• The Most Important Training Skill?

    This Saturday, like many Saturdays in the Spring and Summer I am teaching a defensive pistol class. At these classes there’s something I try and emphasize over, and over, and over, which is what I believe is one of the most important aspects of gun training.

     I’m not talking about safety, which is the most important aspect and gets covered before every class I do no matter if it’s a beginner class or an advanced class. And I’m not talking about trigger control or follow through.

    In short, I’m talking about making my students think during the class.

    Let me explain… Although competition shooting is a fun sport, it is not defensive firearms training. After all, many competitors have tricked out race guns, they know exactly what’s going to happen on each stage and as soon as they hear the buzzer they start shooting without having to do a great deal of thinking.

    Obviously, that’s not close to reality at all, because in a gunfight you’re going to have no idea what your attacker is going to do. Also, in a gunfight you’ve got to be thinking so you don’t shoot into a crowd of people and hit an innocent bystander, or have any number of problems occur.

    So how exactly do you get people to think?

    Well, one of the best ways is sending people into a shoot house. Inside the shoot house you’ll have targets that are clearly marked as bystanders and you’ll have targets that are the bad guys.

    If you’ve never done a shoot house scenario before you’ll be amazed at how much thinking is required and you’ll likely end up shooting an innocent civilian or two your first time out.

    Another way to make people think is to use a target with several numbers on it such as the SEB target. The instructor can call out numbers telling the student to shoot at each one. You should also call out numbers that aren’t even on the target to see if people are paying attention.

    I realize that going into a shoot house, or shooting different numbers isn’t totally reality based either. But it accomplishes the goal of making you think and not just having you run through a pistol course as a “drone” knowing exactly what is going to happen each time.

    After all, your brain (that thing in your head which controls your thinking) is the most important thing you have in a gunfight.

     

    ———————————————————————

    Jason R. Hanson is a former CIA officer. He’s also an NRA Certified Instructor and the author of The Covert Guide to Concealed Carry: Confessions of a Former CIA Officer. Jason believes there are few things in life as important as being able to protect yourself and your loved ones. That’s why he’s giving away a free report titled, “Insider Secrets of Buying Your First Concealed Carry Firearm” at www.ConcealedCarryAcademy.com.


  • How Many Guns Should You Own?

    How many guns should you own?

    If you’re one of winners of last week’s $640 million jackpot, then the answer to how many guns you should own is obviously as many as you can get your hands on. However, if you’re like me, and you don’t have unlimited financial resources then you must pick and choose which guns you should own.

    To start, I recommend everyone have at least one handgun. After all, it’s rather difficult to carry concealed a rifle or a shotgun. And if you can truly only afford one handgun make sure that you buy quality so you only have to buy once. My handgun choices would be a Glock, Smith and Wesson M&P, or Springfield XD. I’d be willing to bet my life on any of those guns.

    Next, I think it’s important to own at least one shotgun.

    My shotgun of choice is the trusty Remington 870. This shotgun is built like a tank and will last you forever. If you can afford it, I recommend putting a flashlight, side saddle, sling, and magazine tube extension on your gun. Also, have plenty of birdshot, buckshot and slugs for your gun… but especially 00 buckshot.

    Once you’ve filled your handgun and shotgun requirements it’s obviously critical for you to have a rifle or two. Why? Well, in my opinion, the rifle is the ultimate “end of the world” firearm. You need handguns for concealed carry. Shotguns work great for home defense. But the rifle is what you need when the stuff really hits the fan. And with the way this country is looking you never know when your life will depend on your rifle.

    If I were you, I would start with a .22 such as the Ruger 10/22 and then get an AR-15.

    However, before you throw 10 million bells and whistles on any of your rifles make sure that you first know how to properly manipulate and shoot them. In other words, all the scopes, slings and doodads in the world won’t help a bit if you can’t execute the fundamentals.

    Once you have all of the guns above, then of course add to your collection. But I would make sure to have a handgun, shotgun and rifle, before I bought a ton of other guns. I do know plenty of folks that own a dozen or more handguns yet don’t own a single rifle or shotgun.

