[BEGINNERS] Why You Should Always Check To See If A Handgun Is Loaded

By Luke McCoy via USA Carry

It’s the first rule in firearm safety: treat every weapon as if it is loaded.

Yet, there’s plenty of occurrences where someone assumes a gun is unloaded. The results can be disastrous.

The reason why we always check to see if a firearm is loaded is because it only takes being wrong once to ruin things for good. More importantly, it’s easy to check a handgun to see if it’s loaded. Some handguns even have indicators that act as a “heads up” that the gun is loaded. We should never take an indicator as proof positive that there isn’t a round in the chamber, though.

How To Properly Check To See If A Handgun Is Loaded

For those who may not feel confident with handguns, we’re going to discuss a sure-fire way to ensure a pistol is unloaded. A couple things you should never do:

• Look down the barrel of the gun.
• Point the gun at anything you do not intend to shoot while inspecting to see if it is loaded.
• Let the barrel wander during inspection so it is facing another person or animal.

All visual inspection steps can be done by pulling upper receiver to the rear and there is no gun that would ever require you to stare down its barrel.

Step 1: Point the weapon’s barrel in a safe direction

The best place to start this is by maintaining basic firearm safety and ensuring the barrel of the gun is never pointed at anyone or any living thing.

Step 2: Eject the magazine from the pistol.

Press the magazine ejection button, usually found on the side of the pistol grip. For certain pistols, like the Walter PPS, there are models that have the magazine ejection lever located beneath the trigger group. Pull that switch downward to eject the magazine.

For revolvers, you can usually slide the cylinder out and visually inspect from the back end whether rounds are loaded. Even if the shell case has its primer indented, don’t assume it’s a spent shell. Eject the shells and actually check and ensure they are just shells. Little details like having one live round and five spent in a cylinder can be a potentially disastrous detail to miss.

Step 3: Pull the upper receiver back towards you and lock it in place

While simply pulling back the upper receiver will give you a glimpse into the pistol’s chamber, it’s a good practice to lock it to the rear and visually inspect the chamber to make sure it is clear. You still keep the firearm’s barrel pointed down range or in a safe direction at all times.

Step 4: Under dark conditions, inspect digitally with your pinky or with a flashlight.

Some chambers, like that of the CZ-75D PCR, are not always easy to inspect visually under dark conditions. Use a flashlight to visually inspect or use your finger if the upper receiver is locked to the rear.

Once a pistol has been inspected by you and it is completely unloaded, it is now safe to hand off to another person for his use. He should then inspect the gun to ensure it is unloaded before either storing it or loading it himself.

http://concealednation.org/2016/05/beginners-why-you-should-always-check-to-see-if-a-handgun-is-loaded/

Illinois Concealed Carry Weapons License Class

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http://illinoiscc.com/class-calendar-and-registration.php

Why nothings substitutes range time...

Why Nothing Substitutes Range Time

May 26, 2016 | by Luke McCoy

Newcomers to the world of concealed carry ought to be practicing in their homes and in their private times outside the range. It’s a requirement to maintain muscle memory and to keep us from being lulled into a false sense of complacency. Unloading your pistol and practicing clearing rooms, drawing from your holster and reholstering, scanning and assessing — these are the bread-n-butter skills that make someone formidable in a self-defense situation.

However, none of these skills replace range time.

Range time is time spent actively discharging rounds in a safe, controlled environment where you have the benefit of practicing not just everyday skills but the basics of marksmanship. People will brag all day long about how fast they can draw and put rounds on target — but what happens when panic hits? A sudden return of bad habits is one likely response.

Bad habits can start from a lack of experience or because of a bunch of poor ones.

• Trigger control – Touching off the trigger with the pad of your index finger.
• Sight picture and sight alignment – Finding the correct balance between the two.
• Predictability – At certain ranges, you need to know how precise you are. You can always improve but knowing “at 25 yards, my shot groupings are not what I want them to be” is important information for you to know. Those shot groupings at 25 yards only get worse in a real world situation.
• Scan, Assess, Engage – The fundamentals of firearm safety merge with marksmanship when you apply scanning, assessing, and engaging as a criteria in your range time.
• Drawing from holster and engaging targets – No matter how much we think we know about drawing and firing on target, nothing slams this home more than actually doing it. If we’re not using our everyday concealed carry holsters with our favored concealed carry handguns, we’re doing ourselves a disservice. If this is the gun you carry, it should be up front and center in your practice routine.

Who knows better than you what your capabilities and limitations are? Hopefully no one. That’s why we practice at the range regularly. Whether it’s once a week or just a few times a month, these basics help keep us grounded. The basic fundamentals of firearm marksmanship and safety are the two key caveats from which all other skills must flow. Otherwise, we’re practicing dangerous tactics that have the potential to hurt us or others unintentionally.

In the concealed carry firearms community, there need never be the assumption of proficiency. Proficiency is proven by routine, not boasting. If a picture of your most recent target shot groupings is motivation, use it as that. Challenge it. Push the envelope of your proficiency while maintaining safety as a principle mindset.

