Guns

2016 Paul T. Martin Preparedness Conference

/ hsoi

Have you registered yet for the 2016 Paul T. Martin Preparedness Conference?

It’s almost here: Saturday, January 9, 2016 at the Cabela’s in Buda, TX.

There’s a Mega door prize – a weekend getaway to a beach house in Port Aransas!

Alas, while I’ll be at the Conference, I won’t be qualified to win the door prize. Why? Because I’m one of the Conference presenters!

John Daub of Hsoi Enterprises on Preparing for the Aftermath of a Self Defense Incident. Self-defense incidents involve far more than just the moment of the incident itself; there’s an aftermath of legal, social, and emotional issues. John Daub will be discussing these issues and how to prepare yourself to handle the aftermath of a self-defense incident.

There’s a lot of other great topics being discussed, including the fresh Open Carry laws (that will have been in effect in Texas just 9 days as of the Conference) and one I’m especially interested in: Allen Codding, DVM on Pet Preparedness Strategies.

There’s a lot of great topics on the schedule at this 4th annual conference.

Hope to see you there!

AAR: Shooting with Xray Vision

/ hsoi

Continuing education is vital – always be learning, always be improving.

So with that, on Sunday December 6, 2015 I attended a unique class: Shooting with Xray Vision (SXRV), presented by Dr. James S. Williams, M.D. of Tactical Anatomy Systems. About the class, from their website:

This class was developed to train law enforcement personnel in anatomically effective targeting in an Officer Involved Shooting. In other words, we teach cops where to place their bullets for optimum results.

This class gives cops the tools they need to visualize vital human anatomy in 3 dimensions from any presentation or angle. In the past ten years thousands of officers have been trained in SXRV, and reports from these officers and departments tell us that SXRV-trained officers are stopping their opponents more quickly, fewer officers are taking return fire, and round accountability is drastically increased.

SXRV is designed to give any officer or firearms trainer the tools he or she needs to not only shoot more effectively, but to train others in the system with a minimum of expense to the department.

Topics covered in this class include:

  • Ethics and U.S. case law of use of deadly force
  • Terminal ballistics
  • Gunshot wounds and incapacitation
  • Vital human anatomy and physiology
  • Practical classroom training in 3D visualization
  • Simulated and/or live fire 3D targeting

This is an 8-hour class and is POST-certified in several states.

My particular class was hosted at my home-base: KR Training. Class was sold out, and all those attending were KRT veterans (so a good, solid, and “tuned in” group). Weather was awesome; couldn’t ask for a better day.

I’m at a point in my study where most classes don’t present me with much brand-new stuff. Most classes tend to be things I already know, but there’s always something I learn. This class was no different, and I think that’s what made this class especially valuable to me.

See, sometimes you learn new things, but sometimes you learn what you know is wrong. There’s much value in simply gaining new knowledge, but even more value in ensuring the knowledge you have is correct AND correcting/improving existing knowledge.

Case in point. Much of the 3D targeting, especially in terms of how to improve training to avoid training scars, are things we already do. When we teach people how to shoot, yes you have to keep it simple and gradually introduce concepts to students. So you might start with a basic bullseye target, but later you progress to a more “realistic” target that has a humanoid-like shape, such as an IDPA target. But it’s then important to progress to photorealistic targets, when teaching self-defense, because there’s a psychological hurdle people must overcome in order to enable successful self-defense. One aspect not often discussed is how every target is a flat, head-on, squared-up, perfectly presented target in 2D. When does anyone in life ever face you like this? There’s always an angle, always something odd to content with. That’s core focus of what SXRV is all about: to understand that people are 3D and 2D training artifacts can cost you.

So that in more advanced Defensive Pistol Skills classes @ KR Training we’ll use photorealistic targets, and more “realistic” ones, such as with people at odd angles and placements, the information in SXRV validates what we’ve been teaching and how we approach the topics. Validation is good. We know our students are getting good training, good information.

But what’s great is when things you thought you knew, you find out you didn’t. Case in point here: ocular window. No, that’s not really the best way to do things. First, when you break away from someone being perfectly squared up to you, the index of “ocular window” just doesn’t work. Second, and more important, it’s a poor way to index and target the brain stem, which is the supposed target of the ocular index. It comes back to a key focus of SXRV: learning true anatomy.

