The KR Training May/June 2013 Newsletter is out.
All the usual good stuff, but two things stood out to me (that I hadn’t seen prior to the newsletter).
1. Howard Nemerov looks at the mystery of the missing crime data.
2. Austin Police Department releases data on gun violence in Austin.
To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.
– Voltaire
30-rep… interesting
Wendler 5/3/1 program, cycle 20, week 4
Just a deload day, but I tried a little fun.
I just read this article about a different way to do 30 reps. Instead of 3×10 with like 60-90 seconds of rest between sets, what you do is pick a weight you can do for about 6 reps. Do as many reps as you can (probably 6). Rest for 30 seconds. Pick up the same weight and do as many reps as you can (probably less than 6). Rest 30 seconds. Repeat, and just keep doing this until you total 30 reps.
I thought I’d try it.
I did estimate pretty light, cranking out a lot more than 6 reps on my first sets. But that’s fine. I got the idea. I really liked this. I really do hate doing “lots of reps” with light weight, or going too heavy and not getting enough volume. I want more reps, I want heavier weight, and I like pushing things. This really works to that. I dug it and might keep it around for some of my assistance work. We shall see.
Anyways, that’s about that. Just chugged along and frankly, I’m happy deload week is over. I cannot wait to get back to proper lifting. 🙂 But that said, I know my body appreciates it. I feel better, I got a LOT of sleep this week (much more than usual). It’s all good for me.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics collects and publishes all manner of criminal data. Of course it lags a little bit because you have to wait for the year to end, then allow time for data collation. Nevertheless, there is no bias, no agenda, just pure data from the .gov.
And we can trust the .gov, right?
In May 2013, they published their Firearm Violence, 1993-2011 report.
Let’s look at some of this data.
Firearm-related homicides declined 39%, from 18,253 in 1993 to 11,101 in 2011.
Of course, if you listen to the “news,” you’d think it was at an all-time high.
About 70% to 80% of firearm homicides and 90% of nonfatal firearm victimizations were committed with a handgun from 1993 to 2011.
So why then do they want to ban rifles? Something doesn’t add up.
From 1993 to 2010, males, blacks, and persons ages 18 to 24 had the highest rates of firearm homicide.
What’s going on with these populations that cause them to have the highest rates? Maybe we should examine some deeper social issues?
In 2004, among state prison inmates who possessed a gun at the time of offense, less than 2% bought their firearm at a flea market or gun show and 40% obtained their firearm from an illegal source.
So if they didn’t follow the laws we have now, how will bans, background checks, and other regulations and limits stop anything? Perhaps we need to look for real answers, not knee-jerk reactions, not solutions that don’t stop crime but do stop good, law-abiding citizens?
In 2004, among state prison inmates who possessed a gun at the time of offense, fewer than 2% bought their firearm at a flea market or gun show, about 10% purchased it from a retail store or pawnshop, 37% obtained it from family or friends, and another 40% obtained it from an illegal source (table 14). This was similar to the percentage distribution in 1997.
Further data on the above. So they talk about the evils of the gun shows and make them out like a Wal-Mart for criminals, yet gun shows are barely a statistical blip. Most are getting them off the street, through theft, drug deals, or obtaining from people they know. So they’re already committing an illegal act to obtain their guns. How will making it more illegal do anything? They aren’t regarding the current laws.
Persons living in urban areas had the highest rates of nonfatal firearm violence
Basically that means they stuck a gun in your face, you gave them your money, and they left without killing you (still maybe harming, maiming for life, but you lived). This also means that if you live in the city, you’ve got more chance of being the victim of a violent crime than if you live in a rural area.
In 2011, higher rates of nonfatal violence occurred in areas with a population of more than 250,000 residents than in areas with a population under 250,000
That further backs up the above: live in a big city? greater chance of being victim of a violent crime, than if you live in a small town.
