to mass produce parachutes and its companion product, parachute cord.

Dropped behind enemy lines, the paratrooper needed versatile, functional, reliable and, as much as possible, lightweight tools. Soldiers found diverse and inventive uses for their parachute cord. Once on the ground, paratroopers often cut the paracord from their chute and took it with them for future use. They had been trained on ways that parachute cord or “paracord” could be used in both survival situations and for making improvised repairs.

After World War II, the U.S. military adopted paracord for use throughout the Army as a multi-use tool with numerous applications. Today, it is still part of the U.S. military’s standard equipment and is used in many practical applications, like securing gear to backpacks and trucks, shelter building and various other improvised solutions.

As man has always used various types of cords for survival — in building, measuring, hunting, travelling (sailing, wagons), etc. –- it is perhaps unsurprising that even today, paracord continues to play an important part in man’s everyday life.

It is extraordinary how many uses you can get from this amazingly strong and durable cord. Suffice it to say that NASA is a bit particular with what they choose to send into space, where every gram of weight is considered and re-considered in terms of its necessity and utility. NASA believed in the worth of paracord and made it an accessory for their astronauts’ missions. In fact, during space shuttle mission STS-82 in 1997, it was even used to make an improvised repair to the Hubble space telescope.     

Paracord was also used to secure small items to prevent them from loss.

The paracord is useful in outdoor applications because it will not rot away or mildew adding to its reliability.

Hikers and other outdoor sports enthusiasts sometimes use “survival bracelets” made of several feet of paracord which is woven into a compact and wearable form. Such bracelets are meant to be unraveled when one needs rope for whatever purpose –securing cargo, lashing together poles, fixing broken straps or belts, assisting with water rescues, controlling bleeding with a tourniquet, etc.

Paracord is light weight and compact making it easy to carry.  The 550 cord was used in several ways.  The inner strands of the cord could be removed to be used is sewing applications and used as fishing line in a survival

situation.

Paracord 550, so named because it has a breaking strength of 550 pounds, was used in the suspension lines of military parachutes.  

After 9/11/01, members deployed to the middle east would – and do – wear a military paracord bracelet as a symbol of remembrance for colleagues who were taken prisoner of war or missing in action.  

Of course, it still is used by the military, but survivalists and outdoor enthusiast also rely on this versatile cord. From first aid uses like making a tourniquet, tying a splint or sling, to hanging tools from your belt, neck or pack. You can make a towline, tie up a boat, canoe, or skiff, or unravel it and use the inner strands for fishing line. String it up to make a clothesline, or to haul your food stores off the ground away from bears. Make traps, or snares, securely tie a tarp between trees. Tie people together on a trail or mountain to make sure they stay together, and to help prevent dangerous falls. Use it for dental floss or sewing thread, and to fix or repair articles of clothing.

What Exactly is Paracord

The military-grade cord is Mil-C-504h type III. While there are other types of paracord commercially available, the Mil-C-504h is the only military-approved one. The outer layer is a braided sleeve that today comes in many colors. Inside that outer layer are 7 – 9 fine strands that are each made up of at 2-3 intertwined fibers. 

 

A standard military paracord bracelet is made by weaving a 10 – 12-foot single strand and using a uniform button for a clasp. The idea is that each service member wears a bracelet that has been made by someone else, and the bracelets are only removed when everyone is safely back to base. 

 

Type 1 cord, Minimum strength: 95 lbs, Strands 1-2, Use: decorative, light-duty

Type 2 cord, Minimum strength: 400 lbs, Strands: 4-7, Use: General purpose

Type 3 (550) cord, Minimum strength: 550 lbs, Strands: 7-9, Use: Military-survival-outdoor

Type 4 cord, Minimum strength: 750 lbs, Strands: 11+, Use: Heavy duty applications

 

The military 550 cord consists of the sheath is rated at about 300-pounds, and each of the 7 strands made up of two strings each for a rating of 35 pounds.

I love this stuff.  After I was introduced to paracord in jump school I’ve used it for everything.  It’s a very good addition to your EDC (everyday carry) and the many applications you can find for it.

Semper Paratus

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Gunshot Trauma: Reality of Shooting

 38 years ago, today I had my first combat experience.  I remember the day because it was my wife’s birthday. Great, huh?  The trauma has been minimized but the lessons have lived on.  We all have adversity in our lives.  We must ask God what He would have us learn from these experiences.  It helped me to mitigate the trauma.  One of the things I learned from this harrowing experience was how to manage gunshot wounds.  We experienced 200 to 300 against our 32.  We lost 4 but several were wounded.  It’s a miracle that many survived.  We had some top-notch medics that made a huge difference in minimizing lives lost. 

