Gun Theft

 One concern we all share as responsible gun owners is keeping our guns out of the wrong hands. That can range from children who aren’t ready to handle the responsibility of gun safety to violent criminals looking to arm themselves.  Based on police experience, we want to share some ways you can protect against unauthorized access and loss of a firearm.

There is one particular experience a patrol officer had that demonstrates just how easily avoidable many of those gun thefts are.

This was in a primarily commercial district. There were several gyms near the county line, and just on the other side of the county line was a large apartment complex that housed more than its share of criminals. As a result, the LEO was taking multiple vehicle break-in reports every day at the gyms, sometimes in the double digits.

After talking to so many victims, seeing where the cars were in the parking lot, and gathering information on what was taken and from where, one fact jumped out. From victim interviews and surveillance tape, it became clear the suspects were scouting cars for visible valuables. So, the LEO created a little flier that looked like a parking ticket, and he would walk the parking lot looking in cars. When he noticed valuables visible in the car, he filled out the blanks on the “ticket”. It would then read something like “Patrol. Blue conducted an anti-theft patrol in this parking lot. He noticed the following unsecured valuables in your vehicle _____. Had a thief noticed it, he would have broken your window and, within seconds, stolen your items. Please secure your items in the locker room or hide them from view.”

It was amazing how often purses, laptop bags, and expensive electronics were visible from outside the car. But with the “ticket” reminders, he saw fewer and fewer exposed valuables. Break-ins at the gym plummeted dramatically, so he continued the practice at other locations and solved the problem for his beat until a covert unit could become available and catch the thieves in the act elsewhere.  

Criminals gain access to firearms in several ways, the two most common being vehicle break-ins and residential burglaries. While guns are sometimes stolen from gun stores (often by driving a car into the building) and by robbing someone known to be carrying a gun, today we’re focusing on how the average armed citizen can avoid the theft of an unattended firearm.

Vehicle break-ins come in two varieties: residential parking (i.e. in your own driveway or at the curb in front of your home) and parking lots. Both types of crimes tend to be clustered in certain areas of any given jurisdiction. If your local police or sheriff’s department has online crime reporting, you can often filter the crimes to see where they cluster in your area.

Residential vehicle break-ins occur more frequently in areas that are high in other types of crimes, particularly narcotics and vice offenses. Non-violent addicts who are looking to feed their habits will often target unoccupied vehicles due to the lower risk of both being confronted by property owners or detected by law enforcement. The neighborhoods that attract these types of criminals lack stores to shoplift from, often making cars the lowest hanging fruit for theft. Only the most desperate will smash a window just to rummage, hoping to find something of value. Most will scout cars for valuables or access them without needing to break a window. They will try door handles looking for an unlocked vehicle to go through and will look in the windows of locked cars to see if there’s anything of value. The “tool” they use to break windows is often a simple spark plug — the electrode acts like a window punch and will break a side window quite easily. They generally do not gain access to the trunk in a modern car that requires the keys to pop it open. The center console and glove box are the prime focus of the rummaging. Valuables under the seats are sometimes missed.

For low-crime residential areas, vehicle break-ins can still occur. The thieves are often younger and live in the area. Residents of the neighborhood generally have a suspicion as to who the likely culprits are. They tend to be the source of other issues in the neighborhood such as vandalism, noise complaints, and petty theft. If you can think of someone that fits this narrative within easy walking distance of your home, then you are at an elevated risk of a vehicle break-in.

In more affluent neighborhoods, it’s generally kids looking for a thrill and hoping for money to buy something parents don’t know about. They usually travel in groups and are sometimes easier to catch since they are known to the neighborhood.

Those who live in rural settings generally have less to worry about. The low density of both people and potential targets means there’s little opportunity for scouting. Unfortunately, a quickly growing number of rural communities have issues with meth, pills, and heroin, so you still need to know your neighbors and be aware of anyone who heightens your risk.

The biggest step you can take in reducing your risk of a vehicle break-in in a residential setting is to not live in an area where they occur. I understand this seems self-evident and that where you live is often not entirely in your control, however, it’s worth mentioning, particularly if you are moving and will be renting. Run the crime stats for the neighborhood before you commit to it. Even for the most temporary lodging, like when I am choosing a hotel in an unfamiliar area, I will look at these sorts of crime stats for the neighborhood as well as reviews on travel websites. For a place you plan to live long-term, drive through the area in both the daytime and at night, watching for any suspicious activity.

