September 4th, 2009
Dear Friend,
I like John Farnam’s Defender’s Creed. Collectively we are like a pack, or family. We take it upon ourselves to be responsible for our own safety and protection without ever harming an innocent person. In fact, many of us would go boldly forward against a predator to protect a victim who may never have taken the measures or is unable to defend his or herself.
The only people on this planet who need to fear violence from us concealed carry types are the criminals who would happen to be in the act of committing an act of violence that may maim or kill us. Gun grabbers don’t get it, but they have the First Amendment Right to declare their thoughts. It’s imperative that we continue to declare the simple truth that guns do save lives.
Take your time, get a cup of coffee, relax and enjoy this week’s Armed American Report. It’s packed with info that you can use and share.
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== Survival Update == |
What if?
“…Life comes at you fast but you may buy yourself the extra time you need by simply asking yourself in advance, What If?…”
by Ed Lovette
Whether you have recently started carrying a handgun for self-protection or whether you’ve been carrying for many years, I am guessing that you found out fairly quickly that there is a lot involved with owning a firearm to defend yourself and your family. Looking back, you’ll probably realize that selecting a handgun and holster and going through the training to obtain your concealed carry permit was the easy part! You may also have discovered that you can’t always shoot as much as you’d like, especially if you have a family. There are constant demands competing for your time and finances. This reality requires us to look at other things we can do to develop our skills and keep them honed.
So let’s take a look at some essential training that we can do on our own at no cost. Our own private distance learning program if you will. To keep it simple and user-friendly I’ll suggest you start out trying to do this for at least 5 minutes every other day. Maybe you can combine it with your exercise routine. Consider that you are exercising your mind while you exercise your body.
There are three areas in which we need to develop in order to manage a confrontation that might require us to use deadly force. These are combative skills (empty hand, OC spray, stick, knife and handgun), tactics and mindset. Just being a good shot is not enough. One of my favorite quotes on this comes from Clint Smith, the head of Thunder Ranch, who tells his student’s, “Get the best training you can afford. But train with the understanding that most firearm’s practice is about 75% physical and 25% mental. A gunfight is about 75% mental and about 25% physical.”
Tactics and mindset are equally as important to you as your combative skills. As a useful training tool I like to use what Col. Jeff Cooper called the “What If?” exercise. You see an incident on TV or read about something that happened in your daily newspaper. It can come from a book or a movie. Study what happened and then ask yourself how you could have handled the problem.
Consider the following examples:
1-Some years ago I was stationed overseas in a country with two very active terrorist groups. There were frequent bombings, kidnappings and assassinations. One of the country’s retired senior military officials had been killed the day before and I was going over the details of how the attack was carried out as I sat stalled in rush hour traffic. It was painfully obvious that if I had to take action right now I would not be able to use my vehicle to escape. I would have to rely on my handguns. I was carrying one handgun in a right handed pancake style hip holster and I had a second handgun in my left front pants pocket. It dawned on me that with a suit coat on plus the seatbelt (not to mention the space taken up by the steering wheel), if I was going to need either one of these handguns in a hurry the bad guys were going to have to give me about a five minute head start! That same day I ordered a cross draw holster as well as a shoulder holster for my primary handgun and an ankle rig for my backup gun. Problem solved.
2-My latest tactical nightmare happened to an individual who lived with his wife and small child in New Orleans. He was asleep in the nursery when he was awakened by his wife screaming, “Don’t hurt my baby! Call 911!” The father had no firearm so he grabbed his son and hid in a bathroom. The assailant killed the wife and then came looking for the father. He found him in the bathroom and shot him. He then left the house and police have no apparent motive for the killing. (The father and son survived the shooting). As a parent and a grandpa this is a situation I hope never to be in. What if this happened to you? Figure how you would respond with no firearm. Then replay the incident assuming you have a handgun. How long would it take you to get your hand on the gun? Is it locked up? Is it loaded and ready to go? What do you do with your two year old son?
3-And finally, I am writing this on 17 April, the day after the tragic incident at Virginia Tech. You will look at your response based on your personal circumstance, student or teacher. What would you do if you are sitting in a classroom and you hear gunfire? What would you do if a gunman walks into the classroom, shoots the teacher and then turns the gun on you and your classmates? As a parent, what do you tell your son or daughter as they prepare for college? High school? Middle school?