In 2007-11, the majority of nonfatal firearm violence occurred in or around the victim’s home (42%) or in an open area, on the street, or while on public transportation (23%) (table 7). Less than 1% of all nonfatal firearm violence occurred in schools.
Actually the summary is a little deceiving and you need to look at the table itself. The upshot? Yes, violence can and does happen in the home. But the majority of violent encounters happen outside the home: open area, street, public transportation, parking lot or garage, or near your home (but not in it). The implication? As Tom Givens like to say, “Carry your damn gun, people.” People seem to have no problem preparing for a home break-in’, or want to carry a gun in their car. But when the data shows that most violent crime happens in not-these-places, what are you doing to be prepared for those violent encounters?
As well, firearm violence in schools? It’s marginal. It might grab the most headlines, but that’s the only thing it has a lot of.
Anyways, you can read the report for yourself.
Yes, the report also contains some things that “pro-gun” folks might not want to tout. For instance:
For both fatal and nonfatal firearm victimizations, the majority of the decline occurred during the 10-year period from 1993 to 2002
That somewhat coincides with the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 (through 2004). So did that ban work? Hard to say, but I would think it had no effect because if the vast majority of crimes were committed by handguns (which really weren’t the target of the ban, and if you look at the firearms used in crimes again it doesn’t mesh with those firearms targeted by the AWB). Then from about 2002 to 2011, numbers have remained about the same.
Really, what a lot of this says to me? The common tactics of addressing “gun violence” are not addressing gun violence at all. They might be trying to address the symptoms, but they are not addressing the root causes. It’s like taking a cough drop: sure you stop coughing, but you’re still sick. It’s evident the common tactics of bans, restrictions, checks, etc. are ineffective because those things have been in place and are still in place, but yet they make no impact towards the end of “reducing/eliminating gun violence”. So why are you continuing to seek solutions in answers that have been proven ineffective? Or do you not understand the definition of insanity?
Or maybe you use “stopping violence” as a front, and your goals are more nefarious.
But let’s assume you mean well and truly want to stop violence. If so, you need to stop taking cough drops and get some proper rest. You need to work at the root causes. Again, why are young black males the overwhelming majority of perpetrators? What is going on to bring that about? What’s different in the Hispanic populations that has brought about the largest drop in that group? Maybe we should be looking at deeper social issues, economic issues, etc. to see what’s causing people to turn to guns and violence as the way to proceed in life.
I know it won’t give instant results, nor easy answers. In fact, it may be rather a tough pill to swallow because it might not be very politically correct. But if you want real solutions, you’ll face the Ugly Truth and work to make things truly better… else, things will only get worse.
WASHINGTON, Pa. — A Pennsylvania bank robber fatally shot a supermarket customer who ran after him and tried to stop his getaway car, police said.
In short, man sees a dude acting strange, shortly thereafter hears a scream from inside the bank and the dude running out. Man gives chase, tries to stop the dude, and gets killed for his efforts.
I cannot fault the man for seeing wrong and trying to do something about it. I’m sure he didn’t think, he just reacted. His intentions were good and honorable.
Unfortunately, his good intentions got him killed.
I’m not saying you should do such things, nor am I saying you shouldn’t.
What I am saying is, you need to answer this question for yourself: what is worth dying for?
You need to answer this question NOW, not later. When the fur flies, you will not have time to think, only do. You need to know where your line is, what you are willing to die for, and what you are unwilling to die for. You might find your line is in a different place than you thought it was. There is no shame in that, because it’s better to be honest with yourself. Who knows… maybe your life circumstance changed. I know if I was single and childless my line would be in a different place than it is with me being married with children. Whatever your reasons are, don’t be ashamed and don’t worry what others might think, especially if it might be some ego “less manly” type of thing. Those calling you wussy aren’t going to support your children when you’re dead. They’re not going to comfort your grieving widow. They’re not going to pay your medical bills when you’re in the hospital. This is your life, not theirs, and you don’t answer to them. Know what you are willing to and unwilling to die for, and answer only to yourself and your god.