Next is securing your vehicle. A garaged vehicle is much safer than one parked in a driveway, which can be marginally safer than one parked on the street, particularly if the driveway is longer, well lit, and the yard is fenced. It’s easier for criminals to scout while walking on a sidewalk and peering into curb-parked cars than going up into people’s yards or down long driveways.

Next is not advertising valuables. Thieves in our jurisdiction have targeted both marked and unmarked police cars since they know it’s very likely there are guns inside. They are often visible in a rack. Anyone with access to YouTube and Google can easily learn how to access a gun rack with a set of wire cutters and a 9v battery. If thieves, whether computer literate or not, can see valuables in your car, they will take note and go after them if the opportunity arises. Don’t leave bags, purses, electronics, cash, or weapons visible in the car. Not on the seats, not on the console, not on the floor. Hide, cover, or place in the trunk if it has to stay in your car.

While some vehicles are more secure than others, I haven’t noticed that any particular models are broken into more often than others with one notable exception. Early model Ford Super Duty Pickups are very easy to break into due to a security flaw in the external door handle, and because of that, they are more often targeted by professional thieves, both for break-ins and for auto theft. If you own a Super Duty, take the time to research the issue online and consider purchasing one of the aftermarket security upgrades to mitigate the problem. Some vehicles have a trunk that’s much easier to punch than others, but the overwhelming majority of break-ins involve the passenger compartment only.

I’d highly recommend not leaving firearms anywhere in a vehicle overnight, especially if it’s not garaged. If you absolutely must leave guns in the vehicle, lock them in a safe that is secured to the vehicle either permanently or via a cable lock with a high-quality padlock. This will deter all but the most dedicated thieves. The thieves that have been apprehended are sometimes carrying tools such a spark plug or other makeshift window punch and maybe a knife. They might also have a screwdriver and something to strike it with in order to punch car locks, but not wire cutters, pry bars, or the kind of tools needed to quickly force open a decent pistol safe.

While there are may very few reasons to leave a gun in your car when it’s parked at home, we can think of several reasons to leave a gun in a vehicle in a parking lot. Some states have a law that employers can’t prohibit a gun in your vehicle, but can prohibit them in the buildings. As a result, many citizens drive to and from work armed but must leave the firearm unattended in their vehicle while they are working. Additionally, every state has areas that are off limits for legal carry. Some are more restrictive than others. Finally, there are some places and activities that are just not conducive to carrying a firearm. I carry pretty much any time I’m awake, but even I haven’t figured out a good way to carry while swimming.

We should all assume there will be a time we have to leave our gun in the car and plan ahead, taking adequate precautions to keep that gun in the car and not let it fall into the hands of criminals. Layered security is the key. That could include a car alarm, parking in areas with more lighting and traffic (also a good personal security measure), and once again, making sure there is nothing of value visible from outside of the vehicle. You can use a small safe and cable lock that goes under the seat. Again, very few thieves carry the tools necessary to cut a cable. Given enough time, it could be pried into or otherwise defeated, but the combination of a car alarm and hidden safe are generally adequate precautions.

There are some people online saying it’s unwise to display NRA or other gun related stickers on your car as it advertises that there may be a gun inside.  While I’m not saying it has never happened anywhere, it has not been a factor in my area.

The most obvious answer for keeping your gun secure at home is a gun safe. While a well-made large gun safe is expensive, a pain to move, and can take up a lot of room, it’s also the best protection for your guns from any sort of unwanted access. While I was overseas, my Fort Knox safe protected my guns through two burglaries. Fort Knox even replaced a damaged faceplate for free when I returned.

Random thieves that break in will seldom have the tools required to get into a quality safe. If you’ve layered your security with an alarm or other ways to limit the amount of time a criminal is willing to spend in your house, it’s unlikely they will have time to get into your safe even if they do have the proper tools and knowledge. When larger gun safes are defeated, it’s because the thief was given plenty of time with it. That’s generally accomplished by simply stealing the entire safe and then opening it somewhere else. Cheaper safes and security cabinets are often relatively easy to pry open once they are laid on their backs. Bolting the safe down or framing it in so it’s not easily removed, combined with limiting the thief’s time via an alarm system will increase the effectiveness of any safe.

I’ve also seen small “quick-access” or nightstand type safes defeated in the home. Some of them do not require any tools to open. Simply slamming it repeatedly on the floor causes it to spring open or the locking mechanism to fail. This is an important measure of how easy it is to quickly defeat a small safe by even the most unprepared thief.  Any small safe must be secured in some way so it can’t be removed from the home and opened at a later time. Nightstands are often easy to break, again, by simply picking it up and smashing it on the floor. An eye-bolt sunk into a stud or into the floor for a cable or chain lock is significantly harder to defeat for a thief with limited tools.

