December 18th, 2009
Dear Friend,
Why did you decide to get your Concealed Weapon permit? Sure, for self protection, and because going armed is your right.
Well, even though we’d all agree with that statement, we still each have our own reasons for making the choice to get
our Concealed Weapon permits.
This week, I’m featuring an article written by an armed citizen who will explain his reason. It’s a good read, and I think you’ll enjoy it.
Let’s get started…
Why I Got My CCW Permit
"…Was I on some ego trip? Was I trying to prove my masculinity? All of these may have had some minor influence, but as I probed, I found that there were other, more significant motivations that sprung more from who I am as a man…."
by Dan McManus
In the fall of 2001, I completed the process of securing a permit to carry a concealed weapon. I had debated for over a year as to whether to do the work necessary to apply for it. For a number of years I had been an occasional shooter, but it wasn’t until the hoopla of Y2K that I began to get more serious about shooting, took some classes and become relatively proficient. I soon found that I loved to shoot. Since an indoor range was within easy driving distance, I often found myself visiting it, along with several other outdoor ranges. That, plus the advent of a new pro-CCW county Sheriff, caused me to think that I might have a chance at getting the CCW permit. It was, however, with both some trepidation, and frankly, a lot of excitement that I finally decided to take the coursework necessary, complete the required paperwork, do the interview, get fingerprinted for the DOJ, and all necessary activity to be considered for the permit. It was only after I had been approved that I started thinking about why this seemed so important to me; what was it that stirred me so? Over the last few months I have given it quite a bit of thought. Am I really that concerned about crime…we live in a pretty low-incident area. Was I on some ego trip? Was I trying to prove my masculinity? All of these may have had some minor influence, but as I probed, I found that there were other, more significant motivations that sprung more from who I am as a man and reflected certain core values that comprise my person. I’d like to put those down on paper.
1) I am both disturbed and frustrated by much of what I see in this country’s politics these days and I am often left wondering how to properly respond. It occurs to me that, as just one man, I have very little impact on this nation — one voice out of 280 million. Yet, this country means a great deal to me. I lost my father to the Korean Conflict, all my uncles served in WWII, and I have studied and understand what unique and precious rights are afforded the citizens of this country I am privileged to live in. Additionally, I hold as a strong value the opinion that every man and woman has the God-given right to be responsible for his or her own personal safety, that no one is obligated to be a victim, and that this right is not a privilege bestowed on me by some governmental entity. I also believe that if a person of good character is willing to do the work necessary and takes the responsibility, then that person has the basic right to carry a defensive weapon. However, it seems that there are those in this country who disagree with me, who fear that I, and others like me, are a danger to society; that this freedom which is so basic to natural law and so thoroughly entrenched in the Constitution, must be taken from us. These usurpers are even now furiously working to legislate that right out of existence. Mistakenly believing that this issue is "guns," they feel quite comfortable trampling on my freedom. And so, it is to the anti-gun fascist, those who would deny me my rights as a free man and an American citizen, that I am responding. It is in the spirit of those American’s before me who cried out "give me liberty, or give me death," "damn the torpedoes," and "let’s roll" that I acted. As a political statement, as an act of patriotism, as my way of hoisting the flag, and my finger, in enraged defiance of those despots who say I can’t, I got my permit to carry a gun; it was my patriotic duty.
2) Concurrent with this is the fact that much of what I hear today about gun control from the anti-gun crowd in just plain infuriating. It’s not just that it is bad science, emotional, illogical and just plain ignorant; it’s the assumption that they make and propagate about me as a gun-owning person that I take personal offense. It’s my character they are impugning. I take exception to the notion that society somehow needs to be protected from me because I might carry a gun. Actually, I am a responsible, mature man, an adult, and I resent like hell being treated as if I am somehow untrustworthy and suspect. It judges me, and millions like me, as weak and without moral vigor. It tells me that my affinity for guns and my desire to carry one is a suspicious problem that requires legislation, registration and control. And it is demeaning. So, to the elitist crowd who would look down their noses at my personhood, who fear my masculinity, who believe that I am somehow part of the problem, and that my character is defective, I say this to you: I will not let you treat me like a child, I will not let you "nanny" me, suspect me, or disrespect me with your paranoid attitudes and your laws. Acquiring my CCW is my firm response to being patted on the head and told to get in line and behave myself. I will not go quietly into the night.