    I also know plenty of folks that own a bunch of guns but don’t know how to use them. So instead of buying 10 handguns, maybe buy 1 or 2 and invest the rest of your money in training. After all, a handgun, shotgun, or rifle is pretty useless if you don’t know how to use it.

    So I guess it all comes back to the fact that you should buy as many guns as you can afford, or as many as your wife will let you.

    ————————–

    Jason R. Hanson is a former CIA officer. He’s also an NRA Certified Instructor and the author of The Covert Guide to Concealed Carry: Confessions of a Former CIA Officer. Jason believes there are few things in life as important as being able to protect yourself and your loved ones. That’s why he’s giving away a free report titled, “Insider Secrets of Buying Your First Concealed Carry Firearm” at www.ConcealedCarryAcademy.com.


  • An AR-15 for home defense?

     

    I’m visiting my in-laws in California right now. Earlier in the day my father in-law and I were in the car and he asked me what I thought of the AR-15 for a home defense gun.

    Obviously, if it’s the only gun you have then that’s what you use. However, I told him that I don’t use an AR-15 for home defense.  I have two different types of guns in my bedroom and each serves a specific purpose.

    First off, I have my handgun (Glock 19.) I believe it’s important to have a handgun if you have to go investigate the “bump in the night” and you need to be able to easily maneuver around your house.

     

    My house in particular has some narrow areas where a rifle is not ideal.

    Of course, with your handgun you need to have a flashlight stored close by, such as a SureFire. When you’re investigating throughout the house you need to be able to identify your threat that way you don’t accidentally shoot a loved one who’s getting a drink of water in the middle of the night.

    The other gun I have is my shotgun. (Remington 870.) I believe everyone needs a shotgun for the time when you know there’s an intruder breaking in the house and you’re going to hunker down in a bedroom and wait for police.

    In other words, you’re not running around your house with the shotgun, you’re barricaded in your bedroom with the firearm pointed at the door in case the intruder tries to get into the room.

     

    When it comes to ammo for my home defense shotgun I use 00 buck.

    I know there are some folks who only use birdshot in their home defense gun and in my opinion that’s not a good idea. After all, if a person has broken into my home and they’re trying to kill me I want to make sure I stop them. I believe 00 buckshot will stop them and there’s certainly no guarantee that birdshot will even slow them down.

    Perhaps the most important thing to remember when it comes to home defense guns and guns in general is to get plenty of training. Despite everything I’ve just said, if you’re a pro with an AR-15 and you aren’t comfortable with shotguns or handguns, then obviously use the gun that you’re most likely to hit your target with.

    But for me, and for many of the folks I know, we have a handgun and a shotgun for home defense and our AR-15’s are more for an “end of the world” type scenario, which we truly hope will never happen.

     

    ————————–

    Jason R. Hanson is a former CIA officer. He’s also an NRA Certified Instructor and the author of The Covert Guide to Concealed Carry: Confessions of a Former CIA Officer. Jason believes there are few things in life as important as being able to protect yourself and your loved ones. That’s why he’s giving away a free report titled, “Insider Secrets of Buying Your First Concealed Carry Firearm” at www.ConcealedCarryAcademy.com.


  • Why You Can Protect Anyone With Your Gun

    Why You Can Protect Anyone With Your Gun

    The other day a fellow mentioned to me that he’d just taken a firearms training class and his instructor told him that he’s only allowed to use deadly force to protect himself and his immediate family members. He’s not allowed to protect anybody else.

    This didn’t make much sense to the guy, so he asked me my thoughts and here’s what I told him. First off, remember that I am not a lawyer and I do not like lawyers, although I have a wife in law school. How’s that for irony?

    Anyway, what my lawyer has told me is that I am allowed to use deadly force (if it’s justified) to protect another human being, no matter who it is. For instance, let’s say I go shopping at Wal-Mart tomorrow. As I’m walking to my car after I finish shopping I see a man walk up to a woman and start beating her.

    The man continues to pummel her and then starts to strangle her and it appears he is going to kill her. Sure, I could stand by and do nothing, but I could also draw my gun and use it if he didn’t let go of the woman and if he continued to try and kill her.

    For many folks, I think his is common sense.