A subset of gun safes are in-wall units. They can’t be stolen as an entire unit, so the thief would have to pry into it. Their safety can also be enhanced by hiding the unit behind a mirror or painting. Burglars do not routinely remove wall decorations, but they can be targeted if the thief knows what to look for. The more people who know about it, the higher the chances of the information reaching the wrong ears.

This moves us to the notion of hiding guns. This is the least secure method, of course, but if you must rely on it, there are areas that burglars do tend to search for hidden valuables more often and more thoroughly. These include:

• Under beds
• Dresser and desk drawers, sometimes pulling the drawers completely out to look behind them
• Refrigerators
• Kitchen cabinets
• Bookcases
• Closets, including clothes hanging in closets

Bedrooms and their attached closets almost always get the most attention when the thief has the time and inclination to search for additional valuables. I’ve seen dresser drawers pulled out and smashed apart as well as entire nightstands broken, presumably checking for false bottoms or hidden compartments.

I have no experience with safes that are built into shelves or otherwise disguised. My opinion is that the wall shelf option would be the best since things on the walls are rarely disturbed. I would be a bit more concerned about an item mimicking furniture that’s small enough to pick up, like a nightstand. Bookshelves or wall shelves are less likely to be smashed than a nightstand.

Finally, I’d like to end this article with a plea to keep guns secure from children not mature enough to understand the responsibilities of gun safety. Hidden is not secured. Kids are more resourceful and more observant than you think. Children who aren’t strong enough to pull the trigger in the traditional way still shoot themselves, often by pointing the gun at themselves, putting both thumbs through the trigger guard and their fingers on the backstrap, and squeezing. I’ve regretfully seen more than one child not yet old enough to attend school shoot themselves in the chest this way.

Guns left on nightstands, in shoe boxes in the closet, hidden on a magnet under an end table, and many more “stash guns” have all led to LEO’s responding to a child shot with a found handgun. Sometimes the victim is a child that lives in the home and sometimes they’re a visitor.

Please, don’t be the next household to have to go through that. Put your gun in a safe or keep it on your person in a holster. Don’t think it can’t happen to you or your child.

In summary, the best way to lower your risk of losing firearms to a thief is to keep them behind layered security. Vehicles are inherently less secure than homes, but the risk can be mitigated by keeping valuables out of sight, parking in higher traffic well-lit areas, and using a security device that requires tools and time to defeat. When not carried on your person, firearms in the home should ideally be stored in a safe that’s either too heavy to haul away or secured to the floor or wall. An alarm system will help ensure that burglars do not have time to search for and defeat those containers. Taking just a few extra measures can reduce the risk of your firearms falling into the wrong hands.

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn

Hot Gunz: A Stolen Firearm Searchable Database

 Hot Gunz is a database for guns that are stolen.  In the past, only law enforcement were the ones to have access to stolen gun information.  That is no longer the case.  HotGunz was created by gun owners who felt that regular citizens should have access to stolen gun information. Law enforcement databases are only available to law enforcement personnel; there is no way of knowing if a used firearm is a stolen gun. The HotGunz stolen gun database doesn’t necessarily have every stolen gun in it, but it is quickly making it much more difficult for gun thieves to sell stolen firearms. When the database was created in January 2009, they never charged any fees to list a stolen gun or search for a stolen gun. It is a great service for gun sellers and buyers. It is also the longest running and largest user-submitted database of stolen guns.  They have over 32,000 guns from north America and has been trusted by gun owners for 16 years.

Before buying a used gun check against this database.  You can add any guns that were stolen from you.  You can get help from the public and check if a firearm is stolen.

You must have an account to add a stolen gun, edit or remove stolen guns or view stolen guns in your area.  The account is free as of this writing.

Check it out!

https://www.hotgunz.com/

 

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn

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

Beating A Dead Horse (Just a little) and Solutions/Situational Awareness

 Brothers and Sisters and friends.  I don’t mean to bring this up again but the persecution is increasing.  It concerns me because I have several children and Grand children out there.  Because we have such a large family I have children in 3 states.  Some are in Utah close to where Charlie Kirk was brutally murdered.  I want them to be safe.  I want everyone to be safe.  Maybe it’s my PTSD paranoia but I see this anti-Mormon rhetoric turning from words to actions.  I included this good sisters letter to the University of Cincinnati athletic dirctior.  I also include here a portion of the training that I have taught concerning situational awareness (SA).  I start with SA because many people are hesitant about self-defense, especially carrying a weapon.  Starting with SA helps them ease into self-defense and triples or quads their chances of being in a position where they would have to defend themselves or their family.