MARCH stands for Massive Hemorrhage, Airway, Respiration, Circulation and Hypothermia.

Remember this acronym to be able to assess the life-giving aid needed

Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

This is where the rubber meets the road.  Some people are not built for the gore and the emergency of a situation.  It does not have to be combat to be serious and life threatening.

Stay calm to assess the situation and make sure you and the injured person are in a safe place.

You can’t help if you’re in danger too. Once you’re sure it's safe, move quickly to the casualty.

Stop The Bleeding

Massive bleeding is the number one cause of preventable death in gunshot wounds. Your priority is to stop the bleeding, especially if it's from an arm or leg.

 

Related Medical Supplies:

• Tourniquet: If the bleeding is from a limb and it's severe, apply a tourniquet immediately. A good military gunshot wound kit will include a high-quality tourniquet which is ready to use and staged for fast application. Place it as high as possible and tighten as tight as possible.
• Compressed Gauze: If the wound is too high or too deep for a tourniquet (such as on the neck or torso), use compressed gauze to pack the wound. This helps stop internal

bleeding. Pack it tightly into the wound to put pressure on the bleeding vessel. After that, apply a trauma bandage to secure it in place.

·         Blood stoppers: Surgical pads are the best for stopping serious bleeding.  The pads that come in most first aid kits are woefully inadequate.  Several surgical pads have the thickness to stop bleeding.

Seal the Chest Wound

If the gunshot wound is in the chest, you need to act fast to seal the wound as soon as possible. Gunshot wounds to the chest can cause a condition called tension pneumothorax, air gets trapped in the chest cavity and collapses the lung.

 

Related Medical Supplies:

• Chest Seal for Gunshot Wound: Most gunshot wound first aid kits come with vented chest seals designed specifically for a chest open wound.

Apply the chest seal directly over the wound, making sure the edges are completely sealed to prevent air from getting in. There might be an exit wound on their back—so check and apply another chest seal if needed. The vented type is recommended because it lets air and blood escape through the channel while preventing air from re-entering.

Check Breathing and watch for Tension Pneumothorax

Once you’ve controlled the bleeding and sealed any chest wounds, it’s time to check the casualty's breath and look for signs of tension pneumothorax. If the Casualty is having increasing difficulty breathing, this might be what is happening.

• Signs of Tension Pneumothorax: Difficulty breathing, rapid shallow breaths, bluish skin (cyanosis), and chest pain.
• Action: Ensure the vented chest seal is functioning properly, allowing air to escape. If breathing becomes more difficult, you may need to perform a needle decompression (with proper training and equipment,) and prepare for rapid evacuation.

In many cases, the person who is injured won’t make it to the hospital without immediate care. That’s why having a gunshot wound first aid kit nearby is so important. Whether it’s in your vehicle, home, or on you during outdoor activities, being prepared means, you can provide lifesaving care.

 

 Gunshot Trauma Kit contents

· Bandage Scissors

· Curved Hemostat

· Venom Nitrile Gloves – No Latex

· Face Masks

· Alcohol Wipes

· Betadine Iodine

· Mylar Blanket – avoid shock

· Ammonia inhaler

· CPR Mask

· Red Marker

· Incident Report

· CAT Tourniquet

· H & H Dressing

· Adhesive Tape – Latex Free

· Israeli Bandage / Emergency Pressure Bandage

· #10 Scalpel

· Decompression Needle

· Roll Gauze

· Celox-A Sterile ABD Pads

· Double Chest Seal

 

• For Bleeding: Tourniquet, Compressed Gauze, Combat Gauze with Kaolin, gloves, trauma shears
• For Chest Wound: Chest Seal kit, gloves, trauma shears

 

It’s important to react quickly to a gunshot wound.  Some cases would be something that needs immediate attention even for a through-and-through or a nick.  Some may be minor blood loss but it’s not always clear what was hit inside the body.

It takes a little preparation in gear and learned skills that can mean the difference between life or death.  It’s not always that dire, until it is.  Get basic training and have the tools necessary to save a life if called upon.  I can tell you from personal experience that’s it’s not a good experience to watch someone die in front of you and feeling helpless.  Preparedness is the answer.  Be prepared!

Semper Paratus

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Round in the Chamber? How Can You Do That?

Again I got the question.  Often it's an argument, do you carry a round in your chamber?  Rather than answer this over and over again, I will repost this from February of 2016.  Enjoy!

 Everyone who owns a gun or carries a gun has different thoughts about safety. Some believe that to be safe you must lock up guns. This is true but only to a certain point. When it comes to guns and children, keeping them safe is your primary concern. But as your children get older, I believe if they are trained and exposed to guns, the mystery is removed, and a respect and safety ethic replaces curiosity. Safety is a perspective thing.