3) The third reason I got my CCW is one that I understood less when I applied for it than I do now; carrying a handgun alters my sense of awareness by creating a heightened sense of vigilance. Caring a gun has caused me to develop a "6th sense" to my surroundings. I remember reading somewhere that carrying a weapon is like taking a child to the mall…it really expands your awareness of your environment and makes you cautious. Using Jeff Cooper’s color alert system (white/yellow/orange/red) had become a natural consequence when I carry; I am always in code yellow; I am more observant, I look for someone displaying the signs of a predator, I am a better driver, I am more courteous and I do not daydream my way through the day. From the extensive reading I have done, it seems that many, if not most victims became a statistic because they allowed the predator his advantage due to their lack of observation. I believe that the best way for me to never have to use my gun and to never become a victim, is to not allow myself to get into situations that leave me no option other than the final one. Someone once said that an ounce of prevention was worth a pound of cure…Carrying a "pound of cure" inside my waistband compels me to a live with an acute awareness of my surroundings so that I am not caught "flat-footed," and have to resort to a more violent solution. Having my CCW and carrying a gun prohibits me from lapsing into the luxury of inattention.
4)Basic to my understanding of human nature is the belief that there is in this world a distinction between right and wrong, good and evil, and that men have the personal option to choose between these two. Therefore, society is comprised of both Mother Theresa’s and Adolph Hitler’s and all levels in between. It doesn’t take much social awareness to know that there are sufficient numbers of those who chose evil as a way of life, and who by nature, prey on the weak and vulnerable. They are predators that will viciously hurt, rape and kill to accomplish their self-centered aims. They have no sense of conscious, any remorse, any pity or mercy, and indeed should be labeled "evil." They may use alcohol or drugs to give them courage or numb their conscience; they may not have a conscience. These opportunistic stalkers don’t wear signs that advertise who they are or what is their intent. They can be in your neighborhood, at the mall or in the car driving behind you. The only thing they respect is strength and usually only move when they think they have the unfair advantage. So, my options are only two. I can go through life hoping I am one of the fortunate majority who will never have to confront evil, but live in fear that I might. Or, I can be one of the few who do not trust to luck, and am prepared to be "unlucky." I personally have chosen to hope for the best, but to be prepared for the worst. I am not paranoid, nor am I a Pollyanna; I do take to heart the Boy Scout motto: "Be Prepared." For me, that means having the resource and training sufficient to come out on top. Part of that training is learning how to avoid those situations in the first place. But if I am ever so unlucky as to have to defend myself or my family, I am prepared to do so. And so, because there is evil and because I don’t believe in lucky charms, I acquired my CCW.
5) How can I read about the "Good Samaritan" or follow the teachings of Jesus, and not be aware that I have a responsibility to look out for others, to be my brother’s keeper. The murder of Kitty Genovese in 1964 is a perfect example of what how far removed we, as a society, are from concepts like nobility and chivalry. Kitty was a 28-year-old woman returning home from work at 3:00 a.m. when she was brutally attacked and eventually murdered with a knife over a 35 minute period, all of which was witnessed by no less than 38 people, none of whom called the police or in any way acted to help Kitty. The man who later confessed to the murder also confessed to murdering two other women, all attributed to his uncontrollable rage. He told police that he chose women because they were easier and don’t fight back. The courts declared him "insane." The "bystander effect," which is given responsibility for the inaction of these 38 witnesses, can affect all of us. However, my Christian upbringing has taught me that I am not to be blind to the plight of others and that this world would be a better place if we all looked out for each other. Having a CCW allows me to fulfill the moral imperative that I am mentally and physically prepared to defend those who are at risk. I believe in the calling of the "Warrior’s Creed" which says, "Wherever I go, everyone is a little safer; wherever I am; anyone in need has a friend." Having a CCW and the accompanying training causes me to be alert and prepared, to chose to be a "line of defense" should it become necessary, to have consciously determined that, on my shift, the crazies, the social terrorist, and the evil do not get their way. Jesus didn’t rebuke Peter for carrying a sword, just for not understanding when it was appropriate to be used. In today’s world, Peter might have had a CCW. Therefore, Christian charity compels me to acquire my CCW permit. It’s the moral thing to do.