Just be sure you figure out that answer now, when it’s nice to know, before you need to know.
Deload is boring… but so good for me.
Wendler 5/3/1 program, cycle 20, week 4
Deload. It’s boring, but good for me. I even overslept today. Rest, recovery, all good.
I did think about something tho. When the weights get really heavy, my butt comes up first. The weight clears the floor for sure, but certainly I find my hips opening up before they should. I am sure this is primarily a technique issue, but I think it’s also a weak-point. I do not have this problem with lower weights, and obviously the rest of me is strong enough. Again, I do think it’s mostly technique, but… well, it’s something for me to chew on right now.
This Basic Pistol 2 class at KR Training was typical in most ways, but atypical in a very significant one.
Sold out class. Wide variety of folks. One thing that was cool was seeing a lot “pairs”, be it husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend, or father and son. Had a fair number of those in this class, and it was nice to see folks strengthening relationships this way.
For the most part, it was a typical Basic Pistol 2 class. Safety, fundamentals, working on sights and trigger, the “press-out”.
What was atypical? The sheer variety of guns. The past some years we’ve seen consolidation towards Glock, M&P, XD/XDm. You get the occasional Sig or 1911, or random other thing. This class was pretty wide across the board. What struck me the most was the sheer number of DA/SA style guns, like Beretta PX4’s and Beretta 92’s. Normally we don’t have to talk much about “guns with a decocker” or the realities of working with DA/SA guns (other than “avoid them”), but we had to make extra effort to work with it in this class. One lady had a P226 DAK, which was a long heavy but at least consistent pull; oddly, she didn’t struggle much with the gun (typically not the case).
We also had a few cases of the opposite gun-fit problem. Whereas normally the problem is small hands with large gun, we had a few cases of large hands and small guns. For example, one gentleman had a fine Springfield 1911, but his hands were so big that the controls didn’t always work. He would press the trigger and the gun wouldn’t go bang; turns out just the way things were with his hands vs. the grip wound up with the grip safety not being fully depressed. We lent him one of Karl’s double-stacked STI’s and an instant world of difference.
The big take-home? Equipment matters. Your equipment can and will influence your ability to shoot. It will affect your skill, both in a good way and a bad way. Sure, you can master a DA/SA trigger press (look at Ben Stoeger), but do you have the time and dedication to do so? Lend someone an M&P or a Glock and after a few shots to get used to the improved trigger (vs. their DA/SA) and it’s a world of difference and improvement.
That little gun you bought for concealed carry? You can’t get your hands on it, you cannot manipulate and shoot it. How useful will that be if you have to use it to defend yourself? Yes, most people can conceal a full-sized pistol without much problem (with the right holster, etc.). There is a place for small guns, but when you are just starting out, when you are just learning to shoot, get a full-sized gun. Learn to shoot well first, then learn to master the little gun later.
Don’t get married to your equipment – it’s just steel and plastic. Work to find the right gun that fits you and you can shoot well; a gun that doesn’t get in your way, that you don’t have to fight. Here’s helpful guide. You will shoot better with the right equipment.
The following is a copy/paste of an email from the Texas State Rifle Association giving an update on how gun-related bills fared in this past Texas legislative session.
