Author: hsoi

tolerate != approve

/ hsoi / 11 Comments

Shoothouse Barbie has a nice (and growing) piece worth reading.

A good quote:

The word “tolerate” has been hijacked and misused for so very long that few people are really using it appropriately any more. Suffice to say that “toleration != approval”. 

She’s quite right. When you live in a state with 24,000,000 people, a country with over 300,000,000, a world with over 6,000,000,000, or just in your own household with maybe 3-5 people, people are going to do things you do not approve of. No one says you have to approve of it, but we do have to tolerate it. Rather, we do have to tolerate it if we wish to call ourselves a free society. You don’t have to like it, you don’t have to support it, but you have to tolerate it… else someday someone’s going to not tolerate things you like and do. Treat others as you want to be treated, and all that good stuff.

The Rules

/ hsoi / 18 Comments

When dealing with firearms, there are rules of gun safety. I’ve mentioned “the rules” here and here and alluded to them here, but I haven’t had a good post that just discusses “the rules” so I’m remedying that with this post.

When I first was learning about guns I heard some basic safety rules, and as you dig around the Internet and talk with other people, you’ll find various incarnations of “the rules”. Some say there’s 1 rule, some say 3, some say 4, some say 10, some have even longer lists. Then you may go to a gun range and get even more rules, but often those rules pertain to the range and not general gun safety (and certainly they never negate the basic rules). All rule sets tend to be well-intended and have good advice. For instance, this 10 commandments of safety has some good stuff to it, both in terms of general safety and good advice for safely walking the fields while hunting. This is a list of 14 safety rules from a US Army manual. However, being an engineer I appreciate simplicity.

Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.

– Antoine de Saint-Exupery

As a result, I gravitated to the two front-runners of the gun safety mantra: Col. Jeff Cooper‘s:

  1. All guns are always loaded. Even if they are not, treat them as if they are.
  2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. For those that insist this particular gun is unloaded, see Rule 1.
  3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target. This is the Golden Rule. Its violation is directly responsible for about 60% of inadvertent discharges.
  4. Identify your target and what is behind it. Never shoot at anything you have not postively identified.

and the NRA’s:

  1. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
  2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
  3. Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.

Between the two, I leaned towards Col. Cooper’s version of the rules. I read the debate between the two versions, I read Cooper’s Commentaries, I saw how other gun folk I respected followed Col. Cooper’s version, and I don’t know if I gave into the herd mentality and/or opted to bow at the altar of Jeff Cooper, but I settled on using Cooper’s 4 rules as the rules I would build my foundation upon. Life was good, and safer. But I must admit, something about Cooper’s rules never sat well with me. I think it was rule 1. While I do think rule 1 is a good guideline, there are aspects of gun handling that require you to treat a gun as unloaded, such as dry fire. I have been unable to reconcile the two, as a rule shouldn’t be violated; a guideline perhaps can be, but a safety rule should not. So how can I dry fire if the gun is (treated as) always loaded? In “the debate” a great point was made about this very issue:

The simple reason the NRA’s Rule One is superior is that if this rule is followed – even if all others are forgotten – nobody will get hurt. The same cannot be said about Cooper’s Rule One, and that is yet another reason why it is inferior – especially for the tyro.

The NRA method is far more universal than Cooper’s rules. Further, while there is no excuse for pointing a gun in an unsafe direction, there are lots of good reasons for treating guns as unloaded (e.g., dry-firing, inspecting the bore, etc.) when it is positively determined it is unloaded and made safe. I can dry-fire a verified safe gun in a safe direction; I can’t dry-fire if it is “always loaded.”

No “rule” so frequently and facially untrue carries much weight. That said, I still assert it is a valuable mindset. But proper mindset is a level above following rules to which only a minority of gun handlers ever aspire.

Furthermore, Jeff Cooper himself, at least at one time in his book Fighting Handguns on pages 97-98, advocated point shooting, which would preclude using the sights and thus violate his rule #3.