Each range has different rules in terms of how broad your routine and practice can get. Nothing substitutes actual rounds moving down range to confirm what you think you know — or dispel the myth altogether that you know what you know.

Safety is always a top priority in practice. That mindset at the range will carry over should any of us be forced into the situation of having to use our concealed carry handgun to defend our lives, our family, or our property.

http://www.usacarry.com/nothing-substitutes-range-time/

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Use of Force: The Necessary Will for Armed Self-Defense

Law-abiding good citizens generally hate the idea of having to harm or kill another human being. For those of us that choose to go armed, we carry a weapon to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the elements of humanity who have no such reservations. If you find the notion of harming another unpleasant, that is a good thing. If you have no issues with the possibility of having to hurt someone even if justified, then you are a liability. Our ingrained value for life should move us to avoid any situation that could lead to violence, and the only possible reason to use force that can potentially harm or kill another human being should be relegated only to situations in which there is truly no other choice.

Within the United States most of our laws, as well as our overall principles based on English common-law, generally acknowledge and permit the use of lethal force if it is in the defense of an innocent person against an imminent threat. I am not an attorney and I have no intention of addressing the particulars of such legal matters. The details vary from state to state, but generally lethal force is permitted by law if it is the only recourse for preserving innocent human life. Most reasonable people generally agree with this sole justification for lethal force. Despite the legal and ethical justifications, the will to do what is necessary in such a circumstance is a very personal matter.

Our healthy abhorrence of violence can actually pose an obstacle for us in preparing for our own self-defense and this is often a result of not fully understanding the difference between using force to defend ourselves versus using violence to intentionally hurt people. Most firearms trainers will encounter students who declare that they could never pull the trigger on another person no matter what the circumstances and no matter how justified. This is a personal decision and should be respected. The issue, however, is if a citizen who carries a firearm specifically for self-defense has this mentality, the weapon may prove to be a liability rather than an asset in a bad situation if this mindset is not corrected. Bad things happen quickly and a gun should never be deployed for defense by an individual who may hesitate to use it if needed. If the will to use the weapon is absent, then producing the weapon can simply up the lethality of the conflict rather than resolve the attack.

The “I could never pull the trigger” sentiment is found among men and women, but held by women more frequently. Interestingly, if these individuals are further pressed and asked if they would use lethal force to protect their child, even if they would not use force to defend themselves, the answer is almost always “yes.” This phenomenon demonstrates that the “I could never” sentiment is often not thoroughly thought out, but simply a natural response concerning any sort of potential for violence. This entire topic needs to be fully considered long before you strap on a gun for personal protection. A good way to start this personal assessment is to have a clear understanding of the difference between violence and force.

Understanding Violence vs. Force

Part of the issue with an individual’s self-induced hesitancy to take needed action is a matter of understanding the concept of violence. Violence is typically defined as “physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something.” For most the idea of using violence against others is disturbing. What many individuals fail to realize is this: criminals use violence. Those that defend themselves from violence use force. The force we use if we need to defend ourselves is “physical force” as is intrinsic to violence, but where the difference lies is in the intent. Violence is intended to “hurt, damage, or kill.” The force we use to defend innocent life is intended to neutralize. The definition of neutralize is to “render something ineffective or harmless by applying an opposite force or effect.” That is what we do if we must. We use physical force to render a bad person ineffective of harming or killing innocent life.

If you feel that you could never use violence, then you are on point with your inclinations. You, as a moral, decent, and law abiding citizen, are never justified to use violence. But there are circumstances in which you are completely justified in the use of force. Unfortunately the only type of force that effectively protects innocent life in some situations is Lethal Force. The term lethal force implies exactly what it means, force that can be lethal, resulting in death. The most obvious and effective lethal force tool that we can carry concealed on our person is the handgun. The tool, if used against a human being, can result in death. We all realize that. Edged weapons and blunt striking objects are also lethal force, and even our hands can sometimes constitute lethal force, but the goal of any such tool in a defensive manner is not to kill somebody. The goal is to stop that person from doing whatever it is that they are doing to pose grievous harm to innocent life. As practitioners of self-defense it is good to hate violence, but we need to be willing to use whatever force necessary to neutralize.

The Real Question to Ask Yourself

With a clear understanding of the difference between force and violence we can have a more effective self-assessment of our own abilities and willingness in a bad situation. At this point you need to ask yourself “am I willing to use any force necessary to neutralize a deadly threat?” That is the question. The question is not “am I willing to kill someone?” The question we ask ourselves can only relate to our intention. The outcome of action is rarely possible to predict. Therefore, it is our intention that we can control, not the ultimate outcome for those involved. We should never, upon any circumstances, intend to kill someone. That is absolutely illegal, and it is wrong. We should, however, have every intention of using whatever force necessary, but only what is necessary, to stop a bad person from hurting innocent parties.