 

This is a letter written by a survivor of the Grand Blanc LDS Church shooting and a member of the Church.

 

“Jared and I got to sneak away this weekend for a much needed date night. We went to the BYU vs. Cincinnati football game. This is us trying to move on from the attack on our church two months ago. Trying to do something fun where the attack is not at the forefront our minds for once. This is us at the game before all the heaviness and fear still found a way to creep in and overtake my emotions and thoughts the next few days as the Cincinnati fans chanted hateful words directed towards us. This has got to stop. 

 

I emailed the University of Cincinnati athletic director and assistant athletic director yesterday and shared my thoughts with them. I am going to share that email here as well, in hopes the message can extend farther than just this incident because it happens at a lot of football games. It is unacceptable.

 

“Dear Mr. Cunningham,

 

I am writing to you from my heart as a disheartened college football fan. More specifically, as a BYU football fan and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints commonly known as “the Mormons.”

 

As a BYU alumni and huge fans of college football, my husband and I took the opportunity to travel 4.5 hours from our little city in Grand Blanc, Michigan to come spectate and enjoy our favorite pass time at the BYU vs. Cincinnati football game at Nippert Stadium last night. 

 

I want to provide a little bit of background for you in order to portray the strength and courage it took for us to travel to this event and really try to enjoy ourselves.

 

You see, just eight short weeks ago, while attending church, we were attacked at our place of worship simply for being “Mormon.”

Someone with hatred in their heart rammed their truck into the front of our church building, entered the chapel, and began shooting us and setting our church on fire while many people were still hiding inside. As my family (me, my husband, and our three young children), ran for our lives, my husband and my 5 year old daughter were both shot. I was also running with my 15 month old baby and my 3 year old in my arms as I was struck in my back with shrapnel. I will spare you any further details about the nightmare we lived through that day and the recovery that has followed, but miraculously, me and my family all made it out alive. 

 

The anxiety and fear we have felt since that day has been debilitating. We have put in a lot of work in that short 8 weeks so we can try to feel some sort of safety and normalcy again and enjoy the things we used to, including football games. 

 

We had been planning to come see this game for months as we don’t get the opportunity to see many BYU games in person since we moved across the country for my husband’s medical training. We almost didn’t come because it felt scary and overwhelming since the attack on our church. However, we know we cannot live in fear and we need to enjoy the things that used to make us happy. We decided to come and that took a lot for us both mentally and physically. I was nervous putting on my BYU fan gear that day because I knew it would identify me as one of ”the Mormons.” I did it anyway. 

I was apprehensive when I walked down to my seat and saw that the nearest exit was pretty far from me. I continued to my seat anyway. We came. We smiled. We cheered. We enjoyed ourselves….Until the University of Cincinnati fans began to chant “F*** the Mormons.”

 

This is not a new chant. This is not a chant that is specific to your university. This is a chant I’ve heard before while enjoying a football game whether in-person or on tv. It’s always disheartening to hear. However, now that we Mormons have been quite literally targeted, attacked, chased, shot at, and some of us have been killed simply for being “Mormon,” this chant is no longer just disheartening. It’s crippling. It’s personal. It’s unacceptable. Period. 

 

While I did hear the announcer give a warning over the speakers at the game that such chants will not be tolerated, it was simply just that- a warning. It was not just a few fans, it was tens, possibly hundreds of the university’s student fans chanting “F*** the Mormons.”

 

Please, Mr. Cunningham, do not tolerate it. Remove them from the game. Don’t let them come back. Educate them on the seriousness of their actions. Set that standard and expectation moving forward and enforce it. We are hurting. Badly. We just want to enjoy the things that make us happy again without the fear of being targeted and attacked for our religious beliefs. 

 

I know you have no control over the Cincy fans on the shuttle after the game ranting about Mormons and how awful we are and how we must have just paid off the refs because we’re corrupt and evil. I don’t get it, but I am used to it. It’s not new to me to hear this stuff and these huge misconceptions about my faith. But now it is personal. Now it is me fearing for my life everywhere I go because someone decided to take it there. Someone tried to kill me, my kids, and my husband. Someone killed 4 of my friends. Now the chanting means something more than it used to. 

 

I know you can’t control the actions and words of the fans on the bus. However, I do believe you have the ability to get control of the students’ hurtful and hateful chanting. 

