She shot last Saturday and STILL hasn't cleaned the weapon. I've hinted, used direct statements...
I've held off doing it myself, but it is KILLING me.
Arg.
Showing posts with label Firearms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Firearms. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Tennessee Firearms Alert - Employee Safe Commute and Non-Discrimination Bills
In the Inbox from TFALAC this AM:
Tennessee Firearms Association, Inc.
Legislative Action Committee
UPDATE ON EMPLOYEE SAFE COMMUTE --
So, one might ask, what is the status of the Employee Safe Commute (SB3002/HB3560) legislation at this point?
The bill has been delayed in the Senate. It is unclear if this was a move by the governor or those who are bowing to the pressure of "Big Business" or a benefical strategic move by the sponsor. At any event, progress in the Senate, if statements of legislators are accurate is positive. The biggest risk is that some form of amendment, probably bought by Fedex or its cohorts) could substantially remove the objectives of the original bill. To guard against that, citizens who support this bill must be called and contacting legislators to encourage and demand of them that no amendments pushed by Fedex or other Big Business dollars be accepted unless approved by firearms interests.Senate Action Plan
- Call and email you individual senator (use the email and phone number lookup on the Senate directory. It is important for you to get a written statement if possible that they will co-sponsor and support the bill as written and that they will oppose any Fedex or other "big business" amendments that would dilute the intent of the bill.
- Call and email to encourage the sponsor Sen. Mike Fault to keep the bill free from Fedex or "big business" amendments
Faulk, Mike R - 615 741-2061 sen.mike.faulk@capitol.tn.gov - Call and email to ask that the Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey work with citizens to keep the legislative effective and to defeat any Fedex or other "big business" amendment.
Ramsey, Lt. Gov. Ron R - 615 741-4524 lt.gov.ron.ramsey@capitol.tn. gov With respect to the House, we are expecting that there will be at least 30 House co-sponsors. Many of those are Republican legislators who are probably starting to realize that the mandates of House Leadership (Beth Harwell, Debra Maggart, and Gerald McCormick) would probably cause those legislators to violate their promises to constituents, to violate their personal convictions, to violate their constitutional oaths of office or their fundamental beliefs that they were elected as conservatives to protect the rights of citizens and to minimize the influence of government in areas where government influence is nothing more than government tyranny needlessly supplanting the rights of citizens.
We do not expect, in part because of the pressure being exerted by FedEx and other "Big Business" interests on those legislators that they controll through their funds (both reported and "indirectly" applied), that the bill will move forward in the House without SUBSTANTIAL pressure and interest from individual voters. It was made clear repeatedly this week by statements to news reporters from House leadership such Debra Maggart and Gerald McCormick that House leadership is working to kill any pro-2nd Amendment legislation and that they are applying pressure in the nature of the proverbial "hounds of hell" against their own members to abide by the demands of leadership's own masters.
For example, this week Debra Maggart told Channel 4 News in response to an apparent question about the Employee Safe Commute legislation :"We have been focused on what we know what people of Tennessee want us to work on. Our economy needs to be looked at, and we want to make sure it's a job-friendly state," said Rep. Debra Maggart, R-Hendersonville.
Now, you have to put this into context that Debra Maggart has "represented" to firearms owners in the past that she was soundly in support of the Constitution, the 2nd Amendment and working for firearms owners. Indeed, she even has used the firearms owners to raise campaign funds through programs such as her On Target to Win in 2010"1st Annual Sporting Clay Fun Shoot fund raiser (see, https://www.facebook.com/note.
php?note_id=160853824412 )that was heavily promoted not only to the Tennessee Firearms Association but to others as well. So what did Maggart really mean with her statement this week to Channel 4?
Essentially, that the House Leadership have been admonished by "Big Business" that they want "their" legislators to do what they want them to do - including killing the Employee Safe Commute bill and firearms nondiscrimination bills - or the floodgates of corporate campaign money may be redirected against them or cut off. She probably meant that because "we" are addicted to the corporate money to crush the Democrats and even any prospective primary opposition, we will do what is requested of us to make sure we, individually, are able to get re-elected and to recruit more RINO's and moderates to help us implement our agendas (which do not put any emphasis on constitutional rights).
Why does it appear that these Republican House leadership (and a few in the Senate as well) are so clearly deeply obliged to "Big Business"? Well, step away and look at one of the most common themes that you hear from House Republican leadership this year - "jobs, jobs, jobs". What they mean when they say that is NOT that they are creating more government jobs (although they likely are). It is not that they are making it easier for people to start new small businesses. It means most probably that they want to do whatever is possible - forget the Constitution (look what they did last year to the 7th Amendment and their lack of any focus on the 10th Amendment) - to appease businesses like FedEx, Bridgestone, AT&T, Amazon, etc. Their idea of "jobs, jobs, jobs" is to court big business in hopes that many minimum wages will suddenly be made available to Tennesseans. Not high paying jobs. Not careers. Just simply any job will do.
A verification of that comes from the enormously misguided statement made by Gerald McCormick this week concerning Rep. Eddie Bass. Rep. Bass - a very conservative legislator - has indicated he is considering running this year as a Republican. Perhaps he senses that the Democratic party continues to move left under the leadership of Obamit. Perhaps he feels that his conservative voting record is more consistent with Reagan style leadership than it is with Obamit/Pelosi leadership. It really does not matter because the "hint" from McCormick is in what he said to the news when he REJECTED the potential that Rep. Bass might run as a Republican.
Leader McCormick made this statement to the AP this week:Republican House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick of Chattanooga said he's heard that Bass has been mulling a party switch for the last two or three years, but said he is satisfied with potential GOP candidates considering a bid in House District 65.
"I'd rather he'd stay where he is, to tell the truth," McCormick said. "He's not doing himself any favors running that gun bill." * * * House Republicans would prefer not to take up the bill in an election year.
McCormick apparently believes that his leadership (Harwell) is of the opinion that the progress for citizens such as the Employee Safe Commute bill is not "favorable." Clearly, firearms owners are a significant voting segment and they favor this bill overwhelmingly. Who does not? Well, clearly House Leadership and that is probably because their "masters" - "Big Business" do not want it.
Also note that House Leadership, according to McCormick, "prefer not to take up the bill in an election year."Why is the election year so significant that he would mention it? Campaign funds? News coverage? The foolish belief (after the last 15 years) that voting FOR 2nd Amendment rights would cause a legislator to lose a material number of votes rather than voting AGAINST 2nd Amendment rights causing sustained frustration and anger from voters.
House Leadership has picked its bedfellows and those bedfellows are purchasing their "favors" primarily with cash. Not the Constitution. Not Biblical principles. Not natural rights. Not common sense. Not the demands of their voting constituents. CASH - and that is one of the oldest professions known to man.House Action Plan
- Call and email you individual representative (use the email and phone number lookup on the House directory. It is important for you to get a written statement if possible that they will co-sponsor and support the bill as written and that they will oppose any Fedex or other "big business" amendments that would dilute the intent of the bill.
- Call and email to encourage the sponsor Rep. Eddie Bass to keep the bill free from Fedex or "big business" amendments
Bass, Eddie D 615 741-1864 rep.eddie.bass@capitol.tn.gov - Call and email to demand that Speaker Beth Harwell honor her oath of office and support the Constitution and the rights of citizens even if "Big Business" is paying her to do otherwise.
Harwell, Speaker Beth R 615 741-0709 speaker.beth.harwell@capitol. tn.gov - Call and email Rep. Debra Maggart and demand that she honor her oath of office and support the Constitution and the rights of citizens even if "Big Business" is paying her to do otherwise.
Maggart, Debra Young R 615 741-3893 rep.debra.maggart@capitol.tn. gov - Call and email Rep. Gerald McCormick and demand that he honor his oath of office and support the Constitution and the rights of citizens even if "Big Business" is paying her to do otherwise.
McCormick, Gerald R 615 741-2548 rep.gerald.mccormick@capitol. tn.gov
Big business access
Big business and their lobbyists often have direct access to legislators through their cell phones and their personal (non-government) email addresses. If you have access to this information, please post it on the TFA Online Forum so that we can take that step to leveling the playing field of legislative access. This would be particularly true for leadership in both houses and in both caucuses.
TFA Action Center
The TFA Action Center remains up and operational. So far, more than 10,000 emails have been sent to the legislature just on the issue of the Employee Safe Commute bill.
I encourage you to use it at least once a weel. It is important that you edit both the subject and the message to reflect your personal thoughts. Edit them even if you agree with the sample message. Legislators do not want or need to see 1000 of the same message. They want to hear from constituents and individuals. They do not need long messages, angry messages or threats but they do need to hear that citizens support this legislation.
Share this link, this effort and this mission with every firearms owner, constitutionalists or friend you have. Make sure that they keep the messages going to our legislators that we want progress made on this legislation even if "Big Business" is buying influence with House Republican leadership to do otherwise.
Keep in mind that FedEx, Bridgestone, Nissan, AT&T, Amazon and others spend hundreds of thousands on their lobbyists and contribute hundreds of thousands more - if not millions (directly and, uh, "indirectly") to purchase their desires from the legislators. But, these corporations do not vote. These corporations do not speak for all of their employees. Often, its only a handful of the "upper management" that make these "policy" decisions and those decisions often do not reflect the desires of the shareholders, owners and certainly not the employees.
It can be done but it is critical that voters get involved to remind the legislators that the citizens elected them as our representatives and we do not appreciate them selling their time and efforts, once elected, to whichever "Big Business" will wine and dine them, give them money and perform all manner of indirect "perks" that provide photo opportunities in their districts.
If you would like to join or renew your membership, you can do so online at this link JOIN TFA
www.tennesseefirearms.com
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Tennessee Firearms Alert
From the In Box:
Tennessee Firearms Association, Inc.
Legislative Action Committee
TFA Email Campaign on Employee Safe Commute Legislation
URGENT - the link/page below is directly to the action center on the TFA website. This page will allow you (and all your friends) to send emails to the Tennessee General Assembly (your individual legislators + all members of both judiciary committees + the governor) telling them how YOU feel about the EMPLOYEE SAFE COMMUTE bill (a/k/a parking lots bill).
It is important that we let our voices be heard - by the thousands - to support this bill because it is almost certain that Speaker Beth Harwell and others who are "first and foremost aligned with Big Business" will try to stop this legislation. It is going to require that we call upon the conservative legislators (not necessarily equal to ALL of the GOP) in both houses and in both parties to carry this bill to law. It will have substantial resistance by those with large and powerful PACS.Please go to this site now and take less than a minute to participate. Then, forward this message to every email list that would be interested in this change in the law. Next, post this campaign and link on every web forum, blog or bulletin board whose members you believe may have an interest in this change in the law.
TFA Action Center - Employee Safe Commute (Parking Lot) Campaign
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
NRA and GOA endorsements
Via David Codrea (@dcodrea):
Again, the R in NRA may not stand for Republican, but the A does not stand for America, either. The A in GOA apparently DOES stand for America, by contrast. SayUncle and Snowflakes, please take note.
Hmmm...evidently the NRA pick:The GOA backs the other guy (Chip Cravaak who is A-rated on guns). NRA endorsed Jim Oberstar (D-MN)? He's D-rated, obviously.And he was also one of those unanimous votes for Pelosi as Speaker.
- Voted NO on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
- Voted NO on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
- Voted NO on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
Again, the R in NRA may not stand for Republican, but the A does not stand for America, either. The A in GOA apparently DOES stand for America, by contrast. SayUncle and Snowflakes, please take note.
Friday, October 22, 2010
How Does a Felon Own Guns and Gun Companies?
Via Bob Owens (@ConfederateYank) comes this stranger than fiction story of a convicted felon who not only has guns and at one time had a concealed carry permit, but has owned three firearms companies. As a felon the man could serve ten years in prison for just touching a firearm. Owens has published a picture showing him holding two pistols.
According to the Pajamas Media item, Lee Franklin Booth "was convicted of second-degree kidnapping on September 24, 1981, and was imprisoned from that date until his early release on December 30, 1985." He was also arrested "for communicating threats and simple assault." So how does he acquire Detonics USA Industries, how does he start and obtain a Federal Firearms License for Victory Arms, and then acquire Templar Consulting - a company licensed to build select fire weapons and machine guns?
Owens asks a lot of questions about how state and federal agencies turned a blind eye to these matters. What good are laws intended to keep weapons out of the hands of felons if they are not enforced - or worse - enforced only selectively?
[UPDATE]
In the interest of fair play, Quoting in entirety from Bob Owens' "Correction and Clarification" item posted 5 NOVEMBER 2010:
If all or even most of the allegations made by various sources are true, Lee Franklin Booth should be behind bars. If these allegations are accurate, Booth is guilty of possessing hundreds of firearms, operating three firearms companies that each had firearms inventory, and receiving a CCW permit.
According to the Pajamas Media item, Lee Franklin Booth "was convicted of second-degree kidnapping on September 24, 1981, and was imprisoned from that date until his early release on December 30, 1985." He was also arrested "for communicating threats and simple assault." So how does he acquire Detonics USA Industries, how does he start and obtain a Federal Firearms License for Victory Arms, and then acquire Templar Consulting - a company licensed to build select fire weapons and machine guns?
Owens asks a lot of questions about how state and federal agencies turned a blind eye to these matters. What good are laws intended to keep weapons out of the hands of felons if they are not enforced - or worse - enforced only selectively?
[UPDATE]
In the interest of fair play, Quoting in entirety from Bob Owens' "Correction and Clarification" item posted 5 NOVEMBER 2010:
On October 22, 2010, Pajamas Media.com published an article by Bob Owens about legal restrictions on the ownership of guns and gun companies by felons.
- The article stated:
“Imagine that this same felon then started another gun company from scratch, and then used that company to acquire a third company that was licensed to build machine guns.”
In fact, the “third company” in question was not, at the time of its acquisition, licensed to build machine guns. That company subsequently obtained such a license.
- The article stated:
“After the Templar/Victory split, it is suspected that the FFL acquired by Victory was revoked….”
In fact, it appears that the federal firearms license was not revoked. It was not issued in Mr. Booth’s name.
- The article also suggested that Lee Booth acquired three gun companies. Mr. Booth, through legal counsel, has informed us that he never acquired three gun companies.
In fact, Mr. Booth owned only one gun company, but had substantial involvement in and apparent control over two other gun companies.
- The article posed the question: “How come a felon owns guns and gun companies?” Mr. Booth, through legal counsel, has cited exceptions to the state and federal laws prohibiting convicted felons from owning guns or controlling gun companies and has stated that he is not prohibited from such activity. While we stand by the original opinion, based on an analysis of relevant statutes and regulations, that Mr. Booth is not permitted to own guns or have control over gun companies, we note here that this issue remains open to legal debate and differing opinions.
Pajamas Media and Bob Owens regret these errors and apologize to Mr. Booth.
..
Friday, October 9, 2009
Handgun Discharge Pilot Re-Hired
#tsa #guns .
Remember the pilot whose weapon discharged because of a faulty holster the TSA mandated all pilots with handguns use? An arbitrator has ordered US Airways to hire him back.
Paul Huebl of CrimeFileNews broke the story of how this holster and weapon were made for mishap back in December 2007 and made a video of how the discharge would happen - and it did.
It's good that the pilot got his job back. It's bad that the TSA is STILL mandating use of this holster made for failure and that the pilot has been scapegoated for the holster failing.
Also See:
Previously:
TSA Holster Increases Chance for Accidental Discha...
Pilot Scapegoated
Did TSA Idiocy Cause Airline Gun Mishap?
Remember the pilot whose weapon discharged because of a faulty holster the TSA mandated all pilots with handguns use? An arbitrator has ordered US Airways to hire him back.
US Airways said Friday that Jim Langenhahn resumed training on Monday after an 18-month disciplinary suspension.The airline said as part of the federal arbitrator's decision to reinstate Langenhahn, he will be barred from carrying a gun in the cockpit. After the 2001 terror attacks in which hijackers armed with knives seized four jetliners, pilots lobbied for the right to carry guns in the cockpit.