Now, the unfortunate possible outcome of lethal force is that the individual or individuals we use force against may die. Neutralizing by force is essentially breaking the physical structure of the attacker to the point at which that individual gives up doing his threatening behavior, or simply can no longer perform the behavior because he is incapacitated. Death is a possible outcome. Permanent physical disability is a possible outcome. Being taken to the hospital and making a full recovery in three days is also a possible outcome. Simply the sight of the weapon or the sound of the blast causing the attacker to flee is another possible outcome as well, and that is effective neutralization if it stops the threatening behavior. These things are all possibilities depending on the circumstances and we have no control over these outcomes, but we have control over our intentions.

As law-abiding citizens if we must use lethal force we would use it only because it is the single alternative to imminent death or serious bodily harm. If there are any other realistic alternatives to using force that we can do safely, then we should not use force. But if we must use lethal force we do so only to neutralize. That means if a threat is neutralized and no longer able to hurt us or others we are done with our part. We do not execute if the threat is still alive but no longer capable of harming others. If a threat breaks off the attack after we offer resistance we do not chase down and kill. We use only the force necessary to neutralize. However, we must also come to terms with the possible outcomes and commit to the will to use any force necessary to cause that neutralization if the threat persists.

These considerations are among the hardest to contemplate in the world of self-defense. Many of us acquire firearms training, unarmed combative skill, and a variety of other training to enhance our ability to defend ourselves and those that we love. Far more will invest in the tool but spend little effort in acquiring skill. Regardless or your level of dedication, the most important element in your ability to defend yourself is the right mindset. A huge part of this mindset is facing the sad but real truth of what self-defense may entail. It is comforting to understand that as a good person there is no need to use violence, as that is not what we use to defend ourselves. But we need to face the reality of what the outcomes may be in the use of force. You need to think about it, be realistic about it, and if you cannot accept that possibility then carrying a weapon is not the right decision for you.

http://concealednation.org/2016/05/use-of-force-the-necessary-will-for-armed-self-defense/

The right concealed carry firearm to fight terrorism

The Right Concealed Carry Gun to Fight Terrorism

By Tom McHale

In light of current events, I’ve felt more comfortable carrying a higher capacity 9mm like this Sig Sauer P229 Legion.

Tom McHale

USA –-(Ammoland.com)- While “Carrying for Terrorism” sounds like a Sally Struthers TV infomercial cause, it’s becoming a legitimate self-defense topic worthy of a rational consideration.

Let’s get one thing out the way first. The odds of you getting caught up in a domestic terror attack are pretty darn low. 

Yes, terrorism is now here on our shores. Actually, unless you work for the New York Times, you already know that it’s been here for decades. Yes, I fully expect there will be more attacks like the recent one in San Bernardino. Our enemies are persistent if nothing else and there is no reason to believe that they’ll take up scrapbooking instead of decapitation if we promise to reduce the exhaust levels of Ford F-150s.

Nonetheless, the odds of your home catching fire are pretty low too, yet a prudent person keeps a fire extinguisher near the kitchen. The bottom line is that there is nothing wrong with observing reality and taking rational and prudent measures to increase the odds of successfully protecting your family.

But what about the arguments that concealed carry can’t have any meaningful impact on a terrorist attack.

The anti self defense media will say “Come on! A concealed carrier citizen isn’t going to be able to stop a terrorist attack!”

Listening to this type of argument makes me crazy, because the people making these statements generally know nothing about the topic of self-defense. I saw a meme the other day illustrating a van full of SWAT team members armed to the teeth. The caption read something like “It took 23 men like this to stop the San Bernardino killers. What makes you think an average citizen with a CCW will be successful?” That misses the entire point.

Take your brain to the very ugly scene of a mass shooting. By its very definition, a mass shooting is unopposed by design. Virtually all of them have taken place in a legal “Gun Free Zone” where the perpetrators knew that they would be completely unopposed for 10, 20 or even 30 minutes. Now imagine how that went down. Picture innocent people sitting or kneeling, with their hands up, waiting their turn to be killed, completely at the discretion of the killer. There is no scenario worse than that. None. A concealed carrier drawing his or her gun and getting killed anyway is not worse than that. Even that’s better as it slowed down the process of others being executed.

What stops this methodical and orderly killing? Disruption.

It’s as simple as that. With any resistance, whether successful or not, the painstaking killing plan of the murderers is suddenly shifted into reaction mode. They are no longer the complete master of every second in the timeline.

Enter Chris Mintz

In the recent Umpqua Community College shooting, the perpetrators plan was disrupted by the actions of unarmed Army veteran Chris Mintz. Mintz ran towards the danger, getting students in the library to safety before arriving at the room where the shooter was present. After yelling to people outside to call the police, Mintz was confronted by the gunman. Efforts by Mints to talk the gunman down failed, and Mintz was shot five times. Thankfully, he survived. Shortly after, the gunman killed himself when police started to close in.

We’ll never know exactly how many lives that simple act of disruption saved, but it was a lot. 

