Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.
The thin line between safety and tragedy: Muzzle control in policing
I’m glad this topic is receiving some attention. I fear, however, if we become too dogmatic or too “safe” we will be endangering officers and armed citizens with our advocacy. This is an interesting discussion. I am friends with both the author and all four of the experts he interviewed. All five of these dudes are worthy of your attention, but I’ll be the first to say I am not as dogmatic as any of them.
I strongly oppose muzzling innocent people. But I see a big difference between muzzling an elementary school kid while responding to a school shooter call and pointing my gun at a murder suspect who isn’t obeying my verbal commands. The two scenarios are not the same, despite what the firearms safety “rules” say. There is a bit of nuance involved, but I have no problem pointing guns at some folks even if I haven’t made the decision to shoot them (yet).
“Never point your gun at something you are not willing to destroy.” I’m OK with the idea of destroying a murder suspect who poses a potential lethal force threat to me. I’m not OK with carelessly muzzling an elementary school kid as I try to find a killer in his school.
Read Pointing Guns at People for more of my thoughts on the topic.
ATF creates arbitrary 90-day window to return bump-stocks to original owners
I doubt many of my readers sent their bump stocks to the ATF when the agency declared them illegal. If you did, here is the mechanism to get them returned to you.
New Tourniquet: The AED for Bleeding?
I received half a dozen inquiries about this new tourniquet in the last week. I haven’t played with it. It’s probably fine, but I won’t be replacing my CAT with it anytime soon. Just because it has FDA approval does not mean it’s a superior design for combative use. My prediction is that we will see these placed in public aid stations and in ambulances sometime in the future, but I don’t see them replacing the standard windless tourniquets we have now for everyday carry.
I personally wouldn’t carry one unless it is recommended by the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care. Despite the bias in the linked interview, currently available tourniquets work very well when used by trained aid providers. Don’t be in a hurry to invest in a gear-based solution to a to a training problem.
Close Quarters Shotgun Technique
I’m betting that “short stocking” is a shotgun shooting technique with which most of you are unfamiliar. Read the article or watch the video. It’s a useful technique to have in your arsenal. Back in the 1970s-1990s, a shotgun position called the “high tuck” was advocated for a similar purpose. I actually had to fire rounds from the “high tuck” in my police academy qualifications. This position keeps the gun in a normal orientation, but the butt is in the armpit (below the shoulder). The strong arm clamps down and holds the buttstock tightly against the body for recoil control. Tactical doctrine was to point at the suspect’s belt line. As with short stocking, the natural tendency is to shoot high.
The method shown here is vastly superior so long as the shooter understands the push/pull method of recoil control. I really think the old cop instructors advocated the high tuck because it was simpler to teach to unmotivated police cadets.
1 MOA All Day – Accuracy Expectations are Unrealistic
Those dudes you are arguing with on social media are not shooting one MOA rifle groups.
State Gun Laws Have Mixed Impact on Suicide and Homicide Rates
This shouldn’t surprise those of you who have been paying attention.
Twisted Casino Drill Rules 2 and 4 extrapolation!
An innovative and challenging modification to Rangemaster’s Casino Drill for your next range training session.
Need another hard drill? Try the GreyBeard Actual’s 3.45 Drill.
Tweaking jiu-jitsu for self-defense pt.1
Cecil talks about important aspects to consider when considering using BJJ as a self defense art. Read the followup articles as well.
All About Water Purification: A Complete Tutorial
Survival basics everyone should know.
Fanny Packs for EDC are a Terrible Idea…or are they?
I usually go to the gym and on a long hike almost daily when I’m not on the road teaching. While doing those activities, I carry my pistol in a fanny pack. They are very useful. In this video, Jeff gives you some criteria for properly evaluating one as a way to transport your CCW piece.
Guest Shot: Facing the Active Killer
Dave Spaulding talks active killer response tactics.
Trail Safe: How to Avoid Danger in the Backcountry
What I’m reading….
As I recover from my knee surgery, I am re-reading this one as penance for my wilderness fall. I forgot how good the information was. Anyone who enjoys the outdoors should check it out.
80 Essential Books for Self-Defense
Continuing on the topic of books, does anyone else miss bloggers posting recommended reading lists? I do. Fortunately Wim just shared one. These are very solid recommendations.
How To Evaluate A Used Revolver
For my revolver fans. You might also like The Pros And Cons Of A Defensive Revolver.
Concealed Carry Against A Mob: When To Draw
Case studies of five different multiple attacker scenarios. As political violence is likely to start spinning up soon, it might be a good time to review these concepts.
Understanding Folding Knife Lock Types
Although a couple excellent locking mechanisms (Axis lock, compression lock) aren’t mentioned, this is a decent review of what’s available on the market.
How to Treat Penetrating Chest Wounds
Lots of folks are prepared to stop bleeding with a tourniquet. Did you know that in active killer/terrorist attacks, you are far more likely to need to be able to treat a penetrating chest wound than uncontrolled bleeding from an extremity?
FBI Misses Mark: Civilians Stopped Far More Active Shooters Than Reported
“New research reveals that the FBI has severely underestimated the number of times armed civilians stopped active shooters from 2014 to 2023. While the FBI claimed just 4% of these incidents were halted by civilians, the actual number is at least 35%, and it’s over 51.5% in areas without gun-free zones.”
Do you want to read some more crime stats? Try Gun Violence Statistics 2024: A Comprehensive Look at the Data.
Training Versus Practice: Why You Need Both
The true value of a shooting class is that it teaches you what you need to practice. Without the followup practice, the class will be nearly worthless.
“I find a rather interesting division among most shooters who are to any extend enthusiasts: Some shoot quite often but never invest in good training; thus they merely waste time and ammo not improving due to poor technique. Others, ironically, become training junkies. They find attending firearms classes fun; it becomes entertainment (the combination of training and entertainment) for these folks. However, many training junkies rarely practice. I attended a particular shooting class this past summer and overheard on attendee telling a fellow student that this class was his first time shooting in six months. Think about that. While I applaud this individual for taking training, it does little good if there is no practice being done to maintain and improve the skills learned.”
Carjacked While Pumping Gas; Can You Say Four Corners?
Safer tactics for gassing up your car.
Boarding Pass … For A Cop
Erick has some simple travel survival tips to heed. I fly a lot. I’ve been on 33 flights so far this calendar year. Fifteen of them have been delayed or cancelled. I always have a few days’ worth of clothing and toiletries in my carry on bag in case I get stranded.
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