Remember this scene from the movie “Blackhawk Down”?
Steele: Sergeant, what's the meaning of this?
[Thinking he's talking about the unauthorized pig picking]
"Hoot": Just a little aerial target practice, sir. Didn't want to leave 'em behind.
Steele: I'm talking about your weapon, soldier. Now Delta or no-Delta, that's still a hot weapon. Your safety should be on at all times.
"Hoot": This is my safety, sir.
[He holds up his index finger and bends motions as if squeezing a trigger and then walks off]
Sanderson: Let it alone, sir. He hasn't eaten in a few days. (Hangry?)

Guns do not shoot themselves. Contrary to Hollywood’s false impression modern guns don’t go off if you drop them. They only shoot when something presses the trigger.
The amount of people who don’t carry a weapon with a round in the chamber is simply astounding. In this article, I’m going to cover why you should carry a gun that is locked, cocked and ready to rock.
I want to say right now that if you don’t carry a round in the chamber, my goal is not to offend you. My goal is to help you realize something, so please read on.
As a rule of thumb, police officers are taught that an attacker (AKA a bad guy) can successfully make up enough distance to overpower someone in under 21 feet. Why? Because the “average” attacker can usually make up 21 feet in less than 2 seconds. Some guys are even faster than that.
What this means is that by the time you realize your life is in danger, your assailant is already upon you with a knife or other means of deadly force. Unfortunately for you and me, it also takes anywhere from .7-1.5 seconds for your body to react once it realizes that it is in danger. So, if you pull your gun from its holster and there isn’t a round in the chamber what are you going to do? If he is on you and you still need to chamber a round, you’re as good as dead.
In all actuality, what will likely happen is you’ll draw your weapon and your attacker will either turn around and run like a dog with his tail tucked, or he’ll continue on in his pursuit regardless of the outcome. Why? Because that’s how criminals think.
The last thing any criminal wants is to get caught being, is a criminal. If one is bold enough to attack you, he is also bold enough to kill you. How do we know this? Ask a state correctional officer. They have had plenty of time to talk to the inmates and get a feeling for how they think.
More often than not, this attacker will be just a few feet from you, taking even less time for you to react appropriately. The only real way to mitigate the possibility of someone being successful in an attack, is to carry a handgun with a round in the chamber. That way, all you have to do is pull the gun from its holster, and press.
The reason for not carrying with a round in the chamber stems from inexperience and fear. Remember that I don’t mean to insult or offend anyone, these are just my opinions. I would hope you will take this information as it is meant to be given, to educate and inform.
Many people, even those who decide to own and carry a gun, are afraid of them.
Remember when you first started to drive? When another vehicle approached you from the opposite direction, you would hug the shoulder. That is somewhat how it is with a gun. Especially when you start to carry. Many people will touch their gun often when they start carrying to ensure the gun is still there. Learning how to handle and use a gun, then actually using it, will give you the confidence you need to not be afraid of it. The other problem is the media. Movies and TV teach false ideas about guns. Even those who carry guns for a living can be taught false ideas by media. I’ve heard stories of a policeman going into a hostile environment, getting shot in their vest, and falling to the ground, out of the fight. Even though they are really not out of the fight and very few bullets can actually knock someone down.
Lack of training is something that can cause an undue fear of guns. As I said before, the more experience you have with guns the more comfortable you are with them. Like driving a vehicle, you must develop muscle memory. You do this by practicing and training. You soon learn that the gun is not unsafe, but the shooter can be. Also, like driving, if you don’t follow safety rules you can get hurt.
What does this have to do with a round in the chamber? It means that when you are properly trained, practice safety and handling often, you too will have the confidence and see the logic in, carrying a gun with a round in the chamber.
Anyone who does not get training and does not practice will lose what they have learned by their limited training. Find a qualified instructor to take classes from. Notice how the word “Classes” is plural? One class will not take care of your training needs. You need to commit to training or practice. There is a lot that goes into buying and carrying a lethal weapon. It takes time and money as a commitment.
These are the rules that you should learn and be able to quote by heart.
Rule 1: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED
Rule 2: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER (POINT AT) ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY
Rule 3: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET
Rule 4: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND BEYOND
Being prepared with your gun can mean the difference between life or death. It takes only a little effort to find out whether you can be comfortable carrying a round in the chamber. I do not think you will have the time and maybe the motor skills to bring your weapon into battery.
Do whatever it takes to be comfortable, competent, and happy with your gun.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn