Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.
GUNMAN opens fire outside St. John the Divine church in Manhattan after Christmas choir performance
As I’ve noted in previous writings, we are seeing more and more active killer attacks of late originating OUTSIDE a building.
It’s critically important for the overseers of any building open to the public to have a plan to immediately deny entrance to the structure and launch an elevated or flanking counterattack when the rounds start flying.
This guy’s plan was to take hostages inside the church.
Safety Considerations for Riots and Protests
My friend Doug Lightfoot shares his observations about safety at riots and protests. You may also like Michael Yon’s thoughts on the topic A few hints on combat safety in America
How to Cure a Flinch
Suggestions to remedy a common shooting problem.
Emergency Trauma Response Training Course
How about some free online medical training?
Why Sidecar Style Holsters Suck
Personally, I have little use for “sidecar” holsters.
You’re Only As Good As Your Worst Day
“Leaders are only as good as how they lead during times of uncertainty and fear.
Do they hide away from public sight or do they serve as a reassuring, sympathetic presence that brings everyone together? Do they do what’s defensible or what’s best for everyone in the long run? Are they forced to react in the moment or were they already prepared? Ask anyone to name the finest leaders in the history of their country and they’re not likely to name those who were in power during calm, peaceful times. They’ll name those who were at the helm during wars, economic crises, pandemics, natural disasters, and so on—those who never wavered from a vision and whose consistent, empathetic appearances gave people a sense of hope.”
A Scientific Approach to Reality Based Training
What I’m reading…
I like science. I like training. This book has the potential to teach me new things.
Precision & Group Size – Statistics for Shooters Part 3
The arithmetic behind group size. Read the Executive Summary as well.
The 1987 L-Frame Recall
Thanks to Revolver Guy for doing the painstaking research to document this bit of firearms history that might have otherwise been forgotten.
All Human Traffickers Must Die, or The Backstory of THE REVENGERS Series
Marcus Wynne discusses his perspectives on human trafficking. His Revengers series of books just keeps getting better and better. They would be a fun read for any of you who likes action fiction. Marcus is donating all of the sales from this series in the month of December to the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Wielding a gun makes a shooter perceive others as wielding a gun, too
My guess is that these findings are not very important, but you gun geeks may like to read the research. Thank you to Marcus Wynne for sending me the link.
How To NOT Get Shot by Responding Law Enforcement
Excellent advice here for avoiding being accidentally shot by police if you respond to an active killer attack.
Review of Frank Smyth’s “The NRA: The Unauthorized History” (2020), PART 1
I always enjoy Dr. Yamane’s balanced and sensible scholarship. I’m going to have to get the book now. Promiscuity and gun toting? That chapter might be my biography..
You may also like the author’s work in Late-19th Century America as a “Gun-Toting Era”.
The TDI Sharkbite – By KA-BAR
I’ve written about the Ka-Bar Sharkbite before. I think it’s a great inexpensive non-metallic weapon. Sources at Ka-Bar tell me it has been discontinued. Pick one up now before they disappear.
Speaking about Ka-Bars, here’s a profoundly interesting look at the historical development of the military fighting knife.
Speed and Expansion
Tamara does some big bore gel testing. You may also like this article doing gel testing of a few different shotgun loads through drywall as an intermediate barrier.
Study – One Year of Boxing Negatively Impacts Working Memory, Short-Term Memory, and Long-Term Memory
It turns out that getting hit in the head, even for a relatively short period of time, isn’t good for your cognition.
The Best Bad Choice
“A tactical decision is only sound or unsound in light of the particular context in which it’s being made, and in comparison to the reasonable alternatives. So let’s not get all huffy calling other people’s decisions about being armed unsound. That decision may be the most reasonable one in their circumstances. Of course, it also may not be. There may have been better decisions they could’ve reasonably made. But constructive criticism should be made acknowledging — and in consideration of — their particular circumstances.”
Carrying a Knife – Considerations & Protocols Part II: SMEs Weigh In
Some tips on carrying a blade for self defense
Throwback Thursday: Hemingway’s Guns
A historical look at Hemingway’s guns. I would have loved to shoot sharks off the back of his boat with a Tommy Gun.
Fundamentals of Dry Practice
The Tactical Professor provides some solid tips for improving your dry fire practice. Read his followup post: What does effective Dry Practice actually look like? I also recommend Annette Evans’ book on the topic as an excellent resource.
Alarming Stats on Nonfatal Gun Injuries
Data on non-fatal firearms wounds.
Merry Christmas, Bob
My favorite T-Nation article of all time. A little dose of holiday inspiration for all of you.
Ed Calderon’s first hand accounts with the Portland and Atlanta Riots
Interesting perspective on the Portland and Atlanta riots.
If ATF Comes A Knocking, Only Surrender Your 80% Frame or Receiver Under Protest!
A firearms attorney’s advice about how to handle an encounter with an ATF agent who wants to confiscate you “80% receiver.” Read Michael Bane’s thoughts about the issue at BATFE Changes the Rules on 80% Receivers.
‘Run, Hide, Fight’ Is Not How Our Brains Work
Freezing in a dangerous situation is natural, but counterproductive. We need to recognize those “freeze” moments and turn them into productive activity. For some more info on the “freeze response.” check out this article from the CP Journal (the folks who wrote Left of Bang).
Food Preparedness on $20 a Paycheck
I know for many of you, money is tight right now. This article explores how you can put together a significant food stockpile spending $20 a week.
Subject matter expert?
“Stop telling everyone how much you know and what you have done, and instead keep the nose to the grindstone and try to improve on your performance regardless of where everyone else thinks you are. Then, when you do speak, you speak from humbleness and not ego.”
15 Ideas on WALRUS Training
Training ideas for those of you who just have a weight vest and a kettlebell.
Stabbed Teenager Runs Into Restaurant Asking For Help
I think a lot of my readers/students are pretty well prepared to defend themselves from criminal attack. I see fewer preparations with regards to defending or rendering aid to the victim of a third-party encounter. Watch the short video and think about what you might do had you been eating at this restaurant when the victim came inside.
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