    After all, let’s say you’re out one night with your buddies at a restaurant. If a man with a knife starts stabbing one of your buddies would it really make sense for you to stand there and say, “Well, this isn’t my immediate family member and it isn’t me, so I guess I can’t save my friends life.”

    Hopefully, those would be the last thoughts in your mind and you would be doing whatever you can to save your friend and stop the attacker. Another important thing that my lawyer has mentioned to me is that many people forget you can only use deadly force to protect a life and not a piece of property.

    In other words…

    If you walk out of your house and see someone in your driveway trying to kill your spouse, you can obviously do what you need to in order to stop that person. Perhaps you would draw a gun and the person would run off, but if they didn’t and continued to attack your spouse you would likely be forced to use the gun to save them.

    However, if you walk out of your house and you see someone taking a baseball bat to your brand new car, you can’t draw your gun and starting shooting the person. The reason being is because your life (or another person’s life) is not in immediate fear for their life or serious bodily injury.

    Of course, if you’re still confused about when you’re justified in using deadly force I would definitely go talk to a lawyer. Obviously, you don’t want to make any mistakes when it comes to when you’re allowed and not allowed to use a gun. Also, if you don’t have a lawyer contact the NRA and they’ll be able to recommend a person in your area.

    ——————

    Jason R. Hanson is a former CIA officer. He’s also an NRA Certified Instructor and the author of The Covert Guide to Concealed Carry: Confessions of a Former CIA Officer. Jason believes there are few things in life as important as being able to protect yourself and your loved ones. That’s why he’s giving away a free report titled, “Insider Secrets of Buying Your First Concealed Carry Firearm” at www.ConcealedCarryAcademy.com.


  • Pro-American Band Advocating for the 2nd Amendment

    Madison Rising (www.madisonrising.com) is a pro-American band whose latest cause is to help bring awareness to the relentless attacks on one of the most cherished rights granted in the Constitution: The right to keep and bear arms. On January 30th, the band released a video for their single “Right To Bear.”

    The song and video have already generated considerable controversy regarding the Second Amendment and the ongoing issues of open and concealed carry gun laws around the country. The band encouraged their fans to go out and purchase Starbucks coffee on Valentine’s Day when the The National Gun Victim’s Action Council (NGAC) lead an effort of a national boycott of Starbucks Coffee to try to force a change in the company’s “open carry” gun policy at hundreds of its retail locations.

    “There’s a reason it’s the second amendment,” continued Dave Bray(Navy Vet, NRA member), the band’s lead singer. “It’s not the ninth, it’s not the fourth; it’s the second. And at the end of the day, it’s the only thing protecting the first. We’re talking last line of defense. The authors of the constitution knew exactly what they were doing and these rights are just as important now as they were two centuries ago. It doesn’t matter how technologically advanced a society may become. Human nature never changes.”

    The band’s Right To Bear video prominently features several high profile anti-gun politicians such as Hillary Clinton, Eric Holder, John Kerry, and Nancy Pelosi, as well as key pro-gun advocates like NRA president David Keene. The band openly endorses national right to carry laws.






    It’s not often we come across talented artists who are also advocates for the 2nd Amendment. Please support our friends of Madison Rising by visiting their website or purchasing their single, Right to Bear Arms:


  • The Number One Mistake Shooters Make When Training

    The #1 Mistake Shooters Make When Training

    I love taking shooting courses. In fact, when I’m not teaching my own courses, I try and attend other folks training as much as I can. The good news is, there are a lot of good instructors in this country so it’s not tough to find a class near you.

    However, if you choose to take one of these classes whether it’s local or at a larger training school such as Gunsite or Front Sight, I encourage you not to make the mistake that I see the majority of shooters make.

    So what is the mistake?

    It’s not training the way they regularly carry concealed on the street. In other words, when I’m carrying concealed I’m usually wearing jeans and a T-shirt. Unless I’m going to church or doing consulting, I try and avoid a suit at all costs. Therefore, when I go to a gun school I am dressed in jeans and a T-shirt.

    What kills me is the folks I see who show up in tactical pants and other tactical gear who look like they’re about to join Rambo on his next raid. Now, if by the odd chance they wear that gear on a regular basis, then by all means, train that way. But if I had to guess, I’d say they don’t go grocery shopping decked out from head to toe in 5.11 gear.

    However, the way a person dresses is just the beginning. When I attend a gun class I want to shoot well just as much as the next person does. But I always draw from concealment. After all, since that’s how I always carry my gun, drawing from concealment is the proper muscle memory I want to develop.

    Well…

    I have a lot of friends who attend their firearms training wearing an outside the waistband holster. Why do they do this? Because they’re quicker on the draw and feel they do better during the timed shooting drills. Yes, this may be true, but since they carry concealed on a regular basis, practicing with an outside the waistband holster obviously makes no sense.

    Lastly, and probably the most ridiculous thing I see is the fellows who show up with huge guns that are clearly not their concealed carry guns. I realize it’s fun to shoot all types of guns, but if you’re going to spend a lot of money attending a pistol course, train with the gun you regularly carry. Take your non-carry guns to the shooting range and other places, but go to the schools with the gun you bet your life on.

    As for me, the gun that comes with me to all the training I do is my Glock 19, because that’s my concealed carry gun. I know you may be thinking this is a lot of common sense, but I’m willing to bet that at the next training you attend, the majority of folks will not be training as if it’s “real life.” I just hope you’re not one of them, and that you force yourself to wear regular street clothes… to draw from concealment… and to bring your concealed carry gun with you.

     

    ——

    Jason R. Hanson is a former CIA officer. He’s also an NRA Certified Instructor and the author of The Covert Guide to Concealed Carry: Confessions of a Former CIA Officer. Jason believes there are few things in life as important as being able to protect yourself and your loved ones. That’s why he’s giving away a free report titled, “Insider Secrets of Buying Your First Concealed Carry Firearm” at www.ConcealedCarryAcademy.com.


  • Why the 1911 is NOT My Concealed Carry Gun

    Why the 1911 is NOT my concealed carry gun

    Right now, I’m reading Patrick Sweeney’s book, “1911 – The First 100 Hundred Years.” So far the book is a good, entertaining read, and if you’re a 1911 fan, I highly recommend it. However, if you read this book, be warned that you’ll end up with a long list of 1911’s that you’ll want to buy… and in my opinion… this is not a good thing.

    You see, I’ve been able to avoid the 1911 temptation to date. I only own one 1911 and it’s aSpringfield. Although I have a long list of others I want to buy, I haven’t done so yet because the 1911 is not a solid concealed carry gun and is not as reliable as many other guns are today.

    I realize there are many people who will call what I’m saying blasphemous and the only reason is because they grew up with the 1911, and don’t like change. But what people often forget is that the reason we carry concealed is not to look cool, or because we think a certain gun is cool. The only reason to carry concealed is to preserve one’s life, therefore, it makes sense to find the best gun to do that job.

    And, I don’t believe the 1911 fits the bill.

    First off, as I already mentioned, it’s not as reliable. It’s more prone to jams than other guns on the market today. Also, since scum bags travel in packs, why limit yourself to 8 rounds or so, when you could have double that amount?

    Of course, another problem with the 1911 is the thumb safety. Most shooters are not experienced enough to properly manipulate the safety, which is why I’ll be at gun classes and I see new shooters who can’t figure out why they’re unable to pull the trigger. (In case you’re wondering, I gently tap them on the shoulder and remind them to take off their safety.)

    If people don’t remember to take off the safety during a timed shooting drill at training, just imagine if someone is running at you with a knife about to take your life. Will you remember to take off the thumb safety then?

    So, if I don’t like the 1911 for concealed carry, what do I like?

    Well, you know what’s coming. My concealed carry gun of choice is a Glock 19 because I know it’s reliable and dependable. And I’m willing to bet if someone told you the stuff was really about to hit the fan and there was only one gun you could have to survive the chaos, that you’d probably choose a Glock too. If not, you still might go Springfield XD or Sig, but I doubt you’d choose a 1911.

    Unfortunately, I know this will fall on deaf ears for most folks, but you have to leave emotion at the door when it comes to preserving your life. Don’t choose a gun for nostalgic purposes, don’t choose it because your father carried one, choose a gun that will do the best job to keep you on this earth as long as possible.

    Jason R. Hanson is a former CIA officer. He’s also an NRA Certified Instructor and the author of The Covert Guide to Concealed Carry: Confessions of a Former CIA Officer. Jason believes there are few things in life as important as being able to protect yourself and your loved ones. That’s why he’s giving away a free report titled, “Insider Secrets of Buying Your First Concealed Carry Firearm” at www.ConcealedCarryAcademy.com.


  • OPINION: Brandishing a Silencer – Is it a Crime?

    We all know that brandishing a firearm can subject us to state law firearms or concealed weapons violations in most state. While a silencer in of and by itself is not a firearm, most states define it as a weapon under their state statutes. Most brandishing statutes penalize certain behavior dealing with firearms and weapons. What that being said, how many of you have taken your silencer out to show to someone.

    In Florida and many states that have concealed weapons permits, it is illegal to show someone a firearm or weapon under certain circumstances. With this in mind, you should be careful to comply with your states concealed weapons laws when showing people your silencer. Many people do not realize they are legal and because of this it is possible that you could be reported for having one and charged with a crime and the person reporting it may provide the police enough information to charge you with the crime of brandishing.

    While we have not heard of anyone being charged with this crime, you should be very careful when displaying any firearm or weapon in public.

    ——
    David Goldman is a Gun Trust Lawyer® and writes the NFA Gun Trust Lawyers Blog. This blog focuses on legal and practical advise for firearms owners. In addition, there is specific information on which NFA firearms are permitted in each state and how to a properly written gun trust can help protect you and your family from the problems associated with traditional estate planning and inheritance which are associated with firearms.


  • OPINION: 2nd Amendment Rights and Crime

    Concealed Carry Decreases Crime

    Proponents for and opponents against gun control laws actually share a common first priority. They both desire a safe community to live in. This is not debated. The debate is over whether gun control laws increase or decrease crime rates.

    If the United States could constitutionally adopt nation-wide gun control laws, would the country’s crime go up or go down? To answer that question, many people compare major cities, states and regions that have gun control laws with those that do not.

    In the U.S., the most restrictive gun control laws can be found in Washington, D.C., Chicago, IL, New York and California. In these cities and states, firearm owners must often be licensed, registered, pass an exam and pay significant taxes and fees. Residents in some of these areas cannot own a firearm under any circumstance.

    These areas also have some of the highest crime rates in the country; their crime rates regularly are well above the national average. Interestingly, the proportion of violent crimes committed to total crimes is greater in these areas than in places that allow gun ownership.

    In contrast to these areas, regions that have lax gun control laws also have lower comparative crime rates. One of the most vivid examples of this is Washington D.C. and its surrounding suburbs in Virginia.

    Washington D.C. has banned firearms since the 1970s, but the suburbs in Virginia, which lie just outside the city’s limits, have few restrictions. These two communities are as identical as two communities can be, except for laws, such as the firearm bans. In D.C., where guns are prohibited, crime rates are exponentially higher than in the nearby Virginian suburbs. If guns cause crime, and eliminating guns can eliminate crime, then why does Virginia, which has many guns and few laws, have much lower crime rates than Washington, D.C., which has many laws and no guns?

    The overall evidence shows, and the above case study proves, that gun control laws do not reduce crime rates. While it may seem counterintuitive, firearm ownership actually decreases crime, especially violent crime.

    Another instance of this can be found in Florida’s history. Before the 1980s, Florida did not have a concealed carry law; it used to be illegal to carry a concealed firearm in Florida. At this time, Florida’s crime rate was much higher than the national average. When the state enacted concealed carry laws, which allow people to carry concealed firearms, the crime rate began to drop. It has continued to decrease, and is below the national average today.

    From the evidence of Chicago, New York and California, along with the examples of Washington D.C. and Virginia, and Florida, firearms laws promote crime. The only gun laws that decrease crime are the ones that allow people to carry concealed weapons.

    When this data is extrapolated to a national level, the facts clearly indicate the implications of a national gun control policy. If the United States were to adopt national gun control laws, crime rates would go up everywhere. Worst of all, violent crimes would increase the most. The best way to keep crime rates low is to allow the private ownership and carrying of firearms.