It was also great to learn about the pelvis as a target. I mean, we already knew about it, but it’s interesting to see how even today the pelvis as a target isn’t being properly taught. When Dr. Williams explained more of the structure of the body and how it worked, you can easily see how traditional pelvis targets are not the best and can be improved upon.

This is good stuff!

And this is why it’s so important to continue education: not just because there’s so much  to learn, but you might find out what you know isn’t right and/or could be improved upon.

I can only speak for myself, but I know I’m going to teach a little different, a little better. I often run students through the shoot house, where we use a lot of good photorealistic targets. In the past I’ve already worked to explain visualizing 3D targets, but I’ve got more knowledge, more vocabulary, more ways to explain the concepts. This only means good things for students, and for myself.

Dr. Williams doesn’t teach this course very often: it’s a heavy course. There’s a lot of talk of ethics, use of force, and legal issues (that’s the bulk of the class: there’s very little live fire). Even the medical portions of the class get a little of the heavy side to talk about. The subject matter is what it is. It’s not meant to be heavy, or unfun, or morbid: it’s about trying to save lives.

I wouldn’t say this class is for everyone. True beginners, those just dipping their feet in, it’s a bit much. But for anyone serious about saving lives, if you carry a gun on a regular basis – be you private citizen, or be it your job (police, military, etc.) – this information is important to have.

Thank you, Dr. Williams. It was a pleasure to meet you, and I look forward to future work together.

Thinking about Pepper Spray

/ hsoi / 17 Comments

Why haven’t I carried pepper spray? Because I couldn’t find a suitable carry option.

But I’m working to change that.

I have long wanted to carry pepper spray. Why? Because it’s useful, and because sometimes it’s the better – only (?), right (?) – option.

For example, I’ve had more than enough times when 4-legged critters were more the issue, and spray would certainly be more appropriate for the situation. Just the other day I was crossing the street and a drunk homeless guy started yelling at me. I politely and firmly dened him, he didn’t like it, started cussing me out; should he have opted to escalate, pepper spray likely would have been an appropriate option.

But I haven’t carried any? Why? Because I can’t find an option that works for me.

I carry enough stuff on my belt. I really don’t have room for more stuff.

In my pocket?  The main worry I have is accidental discharge.

I looked at the Sabre Spitfire upon recommendation from Claude Werner, but that was just asking to go off in my pocket. Plus I didn’t like the discharge (distance/reach, spray pattern, etc.).

We do have a lot of Fox Labs products around the house. The Mrs. and Daughter have keychain sprays. We have some larger canisters for use and carry at other times (e.g. walking to the mailbox).

But the Fox Labs keychain model (or any of those types, as most keychain sprays are the same style) just never felt good in my pocket. Last week I was on vacation and the only things I was able to carry were my Spyderco Delicas and a Fox Labs keychain spray. The spray was in my pocket, and too many times the tab was flipped around. I kept fearing a discharge in my pocket.

That said, carrying the spray for a week finally made me get off my butt. The trip made me think a lot about sprays, including learning that yes you can bring pepper spray on an airplane in your checked luggage (there are limits and restrictions, but ultimately you can). So the whole trip I spent a lot of brain cycles thinking about spray. This is as opposed to “normal” where I think about it, struggle to come up with a suitable option, then put it back on the backburner until it comes up again; lather, rinse, repeat, remain unsatisfied.

Well, I’m hoping my luck will change.

I just purchased an ASP Key Defender. It looks like it will have a good chance of being something I could carry, that should have minimal chance of accidental discharge, and could be effective and useful. Plus it should be sturdy enough to be a striking implement too. Yes, I avoided this in the past because I just wasn’t sure about deployment under pressure. I’m still not, but I do hope to put it through some paces. The indications I’ve seen from people’s whose opinions I trust seem that the ASP Defender should be workable; not ideal, but workable.

The Palm Defender seems too small (capacity, distance, and size in the hand for striking). The Street Defender is probably going to be a little too big. Some videos of the Key Defender in action seem reasonable so…. it’s what I’m going to try. I picked up a couple refills of the OC spray, as well as a couple inert cans too.

We’ll see.

 

Can you articulate?

/ hsoi / 6 Comments

A few days ago a news report and video went around of an incident in Bellmead, TX.

In short, outside a WalMart a man tried to snatch an elderly woman’s purse. A bunch of good people observed this, gave chase, and were able to apprehend the man; it appears the intention was to hold him for police. Frankly up to this point, all things seem good and like any reasonable citizen would applaud.