6) Closely following the last reason is one more personal and reflects more my perspective on life. Being armed reminds me every day that we are in a battle; that we are at war. By that I mean that there really is a struggle going on between right and wrong, good and evil, truth and falsehood. My lifestyle is such that it is far too easy for me to pull the shades down and sequester myself in my own little cocoon, leaving the rest of the world to go to hell in a handcart. Given these natural tendencies, I must do something to pull myself out of my comfort zone and become actively engaged. When I wear a gun, I am consciously deciding to do something, to make a difference, to pro-actively engage my world. I wear a gun, therefore I vote, I go to church, I honor my marriage and my family, I give money to worthy causes, I am a good neighbor, I deal honestly in my business; I even write my congressman and voice my opinion or displeasure. When I wear my gun, it reinforces a lifestyle, a philosophy that acknowledges the axiom that says, "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Good men arm themselves with a mindset that acknowledges that all is not right, that there is a battle to fight, and that I can, indeed I will, make a difference. Because I choose to be proactive, because I choose to be among "the good," I got my CCW.
7) There is an old saying; "God created all men, but Sam Colt made them equal." There will always be someone younger, stronger, better armed, and more attuned to violence than am I, who are looking for victims of a lesser challenge. My chances of survival are not good against such hard-core criminal-types if I have to depend on my personal strength, quickness and fighting technique. The gun that I carry and the subsequent training I employ, helps to insure that I don’t come up short on the "balance of power" equation. I am of little good to my family should we become the target of a predator and I am unable to defend them or myself. And my family looks to me to be that barrier between them and violent men. So, I choose to alter the odds, I choose to wear a gun. In fact, my "trump card" may very well prove to be all that is necessary to convince the criminal element that he has made a poor choice and to go ply his trade elsewhere. With access to a gun, I have a much better chance to stop an attack before it begins, and I am much more likely to survive the attack should I not be able to avoid it. So, in the interest of stacking the deck, I got my CCW.
So, I got my CCW and carry a gun because: 1) It’s my patriotic duty, 2) It was the un-politically-correct thing to do; 3) To keep me alert and attentive; 4) I don’t trust luck; 5) As an act of Christian charity; 6) As a reflection of my pro-active lifestyle; 7) To stack the deck in my favor.
So now you know why I carry a gun, why will you carry yours?
USCCA Toon of the Week
Terrorism and Gun Control, a Perfect Match
Gun Rights Roundup
by Buckeye Firearms Association
The terrorist attack committed by Major Nidal Malik Hasan at Fort Hood, Texas brought the lack of security at such a large military base directly into homes across America.
Leaders of the pro-gun movement, and many soldiers, weren’t quite as shocked because they knew most military bases are considered "gun-free zones," due to concealed carry being banned.
Whether Hasan’s attack on American soldiers was sponsored by one of the bigger terrorist organizations is irrelevant since it gave terrorists a road map to complete similar attacks in the future.
You can bet our enemies learned valuable lessons from his ability to kill so many of our best and brightest in such a short period of time. In one fell swoop, he taught terrorists where millions of Americans are essentially defenseless.
His lesson included an easy way for our enemies to pick a spot to strike again – simply follow the "no gun" signs.
Gun Rights Roundup is a joint venture of Buckeye Firearms Association and USCCA. We will keep fighting until every American enjoys their natural right to carry and self-defense. For more news on pro-gun law, politics, and events, click here to subscribe to Buckeye Firearms Association’s FREE Newsletter.
Coming Up On Armed American Radio
The Official Voice of the USCCA
by Mark Walters
What a week, fans…What a week! Early Wednesday afternoon I received a call from the fine folks up at WDTK in Detroit Michigan…"Welcome to the Motor City", said the Program Director, Chris! So there you have it. AAR is now LIVE in Detroit beginning THIS Sunday and for ALL three hours! How cool is that? Two Michigan cities carry AAR now and MORE to come!
Now, on to the show…If you missed last weeks, you’ve made a mistake. I played two very disturbing 911 tapes on air and my guests and co-hosts discussed the results. One an unarmed victim of a home invasion and the other an armed victim. Guess how they turned out. Yeah, you know how they turned out. I’ll let YOU decide which victim you would have rather been.
Coming up THIS week on AAR another unbelievable lineup taking shape. Civil rights and pro second amendment attorney John Monroe and Ed Stone, President of Georgiacarry.org will be my IN STUDIO guests this week to discuss issues having an impact on all of our rights nationwide. John will be discussing two gun cases he is handling in WI among others and the implications of the McDonald case coming up. Ed will be covering his Hun Rights Examiner columns among other topics. These guys have been on once before, in fact, Ed Stone was my first guest on AAR’s inaugural broadcast. This will be very enlightening discussion from two men who are actively fighting for OUR rights nationwide from the front lines.