 

If you made it this far, thank you for listening. If I am mistaken about any actions that were or were not taken as a result of the chanting, please feel free to correct me.

I would welcome the reassurance.

 

Sincerely, 

 

Brandi Hicken 

A fellow college football fan

A Mormon

A Christian

A mass casualty hate crime survivor

A human deserving of respect”

 

I first learned of the Color Code from Jeff Cooper himself teaching a portion of the Air Force Combat Arms Instructor Course in the early 80's.

The color code as originally introduced by Jeff, had nothing to do with tactical situations or alertness levels, but rather with one's state of mind. It relates to the degree of peril you are willing to do something about and which allows you to move from one level of mindset to another to enable you to properly handle a given situation. Jeff didn't claim to have invented anything in particular with the color code, but he was apparently the first to use it as an indication of mental state.

 

During my time in the military I taught classes on thinking tactically.  I taught the importance of living in Yellow.  It’s true for the average person as it is for the battlefield. A lethal confrontation is not something anyone expects. An excellent explanation of the real world was given in the novel State of Fear, by Micheal Criton, and I have paraphrased it here.

"If someone tries to kill you, you don't have the option of averting your eyes or changing the subject. You are forced to deal with that person’s behavior. The experience is in fact a loss of certain illusions. The world is not how you want it to be, it is the way it is. There are bad people in the world and they need to be stopped."

The color code defines four different mental states. Why four? Because three doesn't adequately cover the subject and five is too much to remember. The four colors used are white, yellow, orange, and red.

 

White - Relaxed, unaware, and unprepared. If attacked in this state the only thing that may save you is the inadequacy and ineptitude of your attacker. When confronted by something nasty your reaction will probably be, "This can't be happening to me."

Yellow - Relaxed alertness. No specific threat situation. Your mindset is that "today could be the day I may have to defend myself." There is no specific threat but you are aware that the world is an unfriendly place and that you are prepared to do something if necessary. You use your eyes and ears, and your body language says "I am alert." You don't have to be armed in this state but if you are armed you must be in yellow. When confronted by something nasty your reaction will probably be, "I thought this might happen someday." You can live in this state indefinitely.

Orange - Specific alert. Something not quite right has gotten your attention and you shift your primary focus to that thing. Something is "wrong" with a person or object. Something may happen. Your mindset is that "I may have to fight that person." If you are armed your pistol is usually holstered in this state. You can maintain this state for several hours with ease, or a day or so with effort.

Red - Fight trigger. This is your mental trigger. "If that person does "x" I will fight them." If armed your weapon may, but not necessarily, be in your hand. In Red you have decided to act the instant the threat’s behavior warrants an immediate response.

You should always be in Yellow.

 

Mindset

We’ve talked about how to think before violence happens.  To continue, know that there is a potential problem.  Don’t get caught in the mind game of the Normalcy Bias.  The Normalcy Bias is a psychological state of denial in the event of disaster or violence. This is because some people have a difficult time believing their lives can change dramatically. Their denial is based on the assumption that if the disaster/violence has not occurred until now, it will never occur.

The reason that Normalcy Bias is so dangerous is that when the violence happens it’s too late for preparation.

Normalcy Bias is a state of mind that develops before the disaster or violence even starts, and it gets worse once the event hits.  Disaster and violence are similar except that violence usually is fast and doesn’t always last a long time, the opposite of disasters. Alike disasters, violence can happen anytime, and anywhere.  Some people believe that if they live in a good neighborhood that nothing bad will happen.

The Normalcy Bias can cause people to not prepare or to not understand reality.  It can get you killed.  How can you use this in your life?  Stay in Yellow.

 

 

Please be aware of your surroundings in this holiday season and always.  As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we can sometimes be very trusting of others and strangers.  Be aware and wary.  We don’t need to think every person is evil but like General James Mattis said:

“Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet.”

This seems like the words of a over-zealous killer.  But notice he didn’t say “Kill everyone you meet” but have a plan in case you need to kill everyone you meet.  Have a plan. Likely you won’t need to ever kill anyone, but if you need to then what?  Do you have a plan of defense?  If not, get one.

As men in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we believe we have duties we should perform.  Some of these are outlined in the document titled “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”

“By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families.”

 

This refers to God telling us as Fathers that we are preside in our families, provide for them, and to protect them.  This tells me that I should have a plan of protection for my family and for myself.

As persecution changes and moves into something more physical will we be able to avoid it?  I hope we can. As the scriptures say in Daniel 3:17-18  “…But if not…”.  You can be very safe in North America, but if not, you should have a plan.