A 2002 federal law allowed pilots to carry handguns on board if they took part in a program run by the Transportation Security Administration, which includes a week of weapons training.
The item refers to the troubled holsters:
Langenhahn's case was strengthened when the Department of Homeland Security faulted the design of holsters used by pilots who carry their weapons on board planes. The department's inspector general said the design increased the chance of accidental discharge when pilots inserted their guns in the holsters.
The inspector general recommended that the TSA halt use of the locking holster and consider other methods for armed pilots to stow their weapons. The holsters have been in use since 2006.
TSA spokesman Nelson Minerly defended the holster design, saying they have been used "millions of times by thousands of (pilots) without incident."
"The system has been very reliable," he said.
Reliable except when it fails... Who in their right mind puts a metal bar into the trigger guard when designing a handgun holster?
Paul Huebl of CrimeFileNews broke the story of how this holster and weapon were made for mishap back in December 2007 and made a video of how the discharge would happen - and it did.
It's good that the pilot got his job back. It's bad that the TSA is STILL mandating use of this holster made for failure and that the pilot has been scapegoated for the holster failing.
Also See:
Previously:
TSA Holster Increases Chance for Accidental Discha...
Pilot Scapegoated
Did TSA Idiocy Cause Airline Gun Mishap?
Monday, March 2, 2009
Why Gun Owners Should Patronize Gun Shops and NOT "Big Box" and "Discount" Stores
As I wrote previously, the Pax Wife and I went out and purchased some additions to the Pax Armory. In our travels during this endeavor we stopped in two national chain stores, Wal Mart and Dick's Sporting Goods.
Not good decisions.
At Wal Mart we found that they have deleted all firearms from their inventory (at least at THIS particular store). While looking around the sporting goods area I noticed "James" standing at the counter in front of the (mostly empty) ammo cabinet staring off into space. I approached "James" and asked, simply and nicely, "Have you stopped selling firearms?"
You would have thought I had called his mother a vile name.
James responded, "Are you looking for handguns? We NEVER sold those!" Understand, he didn't just SAY this, his tone and demeanor were those of someone who might have been asked if they would trade their female relatives for cattle. I was a bit shocked and was about to explain that I had looked at a Remington 700 and a Ruger 10/22 there last fall when "James" went on in a quite apoplectic manner that this Wal Mart had not sold rifles or shot guns for at least two years. I replied that it had not been two years, but thanks, and that I'd go elsewhere.
That wasn't good enough for James of Wal Mart. He literally chased me down and began yelling that he would call a manager if I didn't believe him. At that point I challenged him to do so if he so wished with the warning that I would file a compliant about his attitude and mannerisms should he so wish. The guy finally stopped and found his way back underneath his rock.
After our Wal Mart adventure we found our way to Dick's Sporting Goods. I had been eyeing a Remington 700 in .308 with an OD synthetic stock and scope combo in there for several months. A young man soon approached us at the firearms counter. I told him what we wanted to look at and he went in search of someone with a key. Seconds later a young woman appeared, the key holder in question according to the young man from before, and asked how she could help. I told her what I was looking for, the Remington 700 in .308, and the young woman sarcastically bobbed her head and said, "Yeah, ok. And?"
I answered, "Yeah, ok, and what?"
"We don't have one."
Now, when a customer comes in your store and asks for a specific item that is out of stock it is generally accepted custom to inform the customer when it might be in stock or how the customer might obtain one from the store.
Except for this young lady. Nope, scorn was the order of the day for her. Being a bit tired of dealing with store representatives that didn't want my money I simply said thanks and walked away.
Not the Pax Wife. While I went out to the Pax Motor Unit she proceeded to the Customer Service desk and complained. A manager apologized to her about the young lady's attitude and stated that coaching would be in order. The manager also explained details about Dick's ordering and stocking process about which I have no interest and for which one would have to ask the Pax Wife. Bottom line: They don't have what I want and their sales person lost the opportunity to get it in return for my cash.
When I went into the small gun shop down the road from these "Big Box" department stores the guy behind the counter listened to what I wanted, showed me what he had, and explained to me why he didn't have some of the things I wanted and told me how he could get them for me.
Imagine that. Customer Service from a merchant that wants my business and is glad to have it.
If you are on the west side of Nashville and want or need firearms related merchandise stop and see Nashville Sporting Arms.
Forget the box stores. They are often staffed by liberal know nothings who don't share our belief in or our desire to exercise our Second Amendment rights. As happened today, law abiding gun owners are the targets of disdain by the representatives of these merchants that benefit from the commerce we bring them. By contrast, gun shops like Nashville Sporting Arms are staffed by the people that own them and people they trust who share our dedication to Second Amendment liberties and who are knowledgeable about the products they sell.
I've often stopped in at Wal Mart in various locations when on the way to a range to quickly pick up a box of "cheap" ammo. As we learned today, there is another cost associated with buying firearms and related products from the Big Box stores. That is the cost of enabling those Big Box stores to inhibit our access to the products that are essential to the exercise of our Liberty while at the same time denying commerce that would help like minded, Second Amedment supporting merchants.
Not good decisions.
At Wal Mart we found that they have deleted all firearms from their inventory (at least at THIS particular store). While looking around the sporting goods area I noticed "James" standing at the counter in front of the (mostly empty) ammo cabinet staring off into space. I approached "James" and asked, simply and nicely, "Have you stopped selling firearms?"
You would have thought I had called his mother a vile name.
James responded, "Are you looking for handguns? We NEVER sold those!" Understand, he didn't just SAY this, his tone and demeanor were those of someone who might have been asked if they would trade their female relatives for cattle. I was a bit shocked and was about to explain that I had looked at a Remington 700 and a Ruger 10/22 there last fall when "James" went on in a quite apoplectic manner that this Wal Mart had not sold rifles or shot guns for at least two years. I replied that it had not been two years, but thanks, and that I'd go elsewhere.
That wasn't good enough for James of Wal Mart. He literally chased me down and began yelling that he would call a manager if I didn't believe him. At that point I challenged him to do so if he so wished with the warning that I would file a compliant about his attitude and mannerisms should he so wish. The guy finally stopped and found his way back underneath his rock.
After our Wal Mart adventure we found our way to Dick's Sporting Goods. I had been eyeing a Remington 700 in .308 with an OD synthetic stock and scope combo in there for several months. A young man soon approached us at the firearms counter. I told him what we wanted to look at and he went in search of someone with a key. Seconds later a young woman appeared, the key holder in question according to the young man from before, and asked how she could help. I told her what I was looking for, the Remington 700 in .308, and the young woman sarcastically bobbed her head and said, "Yeah, ok. And?"
I answered, "Yeah, ok, and what?"
"We don't have one."
Now, when a customer comes in your store and asks for a specific item that is out of stock it is generally accepted custom to inform the customer when it might be in stock or how the customer might obtain one from the store.
Except for this young lady. Nope, scorn was the order of the day for her. Being a bit tired of dealing with store representatives that didn't want my money I simply said thanks and walked away.
Not the Pax Wife. While I went out to the Pax Motor Unit she proceeded to the Customer Service desk and complained. A manager apologized to her about the young lady's attitude and stated that coaching would be in order. The manager also explained details about Dick's ordering and stocking process about which I have no interest and for which one would have to ask the Pax Wife. Bottom line: They don't have what I want and their sales person lost the opportunity to get it in return for my cash.
When I went into the small gun shop down the road from these "Big Box" department stores the guy behind the counter listened to what I wanted, showed me what he had, and explained to me why he didn't have some of the things I wanted and told me how he could get them for me.
Imagine that. Customer Service from a merchant that wants my business and is glad to have it.
If you are on the west side of Nashville and want or need firearms related merchandise stop and see Nashville Sporting Arms.
Forget the box stores. They are often staffed by liberal know nothings who don't share our belief in or our desire to exercise our Second Amendment rights. As happened today, law abiding gun owners are the targets of disdain by the representatives of these merchants that benefit from the commerce we bring them. By contrast, gun shops like Nashville Sporting Arms are staffed by the people that own them and people they trust who share our dedication to Second Amendment liberties and who are knowledgeable about the products they sell.