Then the amateur video starts. In the video a woman was seen using a gun in a manner that appears to be trying to hold the man at gunpoint. The purse-snatcher breaks free of the men restraining him and begins to run off.

That’s when the woman fires her gun.

Here’s an updated news story.

According to Bellmead Police, the armed female chose to fire a round over Andre and she left the scene without making contact with law enforcement.

As the video continues, the woman then dangles the gun at her side, sees the police arrive, and she walks off. According to the updated news story, it seems this woman has now visited the police and was released pending investigation. According to the news story, not only was the man arrested and charged with theft and credit card abuse, but it seems the woman may be charged with something and her behavior may be sent before a grand jury.

And should it?

Yes it should.

Here’s the thing.

Massad Ayoob often asks what CYA means. No, it’s not “cover your ass”. It’s “can you articulate?”

A gun is deadly force. Can she articulate how her life or someone else’s life was in danger?

Can this woman articulate why she pointed a gun at this man?

Can this woman articulate why she fired the gun?

In terms of public perception, the man was running away. As well, any shots fired then would be “in the back”. Can she articulate her reasoning for her actions given that situation?

Can this woman articulate why she chose to fire the gun over the man?

Can she articulate why she left the scene without speaking with police?

Because if she cannot articulate, she’s in for a heap of trouble.

And even if she can articulate, does it mesh with our legal framework?

I know I’m about to armchair quarterback this based off a little video and news story, so take the following in that light.

A gun is not a solution to every problem; it can be a tool used to aid in solving particular problems. Usually those particular problems involve some sort of immediate danger to your life or the life of someone else. Could there be something in the whole of this situation that involved such danger? Possible, because the video only shows so much.

But there’s so much the video does show that makes me think things are not going to go well for this woman. That she made a great many poor decisions, and it’s fortunate that no one was harmed by her poor choices. Slight correction: that the only person that’s going to be harmed by her poor choices is herself.

Thing is, if she had a gun on her, I would reckon she has a Texas Concealed Handgun License. Granted, she might not, but we’ll assume she does. Do you know what the CHL classes are all about? The law. Even if she didn’t have a CHL, it doesn’t preclude her from not knowing about the law. You need to know and understand the law – when you can, and when you cannot use force or deadly force – because you are directly affecting people’s lives. I don’t get the impression this woman understands those laws, and for that, she’s likely to pay the price.

Folks, when you choose to carry a gun you choose to accept a strong responsibility. Yes, some punk mugging an old woman is a scumbag, and I applaud the spirit of the people that didn’t want to see this dude get away with it. But in trying to stop his lawless behavior, we must remain within the law. We must know the law, and we must be able to articulate our choices.

The ability to articulate? It does not come from having a gun, or even from taking the minimal “training” that the CHL class provides. No, it comes from joining groups like the Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network (disclosure: I’m a member), because they provide a great deal of education – as well as legal defense, if ever needed. But hopefully the education will serve you best.

It comes from taking additional training, not just in marksmanship, but also decision-making. Scenario training, also known as “force-on-force”, is invaluable towards helping you learn how to handle actual situations. It gives you a safe place to learn – which means making mistakes – so when the flag does fly, you have improved your chances of arriving at an acceptable outcome.

It comes from continuing education. Grandpa taking you into the back pasture as a kid may be a nice way to start, but it should not be the last time you received any sort of education. Going to the gun range once a year doesn’t count either. You need a good instructor (disclosure: I am an assistant instructor at KR Training). You need to spend time on topics that challenge you, that may humble you, but that will give you the skills needed to keep you out of trouble.

Because even if this woman lucks out, the need to obtain a lawyer, deal with a grand jury, and who knows what else may come her way… that can add up to thousands of dollars, much stress, much headache, maybe even jail time, the loss of her carry license, and who knows what other fallout.

As they often say, if you think education is expensive, try ignorance.

OK then…

/ hsoi

“If you’re in a position to try and take the gunman down, to take the gunman out, it’s the best option for saving lives before police can get there.”

Washington D.C. Police Chief, Cathy Lanier

Full story. Additional story.