People got away while Mintz distracted the gunman from his slow and methodical killing spree for a period of time.

Another example is the Clackamas Mall shooting, which happened just before Sandy Hook. A gunman armed with a rifle and over 150 rounds of ammunition went into Clackamas Mall and started shooting. He managed to shoot two people before he was confronted by concealed carrier Nick Meli. Meli aimed his gun at the gunman, who then ran into a stairwell and took his own life. Meli never even fired because he was worried about bystanders behind the gunman. That’s right, whether Meli’s handgun was a match for a semi-automatic rifle was irrelevant in this case.

The killer’s complete ownership of the situation was disrupted and his plan foiled. Action and disruption means everything.

If you’re going to use a gun for self-defense, the most important thing is proper training. If you can’t do live training, study and practice of reputable videos is better than nothing!

One more factor to consider is that the range of these attacks is almost always frighteningly close. Even if the murderer is using a rifle, the range of shooting is typically measured in inches or feet. In a crowd of people waiting to be executed at will, would a person or two in the mix with a handgun be able to inflict damage on the attackers? Would they be able to provide a few seconds of critical disruption? You tell me.

Would a concealed carrier be able to stop a terror attack?

Maybe or maybe not. Will they get killed in the process? Maybe or maybe not. Will they disrupt the killer’s plans? Almost certainly. When seconds mean the different between life and death for innocent bystanders, a little bit of disruption can make all the difference.

So what’s the rational course of action? I would hope that you’ve read the owners manual on your fire extinguisher, so you know how to work it. Learning its operation as a stove fire consumes the dishwasher is no time to figure that out. If you choose to use a gun for protection, that concept is far more important. In a home fire, your lack of preparation can result in the loss of your home. In an active gun use scenario, we’re talking about immediate life and death consequences.

A few years ago, while terrorism was a real threat, most people planned their defensive strategies and equipment around the more likely scenario of a criminal attack. In those scenarios, small revolvers, and lower capacity pistols are perfectly rational solutions. Reviews of defensive firearm use encounters show that the vast majority of gun uses involve no shots fired. In the cases where triggers are actually pulled, a relatively small number of shots usually ends the attack.

The Right Carry Gun for Terrorism

Should these types of planned and deliberate murder attacks increase in frequency, and I think they will, you’ll want more rounds. It’s as simple as that. Many folks, me included, are finding that they feel a little better carrying a gun with 15 or more round capacity and an extra magazine or two. ( Read more about my choice of specific guns here )  I’m not telling you that’s the only proper response; I’m telling you that I feel more comfortable these days carrying a gun with 15 or more rounds.

If you choose to carry a gun, first and foremost, get training. We’re blessed with a myriad of self-defense live training options all over the country. As long as you do your homework, you should be able to find a good one near you. Worst case, watch and study reputable video training programs. Then put those strategies to work on the practice range. If your range doesn’t let you draw or shoot and move, then do it at home with a squirt gun.

Only after you’ve made a commitment to training and practice should you think about whether it makes sense for you to upgrade your carry gun capacity.

http://www.ammoland.com/2015/12/the-right-carry-gun-for-terrorism/#axzz4ATBoUEQo

Are You Prepared for a Terrorist Attack in Your Hometown?

Buckeye Firearms Association

Right now, all over the United States, a network of guards, barriers, and technology protect monuments, buildings, and high-profile locations against terrorist plots. But there’s one target that remains both highly desirable and almost totally defenseless: schools. 

Around the world, terrorists have attacked hundreds of schools. In Russia, Turkey, Pakistan, Algeria, and many other countries, terrorists have struck again and again, creating unthinkable carnage. In Turkey alone, over 300 schools have been destroyed. 

The best-known school attack happened in Beslan, Russia. 

Terrorists know the power dead children have in today’s media-driven world. And experts have been warning for years that our schools are vulnerable…

On September 1, 2004, terrorists seized a school in the town of Beslan, and took more than 1,100 people hostage, including 777 children. They herded their victims into a small, sweltering gymnasium and, over the next three days, beat, tortured, and raped them. 

Russian security forces finally stormed the school, setting off a chaotic battle. After a series of explosions, fire engulfed the building. In the end, over 300 hostages died, including 186 children. 

Terrorists know the power dead children have in today’s media-driven world. And experts have been warning for years that our schools are vulnerable and that a Beslan-like attack is not only possible, but likely. 

The question is, what can be done? How should American schools react to this threat? Is there anything you can do to prepare yourself and your family? 

In his book, Terror at Beslan, John Giduck wrote: “When I asked Russian experts what the most important things were for America to learn from Beslan, I was frequently told that the number one thing was preparation. Not only psychological preparation is important, but physical, tactical and mental preparation of everyone. 

As a people we must become our own best resource and be ready to act at once, not cowering like victims of abuse, sitting back and waiting for our own government forces to try and figure it all out, to come and save us.