I've often stopped in at Wal Mart in various locations when on the way to a range to quickly pick up a box of "cheap" ammo. As we learned today, there is another cost associated with buying firearms and related products from the Big Box stores. That is the cost of enabling those Big Box stores to inhibit our access to the products that are essential to the exercise of our Liberty while at the same time denying commerce that would help like minded, Second Amedment supporting merchants.
Does it add up to Lexington Green?
Ammo shortage plus arms shortage plus Tea parties may equal Lexington Green says Bob Owens at Confederate Yankee.
But an increasing number of people are openly expressing that the reason they are stocking up on ammunition is that they fear the actions of our federal government. These are people who have never been radicals, most could generally care less about politics, and many have never even dreamed of owning guns until now.
And while it will no doubt come as a surprise to those who would like to perpetrate the stereotype of gun owners as rural and uneducated—the kind that bitterly cling to their guns and Bibles as someone once scornfully said—anecdotal evidence suggests many new gun owners are minorities, and all social classes are purchasing firearms and ammunition.
While we seem to have a tea party movement growing nationwide as people voice their dissatisfaction with our power-mad, spending-crazed government by calling on the symbolism of the acts of Patriots in Boston Harbor more than two hundred years ago, I suspect those protests are hiding a deeper resentment and fears about the competency and goals of our federal leaders.
If our government continues to make citizens feel abused, and makes an over-aggressive miscalculation in asserting their power—certainly possible with our fumbling Attorney General who was part of the Clintonian Justice Dept management nightmare under Reno—tea parties will be the least of their worries.
They should be more concerned they are convincing many Americans to prepare for Lexington Green.
Stock up and get survivalist, folks...
[UPDATE] 2 March 2009 1730 The shortages are real, folks. The Pax Wife and I went out this afternoon looking for a few things to celebrate our upcoming 10th anniversary. One was a Remington 700 in .308. Uh, nope. There isn't one on this side of the town.
We did find a couple Ruger 10/22 Carbines. They have a new home. The guy at the gun shop had just put them out.
It wasn't just rifles. Handgun cases show plenty of empty spots where they were filled to over flowing previously. There seem to be plenty shot guns, but I seem to remember a lot more of those in racks than now.
Ammo? I saw two boxes of .308 in all the places we visited. Most of the shelves in most shops are half or less full. A year ago they would have been almost full. When I asked about getting a thousand or so rounds from the sales guy for the 10/22's he actually laughed.
I think the Pax Wife is a bit disappointed with the 10/22 as a gift. She said something about wishing it was a SKS...
Luckily I have plenty 10/22 accessories and ammo. Project Appleseed, here we come!
More:
GunPundit: Click!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Armed Resistance Stops School Shooters -- Surprise!
Via Of Arms and the Law
From WCPO.com (Channel 9 - Kentucky) comes an item on the evolution of law enforcement tactics in response to profiles of typical mass murderers. It turns out that the "gun nuts" were right about how to deal with them.
Experts even have a couple new names for them. The item states they are called "active shooters" or "active killers" and authorities have mere minutes to stop them as their scenarios play out quickly. Up to the Columbine tragedy law enforcement doctrine stipulated that waiting for the SWAT team to assemble and assess the tactical situation was correct.
Too long.
The two student gunmen killed 15 people and themselves before the SWAT team was in position. Commanders realized that it simply takes too long to assemble a tactical team in time to stop an active killer.So experts then thought that the first four or so officers on the scene were the answer.
The new tactics developed in response to Columbine involved creating an ad-hoc tactical team using the first four or five patrol officers on the scene.Then came the Virginia Tech shootings.They would enter the shooting scene in a diamond formation with guns pointing in all directions.This technique was employed by police departments around the country.
Now?Seung Hui Cho shot 47 people, 30 fatally, in the university's Norris Hall in just 11 minutes.
That means every minute he killed more than three people and shot a total of four.
Once again, the gunman continued shooting until a four-officer team made entry and then he killed himself.
And about those "no gun" signs malls and businesses like to put up and all those places politicians have deemed law abiding folks unfit to carry concealed weapons?Based on the Virginia Tech data, experts determined the first officer on scene should make entry immediately with an aggressive attack on the shooter.
Every minute the officer waits for back-up, another three or more people could die.
In other words, while it was once considered suicide for a lone officer to take on an active killer, it is now considered statistical homicide for him not to do so.
The other statistic that emerged from a study of active killers is that they almost exclusively seek out "gun free" zones for their attacks.How many times have we put on bumper stickers or used tag lines with these slogans:In most states, concealed handguns are prohibited at schools and on college campuses even for those with permits.
Many malls and workplaces also place signs at their entrances prohibiting firearms on the premises.
Now tacticians believe the signs themselves may be an invitation to the active killers.
The psychological profile of a mass murderer indicates he is looking to inflict the most casualties as quickly as possible.Also, the data show most active killers have no intention of surviving the event.
They may select schools and shopping malls because of the large number of defenseless victims and the virtual guarantee no [one] on the scene one is armed.
As soon as they're confronted by any armed resistance, the shooters typically turn the gun on themselves.
"I carry a gun because I can't carry a cop."
"Outlaw guns and only outlaws will have guns."
"When Seconds Matter, Help from 911 is Minutes Away."
Those kids at Columbine and Virginia Tech did not all have to die. Armed teachers and/or guards at Columbine and armed professors, students, and guards at Virginia Tech who believe in the Second Amendment and self reliance could have stopped each incident in its tracks. "As soon as they're confronted by any armed resistance, the shooters typically turn the gun on themselves."
And on and on... We told them. Why does it take so long for the "experts" to listen?
Friday, May 23, 2008
On the "Love" of Guns, and the Role of Private Security
I have received quite a few responses to the recent post Range Day Report in the various forms of email, comments and other -- most laudatory, some derogative. One email I received sought to take me to task for the "love" I displayed for my Smith and Wesson 686. Here is what I posted about that weapon:
The quote in bold is the part that seems to have elicited the most strident objections. The email I mentioned rambled monotonously about my "love affair" with an inanimate object.
Please.
That charge is the result of a juvenile mind unable to raise itself from the gutter of prurient thought.
True, I fawn over this weapon. I trust it. Why? Because of the over 15,000 times I have fired it, it has never failed. I know that if I am in a position that requires use of a weapon to protect the lives of the people I love, that weapon will perform the task for which it was created. At various times over the years my life and those of my family depended on having a weapon that would function as it is intended.
Thomas Jefferson once wrote to George Washington, "One loves to possess arms, though they hope never to have occasion for them." That sums up exactly my "love" for that weapon, and the attraction I have regarding my collection of various weapons. I think I'll go with a couple Founding Fathers and presidents over the addled sophomoric objections of a misinformed bloviator.
Another would-be commenter sought to demean the part I wrote about carrying the SW686 "along the Mexican border and El Paso's barrios." He tried to use the term "security guard" as a pejorative. That I have worked private security is obvious, as I stated in the article that I was taking the Handgun Permit Carry course and the Armed Security course. In fact, I stated that taking the security course was the reason I qualified with two weapons -- so that I could carry either on duty.
What the commenter did not know, and what I do not believe I have written on this blog before, is that I have also served my time as a sworn peace officer. So yes, much of my time carrying the SW686 was as a private security officer in addition to the time I carried it as a peace officer.
However, the slighting comments the commenter made about private security are ill-informed and yet pervasive in our society. Many private security firms are guilty of only performing to the parameters of the contract under which they operate. Many public encounters are with the "warm bodies" that are hired to fulfill these "lowest bid" contracts. Unfortunately, these instances are the ones most often brought to mind when the subject of private security is raised.