In addition to helping you come up with a plan of action before you have a problem, the “What If?” exercise makes you take a hard look at your equipment and tactics. It helps you sort through the decision-making process so you can respond quicker should you have a problem. I think it also helps to keep you committed (mindset) to the serious responsibility that comes with carrying a handgun. Life comes at you fast but you may buy yourself the extra time you need by simply asking yourself in advance, “What If?”
About the Author
Mr. Lovette is a retired CIA paramilitary operations officer. He is a former Captain in the U.S. Army’s Special Forces and is also a 10 year law enforcement veteran in which capacity he served as a patrol officer, sheriff’s deputy and as the senior firearms and tactics instructor for the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy.
Since retiring Mr. Lovette has taught kidnap avoidance techniques and evasive driving to business executives living and working in Latin America. He has developed a terrorist surveillance detection program for a Federal security agency with a significant terrorist threat. He has been involved with a variety of programs designed to enhance the security of our U.S. Embassies overseas. Most recently he has been involved with antiterrorism training programs for police officers.
In addition to co-authoring Defensive Living with Dave Spaulding he is the author of The Snubby Revolver: The ECQ, Backup and Concealed Carry Standard. Mr. Lovette currently writes the Survival Savvy column for “Combat Handguns” magazine.
The Defender’s Creed
By: John Farnam
I accept and understand that human predators exist. Criminal or terrorist, they take advantage of our civilized society to prey upon the weak. They represent evil and must be confronted and defeated.
I believe that self-defense is a moral imperative, and that illegitimate force and illegal violence must be met with righteous indignation and superior violence.
I will not rely on others for the security of myself, my family and my community.
I proudly proclaim that I run with a like-minded pack. I do not amble through life with the mind-numbed herd.
I will train with my chosen weapons, maintain them and carry them in a condition of readiness at all times.
I will be mentally prepared and physically equipped to effectively respond to an attack or emergency.
I will constantly test myself against realistic standards to discover my strengths and weaknesses. I will turn weakness into strength.
I will seek to learn new skills and techniques, and then teach what I have learned to other members of the pack.
Be it with firearm or blade, empty hand or blunt object, I will hit my enemies hard, fast and true.
I will live a quiet and unobtrusive life, but I will develop and retain the capacity for swift and decisive violence.
I recognize that I am the modern equivalent of the traditional Minuteman, and that I may be called to service at any time against heavily armed enemies. I will respond effectively.
I accept that I am a pariah among some of my countrymen, and a quaint anachronism to others. I will not hold their ignorance against them.
I will win, or die trying.
I swear this creed before God, my family and my fellow citizens.
John Farnam is an internationally acclaimed firearms instructor, and the author of three books and numerous articles. Please visit his website: http://www.defense-training.com
USCCA Laugh of the Week
“…it isn’t a pill that’s easy to swallow.”
Last month I sent you a link to a complimentary program I felt every USCCA members should own. It was created by a hand-to-hand close combat expert named Tim Larkin. The feedback on it has been phenomenal. In a phone call, one guy called it “a life changing experience.” Here’s what he wrote directly to Tim Larkin (he asked to remain anonymous and we’ve respected that wish by deleting his name).
——
“I can honestly not thank you enough for giving USCCA members the huge discount on your Human Weapons ‘package’ deal.
“I have trained most of my life to survive. I’ve taken multiple survival classes (you know, being dumped out in the desert with absolutely nothing and having to live for a week). I took firearms training classes as soon as I was old enough to own one and I’ve taken practical self defense courses, mostly emphasizing on getting it over with as quickly as possible. I’ve worked with Marines all my life so I’ve had advantages other civilians have not had. I’ve also taken medical classes, EMT certified, you name it. Being prepared is something I take seriously. The safety of my family and myself I take very seriously.
“But this mega pack of materials is amazing. The practicality, straight forwardness and focus of the material is fantastic. I have always wondered why so many instructors insist on teaching things that have absolutely no practical value in saving my life or the life of another. Why fill student’s heads with crap. We are only going to retain so much in a true life or death scenario – so give people the best possible odds of winning. The rest is fluff and gets people killed.
“Your information is just so valuable - I have already had many of my friends and co-workers purchase the set.
“As I emailed Tim Schmidt of USCCA - I can only hope that all the money, time and effort that I continue to put into this program is completely ‘wasted’ (ie, I’ll never need to use it).
“Your concept of ’break things inside people so they don’t work anymore’ honestly is so, I don’t even have words for it, unbelievably simple. For the life of me I cannot understand why that isn’t at the core of every training class I’ve ever taken. I’ve heard it said other ways with a lot of fluff around it but it is a straight up truism. All of my firearms training - that was the point of it. Just that simple. From that axiom everything can be built.
“I feel like a lot of my training has been complete crap and I also feel like it is so damn obvious I am annoyed at myself for not realizing it before. After reading your book I know why I didn’t realize it but still, it isn’t a pill that’s easy to swallow.
“A while ago I was put on the disabled list that severely limits the amount I can train. I have to take every opportunity I can to keep pushing myself but I have to do it in a way where I am not making things worse for myself. The material that is in this program is a major help to me. Some things I simply cannot do, others I can adapt to my situation. What is important is that I now have better tools to use and a better understanding of how to use them and when. I hope that I can one day attend one of your classes.
“So - thank you. I only wish I had this stuff 10 years ago and was ahead of the curve instead of catching up.”
(name withheld for confidentiality reasons)
-USCCA member
If you missed it last month, here’s the link again:
=> http://www.targetfocustraining.com/uscca <=
Coming Up On Armed American Radio
The Official Voice of the USCCA
by Mark Walters
WOW. WOW AGAIN! Armed American Radio experienced an incredible burst of activity Wednesday afternoon! This Sunday was supposed to be a repeat broadcast of snippets from previous programs as we geared up for the big 2 hour debut. Boy did we get a surprise! I received a call late Wednesday afternoon from the syndicators informing me that the interest in AAR from stations across the country was so strong that the network was requesting we scrap the pre-recored show and go live. In addition, it was requested that we move the TWO HOUR format up by a full week and GO TO TWO HOURS RIGHT AWAY! You asked for it, You got it. That’s right, AAR will be two hours FROM NOW ON! Join us Sunday’s at 8-10PM Eastern, 5-7PM Pacific as we begin our march across the nation bringing freedom to America’s airwaves EVERY WEEK. The very popular Mad Ogre, Mr. George Hill will join me for a FULL TWO HOUR broadcast this week to discuss guns, our president and his agenda, training, new weapons, holster systems and I’ll even give you some great slow cookin BBQ tips. Thank you all for your support and join us this Sunday for our first TWO HOUR broadcast!!!!! Visit www.armedamericanradio.org for information on where to listen and everything else related to the hottest new radio show in America!!!!
Blackhawk’s Ally PLR & Conquest PL-3 (green LED) Lights. Plus Blackhawk’s Remote Tape Pressure Switch
USCCA Gear Review
If you have a home defense rifle or shotgun, you need to put a light on it. Unless, of course, you plan on any life or death encounters with a intruders to be only outside in the bright sunlight. Even if I knew for certain that I would only face a criminal in my home during the day, I would still have a light on my home defense long gun because rooms can be dimly lit even during the day. Plus I can’t look into the bright tactical LED lights that are popular today, and I don’t think any criminals will have an easy time of it either.
So now that I’ve established that my home defense long gun could be better by having a light on it, what better light to use than Blackhawk Night-Ops Tactical Illumination Tools that are on clearance? Blackhawk has some redundancy in their line of tactical lights, so they are streamlining their offerings. This has resulted in a couple of models being sold on clearance. The prices have been drastically reduced, and this makes it much easier for us to get lots of light at a very nice price.
The first light I want to discuss in this review is the Conquest PL-3 with a green LED. Green? Yes, green! This is the light to have on any predator rifle. It covers the need of not disturbing wild animals such as coyotes, and is extremely uncomfortable for us humans to look at. I thought the bright white LED’s were really good at making my retinas feel like they were on fire. This 85 lumen green LED caused me pain when I flashed it in my own eyes, and left an after image that I didn’t think was going to go away!