“That means that every single person in America, including parents, teachers, students, police and government officials, must be ready, must be alert and must be able to respond to terrorism anywhere and everywhere, at all levels. As a people we must become our own best resource and be ready to act at once, not cowering like victims of abuse, sitting back and waiting for our own government forces to try and figure it all out, to come and save us.

“ … They insist that terrorism is everyone’s problem, and every single citizen in America must accept his and her responsibility for dealing with it: Act or wait to die are your only real choices.” 

You carry a concealed weapon. That’s a good start. But are you really prepared for a Beslan in America? In your city? In your child’s school..,

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/are-you-prepared-for-a-terrorist-attack-in-your-hometown/

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$250 - Illinois Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW/CCL) License Training Class

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Get your Illinois Conceal Carry License... Plus get 3 other CCW's licenses FREE! (Utah CCW, Arizona CCW & Florida CCW) - together safely and legally conceal carry a handgun in over 37 States...!!!

Price: $250 (NO other class fees), 

price includes;

1. Range fees ($25)

2. Illinois Livescan digital fingerprints ($70)

3. Utah & Arizona ink fingerprints ($25)

4. Passport photos ($15)

5. CCW application paperwork 

6. Assistance with CCW application paperwork 

Class Date: August 6-7th (16 hours)

Location: VFW- Villa Park, Illinois 

331-642-8110 / www.IllinoisCC.com

Armed Civilians & Terrorist Threats

Armed Civilians and Terrorist Threats

1911 Pistol

By Syd

When one of these bad terrorist attacks happen, many people have an interesting response: they sign up for pistol courses to get licensed for concealed carry. The classes fill up quickly and gun shops do a land office business. This was especially true after 9-11, but I’m hearing similar reports following the London attack. I understand the impulse. I live in a medium-sized city. I don’t live in one of those huge front line cities that face a high probability of an attack, yet I find myself feeling glad to have the big .45 and some extra mags on me in these times when it seems like the war is everywhere. Places where I can’t take my gun, I just don’t go.

Gun grabbers and opponents of shall issue concealed carry are fond of pointing out that concealed handguns aren’t a lot of help in stopping suicide bombers. (OK, so what’s your point?) Show me something that has been successful with stopping the suicide bombers. However, experience has shown that armed civilians can help stop terrorist actions. Israel police spokesman Gil Kleiman said, “We’ve seen it time and time again. Armed civilians who are well-trained save people’s lives… If there isn’t a policeman on the scene, civilians can deal immediately with a terrorist situation.” In 2004, Abraham Rabinovich reported in The Washington Times, “Armed civilians have played a significant role in bringing down terrorists during the Palestinian uprising, most recently during an attack this week by a Palestinian gunman at a Tel Aviv restaurant where a wedding party was under way. A 46-year-old civilian packing a pistol fatally shot the terrorist at close range after three persons had been killed and he had been wounded. When a radio reporter asked the man whether he was a member of the security forces, he said he was a shoe salesman.” Imagine that, an ordinary citizen who can use a pistol lawfully and competently to save lives. (“That’s not supposed to happen. Only cops can have guns,” wails the Brady Campaign. “Someone might get hurt,” cries the Violence Policy Center.)

An armed civilian probably wouldn’t be able to stop a suicide bomber, unless an unusual combination of circumstances came together. But with gun attacks and kidnappings, an armed civilian on the scene could make a difference. The Twin Towers might be standing today if a few armed civilians had been on those planes. This begins to get at the true sense of what the founders meant when they talked about an unorganized citizen militia. They weren’t talking about small bands of extremists out in the woods plotting the overthrow of the government and they weren’t talking about the National Guard either. The founders were thinking about ordinary people who equipped themselves and weren’t on the government payroll who could respond to sudden threats when the army and law enforcement weren’t there or lacked the strength to respond effectively. Every time a civilian arms himself or herself, gets some training, and begins to think in terms of providing for the security of their home, their own family and themselves, they’re responding to the idea of the militia that the founders had in mind. It’s a good idea and a rational idea, despite the distortions of the concept we have seen in recent years. I think the need for civilians to take responsibility for their own security will only increase in the years to come. Our armed forces and law enforcement are stretched too thin to provide real security for American citizens (and I’m not sure I would want them to do be doing that even if they could).

Getting back to people signing up for pistol courses, I guess it’s better late than never, but the time to get prepared is now, not when TSHTF. It’s a good thing that people are waking up to the reality that they have to take care of themselves. It’s good that they are abandoning the unrealistic expectation that the great nanny state will solve all of their problems. It can’t and it won’t.

More important than the tactical considerations of what kind of threat a CCW holder might be able to address, is the shift in psychology represented by people being willing to arm themselves in response to terrorist threats. It’s a shift from victim to fighter. It says, “I’m not going to be intimidated. I’m going to fight back.”

http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/ccw/ccw_terror.htm

Concealed Carry: Survive a Terror Attack

If escape is not an option, fall back on your concealed carry sidearm and training.