This is a huge WTF because Chief Lanier has worked tirelessly to disarm and hold helpless the citizens of Washington D.C.. It’s not like she’s helpful in getting licenses approved…

Fact is, what she says is correct. It’s an admission of reality that many choose to still ignore: that police cannot be there, that police cannot immediately respond. It takes time for them to learn about an event, respond, travel to the location. In a good city, you’re lucky to get 5-7 minute response times – that’s a GOOD response time, so you have to realize many times responses will be longer.

How much damage can happen in that time?

And who can do anything about it?

Let’s not even think of massive terrorist-style attacks. Let’s consider more “mundane” events like robbery, mugging, assault, rape. When a violent crime is occurring, who is there in the immediate area? For certain, the attacker and the victim. Of those, who do you think could do something about the safety of the victim?

I’m not saying we all need to cowboy up and all citizens be police, because that’s not how our current system of laws work, nor how our society is structured.

But what our laws and society do allow is for citizens to be pro-active in their own safety. To have directly on-hand the tools that could be utilized to save their own lives. And the simple fact we see more and more professional law enforcement speaking up and confessing reality… that’s what we call “a clue”.

Now if Chief Lanier will just enable the citizens of D.C. to do what she suggests.

Magpul STR vs CTR

/ hsoi

Here’s what a little training and education does to you: it fixes what’s broken.

My hunting rifle is an AR-patterned rifle: a Wilson Combat 6.8 upper on a Rock River Arms lower with their two-stage match trigger, and some other accessories.

I forget what I originally had as a stock, but probably some sort of “factory whatever” 6-position stock. Hated it. Put on a Magpul STR. Why? I felt that the added width would be good for my cheek weld. And generally it was, given what I knew at the time.

Well, at the CSAT Rifle class last month, there was some side talk with Paul Howe about stocks, and he mentioned he couldn’t use such stocks because they rolled his head over. It just didn’t fit him and his body (YMMV).

It seems that’s my case too.

When I pulled the hunting rifle out a couple weeks ago to prep for deer (rifle) season, of course I was putting my CSAT training to use. And lo, things felt off. I couldn’t get that consistent head and eye position, that natural point of aim. I noticed that yeah, my head was rolling to the side. I also noticed I wasn’t getting naturally behind the scope to see through it properly. Hrm.

I took off the STR and just used the raw buffer tube to experiment. Sure enough, everything felt better.

So I ordered a Magpul CTR. It just came in. Put it on, and lo, everything is better. Consistent head and eye position. Natural point of aim. And the scope falls properly where it should (eye relief). What a difference, eh?

Why didn’t I get something like the UBR or PRS? 1. Cost. 2. I’m not convinced I need it, not at least on this rifle.

Anyways, that’s what a little learning will do for you. 😉

UT Profs: please come out of your ivory tower once in a while

/ hsoi / 7 Comments

So I read this about a rally held a couple of days ago at the University of Texas (right here in Austin):

“America has all-along been about the sheer display of white male power with guns over Indians, over slaves, over females, over Mexicans, over Asians, over African Americans, and over Arabs, now,” said [history professor Jorge Cañizares-Esguerra]. “Classroom carry is aggressive intrusion of the vigilante rights of the largely white minority into our living rooms, our offices, our dorms, my classroom.

Full story (h/t David Hoobler)

Now, as an Asian, I’m not really sure what he’s getting at. But I live here in Austin.

And you know, right here in Austin – you know, the little blue-dot in this red state – I see all sorts of things.

For example, there’s the A Girl and a Gun club and the Austin Sure Shots, which are women’s groups. Right here. In Austin.

There’s Michael Cargill – a gay black man, who is also the owner of Central Texas Gun Works. Right here. In Austin.

A number of years ago as I was leaving Red’s Indoor Range (a gun range, right here, in Austin), this is what I see parked in the parking lot.

I’ve been an instructor at KR Training for about 7 years. I’ve seen thousands of people come through the doors of one of the oldest and most respected self-defense schools in Central Texas – and the primary residence of the students? Austin. And the students are male, female, black, white, yellow, brown, rich, poor, highly educated, barely educated, young, old, you name it. If anything, “white male power” is quite the minority.

And vigilante? Do you really think anyone that has to go through as much red tape, as much background checking, fingerprinting, and legal hassle as to get a concealed carry license is a vigilante? If you don’t know what it takes, click through to read the lengthy legal and regulatory process that’s involved.

So I’m not really sure where Mr. Cañizares-Esguerra is getting his information.

But perhaps if he stepped outside of his ivory tower – and just looked around, right here in Austin – he might see that the only person throwing around ignorant stereotypes is himself.