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn

 

Guns, Gear, and Opinions

This is a repost from 2016.  I know that it's lazy, but I just had a similar experience as the story below.  I seem to have these questions a lot.  I suppose it's a logical question if you decide you should carry.  Burn

 It happened again. I was at the range, and I ran into a guy I hadn’t seen in a while. I used to see him at the range all the time, but my work schedule changed, and I hadn’t seen him in some time. He was with another guy, and we had an interesting conversation. In the process of the conversation my friend’s friend asked me for advice on a particular gun and some gear. I paused before I answered and then asked him some questions about his choices. It turned out that he already bought the gun on someone else’s advice and wanted some confirmation. We talked about what he wanted out of the gun and gear in question and concluded that maybe a different choice would take care of his needs. Not once did I mention a brand. I’ve done it before. But I try to not drop brand names. I mean, is a Glock really better than a Kimber or a Sig Saur? All these guns are great, as are Smith and Wesson, Ruger, etc. There are many really good gun makers out there. I feel like I’ve heard all the advice there is out there but once in a while I’m surprised. Don’t get caught giving the following bad advice.

If it feels good shoot it!
Do not tell someone to get a gun because it “fits” their hand or “feels” good. I’ve felt some pretty good “feeling” handguns that shot like a slingshot. This is about as crazy as buying a gun because of the way it looks! It would be good if a gun did the task you wanted it to do AND felt wonderful. Some do. Some may not. Initially a gun can “feel” good but with time you can see it’s going to beat you up.

Get what the *blank* (fill in favorite military unit or law enforcement agency) uses.
I really hate this advice! Just because an agency buys a particular gun doesn’t mean it’s the one for you.  Sometimes a gun for an agency is picked by someone who doesn’t know squat about guns.

Get whatever feels best in your hand
This piece of advice is the worst of all. It rules the roost of bad gun buying advice, because what you're asking a newbie with little understanding of guns to do is select a piece of life saving equipment based purely on how it feels. Let me tell you something, there are a lot of guns that feel wonderful when you hold them, but that can't get through a box of ammo without a malfunction! That's really the problem. I've had lots of people complain that Glocks don't "feel good" in their hand. Thankfully, I've almost never heard the same thing about M&Ps, which are also awesome, and generally "feel good." But just relying on how a gun "feels" in your hand is the peak of bad advice. It doesn't inform you how the gun functions, how accurate it is, how reliable it is, or even if it's comfortable when you start to shoot it. There are guns that feel great when you're just holding them, but when you start putting rounds down range you discover that recoil changes things. There are guns that I began shooting a lot, and the safety ended up chewing a hole in my hand.

Get a revolver because they never jam
I love revolvers. I think they're great. They're mechanically interesting, they challenge me as a shooter, and they connect us to history. They also absolutely do fail mechanically, and when they do it frequently requires tools to fix. I understand the reasoning behind this one though, because it assumes the novice is going to want something that is easy to deal with if something goes wrong. Yes, it's true that if you get a light primer hit on a wheel gun, the fix is simple: pull the trigger. But there are plenty of things that could happen to a wheel gun that aren't light primer hits, and fixing those is a lot more complicated than "just pull the trigger." Especially if you can't pull the trigger, because I've seen that happen. So, the revolver is not the end-all most simple gun ever made. It has its limitations too.

Get the biggest caliber you can control. I've probably said this at some point in my past, and for that I apologize. This nonsense is how untalented, brand spanking new shooters end up with tiny carry guns chambered in .40 S&W and .45 ACP, which results in them developing a wicked flinch whenever they go and fire it. Think about it: someone with no real gun experience goes and buys a Glock 27 because it's small and chambered in a "powerful" cartridge. They go the range and its sharp recoil, so they're disinterested in future practice with it.

Get a pocket gun because in most self-defense situations you don't need to shoot. This one drives me up the wall, but I've heard more than a few people say it. The line of reasoning is that since you probably won't need to shoot your gun, the best idea is to get something that is completely unobtrusive, that you won't have to put any effort into carrying. The thing that obviously drives me nuts about this is that it kicks off a logical progression that if followed to its only conclusion is that you don't really need to carry a gun at all, all you need is a gun-shaped object.

Here's the problem: what if your gunfight is an actual gunfight? What if you actually need to shoot someone? All of a sudden that little .380 with crappy sights and a heavy trigger isn't so optimal, is it? No one who's ever been in a real fight wished they had a smaller gun or less ammo; so why would you intentionally compromise your choices?