Recent terror attacks in France, Canada and Australia underscore our reasons to be more vigilant, more aware and as prepared as possible should mayhem break out. For many Americans, a key component of that vigilance translates into practicing concealed carry (CC).

At a cafe in Sydney, Australia, a gunman recently held 17 customers and staff hostage for more than 16 hours. Two people were killed during the incident after police stormed the business in an effort to rescue the hostages. The horrific rampage at Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris, France, this January by two men armed with AK rifles resulted in the slaughter of 12 people and the wounding of 20 others—all for publishing satirical cartoons of Allah.

In Ottawa, Canada, Parliament’s sergeant-at-arms retrieved a pistol from a locked box and killed a threat in the form of a lone gunman.

For a CC holder caught up in an active shooter situation, training experts like Adam Painchaud, senior director at SIG Academy, suggest you look for a way to escape, rather than engage, in order to live to see another day.

“If you are with family and friends, mission number one is to get them and yourself to safety,” Painchaud says. Breaking contact and getting to safety may not be an option, however.
“Only if you are boxed in,” Painchaud says, “then you need to deal with it accordingly.”
A CC holder with a Ruger LCP or J-frame going up against a shooter or shooters with a rifle or shotgun can get themselves in grave danger quickly. In an active shooter situation more than likely you have little time to take cover, let alone time to gear up.

“More than likely the tool you will have on you,” explained Painchaud, “will be a personal protection gun designed for close encounters.” A compact or subcompact with limited ammunition capacity is perfect for self-defense, but is not a match for an assailant or assailants with long arms. Even law enforcement (LE) must often operate in defense mode, responding to situations as they arise.

Get Out Of The Situation

The author believes citizens, quite simply, lack the training to effectively handle active shooter situations like police. David Bahde Photo

Like Painchaud, all of the trainers interviewed for this story recommend the first course of action be to get out of the situation. There are factors against a CC holder fighting back. Two key issues stand out: lack of training and inadequate tools.

“The important thing is to get training so you are prepared,” says Ken Campbell, a retired 35-year deputy sheriff, Special Response Team Commander and two-term county sheriff, as well as a 20-plus-year Gunsite Instructor. “Thinking ‘this won’t happen to me’ is tantamount to putting your head in the proverbial sand.”

You have a spare tire, a flashlight in the house in case the power goes, so prepare for a lethal encounter because bad things can and will happen to you. “Plan for a lethal event,” added Campbell. “How you respond depends on how you train.”

The second thing all trainers agree on is for a CC holder to know their state’s gun laws on self-defense and to have an attorney lined up. Having an attorney is like having insurance. Just like homeowner’s insurance is used in case of flood, fire or wind damage, an attorney will guide and represent you as any situation is legally sorted out.

Law enforcement is trained to deal with high stress situations—the noise, screams, blood and confusion. Regular Joe Citizen with a concealed carry permit, who has perhaps taken a concealed carry course and maybe a beginner pistol shooting course, does not have the level of training to thwart a situation where there is an active shooter.

In an active shooter situation, nothing is black and white. Good guys can easily look like bad guys and vice-versa. A situation could evolve in, say, a shopping mall, where you are boxed in with no avenue to escape. How do you know if that person with a gun is an off duty police officer caught up in the situation just like you? If you engage a threat in a crowded area, how do you ensure a missed shot does not hit an innocent bystander?

Shooting In Progress

When first responders arrive, they may have little-to-no information about the situation. All they know is there is a shooting in progress.

“If you have the ability to talk to 911 or if someone in your group can be on the phone with 911, relay all the information you can to the authorities,” explains Painchaud. The more information law enforcement has, the better they can handle the situation. Tell them details: “I am a white, bald guy wearing a blue hoodie and sneakers near the pretzel stand.” SIG Academy actually offers a training course called Active Shooter Response that teaches tactics for a first responder or a CC holder caught in the crossfire.

“No one ever knows what the police know or don’t know when they arrive,” says Sara Ahrens, former patrol sergeant, SWAT team supervisor and firearms instructor. When LE does arrive, their mindset is hard to predict. “Did the police happen upon the situation, did the concealed carry holder request somebody call the police or did a passerby call it in?” she asks. Ahrens’ best advice to a CC holder is to remain cognizant of their surroundings. “Tunnel vision and auditory exclusion easily happen in high-stress situations. Watch for the police to arrive and immediately identify yourself as a concealed carry holder,” she advises. LE will then tell you what to do and how to do it.

Massad Ayoob states it plainly: “Obey the commands of the officer. Expect to be disarmed. The cop doesn’t know who’s who.” Ayoob is director of the Massad Ayoob Group, a former LE officer, firearms expert and has written numerous books on armed encounters, including his recently released, Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right to Self Defense, published by Gun Digest books.
Shootrite Firearms Academy Director Tiger McKee recommends, if possible, to have your weapon holstered when LE arrives.

“If that’s not a good option, then you need to comply with their demands immediately. No trying to explain. When law enforcement says to drop the weapon, you drop it. No setting it down gently. Keep your mouth shut, do what they tell you,” McKee advises.