While sitting in classes at KR Training, Karl starts every class with a safety lecture. I noticed when he teaches safety to beginners, he teaches the 3 NRA rules. I asked him why he teaches that set of rules instead of some other. He gave me a detailed response, but there was one thing about his response that stood out to me:

The NRA rules are written as positive statements (what you should do) in a logical order (safe direction is most important) with nice clean parallel sentence structure (each starting with always for emphasis).

I hadn’t made that observation about the 2 rule sets, but (as usual) Karl is right. In light of my “mindset is everything” posting, this really struck home with me.

So as I think about it: the rule reconciliation, the universality and applicability, the structure, the presentation, the mindset, and the greater simplicity, I’m going to improve my mindset and adopt the 3 NRA rules. This affects my own mindset, as well as what I teach to others. I’ll still keep Cooper’s rules in my head as there’s still value to them, but I’m going to change my mindset to follow the NRA’s.

Inanimate object springs to life

/ hsoi / 2 Comments

… and manages to cause death and destruction. At least, according to this guy.

I am not unsympathetic to the death of 5 children. I am sure they were fully innocent, and this is the act of a lone, upset, confused, sad, twisted man. The whole story is sad and terrible.

However, a gun did not kill these children, a man did. Yes he used a gun, but that really doesn’t matter unless you’re pushing an agenda. This man did what he did because he had deep problems, and had he lacked a gun he likely would have found some other way. When someone driving a car hits and kills someone, we say the driver killed the person, not the car. If that person was drunk, we say a drunk driver killed the person, not Anheuser-Busch. When a person slips in the bathtub, we don’t blame soap. Why are guns singled out as the one inanimate object that is somehow able to do things on its own?

But what I really wish to comment on is Mr. Rivers’ comments in his posting. I had started to write this long piece, dissecting his assertions and arguments…. but I got tired and opted to edit my posting here to a simple thing.

Mr. Rivers, can you demonstrate and explain how your proposed solutions will actually solve the problem that you see existing? Don’t just keep reciting the same old mantras of gun control, no emotional appeals, but actually articulate how your proposed means will achieve your desired ends. I’ll wait right here for your answer. Joe Huffman has been waiting for nearly 5 years.

Mr. Rivers, I used to come from a similar place as you. Then I became educated on the topic, arguably from “the other side”. Knowing “both sides of the issue” instead of clinging to my old one side, logic won out and I now find myself where I am today. As a result, it’s difficult for me to look at viewpoints such as yours as anything but ignorant; I was ignorant on this matter, so it helps me recognize ignorance when I see it. Mr. Rivers, if you’re willing to engage in open, calm, and rational discourse on this matter, I’m happy to speak with you.

Imaginary boundaries

/ hsoi / 6 Comments

Another article discussing Texas’ effort for concealed carry on college campuses.

Though most college students are legally adults, they are still maturing and are often subject to stress that can lead to depression, substance abuse and other mental health issues, the statement says. Bringing guns into that environment could be dangerous.

The proposed law only extends to people with a concealed handgun license, which in Texas means you must be at least 21 years of age.  Furthermore, these same people can carry when not on campus. Is there something about the invisible line of a campus boundary that changes things? If a person is having problems, they’re going to have them on both sides of that line. If they’re not having problems, they’re going to not have them on both sides of that line.

Shirley Reed, president of South Texas College, said she also opposes the legislation and believes security should be left to the professionals. Although concealed handgun licensees may know how to use a weapon, they are not versed in how to make the judgment of whether to fire it, she said.

Because they are professionals doesn’t mean much. I can’t carry a cop around with me all day every day. Even if I could, it’s been ruled time and time again they are under no obligation to actually provide any sort of security. Then even if they would, it doesn’t mean they are effective and capable. Furthermore, Ms. Reed states that a licensees are not versed on how to make the judgment of whether to fire a gun. If you are in fear of your life, you can fire it. If you are not, then you shouldn’t be firing it. But apparently I can’t make that judgment call…. and then I wonder, what else are we not capable of judging? Ms. Reed, if you don’t think we’re capable of that, what do you think we’re capable of? Just what do you think of us and our ability? Why do you think so little of the students that attend South Texas College? Are you that ineffective as an educator?