This is the light that is going on my Ruger Mini-14. I’ve experimented with both the white light from other lights, and the green light emitted from the LED on the Conquest PL-3.(By the way, they make a Conquest that emits red light too. And they are both on clearance sale!) The green light takes some getting used to when used as a light source to search & clear interior spaces. Human eyes on the receiving end of the beam will not be able to look at the light. It hurts!
Realize that I’m using this on a home defense rifle. I’m not addressing the use of the green emitting LED for any law enforcement or military use. I’m not even recommending it for every civilian to use. Those who keep a predator rifle for four-legged as well as two-legged predators would benefit from this type of light on their weapon. I don’t have to worry about marauding coyotes where I live yet. (They are all around our area though, and even some bears have been spotted). But I do have to worry about home invaders to the extent of at least taking measures to defend against the sociopath who may decide to try to gain entry to our home with intent of doing us harm.
The green light of the Conquest PL-3 is unexpected and just plain freaky looking. And did I tell you it hurts to look at? Designed to be a light that hunters can use since wild animals cannot easily see light in this color spectrum, this 3-watt LED causes minimal disturbance to wildlife. However, it works in the exact opposite manner on humans. There is pain when the beam hits open eyes, and the mind gets confused wondering what the light is and why it is green.
I like it. Check out the Conquest PL-3 on my Ruger Mini-14.
An accessory from Blackhawk Night-Ops that is very useful when mounting one of these lights on a gun is their Remote Tape Pressure Switch. It fits both of the lights being reviewed here as well as many more of Blackhawk Night-Ops brand Illumination Tools.
At $59.99, it is the perfect accessory for a rifle or shotgun mounted light. It allows positioning of a flat rubber-like switch that will turn the light on when pressure is applied to it, and it will shut the light off when pressure is released. This makes it easy to go tactical with the light use by just squeezing the light on, and relaxing pressure to let the light go off. This allows the user to have absolute control over how long the light is on and also when it goes off. And the really great thing about LED light is that there is no afterburn (afterglow) as there is with incandescent light. The LED is either emitting light or it isn’t. Incandescent bulbs make light by resistance that causes heat which makes light. When the power is cut, the bulb dims as the filament cools. LED’s do not work by a filament.
Here’s the switch attached to my Ruger Mini-14.
The switch attaches to the firearm by adhesive-backed hook and loop tape. The cord is just long enough to get the switch in the perfect spot without being too long to get in the way. If one so desires, the cord can be taped down to a surface on the gun.
One part that I didn’t get from Blackhawk was the light mount. For the two lights reviewed here, I needed a light mount that would fit one-inch in diameter lights and attach to a Picatinny Rail. I could have went even more budget minded with an old set of scope rings that would fit a Weaver Rail. Items made to fit a Weaver Rail will fit a Picatinny Rail, but not always the other way around.
I paid $29.95 for this light mount made by Mako. I bought it off -the-shelf at Gander Mountain. I called Cabela’s, and they said they had one for $29.95 made by Command Arms. I’d suggest getting one from Midway USA when you order your light. Just pick one that will hold a one-inch diameter light, and will attach to your specific gun whether it be the Picatinny Rail on a gun such as my Mini-14 or maybe an AR variant, or the tube on a shotgun.
(Important Note: The design of the ALLY PLR would not allow it to fit into the Mako mount. This is where using an old scope ring would have been perfect.)
Buying either of these lights with the Remote Tape Switch and a light mount gets one a top-notch weapon light at a huge discounted value that is much less expensive than what Blackhawk’s competitor offers.
Getting back to the Conquest PL-3 for a moment before I go on to the next light, the PL-3 survived my drop tests from a height of six feet onto a wood laminate surface without any problems whatsoever. I dropped it on the bezel end, on its side, and on its tailcap. It still worked fine. Just make sure both the bezel end as well as the tailcap are on tight. It doesn’t take much loosening of these tailcaps before the light will not work. Not a problem, just something to take note of.
Blackhawk has another Night-Ops brand light on clearance. It is their ALLY PLR Rechargeable LED Illumination Tool. This one puts out a blinding 85 lumens of white light that is rechargeable and fits in weapon mounts that take one-inch diameter lights. The mount does need to be no longer than one inch in order not to get in the way of the charging port, and allow the Remote Switch to screw on. If you have no desire to own either a green or red emitting Conquest PL-3, then the ALLY PLR is a really good choice.