In many instances, the only thing LE knows upon arrival is that there are shots fired, adds McKee, and will tend to treat everyone as a threat until things are sorted out.

Firearms training should be part of every gun owner’s plan to protect themselves and their families. Any reputable gun training course should not only teach safe firearms handling and shooting techniques, but also what you as an armed citizen can expect after an incident where you are forced to unholster your firearm. When the dust has settled, and law enforcement officials have sorted out the situation, then it comes to answering questions.

“That’s a whole ’nother subject,” quipped Mckee. This is the point when your lawyer can be most helpful. When the situation ends, and it will, the nightmare may continue. Retain a good lawyer.

Terrorism in the United States

The fact is: terrorists have already attacked the United States. The aftermath of 9/11 spawned a new type of terrorist, the homegrown kind. These groups of individuals or loners who might or might not commit Jihad in the strictest sense, are people looking for a cause. It’s not surprising that concealed carry permit applications and firearms purchases are at historic levels. Even the District of Columbia is issuing concealed carry permits. Eased restrictions on gun laws are now the norm, and though this rally to arms is a right, it comes with responsibility.

Our nation’s law enforcement officers are selfless and courageous, but there is that time—seconds, minutes, hours—before they are able to respond to a situation. Caught up in that moment between a terrorist or criminal starting their rampage and when the cavalry arrives, you the CC holder have the opportunity to turn the tables and help yourself and others by moving into action and, in essence, self-rescue. But with self-rescue comes risks and responsibilities. Be prepared.

http://www.gundigest.com/concealed-carry-news/concealed-carry-survive-terror-attack

$125 Utah, Arizona & Florida CCW's License Class- for Illinois residents

$125 - Utah, Florida & Arizona CCW License Class - for Illinois residents

Get three (3) non-resident Utah, Florida & Arizona CCW permits / licenses - together legally and safely conceal carry handgun(s) in over 34 States. 

Location: VFW Villa Park,  Illinois 

Date: June 118th (9-1PM)

Cost: $125.00

331-642-8110 / www.IllinoisCC.com

How often should you unload your CCW magazine?

How Often Should You Unload The Magazine Of Your Concealed Carry Firearm?

These questions seems to pop up a lot; How often should I empty my magazine? Should I alternate magazines? What happens to my springs?

The truth is this; If you are running a modern firearm, keeping your magazines full will not hurt them in the long run. A well-manufactured spring in your magazine is designed to hold the load of rounds for long periods of time and should not weaken the spring to the point of being useless. Some manufacturers will say to alternate magazines x-amount of months, but it is our understanding that most do not even mention it in their literature.

There are benefits to unloading your magazines, such as cleaning. If you carry the same magazine with the same rounds on a daily basis, dirt and debris will naturally start to build up. Every once in a while, it is recommended to unload and give everything a nice cleaning. This includes the rounds that are in the magazine. A quick wipe with a towel (make sure not to leave debris from the towel on any rounds) should do the trick.

Another thing to keep in mind if you live in a warmer climate; Remember that your body sweats, and sweat can make its way into a magazine. While most modern manufactured ammo is extremely well put together, you always run the risk of moisture making its way into a round. We personally cycle through carry ammo every few months, especially during the summer, but that is completely up to you. It’s more of a ‘better safe than sorry’ mentality for us.

So there you have it. After much research and personal experience, that is our two cents on the subject.

Carry On.

http://concealednation.org/2013/09/how-frequently-should-you-unload-your-concealed-carry-firearm/

Home Defense Thoughts

This is a guest post by SOFAS_TACTICS

Home is supposed to be the bastion of security, unfortunately that’s not always the case. Statistics have shown that most robberies take place during the day while you are at work.

1. Gun selection “Revolver vs. semi-auto”. It is imperative that you safely practice your home defense plan repetitiously! Under stress and fear you will revert to what you know. Make sure what you know resides in the core of your brain (the same place as riding a bike).

When you learn a new skill, it gets transferred to your RAM (temporary) memory. Only through consistent (weekly) repetitions will your nervous system react automatically  & your reaction becomes autonomic (embedded in your minds hard drive & listed as a favorite).

If you shoot on a regular basis then I highly recommend a semi-auto like a Glock. If you don’t shoot often then I recommend a double action revolver.

Why?

1. Semi-Autos have magazines that will malfunction if kept loaded and never shot. Spring tension decreases and you get a failure to feed (that’s bad).

2. Revolvers have two types. Single action & double action. Most people today go with the double action. These guns are good for people who don’t shoot often and want the piece of mind that when they press the trigger, a round will go off.

So if you shoot on a regular basis or not, go with the gun you shoot because that’s the gun your familiar with. On another note. The 1st rule of weapons safety is,”Treat every gun as if it is loaded”.  This may ruffle some feathers of my more safety conscience friends, but all my guns are “Hot” meaning there’s a round in the chamber.