All you need is a .45
In this scenario, there are two options for good advice. If you think the person is interested in actually becoming a shooter, tell them to get a friggin' .22 LR. Then they can actually learn stuff instead of just hammering bullets low and to left in a B27. However, if you don't think they're really interested in guns as a hobby and just want something for home protection, just tell them to get a full size 9mm service pistol. Be a good friend and explain that handgun stopping power is a myth, and there is not significant difference in terminal ballistics between any of the service cartridges.

Get whatever your local police department uses. This seems good because the logic behind it is so appealing. On the surface it makes sense, because the odds are that your local PD isn't going to be carrying some garbage gun around. But the flip side of that is that a gun selected by a committee that is largely disinterested in anything other than the price and intended to be carried around on a duty belt for 12 hours a day unconcealed may not be the best choice for concealed carry. Additionally, political administrators frequently like to saddle their officers with trigger mechanisms that are intended to inhibit negligent discharges, but all they really accomplish making the gun more difficult to shoot should you need it.


The point of all of this is to not give people bad advice. When someone who isn't a gun person comes to you for advice, they're in the awful situation of not knowing what they don't know; and they're likely relying on your opinion to steer them in the right direction. What can you do to help them? The best advice possible is to try and get them to take one of the many "introduction" classes, where you don't need a gun to attend, because the range provides all of that. If that's not an option, help them pick a reliable, concealable defensive handgun chambered in 9mm. Like a Glock 19. Or an M&P Compact. Why these? Because they are very reliable. Why 9mm? It’s a good start caliber.

Remember that when someone asks you for this advice, they are probably going to put most of their trust in you. I don’t bother with brand names, as long as it IS a brand name. Make sure to steer them toward a reliable brand. There are many out there. Also, steer them toward training. Try to get them to go to a range or class that offers many different guns and calibers to shoot. Let them get their own experience because a gun is a personal thing.

Avoid the above mistakes and explain to your new-to- guns person that care should be taken to find the gun that fits not only physically, but a fit of caliber, and type of gun.

As for me, any good brand ( I like S&W, Ruger, Kahr, and good 1911’s). My favorite caliber is 9mm because I don’t compete anymore, and I like 9mm for defense. But then again, that is only me and my opinion. Go out and get your own opinion!

Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn

When You Die What Happens to Your Guns?

 When you die who do you trust to deal with your guns?  Your reloading equipment?  Your shooting gear?

That could be a real problem for those you leave behind.  If there is no one in your family who is a gun nut, son, daughter or spouse, then what will happen to all that you have collected over the years?  I have a friend and neighbor whose father-in-law passed away.  His father-in-law had many guns and even more ammunition.  The mans widow had no idea of the worth of the collection.  She did know a local who owned an on again, off again, gun shop.  The shop owner wasn’t particularly dishonest, but he convinced the widow to sell him all the guns and ammunition in a lump.  I don’t know the details, but my friend said the price was ok, but not what she could have received if she sold the guns and ammo separately.  She let family members; children pick guns that they wanted then sold the rest.

There are several things you can do to avoid these problems.

1.      If the guns are guns you don’t shoot and you want to give them to a family member, do it now before there are any legal entanglements.  You can write a receipt for each gun to have a paper trail.

2.      Sell the guns you don’t use or don’t want in your collection.  Be serious about your evaluation and pick up some cash for ammo.

3.      Ammunition is a different story.  Get rid of ammo if you don’t have a gun that shoots it.  You can sell or give away ammo.

4.      Have a will.  It’s just good practice to have a will regardless of your age.  You can mention specific guns going to specific people or all the collection going to a person or family member you know will distribute or sell your collection to make the maximum amount.

5.      Write things down.  Some people keep a record of their guns and what they paid for them with each gun.  You can reevaluate each guns worth every few years.  This way your spouse or family will have an idea of the worth of your collection.

6.      It’s not just a good idea to have records of your guns for inheritance reasons, but insurance also.  I have a picture of each gun, a close-up of the serial number, and a written description.  If there is a receipt it is included in the package.  I also have a list of guns and where they need to go.  This way at the least my family will know my wishes.  If it goes different it’s OK.  Maybe one of my kids won’t want a particular gun or they have a memory tied to a different gun, then the will executor can make adjustments.

Make records of any accessories and gear you have too.  Scopes and red dot sights can be high dollar accessories.  Don’t forget reloading equipment, safes, or hunting gear.  Bows and their accessories should be included.

Mark your magazines so that they will be matched with the correct gun.