The light uses Samsung’s 3.6 volt rechargeable Lithium-Ion power cell that does not develop a memory effect. The design of this light from charger to power cell to the electronics of the light itself make it so this light can be left plugged into the charger without worry of overcharging. Lithium-Ion batteries can also be “topped off” at any point in the battery’s charging cycle without developing a memory effect that can happen with Nickel Cadmium or Nickel Metal Hydride batteries. Memory effect of rechargeable batteries would cause a battery to take a partial charge and charge no further even though the capacity was there to do so.
Included in the case is both a wall outlet charger for the light as well as a car charger. I was actually a bit surprised to see the car charger being included. I got used to things such as cell phone manufacturers trying to bleed me for more dollars by charging extra for a car charger for my “mobile” phone.
The ALLY PLR’s charging port is revealed by rotating a metal housing that is sealed by o-rings. The housing retracts to reveal a port that accepts a charger.
Getting a full charge the first time takes about three to four hours. The LED on the charger will turn from red to green when the charging cycle is complete. Don’t worry about leaving the charger plugged in. This one can be left connected to the light at all times so that the light is always ready for use. Not a bad idea for use on a home defense gun.
I couldn’t use the mount I bought on the ALLY PLR, so here is a photo of the light just with the Remote Switch Attached.
The ALLY PLR survived my three drop tests onto a wood laminate floor from the height of six feet. I dropped it on the bezel end, on its side, and on the tailcap. No problems. With LED’s, there aren’t any filaments in the bulb to break, the housing of both lights is aircraft grade aluminum, there are o-rings on all threaded surfaces, and the glass on these lights is designed with tactical use in mind.
The rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery cell cannot be replaced by the user. However, it is good for 750-1000 charging cycles. It has a runtime of one hour so if you used it every single day for one hour a day, you would need to have Blackhawk replace the power cell after two years or so. If there was any drawback to this light, not being able to replace the power cell yourself would be it. Other than that, I really like this light. And to tell you the truth, the recharging capability of this light makes the fact of not being able to replace the power cell myself okay. Instead of having to keep feeding the light expensive CR123 batteries, I can just recharge it and go.
Now for the best part. The prices! Right now these two lights are on clearance at Blackhawk. The Conquest PL-3 in Red or Green is only $69.99.
You can order it at the following link:
http://blackhawk.com/product/Conquest-PL-3,160,40.htm
The ALLY PLR retail price is $279.99, and sold out just as I was uploading this review to be published. However, you may still find it at distributors at some deeply discounted prices. Sorry for the build up and let down, but any sale on tactical equipment motivates those who have been wanting to get the stuff.
The Pressure Remote Tape Switch is available at the following link for $59.99:
http://blackhawk.com/product/Pressure-Remote-Tape-Switch,1393,72.htm
If you remember the review from two weeks ago of the article about Blackhawk’s Enhanced Pro Shooters Range Bag, then you will remember that I said that I would be giving the bag to Jimmy Shape who is daddy to Makenna, born at only 25 weeks. I wanted to do something nice for Jimmy. I also put a picture of Makenna in the review that was taken not long after she was born.
She only weighed 1.2 pounds at birth and now is over 7 pounds! It won’t be long and Makenna will be coming home. Here is one of the latest pictures of Baby Mac.
Blackhawk sent me the ALLY PLR to review and also to give to Jimmy as a gift. Thanks to Blackhawk for living up to their motto of Honor as a Way of Life.
Comments? I’d love to hear from you!
A Moment of Silence…
Please say a prayer for our men and women in the military…
“Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.”
Quote of the Week
“[W]hen the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great Britain, the British Parliament was advised by an artful man, who was governor of Pennsylvania, to disarm the people; that it was the best and most effectual way to enslave them; but that they should not do it openly, but weaken them, and let them sink gradually… I ask, who are the militia? They consist of now of the whole people, except a few public officers. But I cannot say who will be the militia of the future day. If that paper on the table gets no alteration, the militia of the future day may not consist of all classes, high and low, and rich and poor…”
-George Mason
USCCA Forum Highlights
Every paying website member has complete access to the USCCA forum, which is constantly being accessed by members sharing information, knowledge, insight, and fun. With well over sixty-thousand posts and growing by the hour, this is one heck of a valuable resource!