At our SOFAST-Jayne-Wayne clinics we start with the NRA basic pistol course. This is a stand alone course that we do not deviate from. Then we move to the self “offense” course. The reason I say that is,”self defense” is PC legal talk & it sets our students up for failure. If you find yourself in a life or death situation, violence of action is your only hope. Finally the Jayne Wayne program culminates in scenario based training.

Put it all together if you will – one example is; your home alone and wake up to hear glass breaking. We teach our students to keep their cell phone next to their gun safe (fingerprint scan opening). Call 911 & set the phone down (every thing is now recorded and legally protects you). Have a safe zone to fire at (meaning into the ground & not an adjacent room). Shooting a round will deter your assailant and let them know that you’re armed. There is other terminology that needs to be said but that is covered in our course.

The Jayne Wayne is a program for women by women only. Fear for your life and your children are powerful motivators. For more information, class dates & correspondence check out our website: SOFASTACTICS.co

http://www.homedefensegun.net/home-defense-thoughts/

What is Your Defensive Fitness Level?

This is a guest post by SSG Daniel Shiffler  

In the self-defense world, we scrutinize everything we feel is important. From what firearm to own to the locks on the doors and windows, we research everything. The one aspect that is often overlooked however is physical fitness or defensive fitness.

As a whole, we here in the United States are a soft society. We drive to work. Take the elevator to the second floor. Stop at Star Bucks for our Venti Frappe-something and muffin. The point is, we are not in the best physical shape. While this does not seem like much to worry about on the grand scale, it can lead to failure at a critical moment in a defensive situation.

We are all taught that most self-defense firearms engagements happen in less than 15 feet and take less 30 seconds. For the most part, this is a true statement. However, what about the variables? We don’t see them too often, but they are out there.

Stressful situations are exhausting to say the least. Blood pressure spikes, breathing becomes shallow and rapid. Our bodies shut down if exposed to these stressors long enough. Physical fitness is our defense for this. The more active you are, the longer you will be able to deal with these stressors.

Now, when you think of exercise, most of us think running, weights, and gym. For me, the very thought of running makes my knees swell and my back hurt. I am sure that there are plenty of people out there just like me too. What we need to learn, is that exercise does not need to hurt to be effective. We can get in shape through any number of ways. Walking with the family a few times a week is a great way to introduce cardio into the routine. Take the stairs to the second floor, several times a day though. Skip your morning coffee and muffin routine. Replace it with healthy choices.

Physical fitness is more than just exercise. Eating right and getting into good sleep habits combined with exercise provides a complete package. You might think that this is a grand change in lifestyle. However, with surprisingly simple adjustments, it is quite easy to fold these necessary steps into our lives. Looking around on the internet and on the shelves at the store will reveal healthier alternatives for eating and exercise routines that fit into the lifestyle you are already living.

Web pages like Daily Burn provide a full service resource that covers home based workouts as well as healthy eating choices. It also addresses the issue of growing older and staying fit. For people like me with replacement parts (2 new hips), the writers also have workout plans to keep you fit and your new parts running smooth. Most of these sites have an associated app for your smart phone or tablet device to help keep you on track. With this, you can track progress, plan shopping trips, and get recipes to help in the food preparation.

However, all the healthy eating habits and exercise in the world will be for nothing if you neglect to train with your firearm. For this, I recommend not just range time and dry fire training, but to also look into the training that competitors involved with the sport of Three Gun competition go through. Most of the stages require fast movement from area to area for rapid, safe target engagement. Meaning that the competitor runs from place to place stopping only long enough to engage several targets. Some targets are exposed and some are concealed behind hostage or “no shoot” targets. This type of training provides a stable base of reflex shooting and establishes muscle memory. All of which are critical in dealing with stressful situations.

I am by no means saying that in order to survive a stressful situation you must be a Three Gun competitor. If you use the training routines that these fine individuals already have created, you can combine an unpleasant part of getting healthy with something a little more interesting and still get the benefits of exercise. Running these courses will also point out the areas for not only shooting, but also physical fitness that need attention.

Most of the big competitors in Three Gun have their own video outlet sources on You Tube. A simple search for gentlemen such as Max Michel or Jerry Miculek will provide a good resource for set up and how to run the courses. As always though, please seek the advice and instruction of a trained professional prior to starting any type of training. Most instructors will be able to guide you through the required steps that this type of training needs in order to be performed in a safe manor.

All of this training combines to produce a safer, healthier you that is better able to keep you loved ones and home secure.

Disclaimer: Please consult your doctor prior to starting any new diet or exercise routine. Also, please consult a professional firearms instructor prior to starting any type of training with a firearm. After all, the purpose of this article is to create a healthier, better prepared shooter.

SSG SSG Daniel Shiffler is a 17 year veteran currently serving on active duty in the Army. He has been training proper use of firearms for over 10 years. He not only trains soldiers, but also civilians in the safe and proper use of firearms for home and self defense.

http://www.homedefensegun.net/defensive-fitness/