The truth behind the subject is different. When one hears of government officials speak of "first responders" the professionals brought to mind are police, fire fighters and emergency medical services. The fact is that the first people on the scene are most often regular citizens and private security. During the September 11, 2001 attacks the first professionals to organize a response to the life taking situation were security guards. The most famous of these was Rick Rescorla who, as head of Morgan Stanley's security, saved thousands of lives during the disaster and died looking for stragglers when WTC 2 collapsed with him in it. Rescorla is also famous for being a member of General Hal Moore's unit that was portrayed in We Were Soldiers Once...and Young: Ia Drang--The Battle That Changed the War in Vietnam
. The story of his sacrifice was documented in Heart of A Soldier A Story of Live, Heroism, and September 11th
by James B. Stewart.
Rescorla's story is not the only one of private security officers saving lives in the WTC attacks. Another is of Esmerlin Salcedo:
Just a Rent-a-Cop.
The stories are there, but only if you dig deep for them. In another post I hope to write about the environment wherein security guards and officers must work, an environment created by lack of pay, lack of training, and lack of support and recognition -- most of which are caused by low bid finances and "warm body" mindsets in the private security sector and the public in general.
So, when that commenter sought to insult me for having been a security guard he failed. I simply considered the source.
Yeah, I love my gun -- for what it does to protect my family. And I am proud to have served as a peace officer and as a private security officer. The next time you see a security officer at a bank or store, think about just who it is the bad guys are going to target first, and who protects you from those bad guys if you have not availed yourself of your state's carry laws. Remember, the security officer is there on location and in high profile uniform, there when the "fit hits the shan." The guys at Emergency 911 are minutes away -- and when the bad guys hit seconds matter.
The SW686 I had shot and trained with many times before. I stopped counting the rounds through it at 15,000. Purchased in February 1994, this revolver is hands down my favorite weapon in the world. I carried it on and off duty for over a decade and it bears the scars of holster and duty wear as badges of honor. This is the weapon I trusted with my life during trips into mortal danger along the Mexican border and El Paso's barrios. Since my wife and I were married, this is the weapon that resides on my wife's night stand when I am not carrying on duty. A joke my friends are tired of hearing is that soon after we were married, my wife stated that if I started calling it by a pet name she was calling the guys in the white jackets... The SW686 remains unnamed as I don't relish a trip to the looney bin.
The cumulative effect of thousands of rounds has rendered the trigger stroke, already smooth from the factory, a silky smooth experience. I installed pachmayr synthetic grips soon after purchase both for increased control and to mitigate the hardship of carry on the original rosewood grips. Other than that, the SW686 is stock from the factory.
If I am forced to pick one handgun to carry on duty, the SW686 is it. That being the case, I qualified with it first.
The quote in bold is the part that seems to have elicited the most strident objections. The email I mentioned rambled monotonously about my "love affair" with an inanimate object.
Please.
That charge is the result of a juvenile mind unable to raise itself from the gutter of prurient thought.
True, I fawn over this weapon. I trust it. Why? Because of the over 15,000 times I have fired it, it has never failed. I know that if I am in a position that requires use of a weapon to protect the lives of the people I love, that weapon will perform the task for which it was created. At various times over the years my life and those of my family depended on having a weapon that would function as it is intended.
Thomas Jefferson once wrote to George Washington, "One loves to possess arms, though they hope never to have occasion for them." That sums up exactly my "love" for that weapon, and the attraction I have regarding my collection of various weapons. I think I'll go with a couple Founding Fathers and presidents over the addled sophomoric objections of a misinformed bloviator.
Another would-be commenter sought to demean the part I wrote about carrying the SW686 "along the Mexican border and El Paso's barrios." He tried to use the term "security guard" as a pejorative. That I have worked private security is obvious, as I stated in the article that I was taking the Handgun Permit Carry course and the Armed Security course. In fact, I stated that taking the security course was the reason I qualified with two weapons -- so that I could carry either on duty.
What the commenter did not know, and what I do not believe I have written on this blog before, is that I have also served my time as a sworn peace officer. So yes, much of my time carrying the SW686 was as a private security officer in addition to the time I carried it as a peace officer.
However, the slighting comments the commenter made about private security are ill-informed and yet pervasive in our society. Many private security firms are guilty of only performing to the parameters of the contract under which they operate. Many public encounters are with the "warm bodies" that are hired to fulfill these "lowest bid" contracts. Unfortunately, these instances are the ones most often brought to mind when the subject of private security is raised.
The truth behind the subject is different. When one hears of government officials speak of "first responders" the professionals brought to mind are police, fire fighters and emergency medical services. The fact is that the first people on the scene are most often regular citizens and private security. During the September 11, 2001 attacks the first professionals to organize a response to the life taking situation were security guards. The most famous of these was Rick Rescorla who, as head of Morgan Stanley's security, saved thousands of lives during the disaster and died looking for stragglers when WTC 2 collapsed with him in it. Rescorla is also famous for being a member of General Hal Moore's unit that was portrayed in We Were Soldiers Once...and Young: Ia Drang--The Battle That Changed the War in Vietnam
. The story of his sacrifice was documented in Heart of A Soldier A Story of Live, Heroism, and September 11th by James B. Stewart.Rescorla's story is not the only one of private security officers saving lives in the WTC attacks. Another is of Esmerlin Salcedo:
World Trade Center security guard Esmerlin Salcedo was in no peril on the day of the attack since he was attending a computer class at a safe distance away. But when he heard the first strike, he raced from his class to his desk at the command center on the B-1 level. He walked fellow worker Roselyn Braud to an open exit and told her to run for her life. The last time he was seen he was helping another guard to safety. The 36-year-old father of four earned $10.51 an hour. He has an $80,000 life insurance policy but, according to the New York Times, his survivors may not be eligible for survivor's benefits because he wasn't officially “on duty.”Salcedo was not "on duty" but his sense of duty led him to give his lives for others.
Just a Rent-a-Cop.
The stories are there, but only if you dig deep for them. In another post I hope to write about the environment wherein security guards and officers must work, an environment created by lack of pay, lack of training, and lack of support and recognition -- most of which are caused by low bid finances and "warm body" mindsets in the private security sector and the public in general.
So, when that commenter sought to insult me for having been a security guard he failed. I simply considered the source.
Yeah, I love my gun -- for what it does to protect my family. And I am proud to have served as a peace officer and as a private security officer. The next time you see a security officer at a bank or store, think about just who it is the bad guys are going to target first, and who protects you from those bad guys if you have not availed yourself of your state's carry laws. Remember, the security officer is there on location and in high profile uniform, there when the "fit hits the shan." The guys at Emergency 911 are minutes away -- and when the bad guys hit seconds matter.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Range Day Report
Last week I promised a report on the Tennessee Handgun Carry Permit course I took and my experience at the range for qualification. I'm going to start with the last day first: Range Day.
I was not only qualifying for the Carry Permit, I was also qualifying for an Armed Security license. Unlike the Carry Permit that allows the bearer to carry whatever handgun one wishes, the security license is weapon specific: if you want to carry it you have to qualify with it. That being the case I ponied up the extra $20 range fee and qualified with a Smith and Wesson 686 revolver (.38 Spl and .357 Magnum) and a p944dc Ruger pistol (.40 SW).
The SW686 I had shot and trained with many times before. I stopped counting the rounds through it at 15,000. Purchased in February 1994, this revolver is hands down my favorite weapon in the world. I carried it on and off duty for over a decade and it bears the scars of holster and duty wear as badges of honor. This is the weapon I trusted with my life during trips into mortal danger along the Mexican border and El Paso's barrios. Since my wife and I were married, this is the weapon that resides on my wife's night stand when I am not carrying on duty. A joke my friends are tired of hearing is that soon after we were married, my wife stated that if I started calling it by a pet name she was calling the guys in the white jackets... The SW686 remains unnamed as I don't relish a trip to the looney bin.
The cumulative effect of thousands of rounds has rendered the trigger stroke, already smooth from the factory, a silky smooth experience. I installed pachmayr synthetic grips soon after purchase both for increased control and to mitigate the hardship of carry on the original rosewood grips. Other than that, the SW686 is stock from the factory.
If I am forced to pick one handgun to carry on duty, the SW686 is it. That being the case, I qualified with it first.