If you have never logged in but are a member, visit THIS location to watch help videos, including how to find out your username and/or password!
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Complete Footage From Centennial Bridge Shooting
http://m.qctimes.com/vmix_7a4d5038-8…cc4c03286.html
This video is graphic with harsh language.
When seconds count…..
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Is competition valuable as a training exercise?
Here’s a thread that was brought up in the “positions” thread.
I have to admit that I’m a competitor, and I enjoy shooting competition matches, I also go to a good number of formal training classes.
I live in fear that someone will shoot a few IDPA matches, meet with some success, and mistakenly think that they can successfully take out three armed assailants who assault the restaurant that they are eating in by standing before them, drawing their weapon, and “double tapping” all three, then blowing the smoke off the end of their barrel and reholstering. I’ve exaggerated a bit here for effect, but I believe I’ve made my point.
That being said, I believe competition has its training applications. It’s good for practicing gun handling skills like reloads, malfunction clearance, and the like. It’s also good for training you to “automate” the transition from point shooting to sighted fire because you shoot at a lot of different distances during a stage. There is good practice of marksmanship skills. Basically, competition is good for ingraining the operation of the firearm.
Can’t you do that without competition? Some may ask. Absolutely, I will reply. You can buy yourself a shot timer with a par time feature and set it at different intervals and set up malfunctions and clear them under time pressure at home. You can do the same with reloads. You can also practice shooting from “unusual” positions and the like. The downside is that such practice at home becomes “dry” in a big hurry. I know because I do it. I actually find myself dreading my dry fire practice sometimes. It’s too much like Kata in the martial arts. There’s just little to get excited about, and no one else around to talk guns with.
Competition, on the other hand, is fun and exciting and you get camaraderie, and good natured ribbing, and all the fun of . . . well . . . competition. You do virtually everything in competition that you do in your dry fire drills at home, and you don’t mind doing it. That’s the value I see in competition.
That, however is about the sum total of the value that I see in competition as far as training for a fight. When you actually engage multiple moving and intelligent targets in real life, the dynamics of the situation are totally different. The competition targets don’t shoot at you, they don’t try to take your weapon away from you, they don’t move in evasive ways, they usually, at least in the competitions I shoot, don’t wisely utilize hard cover (Yeah, we draw “hard cover” onto some of them but usually much more is available to shoot at than would be in a real fight). You just aren’t in a fight when you are shooting competition. If you want to find out what a real fight is like, and how you have to adapt your tactics to survive one, you’ve got to go out and get in a “real” fight.
The closest you can come to a real fight without literally putting your life on the line is by attending “force on force” training, or to a more limited extent, playing paint ball. In both of these activities you are attacking armed and intelligent targets. You will definitely get a very good sense of your limitations.
In short, in order to prepare as well as you can as a civilian, I would recommend a “training trilogy” of dry fire practice, competition, and formal training (the best training being force on force). Each of these is valuable in their own right. Competition doesn’t cost too much so you can do a good deal of it, formal training cost quite a bit but is probably the most valuable preparation for combat so it cannot be left out, dry fire cost only time, but it’s “dry” in more ways than one so it’s hard to keep doing without the excitement of the other two.
Those are my thoughts on the matter, you folks add yours.
Video of the Week
Coming soon to a neighborhood near you . . .Maybe even your neighborhood.
Suburban Middle Class Gang Violence
USCCA Photo of the Week
All Photos of the Week are taken from Mr. Oleg Volk’s website:
http://www.a-human-right.com/.
It is a fantastic site. Please check it out!
Interview with a Pro-CCW Sheriff’s Candidate for Orange County CA: Part One
By Uli Gebhard
Suarez International Staff Instructor
When you read about California in the Armed American Newsletter, you will have the image of one of the most restrictive states in the back of your head, where it is often close to impossible to obtain a Concealed Carry Permit. Most likely this image is build on well-known areas such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento to name a few. The recent developments here in Orange County will most likely have contributed to this image as well.
Thankfully, there are Law Enforcement Officers in California, who have a pro-CCW/pro armed citizen mindset.