Last Thursday, Governor Perry added conservative issues to the last two weeks of the Special Session but the list did not include gun-related bills. While this is disappointing, all the pro-gun bills passed during the regular session have now been signed into law and will take effect September 1st. The list includes some major streamlines for concealed handgun licensees.SB 1907 by Sen. Glenn Hegar/ Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt allows CHL-students to have firearms in their personal locked vehicle when parked on a private or public university or college parking lot. A CHL-student could not be prosecuted but they were subject to the rule-making authority of the school and could be expelled. Passed and signed by Governor Perry. SB 299 by Sen. Craig Estes/Rep. Kenneth Sheets provides language to clarify the unintentional display of a firearm by a concealed handgun licensee. The language changed from “failure to conceal” to “intentional display of a weapon in a public place” when force or deadly force is not authorized. Passed and Signed by Governor Perry
SB 864 by Sen. Donna Campbell/Rep. Dan Flynn reduces the number of hours for the initial CHL class. The bill does not touch the required materials, the written test, or firearm proficiency exam. Range qualification is still in place but no counts toward the required hours. Passed and Signed by Governor Perry
HB 48 by Rep. Dan Flynn/Sen. Donna Campbell creates in statute a process for renewing your CHL online without taking a renewal class. Passed and Signed by Governor Perry 6/14/13
HB 698 by Rep.Springer/Sen. Craig Estes requires access to digital fingerprinting not more than 25 miles from the applicant’s residence and is limited to counties with a population of 46,000 or less. This is specific to rural Texans who are forced to drive hundreds of miles for digital fingerprinting. Passed and Signed by Governor Perry 6/14/13
HB 3142 by Rep. Cecil Bell, Jr./Sen. Craig Estes repeals the SA/NA designation for the CHL license. No more gun categories. Passed and Signed by Governor Perry 6/14/13
HB 1421 by Rep. Perry/Sen. Craig Estes provides law enforcement agencies an option in statute to sell confiscated firearms to a federal firearm dealer (FFL) instead of destroying. After the cost of the sale and any other related charges, funds could stay with that law enforcement agency. Passed and Signed by Governor Perry
HB 333 by Rep. Guillen/ Sen. Hinojosa requires hotels and motels to provide advance notice if they prohibit firearms. Passed and Signed by Governor Perry
Alice TrippLegislative Director
Some of my comments:
SB 1907 – baby steps
SB 299 – I think the intent of the law was always clear, but it’s nice to have it explicitly clear.
SB 864 – I have some mixed emotions here, but I think the end it doesn’t matter much. There’s no change to curriculum or requirements, merely accounting. The way it was made for a long day often with much filler and ways to meet the required hours. Now things can be more direct, concise, with less time wasted on everyone’s part. There will always be someone willing to abuse this tho, so vet your instructors carefully.
HB 48 – it’s good to embrace the Internet
HB 698 – reduction in burden is always good.
HB 3142 – good. This was silly.
HB 1421 – options are good
HB 333 – good. A little annoyed at the hassle, but hopefully winds up making things better for everyone in the end.
In a lot of ways, what I’m happy about is how these new laws remove things that didn’t make a lot of sense. It’s not really adding, it’s taking away, and that I can deal with.
Finally, if you like these laws, then you should be a member of the TSRA and support the TSRA-PAC. These laws don’t just magically happen. Yes, the NRA gets all the press and likes to take all the glory here, but Alice Tripp deserves so much of the credit for her work to make these things happen. If you are a Texas resident, if you appreciate and benefit from the laws of this state, show your support. (disclosure: I am a Life Member of the TSRA, and only “lobby” for their support because it’s one way I can add my voice to the legislative process… and you can too).
Front squats. Interesting….
Wendler 5/3/1 program, cycle 20, week 4
So this front squat thing. Yeah… curiousity is getting the best of me. I figured I would try it and see. Go really light, see how technique would go, etc.. What’s the harm on a deload week.
No question… my quads feel it more. I also went VERY deep, so I am feeling it in my glutes and hams a bit too, but not really in my lower back.
I don’t know. I might actually dump the leg extensions in favor of a few front squats. So squat, pause squat, then front squat light for like 3×10 or something. It’s mostly an effort to find the technique, the groove, know what I can do in really good form (esp. staying upright).
Interesting stuff.
Otherwise, it was just a simple deload day. Keep it light and simple.
In the spirit of the Testament/Overkill show back in February, “sub-headliners” Overkill, here’s one of my favorite tracks: “I Hate”…. because I still hate people that make you feel small, I hate having my back against the wall, and I hate being talked down to. 🙂
And here’s a pretty cool version of it from a 1992 bootleg:
Stuff From Hsoi 