Updated thoughts on a home defense tool

/ hsoi / 9 Comments

Some years ago I wrote down my thoughts on home defense tools.

My thoughts have progressed over the years.

The other day I read this article: Long guns for home defense – not such a hot idea. My initial reaction was to groan, because there actually is a place for them, but my groan was purely on the article title. So I went and read the article, and I actually agree completely with the author.

(Aside: This is why it’s good to actually READ the article, not just the headline. I loved NPR’s troll/experiment on this very thing.)

But since I know from looking at my own site statistics that people rarely click-through to read the referenced article, here’s the “tl;dr” summary:

  • Handguns are generally better for home-defense because they are compact and one-handed
    • Have you tried quickly navigating your house with a long-gun?
    • How about contending with opening doors, using flashlights, finagling children, etc.?
  • Long-guns are useful when you stay-put.

Now is this the be-all-end-all? Of course not. There are a great many factors to consider. For example, I know a couple (and just the 2 of them; no kids to worry about) that lives in a rural area. They are far back from the road so there’s longer distances to cover. As well, a more common issue for them is to contend with 4-legged predators around their livestock. Considering the totality of their circumstances, a rifle actually works out well for them.

In my house, a handgun is generally more useful, because people, because tight and twisty hallways, and most of all? Because it’s the tool with which I am most proficient.

And I’m sure YOUR situation is different.

Consider the totality of your circumstance and pick the right tool for the job. I know Internet mantra is “long guns for defending the home-front”, but remember what’s right for someone else behind their keyboard may not be appropriate for you, your family, and your home.

Signs, signs, everywhere there’s (ineffective) signs

/ hsoi / 2 Comments

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police are looking for a man who robbed a South Austin jewelry store on Thursday afternoon. Police say the suspect came into Jared’s Jewelry store, located at 4301 W. William Cannon Dr., with a gun, and demanded property from the employees. The suspect was able to get away with an undisclosed amount of property.

Full story (emphasis added)

Jared’s Jewelry is well-established as being anti-gun. Here in Texas, every Jared’s store posts “30.06 signs” outside their entrances. People post “30.06” and other “no-guns” signs expecting those signs will keep guns (and crime/violence) out of their facility. The point of a “30.06 sign” is to prohibit lawful concealed carry inside the store; and that it does. The law-abiding citizens of Texas that are background-checked, fingerprinted, have passed other stringent tests and requirements, and been vetted by both the Texas and Federal government as demonstrably law-abiding, obey that sign.

You know who doesn’t obey that sign?

That guy that just robbed the Jared’s Jewelry store.

How often do you inspect your equipment?

/ hsoi

The title says it all:

How often do you inspect your equipment?

It doesn’t matter the context. If you have equipment you rely upon, it should get some sort of periodic inspection.

When was the last time you checked the air pressure in the tires of your car? Or the oil? Or the washer fluid? How about if all of the exterior lights (turn signals, brakes, backup lights, etc.) work?

How about the fire extinguisher in your kitchen? The smoke detectors in the house?

The backup system for your computer (e.g. Mac OS X’s Time Machine). When was the last backup run? Is everything in order?

The list can go on.

I’m far from perfect in this. I’m like you: busy, with a lot of things on my plate and in my head. I can’t remember everything, and things do slip through the cracks. For example, I wear a kydex pouch on my belt to carry my flashlight and a spare magazine. A few weeks ago I realized that one of the belt clips had started to crack. I’m glad I caught it because it wasn’t too long before it fully broke. I was able to get a replacement ordered in time.

Funny thing tho? The replacement wasn’t properly made so I had to send it back (they did correct things; a topic for another time). Thus I was without the pouch for a little while. I used my rotary tool to cut off the broken parts and whittled it down to just a flashlight pouch. But what to do about carrying a spare magazine? While I do have other mag pouches, it would have made EDC cumbersome. So, a DeSantis Mag-Packer to the rescue. It was good to have some sort of equipment redundancy.

Friend of mine had a similar issue with the flashlight in his car’s glove compartment. The bulb fried somehow, and SureFire is going to take care of it. But better that he found out now instead of when he was stranded roadside at night needing to change his tire.

Any equipment and things you rely upon, inspect them. Fix them. Replace them. Do whatever is needed, so when you have to call on your equipment, it’ll be there.