I recently had the opportunity to talk with Bill Hunt, who is running against appointed Sheriff Sandra Hutchens for the Sheriff’s position in the next election. He answered several questions in specific regard to the CCW issue for this article:
1. Sandra Hutchens claims that she is “just following the law.” when she is restricting, denying and revoking CCW’s of law-abiding Orange County Residents. What are your thoughts in regards to this claim?
The appointed sheriff’s policy on the issuance of CCW’s is untenable and unconstitutional. She erroneously claims the law prevents her from issuing CCW’s but in reality it is her personal opposition to it that causes her to interpret the just cause statue in California law so narrowly. The fact is that the United States Constitution is the law of the land. No state law can override our constitutionally guaranteed liberties. This document is a contract between the Federal government, the States and the people of this great country. The appointed sheriff like all elected officials swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and is now picking and choosing who actually gets to enjoy that right outright, who gets restricted rights and who doesn’t get the right at all. Would we tolerate that when it comes to our 1st Amendment right to freedom of speech or our 4th Amendment protection against warrantless search and seizure? Of course not, and we should not tolerate it here!
2. Sandra Hutchens has restricted many of the current CCW’s to “course and scope of business.” What are your thoughts on these restrictions?
I think it is unconstitutional. It is my belief that the Sheriff should be in the business of protecting people’s rights, not restricting them. I will issue concealed weapons permits (CCW) to any applicant who is a law abiding resident of the county, meets state mandated requirements and is not prohibited by law from possessing a firearm. I will depoliticize the process and establish an annual audit to review each application to ensure the process is unbiased, non-political and equitable. I consider personal protection sufficient to meet the standard of just cause.
3. Would you overturn restrictions on CCW’s if elected?
As I stated in my response to the last question, I will eliminate the politics surrounding this issue.
We are talking about a constitutionally protected right not a privilege and it must be treated as such. Every citizen of Orange County will have the same access and opportunity to apply for and obtain a CCW when I am sheriff.
4. What are your recommendations for those people who had their CCW revoked/forced into early expiration by the current OCSD administration?
I would encourage anyone who is unhappy with someone holding elected office, whether they have been appointed to it or not, to get involved and support a candidate that shares their values and represents their interests. That is the only thing politicians understand. If they are left to their own devices as they have been far too often in the past they will start looking out for themselves rather than for us and applying their own personal standards upon us rather than applying constitutional standards. At present we’ve got an unelected, appointed sheriff who has never been vetted by the people applying her badly misguided policies on the issuance of concealed weapons permits. Get involved and elect the person who shares your values and will represent your interests and send a message that you won’t tolerate those who don’t!
5. Other than the CCW issue, what are the three main improvements that you want to achieve for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department?
Accountability, service and performance. I will institute clear and quantifiable performance standards throughout the organization and hold management accountable for meeting those goals. I will institute a culture of service and ensure the men and women of the department remember who they work for and act accordingly.
6. The BoS meeting on January 13 saw what many felt was an overbearing police presence in the boardroom. Later, one lady described how she was shadowed into the bathroom by a female plainclothes officer. What are your thoughts on these tactics?
It was unconscionable from my perspective. Here we have an unelected sheriff who has instituted unpopular concealed weapons policies then used the influence and personnel of that office to dissuade our citizens from exercising their 1st amendment rights to voice their opposition to her policies. It underscores the dangerous anti-American political philosophy of the appointed sheriff and the managers she imported from Los Angeles. It should never have happened and should not be tolerated.
Closing thoughts by Uli Gebhard:
When I first met Bill Hunt last year he struck me as straightforward person with good common sense. His answers are even more direct and to the point than I anticipated. This is the most pro-CCW/pro-Armed citizen position that I have seen to date in a candidate for any public office in Southern California. Please join us in our efforts to help Bill Hunt win the 2010 election.
What can we as CCW community do to help getting Bill Hunt elected as Sheriff of Orange County?
Read through his program and share it with friends and family. It is straightforward and to-the-point.
If you are local and can lend a helping hand as a volunteer, please do so.