One thing a person going though J. Buford Tune's APPS instruction must have is endurance. The man can talk. And he loves to talk.
And talk some more.
And when you think he is done talking, just prepare to listen some more.
The class arrived at the meeting point in Smyrna, TN at 0800. The APPS instructors met us there and led us onto the National Guard weapons range at about 0830. From the time we assembled until about 1200 we listened to Buford lecture and instruct us on the workings of our handguns, the foibles inherent in each type of handgun (he dislikes striker fired weapons -- Glocks and their imitators -- intensely), proper footwork, proper stance/posture for close in handgun fighting, and why J. Buford Tune considers the Beretta 92f to be the finest fighting handgun ever made, if one wishes to carry a semi-auto pistol. It is his considered opinion from decades of experience that everyone should carry revolvers instead of "jam-o-matics" and that striker fired pistols are the bane of all good shooting principles.
For instance, Tune explains, "here is how to break down a pistol." He then disassembles a pistol, taking off the slide and removing the barrel and various components. After re-assembling the pistol, he then demonstrates "breaking down" a revolver by opening the cylinder. "See the difference?"
Point made, and to me, he was preaching to the choir.
After the class room time and a thirty minute lunch it was time for proper stance and draw stroke instruction. Here are the basics of a proper J. Buford Tune stance and drawstroke:
The weapon is ready to fire should the threat require. The technique utilizes the "point shooting" method for close in combat. During the second round of live fire one of the instructors working with our sub group demonstrated how close most street combat with guns occur by placing the palm of his hand about three inches from my nose.
That's close. Aiming is out of the question, and retention is vital. The technique APPS teaches emphasizes retention.
The retention techniques I had always used had the weapon held close against the upper waist, lower side area with only the strong hand, the weak hand being raised and used for blocking techniques.
The immediate thought I had was about how close to my face this weapon was going to fire...
We then continued with instruction on aimed fire from this stance should the threat not be contact close.
4) Using the weak arm/hand like "a robotic arm" to pivot with the elbow in contact and deriving support from the body, raise the weapon to eye level without moving the head.
Again, my thoughts went to how close the weapon would be firing to my face, especially with the pistol's slide coming back with each round, and right in front of my eyes! This and other factors were to play a part in my first few rounds on the firing line.
A point Tune made during this phase of instruction stuck in the back of my mind and would help me control my groupings during the aimed portion of firing: He likened the stance to that of the standing rifle marksmanship position, with the off hand elbow being supported by the body and the off hand supporting the forestock of the rifle. Decades ago I was on the rifle team at Eastern New Mexico University's ROTC program and had learned that stance during hours of dry fire at the behest of SGM Nick Gonzales. I had integrated that into my handgun technique in a stance very similar to the Modified Weaver over the years.
At about 1400 we made our way to the firing line. Here we received our final instructions:
1) On the line, the range master (Tune) would give a command; example, "On Command -- Fire One!" The instructors would then repeat the command, "On Command -- Fire One!" The shooters would then respond, "Fire One!" Then, the Range Master would give the command, "Fire!" At that time the shooters would draw and fire the requisite number of rounds.
2) We were told that the weapon must remain on target and ready to fire after having fire the requisite number of rounds until commanded to holster.
3) We were told that it was our responsibility to keep our weapons loaded at all times (Important!). During the time between having completed fire and when commanded to holster was when we were supposed to reload. The range master made sure to allow adequate reload time.
The first course of fire was from FIVE feet. When we moved to the five foot line I had visions of rounds bouncing back from the target. I checked and found, to my relief, that the backstop was loose soil. That left the target frames which were metal, but I was sure I would not hit those.
Then I remembered I was not alone on the line.
I started eyeballing the guys next to me trying to gage if THEY would hit the frames and create a ricochet...
Soon came the command to load and re-holster. I did so and started contemplating my paper target with malevolent thoughts.
"On COMMAND!" We fired about half the course in various rounds of between one and five shots. Again, I was using the SW686 (a revolver), but the guy to the left of me was using a Kimber of some sort (an expensive pistol). In addition to "fighting" the newly learned stance and dealing with the 686 going off just below my chin -- brass from the Kimber was hitting in the back of the head and neck!
There simply is no feeling like that of a just fired cartridge making its way down your collar and back.
Hot.
Next time I'm wearing a t-shirt under my regular shirt and I'm probably wearing my Stetson.
In the pic you can see two "flyers" next to the white outline circle, in the black and garnering full points, but still outside of the groupings. I'm pretty sure those were from that one shell going down my shirt...
Several times the instructor on our end approached me between rounds of fire to admonish me for allowing the weapon to move away from my chest. The technique requires a tight grip on the weapon close against the off hand pectoral for retention. I found it also helps accuracy in the point-shoot method. The instructor also inquired as to the ammo I was using -- I had purchased it (.38 +p FMJ Remington, as I recall) from APPS at the range. The 686 is a loud weapon. He thought I was using .357 Magnums.
We then moved back to ten feet where we used the aimed fire stance for the second half of fire. After fighting this new stance mentally, with the 686 mere inches in front of my eyes, I started acclimating to the new firing position. Again, the instructor was there to correct me -- move the weapon to eye level and do not "hunch" over the weapon or move the head at all. It was at this point that all the dry fire sessions at the ENMU-ROTC range came back. I settled in and started punching out the center of the target.
Next came the second round of qualifying for those shooting two weapons.
During this round I used the Ruger p944dc pistol I had purchased back in 2001 -- but had never fired. I've fired other pistols, and other Ruger pistols, but never this one. However, I was by now used to the new techniques being taught by APPS and was able to keep each round in the center of the target.
This time I was at the end of a much smaller firing line. The guy to my immediate left was a retired New York City police officer who is starting a new security agency here in Nashville. At the beginning of the course of fire I was in a quandary about how to reload my holstered pistol. He reminded me about the "tactical reload" -- something I had read and heard about but had never tried and that did not occur to me. I'm a revolver guy, remember...
After the course of fire was over, an instructor said my marksmanship was fine, but that I should now concentrate on the upper chest area and the lower abdomen area. The reasons were to avoid body armor and to deliver immediate incapacitating shots; the goal being to STOP the threat as quickly and as effectively as possible. The upper area targets the thorax, upper spinal column and a vital part of the lower brain. The lower area avoids the bottom of most armor, targets the lower spinal column and the pelvis. Rare is the individual that can operate with a shattered pelvis...
Lessons Learned
1) You can learn as much (More?) by listening to instruction about firing a weapon as you can by actually firing the weapon. I learned new methods of reloading a revolver without taking eyes off the target, that spare rounds for a revolver should be kept in the strong hand side -- a pistol on the weak hand side, advice about the kaBoom factor, the Tactical Reload as mentioned above...
2) Quality training time is never wasted time. Training stays with you always. Those hours of dry fire sessions with SGM Gonzales in Portales, NM are still paying off over two decades later. Much of what I learned from him was in what Tune was teaching here. When you find an instructor like this, do your best to be a sponge and soak up everything you can. I know I'm going back as finances allow for more at APPS.
3) Your weapon is your friend. Respect it, but don't fear it, and it will assist you in defending against the threats that abound in life. I had a distinct fear of firing so close to my eyes and face, but that fear was unfounded and I overcame it. Now I have much better skills in the use of my self defense tools and a better chance to survive deadly encounters.
4) The grips on the SW686 are too large for my hands. Tune examined how I was holding the revolver and recommended smaller, non-synthetic grips.
5) Sometimes one should just keep their mouth shut. At the end of the day, after several days of ten hour instruction and eight hour work nights, I was exhausted (that five hour energy stuff wears out after five hours, duh). Several of my fellow students congratulated me on my scores... My mind was in the mode of placing the credit to the instruction I had received from SGM Gonzales all those years ago as well as the instructors that day on the range. What came out was, "Yeah, I was on the rifle team once..." I wish I had just said thanks and had shut the hell up.