“I strongly believe in the right to bear arms,” [Rep. Veronica] Gonzales [D-McAllen] said. “But there’s a time and a place for it.”

Please tell me, Rep. Gonzales, what that time and place is. Furthermore, it sounds like you have the ability to see into the future and can predict when bad things are going to happen. I don’t have such an ability, so the best I can do is take a cue from my Boy Scout training and Be Prepared.

“A school should be a peaceful environment,” Gonzales said

Why does a school get some sort of special treatment and consideration? It is not holy ground (and this isn’t Highlander). 

Marcos Silva, the [UTPA] student body president, said students have told him that if they knew a classmate had a gun, they would be more likely to focus on that person than what a professor was saying.

Why? You’re college students. You’re supposed to be open-minded. You consider yourselves wonderful good people that don’t hate, that don’t carry around prejudices. So why this attitude? Facts show folks issued a concealed handgun license tend to be amazingly law-abiding; in fact, they tend to be more law-abiding than the general populace. Why do you want to focus on a law-abiding citizen? Looking for a role model?
“If the law permits it for adults, with licenses … what is the problem?” said [Rep. Aaron] Peña, D-Edinburg. “We’re not dealing with children here. We’re dealing with adults.”
Apparently some think adults are only capable of exercising their own judgment in certain situations. In other situations in other places, they apparently need their mother or big brother to make their decisions for them.

Speak up or stay quiet?

/ hsoi / 4 Comments

While out buying the Buck Mark, I actually did visit a couple stores. I knew where I would buy, but I also knew they wouldn’t have some other things so make a round to a couple stores and pick up the bits and pieces as I go along.

So there I am. At the store, and it didn’t matter which store… the experiences were essentially the same. Looking through the case cases, or waiting my turn, or just walking the aisle. I hear people talking. Unfortunately most of what I hear isn’t good. I hear less than ideal advice, I hear incorrect suggestions, I hear well-intentioned but wrong direction. Much of it coming from the sales guys. I cringe, but I keep my mouth shut.

Then I’m at the counter. I ask to see a gun. Guy pulls a gun out of the case, doesn’t check it to ensure it’s unloaded. I lost count of how many times the sales guy covered me with the muzzle (I’d side step and take other measures to avoid the muzzle). I grant they take solace in their company policy that the guns in the glass cases should be unloaded, but that’s still no excuse to violate rule #1 (be it Jeff Cooper’s rule 1 or NRA’s rule 1). I say nothing, just keep my awareness up.

On my drive home, I think about the things I heard, the things I experienced. I think to myself, should I have said something? When a sales guy is giving bad advice to someone, or one customer says something to another that’s wrong… should I speak up? I feel I shouldn’t because it’s not my conversation, I shouldn’t be eavesdropping (I’m not trying to listen, but you just can’t help but hear their conversations). They didn’t ask my opinion, why would they want to hear mine, and who am I in their eyes that they should care and heed what I have to say? Then with safety violations, should I ask the sales person not to cover me? Would it matter, because if they’re violating the rules, how is chastising/correcting them going to improve anything? Should I tell the manager? Would that matter because if he tolerates the behavior now, what would my complaint change? Furthermore, there’s only so many gun stores in town and I don’t feel like becoming known as “that guy” and having a difficult time getting good service.

I want to say something because it’s hard for me to watch such things going on around me. But social graces and a rationalized feeling of “it’s not going to improve anything” keep me quiet.

Should I bother?

New addition to the fold

/ hsoi / 4 Comments

Just got back from purchasing a Browning Buck Mark.