Also, I will be joined by Mr. Caleb Giddings from the Indiana State Rifle Association who will join me to talk about the Bloomington Herald Times decision to expose the addresses of law abiding Indiana citizens with CCW permits. Caleb discussed that very topic on Fox and Friends this past week and we are going to go an extra step. We have some tricks up our sleeves but here’s a hint…the editors would do well to remember that public records work both ways. We’ll see how THEY like it! In addition, I will read the response from the Editor of the Bloomington Herald.
Also, don’t forget…AAR is on FACEBOOK..head over to the page and become a fan. Join the hundreds who have already made it over there in just a short week. Join the thousands of fans nationwide catching freedom fever every Sunday and visit www.armedamericaradio.org for more info as our list of affiliate cities grows by leaps and bounds. Don’t forget to check out my new book, co-written with Kathy Jackson, Lessons from Armed America. It’s currently the number one seller at www.whitefeatherpress.com and can be picked up there or at any major book retailer online. In fact, it’s currently ON SALE at www.whitefeatherpress.com for the holidays and you can save yourself a couple of bucks off the normal cover price.
Since Christmas will come and go by the time I send you another AAR update, MERRY CHRISTMAS from all of us at AAR and I’ll see you
ON THE RADIO
Mark
Year End Wrap-Up of Gear
USCCA Gear Review
Sure there is still time to go out and get a gift or two for your favorite concealed carry slash survivalist slash shooter. For the women reading this article, we know that most of the gifts were bought and wrapped by July. Well, except for those couple-three-hundred things bought on Black Friday. For the guys, we still have the pharmacy that stays open on Christmas Eve. Well, except for our stuff. We don’t wait for Christmas for stuff we want, we just buy it when there are enough money in the checkbook or available credit limit.
I’ve been honored to have the privilege of writing about all kinds of different things for USCCA. Everything from holster to guns to preparedness gear to teaching DVDs. In such a competitive industry it was nice that most items were good. However, some things could be better.
There is the adage of competition driving the market, but it is still true that not all of the competitors are champions. Just as in any other consumer market, there are some products that have been made for us concealed carry / disaster preparedness folks that are downright poor performers. Then there are some products that could just be a bit better even when consideration is given to the product’s class and price point.
Don’t get me wrong. I understand that there is a rush for every manufacturer to get their version of an item into the hands of the consumers. If company A wants to capitalizeon the flood of Black-Rifle sales, they need to get their product on the shelves NOW! This is especially true of the smaller companies trying to run with the big dogs.
As far as overall product quality is concerned, I have noticed that it doesn’t really matter if a manufacturer has a major portion of the market share or just a tiny fraction of it. And even though price is a factor of quality, it is by no means an absolute flawless method of determining quality. What I have learned is that the defining factors of quality are:
1. The people and mission of the company.
2. The stated intention of the product’s use in company literature. (There are different product classes within a same type of product and different price points. Think Jeep as compared to an H1 Hummer, and Jeep Liberty as compared to a Grand Cherokee).
If a company really has a true concern for their customers that goes beyond the lure of the dollar, then it will reflect continuously in the products that the company places on the store shelves. There is nothing wrong with a lower cost entry-level product for consumers whose needs are geared toward that type of product, just as there is nothing wrong with a high-end product that could survive conditions that would turn the user into a bowl of jelly. It just needs to be clear in the company’s written literature describing the product.
Some of the major brands out there are owned or controlled by one company. We know that Bushnell makes some fine stuff and Tasco is decent for home and fun use, but probably not good enough for battlefield conditions. The brands serve different consumer needs, and are definitely at different price points too. Tasco and Bushnell however, are both in the same house so-to-speak.
Just be aware of the intricacies of ad-speak. It wouldn’t be smart for any company to say that a product isn’t sturdy enough for the battlefield, but is great for home, hunting, or fun use. The emphasis will be on what the product is suited for and not what it isn’t suited for. Plus, for many products, there is no addressing of the use of the product for home defense. In advertising literature, a product that is more entry level will have features and benefits written to stress its more basic nature, and a true battlefield product will most certainly have a statement or two about how it is used by various armed forces.
There are key words to search for in product descriptions that should help a savvy consumer narrow down a product search to very few contenders for their dollars. For example, if the buyer wants to buy a battle-ready rifle built upon the AR platform, then ad-speak for a rifle meant for occasional plinking should be avoided.
Words such as entry-level, basic, plinking, first-time AR buyer, should be watched out for when perusing the catalogs whether in hand or online. Another fantastic source to find out a specific product’s intended purpose and use is to READ THE OWNER’S/USER’S MANUAL! Oh I can hear the groaning all the way to my house.