6) Simple is often better. Why yell, "NO! at the threat instead of "Stop!" or some other command? Tune stated that policed research had indicated that the simple command of "NO!" would cause almost EVERYONE to at least pause where other commands would not faze them. Why? It is thought that since "No" is one of the first words we learn, and is one of the few words to cause a conditioned response from our parents and others almost from birth, that most people are readily conditioned as a Pavlovian response to stop and examine what they are doing, or should not be doing. This response crosses just about every culture and language: No sounds the same in almost every language. The bottom line is that you want the threat to stop or at least give you time to ready your defense. Shouting "NO!" does that like no other command.
The most important lesson I garnered from the day on the range is about training: Train correctly, do it the same way every time, and do it often. I had a GREAT time and I'll be taking the Intermediate course at APPS as soon as possible.
I was not only qualifying for the Carry Permit, I was also qualifying for an Armed Security license. Unlike the Carry Permit that allows the bearer to carry whatever handgun one wishes, the security license is weapon specific: if you want to carry it you have to qualify with it. That being the case I ponied up the extra $20 range fee and qualified with a Smith and Wesson 686 revolver (.38 Spl and .357 Magnum) and a p944dc Ruger pistol (.40 SW).
The SW686 I had shot and trained with many times before. I stopped counting the rounds through it at 15,000. Purchased in February 1994, this revolver is hands down my favorite weapon in the world. I carried it on and off duty for over a decade and it bears the scars of holster and duty wear as badges of honor. This is the weapon I trusted with my life during trips into mortal danger along the Mexican border and El Paso's barrios. Since my wife and I were married, this is the weapon that resides on my wife's night stand when I am not carrying on duty. A joke my friends are tired of hearing is that soon after we were married, my wife stated that if I started calling it by a pet name she was calling the guys in the white jackets... The SW686 remains unnamed as I don't relish a trip to the looney bin.
The cumulative effect of thousands of rounds has rendered the trigger stroke, already smooth from the factory, a silky smooth experience. I installed pachmayr synthetic grips soon after purchase both for increased control and to mitigate the hardship of carry on the original rosewood grips. Other than that, the SW686 is stock from the factory.
If I am forced to pick one handgun to carry on duty, the SW686 is it. That being the case, I qualified with it first.
One thing a person going though J. Buford Tune's APPS instruction must have is endurance. The man can talk. And he loves to talk.
And talk some more.
And when you think he is done talking, just prepare to listen some more.
The class arrived at the meeting point in Smyrna, TN at 0800. The APPS instructors met us there and led us onto the National Guard weapons range at about 0830. From the time we assembled until about 1200 we listened to Buford lecture and instruct us on the workings of our handguns, the foibles inherent in each type of handgun (he dislikes striker fired weapons -- Glocks and their imitators -- intensely), proper footwork, proper stance/posture for close in handgun fighting, and why J. Buford Tune considers the Beretta 92f to be the finest fighting handgun ever made, if one wishes to carry a semi-auto pistol. It is his considered opinion from decades of experience that everyone should carry revolvers instead of "jam-o-matics" and that striker fired pistols are the bane of all good shooting principles.
I am in no way promoting this as the ultimate answer to how to fight with a handgun. Techniques differ from person to person and instructor to instructor. However, what was taught at this class works and enriched my personal knowledge base greatly. I don't know what else one can ask from a class or instructor.
For instance, Tune explains, "here is how to break down a pistol." He then disassembles a pistol, taking off the slide and removing the barrel and various components. After re-assembling the pistol, he then demonstrates "breaking down" a revolver by opening the cylinder. "See the difference?"
Point made, and to me, he was preaching to the choir.
After the class room time and a thirty minute lunch it was time for proper stance and draw stroke instruction. Here are the basics of a proper J. Buford Tune stance and drawstroke:
1) The initial position is facing the target/threat square on -- or "full frontal" if you want to call it that.
2) When the threat is recognized as requiring defense, pivot on the weak side foot and bring the strong side foot back (both feet should turn so that they point in the same direction), bring the weak hand in a fist to the upper pectoral area (as if blocking a punch), place the strong hang on the holstered weapon, and shout, "NO!" (See Lessons Learned below)
3) Draw the weapon and bring it up to the weak hand and hold the weapon against the upper pectoral in a two hand grip, weak hand fingers over strong hand fingers and weak hand thumb over strong hand thumb.
The weapon is ready to fire should the threat require. The technique utilizes the "point shooting" method for close in combat. During the second round of live fire one of the instructors working with our sub group demonstrated how close most street combat with guns occur by placing the palm of his hand about three inches from my nose.
That's close. Aiming is out of the question, and retention is vital. The technique APPS teaches emphasizes retention.
The retention techniques I had always used had the weapon held close against the upper waist, lower side area with only the strong hand, the weak hand being raised and used for blocking techniques.
The immediate thought I had was about how close to my face this weapon was going to fire...
We then continued with instruction on aimed fire from this stance should the threat not be contact close.
4) Using the weak arm/hand like "a robotic arm" to pivot with the elbow in contact and deriving support from the body, raise the weapon to eye level without moving the head.
Again, my thoughts went to how close the weapon would be firing to my face, especially with the pistol's slide coming back with each round, and right in front of my eyes! This and other factors were to play a part in my first few rounds on the firing line.
A point Tune made during this phase of instruction stuck in the back of my mind and would help me control my groupings during the aimed portion of firing: He likened the stance to that of the standing rifle marksmanship position, with the off hand elbow being supported by the body and the off hand supporting the forestock of the rifle. Decades ago I was on the rifle team at Eastern New Mexico University's ROTC program and had learned that stance during hours of dry fire at the behest of SGM Nick Gonzales. I had integrated that into my handgun technique in a stance very similar to the Modified Weaver over the years.
At about 1400 we made our way to the firing line. Here we received our final instructions:
1) On the line, the range master (Tune) would give a command; example, "On Command -- Fire One!" The instructors would then repeat the command, "On Command -- Fire One!" The shooters would then respond, "Fire One!" Then, the Range Master would give the command, "Fire!" At that time the shooters would draw and fire the requisite number of rounds.
2) We were told that the weapon must remain on target and ready to fire after having fire the requisite number of rounds until commanded to holster.
3) We were told that it was our responsibility to keep our weapons loaded at all times (Important!). During the time between having completed fire and when commanded to holster was when we were supposed to reload. The range master made sure to allow adequate reload time.
The first course of fire was from FIVE feet. When we moved to the five foot line I had visions of rounds bouncing back from the target. I checked and found, to my relief, that the backstop was loose soil. That left the target frames which were metal, but I was sure I would not hit those.
Then I remembered I was not alone on the line.
I started eyeballing the guys next to me trying to gage if THEY would hit the frames and create a ricochet...
Soon came the command to load and re-holster. I did so and started contemplating my paper target with malevolent thoughts.
"On COMMAND!" We fired about half the course in various rounds of between one and five shots. Again, I was using the SW686 (a revolver), but the guy to the left of me was using a Kimber of some sort (an expensive pistol). In addition to "fighting" the newly learned stance and dealing with the 686 going off just below my chin -- brass from the Kimber was hitting in the back of the head and neck!
There simply is no feeling like that of a just fired cartridge making its way down your collar and back.
Hot.
Next time I'm wearing a t-shirt under my regular shirt and I'm probably wearing my Stetson.
In the pic you can see two "flyers" next to the white outline circle, in the black and garnering full points, but still outside of the groupings. I'm pretty sure those were from that one shell going down my shirt...
Several times the instructor on our end approached me between rounds of fire to admonish me for allowing the weapon to move away from my chest. The technique requires a tight grip on the weapon close against the off hand pectoral for retention. I found it also helps accuracy in the point-shoot method. The instructor also inquired as to the ammo I was using -- I had purchased it (.38 +p FMJ Remington, as I recall) from APPS at the range. The 686 is a loud weapon. He thought I was using .357 Magnums.
We then moved back to ten feet where we used the aimed fire stance for the second half of fire. After fighting this new stance mentally, with the 686 mere inches in front of my eyes, I started acclimating to the new firing position. Again, the instructor was there to correct me -- move the weapon to eye level and do not "hunch" over the weapon or move the head at all. It was at this point that all the dry fire sessions at the ENMU-ROTC range came back. I settled in and started punching out the center of the target.