 

I’ve been wanting to buy a .22 semi-automatic pistol for various reasons, biggest of which is teaching. A firearm chambered in .22 LR is a great way to introduce people to shooting because it has almost no recoil, is fairly quiet, and is easy for almost anyone to operate. It’s a great way to start off. Of course, it’s great to stick with as well… it’s a lot of fun to shoot with one of these! I’ve been hum-hawing around, trying to figure out what to buy and finally settled on the Buck Mark.

You may notice I don’t have just a plain old Buck Mark… no… it’s got color accents! I know, this makes me less tacti-cool, but my daughter likes it so that’s good enough for me. 🙂 The reason I purchased this particular model? I called around to various stores to see if they had any Buck Marks in stock and if so what models. Of all the places I called, this was the only model in stock that did not have grips with finger grooves. Since this will be a trainer gun used by people with all sorts of hand sizes, finger grooves were not desired. Furthermore, this was the 2nd to least expensive of all the ones in stock (the least expensive was only $10 less but had finger grooves). Sure I could have bought another model, but why? I’d spend more money for the gun, then have to spend even more money to replace the grips. While the next model up did have a fiber optic front sight (which I would have liked), it was $50 more, and that’s almost the cost of 2 extra magazines (which I obtained as well). Besides, I kinda like the coloring. It’s a fun accent.

Just need to give it an initial cleaning, then gotta get some time to get to the range.

Updated: Can you dry fire a Buck Mark? I’ve been Googling and finding conflicting information regarding this, so I thought I’d call Browning and ask.

No, they do not recommend dry firing a Buck Mark, at least without something like a snap cap in place.

While I know that, in general, you shouldn’t dry fire a rimfire gun (on an empty chamber), there are some where this is OK (e.g. my Ruger 10/22, the manual explicitly says it’s OK to dry fire). So I wanted to know for sure one way or the other, gave Browning a call, and there we go. Don’t do it. 🙂

A positive message for kids and everyone

/ hsoi / 2 Comments

Kuk Sool Won of St. Paul keeps a blog, and they just posted an entry about “A homeschooling perspective.” The posting, IMHO, doesn’t have much to do with homeschooling or martial arts, but it has a lot to present about life and good things to teach your kids (or even yourself).

Such a simple exchange, but I found it so moving. I’m so glad my son is getting these messages early from strong, compassionate teachers. You can keep going after you make a mistake. You can ask for help. You just have to keep practicing.

It reminds me a little of a story I read once about a famous modern-dance choreographer-I can’t remember which one now. Maybe Martha Graham? One of her dancers fell flat on her butt during a rehearsal and sat there with a stunned expression on her face, not moving, not getting up. The choreographer swooped over to the dancer and exhorted her, “Don’t stop now! Make it into something beautiful!”

 

Dan Bong drills

/ hsoi / 3 Comments

I wrote my piece On Dan Bong and completely forgot to mention something, so I’ll mention it now. 🙂

I have found dan bong to be a versatile weapon. Apart from some striking drills, e.g., the 12 angle drill I mentioned from Modern Arnis, what else can you do to explore dan bong?

Take whatever you know, put a dan bong in your hand, and see what you can do with what you already know. That’s a good place to start.

So what do I mean by that? Easiest way for me to explain is within the context and nomenclature of Kuk Sool.

Let’s take Maek Chi Ki. First, perform Maek Chi Ki as the empty-hand set that it is. Now, pick up your dan bong and perform Maek Chi Ki but instead of using your empty hand to strike, use the dan bong. Maek Chi Ki 1-3 would involve a normal “whipping strike” with the side of the tip. Maek Chi Ki 4 would involve a tip thrust into the armpit. Maek Chi Ki 6 could be a butt-end strike to the temple or an inverted tip strike to the temple. And so on. Ki Bohn Soo is a good place to start for locking and leverage applications.

Will every technique work exactly the same? Probably not. Some techniques may require a small modification, some techniques could have multiple approaches/interpretations, some may require you to invert the technique (e.g. performing it “other side/mirror image”), and some techniques may just flat out not work. But the point is to use existing knowledge as a foundation for exploring what you can do with a dan bong. Explore.