    Author Bio: E. Steadman writes for NSB Civil Rights, a law firm made famous by attorney Barry Scheck, who was depicted in the recent Hollywood film, Conviction (2010).


  • Ron Paul on Gun Control & “Plan to Restore America” Deficit Plan

    “Since police cannot be everywhere all at one time, a large part of our personal safety depends on our ability to defend ourselves”
    - Ron Paul

    When we regularly talk about law abiding citizens and the carrying of firearms, we often don’t realize that that right exists for a single reason: the U.S. Constitution. Our Founding Fathers witnessed the horrible oppression of the British Empire and vowed to create a nation that would prevent oppression in the form of a Constitutional Republic. The 2nd Amendment, which most of our readers are very familiar with, is one of the many constitutional freedoms that the Founders of our country were adamant about instilling in the backbone of our great nation.

    Despite the media’s disdain for him, Ron Paul is the only Republican presidential candidate who stands for individual liberty and who WILL protect your rights under the 2nd Amendment – and your rights under the rest of the U.S. Constitution. The video below is Ron Paul’s response to the shooting of Gabriel Giffords and the Anti-Gun politician using the tragedy as a platform to pass anti-gun legislation.


    “Liberty only has meaning if we still believe in it when terrible things happen”

    -Ron Paul

    You may be sitting at your computer desk saying, “Ron Paul? Bill O’Reilly and Charles Krauthammer say he’s crazy!” Before making a judgement on Doctor/Congressman Ron Paul, realize that he is the only candidate who has a strong position on your right to legally carry concealed weapons, as well as a plan that will significantly reduce our nation’s debt and Restore America Now. Don’t believe me? Look up his voting record. He is the only politician in the Beltway who has consistently voted the same on EVERY issue and has voted against every issue that impedes on YOUR individual liberty or on the US Constitution – which resulted in his fellow congressmen dubbing him “Dr. No.”

    The Media dismisses him as crazy. But Why? Maybe it’s because he believes that every law-abiding citizen has the right to legally carry concealed weapons to protect themselves as well as their fellow citizens? Or maybe he is too against-the-grain in believing that the federal government should not be intruding on your personal freedoms? Or maybe the media ignores him because he doesn’t want our high school graduates dying in a dessert half-way across the world for an unknown goal? Or maybe, just MAYBE, he is “unelectable” because he wants to drastically cut entitlement spending to bring our country back to the great nation that our Founding Fathers intended?

    ron paul on gun control plan to restore america

    Ron Paul vs CBO Budget Plan

    If all of the above is considered “crazy” by the mainstream media, then count me in. The “mainstream” politicians have been a detriment to this country for the past 20 years in every respect – and the “regular joe’s” are the people who end up suffering. While Washington politicians live comfortably in their mansions and vacationing on their yachts, Ron Paul is vowing to not only drastically decrease the perks of being a congressmen/woman, but also decrease the Presidential salary by 92% if he is elected – that is, he will change the current $450,000 salary that Obama is receiving down to the average American salary of $39,000 – what does that say about a man’s character?

    Below is Ron Paul’s Restore America Now plan, released today (10/17/2011) which breaks down exactly how he will return this country to what our Founding Fathers had intended. It is an easy read in that it is only a few pages. No matter your political leanings, your already-established thoughts on Ron Paul, or anything else – please read his plan. No other candidate including (and especially) Obama has any plan that comes close to the detail and specificity of Paul’s plan to cut spending and protect your Constitutional rights.


    Ron Paul – Plan to Restore America


    [Click to view PDF in new window]

    Or if you aren’t in a reading mood right now, watch Ron Paul’s “Plan to Restore America” announcement below:



      QUESTIONS/COMMENTS

    - What do you think about Ron Paul?
    - Why do you think the media has been ignoring him?
    - Why do you think he is in 3rd with cash-on-hand without the corporate donors of Romney and Perry?
    - If you aren’t a fan, why not?

    Politics isn’t our thing, but we encourage discussion on the topic because the 2012 election will effect each and every one of us in more ways than one. Let us know what you think in the comments below.




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