Next came the second round of qualifying for those shooting two weapons.
During this round I used the Ruger p944dc pistol I had purchased back in 2001 -- but had never fired. I've fired other pistols, and other Ruger pistols, but never this one. However, I was by now used to the new techniques being taught by APPS and was able to keep each round in the center of the target.This time I was at the end of a much smaller firing line. The guy to my immediate left was a retired New York City police officer who is starting a new security agency here in Nashville. At the beginning of the course of fire I was in a quandary about how to reload my holstered pistol. He reminded me about the "tactical reload" -- something I had read and heard about but had never tried and that did not occur to me. I'm a revolver guy, remember...
After the course of fire was over, an instructor said my marksmanship was fine, but that I should now concentrate on the upper chest area and the lower abdomen area. The reasons were to avoid body armor and to deliver immediate incapacitating shots; the goal being to STOP the threat as quickly and as effectively as possible. The upper area targets the thorax, upper spinal column and a vital part of the lower brain. The lower area avoids the bottom of most armor, targets the lower spinal column and the pelvis. Rare is the individual that can operate with a shattered pelvis...
Lessons Learned
1) You can learn as much (More?) by listening to instruction about firing a weapon as you can by actually firing the weapon. I learned new methods of reloading a revolver without taking eyes off the target, that spare rounds for a revolver should be kept in the strong hand side -- a pistol on the weak hand side, advice about the kaBoom factor, the Tactical Reload as mentioned above...
2) Quality training time is never wasted time. Training stays with you always. Those hours of dry fire sessions with SGM Gonzales in Portales, NM are still paying off over two decades later. Much of what I learned from him was in what Tune was teaching here. When you find an instructor like this, do your best to be a sponge and soak up everything you can. I know I'm going back as finances allow for more at APPS.
3) Your weapon is your friend. Respect it, but don't fear it, and it will assist you in defending against the threats that abound in life. I had a distinct fear of firing so close to my eyes and face, but that fear was unfounded and I overcame it. Now I have much better skills in the use of my self defense tools and a better chance to survive deadly encounters.
4) The grips on the SW686 are too large for my hands. Tune examined how I was holding the revolver and recommended smaller, non-synthetic grips.
If you are in the Nashville area and you are looking for quality firearms and security training, I HIGHLY recommend APPS. They can be contacted at:
http://www.appstraining.com/
http://www.appstraining.com/
- Telephone:
- 615-360-6002
- FAX:
- 615-366-7374
-
- Postal address:
- Academy of Personal Protection and Security
- 336 Hill Ave.
- Nashville, TN 37210
5) Sometimes one should just keep their mouth shut. At the end of the day, after several days of ten hour instruction and eight hour work nights, I was exhausted (that five hour energy stuff wears out after five hours, duh). Several of my fellow students congratulated me on my scores... My mind was in the mode of placing the credit to the instruction I had received from SGM Gonzales all those years ago as well as the instructors that day on the range. What came out was, "Yeah, I was on the rifle team once..." I wish I had just said thanks and had shut the hell up.
6) Simple is often better. Why yell, "NO! at the threat instead of "Stop!" or some other command? Tune stated that policed research had indicated that the simple command of "NO!" would cause almost EVERYONE to at least pause where other commands would not faze them. Why? It is thought that since "No" is one of the first words we learn, and is one of the few words to cause a conditioned response from our parents and others almost from birth, that most people are readily conditioned as a Pavlovian response to stop and examine what they are doing, or should not be doing. This response crosses just about every culture and language: No sounds the same in almost every language. The bottom line is that you want the threat to stop or at least give you time to ready your defense. Shouting "NO!" does that like no other command.
The most important lesson I garnered from the day on the range is about training: Train correctly, do it the same way every time, and do it often. I had a GREAT time and I'll be taking the Intermediate course at APPS as soon as possible.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Pilot Scapegoated
An Update on Did TSA Idiocy Cause Airline Gun Mishap?: The TSA and US Airways have predictably scapegoated the pilot whose firearm discharged on that US Airways flight last March.(CNN) -- An US Airways pilot who aviation officials say accidentally fired his handgun in the cockpit during a flight will be fired, a spokesman for a flight officers group said.
The airline has begun the termination process for Capt. James Langenhahn, said Mike Karn, vice president of the Federal Flight Deck Officers Association.
Langenhahn told police that he was stowing his gun in the cockpit of a jet preparing to land in Charlotte, North Carolina, last month when it accidentally fired. The federal Transportation Security Administration is investigating the incident. (from CNN.com)
The item goes on to report that the FFDOA will try to fight the firing according to their spokesman.
The truth of the matter is that the holster the TSA requires Flight Deck Officers (FDO) to use is designed to cause a negligent discharge. The pilot, as related in the CNN item, states he was stowing the weapon when it discharged.
DUH!
Anytime the trigger of a double action weapon encounters an object, as it must in this stupidly designed holster, there is a very real danger of the weapon discharging. My opinion remains that the TSA wishes the FDO program to fail and is doing everything it can to attain that wish.
Also see: Today's Crime File News's entry on the topic.
Our entry from March 31, 2008.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Did TSA Idiocy Cause Airline Gun Mishap?
(h/t The Michael Bane Blog)
Last week this story caused a mini-sensation when a pilot that had qualified through the "Federal Flight Deck Officer" program had an "accidental discharge." Take a look at the weapon and holster the program MANDATES for each FFDO. A LOCK through the TRIGGER GUARD?
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
I've been carrying a handgun for over 20 years now, and if ANYONE mandated that I should put ANYTHING in the trigger guard of MY weapon I would have immediately looked into seeing that THEY no longer carried a weapon. Anyone who is knowledgeable about firearms knows that the trigger is to NEVER be TOUCHED unless the weapon is to be fired SOON, as in IMMEDIATELY. This holster requires that a metal bar be threaded through the trigger guard of a double action pistol and worn on the hip. I'm FLOORED to think that this is the FIRST time something like this has happened.
And that lock that TSA mandates be threaded through the holster? It isn't even secure. Here's a video on how to pick it in seconds:
Paul Huebl of CrimeFileNews broke the story of how this holster and weapon were made for mishap back in December 2007.
It was only a matter of time before there’d be an accidental, non-negligent discharge of a Federal Flight Deck Officer’s weapon. Saturday a U.S. Airways pilot’s gun discharged on Flight 1536, which left Denver at approximately 6:45am and arrived in Charlotte at approximately 11:51am. The Airbus A319 plane landed safely and thankfully none of the flight’s 124 passengers or five crew members was injured
The insane procedures required by the TSA demands that our pilots to lock and then un-lock their .40 side arms was and is a solid recipe for disaster. Did the TSA deliberately create this bizarre and unconventional Rube Goldberg firearm retention system hoping for this result? The sordid history of the FAA and TSA’s total resistance to the concept of arming pilots to protect Americans is in itself a scandal.
Putting a gun into a holster and then threading a padlock through the trigger and trigger-guard is required every time the pilots enter or leave the cockpit. This kind of silliness has never been forced on any law enforcement or security officers anywhere in the world until now. Before this holster padlock procedure pilots with guns were forced to carry them around in a cumbersome 22 pound vault. The vault caused problems in the confined space of most cockpits.
FFDO pilots need to carry their side arms in conventional concealed holsters and there is no reason for the unnecessary handling of their firearms in the cockpits.
Huebl then made a video explaining how the discharge probably happened.
I have to say, this reeks of someone wanting to sabotage the process of arming pilots. No one can be THIS stupid, can they?
Here's a bit of a clue from the CBS item at the time:
The TSA initially opposed the Flight Deck Officer program to arm and train cockpit personnel. Agency officials worried that introducing a weapon to commercial flights was dangerous and that other security improvements made it unnecessary. Congress and pilots backed the program.
"The TSA has never been real supportive of this program," said Mike Boyd, who runs the Colorado-based aviation consulting firm The Boyd Group. "It's something I think Congress kind of put on them."
Stupidity or deliberate sabotage?
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