If you can donate, Bill Hunt and the CCW community of Orange County will greatly appreciate it. In case this not an option, I would like to ask for a couple of minutes of your time to contact, once again, the Orange County Supervisors and ask for their endorsement of Bill Hunt. Supervisors Nguyen, Moorlach and Chairwoman Bates have a chance to correct the grave mistake that they made in Spring of 2008 in appointing Sandra Hutchens. Please continue reminding them that their actions are being noticed well beyond the boundaries of Orange County and California.
Patricia Bates: 
714-834-3550
Janet Nguyen 714-834-3110
John Moorlach 714-834-3220
Bill Campbell 714-834-3330
Chris Norby 714-834-3440
There is a second set of questions that Bill Hunt answered. You will find those in the next edition of the newsletter.
USCCA Self Defense Story
Every day, thousands of Armed Americans use their firearms to preserve human life. Let this section of my newsletter serve as a record of this fact!
August 14, 2009
Lancaster County, South Carolina
From: WSOC
Man Shot Intruder, Turned Out To Be Neighbor
Authorities said a homeowner shot and killed a teenager trying to rob him Friday morning. Turns out, that teenager lived right next door.
Lancaster County sheriff’s deputies said 18-year-old Jarkevious Ingram walked out of the woods on Culp Street late Thursday night with two other men. One was wearing a ski mask and two of them, including Ingram, had guns, deputies said.
Detectives said they approached 34-year-old Ed Patterson Jr. who was just getting home. According to deputies, the three men demanded Patterson’s wallet and his keys.
Patterson struggled for the gun and was shot twice, once in the stomach and once in the groin. He managed to wrestle the gun away and shoot Ingram, deputies said.
Ingram walked more than 100 yards down Culp Street and collapsed on Fahbian McCullough’s front porch.
“I looked out and he was lying on the porch, and there was blood everywhere,” McCullough said.
He said Ingram was his friend and was at his house nearly every day. He had heard gunshots, but didn’t know what was going on until he opened the door and found Ingram.
“I asked him what happened, and he said, ‘Be quiet.’ He wouldn’t tell me,” McCullough said.
Patterson was able to drive himself to Springs Memorial Hospital, and he was later flown to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. Deputies said his injuries were not life- threatening.
Mikesheia Wade is Ingram’s cousin. She was at his side at the hospital when he died.
“I was there with him the whole time. I was holding his hand. He wasn’t doing too well,” Wade said. “I don’t think he did this. The truth is going to be different than what people think.”
Lancaster County sheriff’s deputies said they don’t yet know why it appears Ingram tried to rob his own neighbor. Cousins said the two families have lived next door to each other for more than a year.
Major David Belk said detectives are still investigating, and it’s not known if Patterson will face charges.
Deputies said they did recover the gun, a .38-caliber revolver that Patterson left in his sport utility vehicle when he drove to the hospital.
Closing Thoughts
As an older woman, I wonder how many men would see an armed woman as a challenge — someone to overpower, not to fear as they would fear an armed man? Just because a woman had “the nerve” to carry a gun and audacity to draw it on them, might they see that as a challenge to their egos and try to overpower her just to “show her who is the boss”? As an older independent woman, I want to be able to protect myself if a need arises, but do not want to be seen as a challenge for some idiots’ ego. Appreciate any input or feedback you can offer.
Ma’am, I think it’s all in how you present yourself. If someone (man or woman) pulls a gun on an advancing man in a ski mask holding a knife, and stammers in a shaky voice:
“D-d-d-don’t c-c-come any c-c-closer- I’ll shoot, I mean it!”
…I don’t think it matters much what gender you are- I have a feeling the attacker will know instantly that if you really meant it, he’d be bleeding by now.
However, if you shout “STOP OR I’LL SHOOT!” in a firm voice while drawing your gun, I think they will realize that unless they are running away when your gun clears it’s holster, they are in serious trouble.
Ma’am, you’ve got nothing to worry about. Master your presentation- practice your draws, and your “STOP OR I’LL SHOOT!”- sound serious, and sound scary. Do this, and I guarantee you that you’ll be just as scary as anyone else.
Stay safe!
Do you have a pressing concern? Use the ‘Ask Tim’ contact form found at this page to let me hear your advice. Just use the graphic below!
Tim Schmidt
Founder - U.S. Concealed Carry
http://www.usconcealedcarry.com
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