Keep a record of ammo and its location.  I’ve kept a running amount of ammo for many years even before the ammo shortages.  I shoot a lot, and I maintain a certain amount in each caliber.  I also keep a general idea of the worth of my ammunition so whoever wants to sell it will have an idea of its worth.

Keeping your guns, gear, and reloading or hunting equipment organized helps in the process of liquidating.  Be kind to your family.  Be organized. Write a will.  Keep updated records.  Doing these things will help if anything is ever stolen or there is a fire.  Keep a digital copy in a different place other than your computer.  It can be put on a stick and kept in a safety deposit box.  Even a locker at your job will work.

Doing these things will take care of your family and ensure your wife or children have an easier time if you’re not here.

Now, without getting religious, want me to tell you where you go when YOU die?...

Guess I shouldn't proselyte here.  

 

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn

Gun Ranges: Source of Skill Improvement

 Everyone can use a shooting range. Whether you hunt, plink, compete, or defend yourself, you will need to practice. I belong to a shooting range that is outdoors. I love it but feel I need the convenience of a home range. I’m in the planning stages.

Whether you shoot for fun, sport, or defense practice is required.
As retired NBA basketball star Allen Iverson so eloquently said, “We’re talking about practice, man, we’re not even talking about the game, when it actually matters, we’re talking about practice."
Correct. We are talking about practice. We are talking about how important time at the range is to a shooter’s overall chances of success. It’s not just about making sure your gun shoots accurately; it’s about you. Practice builds skills that improve your accuracy. Skills that make you a better, more confident shooter.
It seems bow hunters practice more frequently than gun hunters. This isn’t an all-encompassing fact, of course, but generally speaking, I believe it to be true if for no other reason than shooting a bow is more convenient (and less expensive) than shooting a gun.
Just about anyone with a quarter-acre in a tight subdivision can set up an archery target behind their house, pace off 20 yards and fling arrows. Firing off a 12 gauge in the neighborhood is probably not such a great idea.
Shooting firearms requires a proper location. Such locations include public or private gun ranges, rural property, or if you’re lucky enough, the backyard. Whatever your situation may be, make the most of it.
Let’s assume you do not have the good fortune of being able walk out the back door to a personal shooting range. Most people can’t. So where do you shoot? Thankfully, a number of organizations are working hard to ensure you have plenty of options.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry, exists to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. A large part of their mission is making sure there are plenty of places to shoot. On the NSSF web site (www.nssf.org), you’ll find endless resources for shooters. To prove just how serious it is about helping you find a place to shoot, the NSSF has designed a separate web site devoted to helping you find a range. The web site is simply called “Where to Shoot,” and can be found at www.wheretoshoot.org. The National Rifle Association has a similar web site located at www.nra.org/nralocal.aspx.
Shooting ranges are nice for a number of reasons. They usually have quality shooting benches and target stands set at established distances. There’s also the camaraderie. Chances are there will be other shooters at the range. Where else can you approach a complete stranger while wearing a Glock .40 on your hip and feel perfectly comfortable striking up a conversation while he’s busy reloading a 30-round magazine for his AR-15? Ahh, the comfort of kindred spirits.
If you have enough land and live where shooting is acceptable, you can build your own range. Having a gun range at home is convenient. After supper, you can grab your rifle or shotgun and head out to the range to practice a few shots. You don’t even have to use your centerfire rifle. Even regular practice with a .22 helps. The more you shoot, the better your hand/eye coordination becomes. Your trigger press improves and the overall process of shooting becomes more natural.
Putting together a decent shooting range doesn’t take much time or money. You really only need four things: a shooting bench, a shooting rest, a target stand and targets, all of which could be homemade or purchased from a sporting goods retailer.
If you choose to go with a homemade range, you can use or build a picnic table for a bench, fill a couple of sand bags for a rest, build a target stand out of 2x4s and use cardboard or paper plates for targets. If you’d like a bit more serious shooting range, companies like Caldwell Shooting Supplies and Shooter’s Ridge manufacturer everything you need. You can buy a weather-resistant shooting table, a quality shooting rest, a target stand and plenty of targets for well under $500. Get a couple buddies to pitch in the cash together. It won’t take long to see the value of your investment.
Make sure it is legal to have a range where you want to put it.
No matter what, safety must always be your first priority when shooting. Wherever you decide to set up your range, be sure you are in a safe location. Be positive of what lies beyond your target. Either set your target stand in front of a proper backstop, or take the time to build one. Mound up dirt or a wood pile. And of course, always wear hearing and eye protection.
Semper Paratus
Check 6

Burn