Most gun manuals are available online at manufacturer websites. READ the whole manual, and every single word, warning, and instruction specific to the product that you intend on buying. Some manuals cover many model numbers of a specific product class. I have even been surprised to find out a specific feature that I wanted was only available on a different model than the one I was actually going to buy.
I’m the type of guy who gets a prescription from the doctor and will have to read the pharmacist’s insert for the medicine before I even consider taking it. I want to know what class of medicine it is, what its chemical structure is, mechanism of action, and how it is metabolized just to start with. And as an aside, did you know that for a bunch of drugs the mechanism of action (how and why it works) is not known or not fully known? Scary!
Anyway, trying to get some folks (guys and gals) to read an Owner’s Manual is like trying to get them to do a stranger’s taxes. Typically I have found that women will read instructions first where men will read them after they lose an appendage. Take the responsibility to KNOW!
Now to the flipside of that coin, I have definitely noticed a despicable decline in both the information and quality of how the information is presented in many Owner’s Manuals now. Some have said it is because of the amount of information available on the Internet and the high cost of printed materials which include the extra shipping weight. However, the quality of Internet information (forum, non-pro reviews etc.) varies greatly. It may also be that manuals are poorly written now because consumers don’t bother reading them anyway. That’s sad.
Oh, and buying a product made in a country where English is not the first language leaves me wondering if I should even attempt to use the thing. I’ve read instructions that look as if they were written by my dog, and she is not only a horrible speller, but her grammar is even worse than mine!
Of course everyone here does seem to like the informal style that makes these reviews a fun read, and I only get an occasional email asking me, "What in the world were you talking about?"
I do hereby plead to every company representative who reads my humble product reviews (and surprisingly there are a few) to please, please, please, write better manuals. If you don’t want to do it, then turn it over to an experienced professional.
Now down to some product updates about products I’ve reviewed throughout this year. First let me mention my number one favorite for this year.
Once again I pick the Kelly Kettle as the best product I’ve reviewed this year. Last year I picked the Kelly Kettle made of aluminum as my favorite product, and this year it is the newest version made in stainless steel. The Kelly Kettle should be among every person’s gear that has a Bug Out Bag packed. Hot water has so many uses, and being able to heat it anywhere there is something that will burn is a job best done by a Kelly Kettle.
Read the review at:
http://armedamericanreport.org/general/lawfully-dead-or-living-outlaw/.
Another product that I really like and still use does have a flaw that I’m not fond of. This is one that also has some good old humor value that I just can’t pass up. The Blackhawk boots that I reviewed HERE make my feet stink.
Yep, I went and said it. But I also need to explain it even though the cat is out of the bag now. Seriously, I previously have been wearing two different pairs of boots that were the exact same brand and model for two years without any odor issues at all. I would also invite any doubters of what I’m about to say to ask my wife.
I do not have stinky feet. I’m just not one of those stink plagued guys that we all have stories to tell about. Maybe you have a story of cousin Bob’s horrible foot smell that one year at deer camp just like I have a story of a friend from years ago that could peel paint with the fumes emanating from his feet. As for me though, I don’t have that problem.
Now that’s why I was really concerned when after wearing the Blackhawk boots for awhile that there was a generous amount of stink building up. When I first smelled it, I was wondering where it was coming from!
The smell is not a stinky foot smell anyway. It smells like an odor coming from the interaction or breakdown of one of the materials that the boot is made of. I’ve smelled a similar smell before coming from rubber-like compounds that were being continually exposed to heat and moisture. Maybe that is what is going on.
Here’s the scoop. Either I suddenly acquired stinky feet when I started to wear these boots, or there is something about one or more of the manufacturing materials that is an issue. Without a lab analysis, I cannot be certain so, I’m just sayin’.
Don’t get me wrong, the boots are like trucks on my feet that get me through anything. They are rated waterproof, and I’ve not had any wet feet yet. I really like the boots except for that odd chemical-like smell. It’s not disgusting like cousin Bob’s feet at deer camp, but it isn’t pleasant either.
The Nighthawk Custom .45 ACP I reviewed is proof that John Browning’s design could be made better by using better materials put together by true artisans of the craft of gun making. The Ruger Mini-14 in the latest AR style of configuration with the ATI stock is, to me, an absolutely perfect home-defense rifle that can be outfitted with lights, LASERS, or whatever strikes one’s fancy. Plus, with the collapsible ATI stock, it can be instantly adjusted to fit dad, mom, junior, and even grandma. Every capable member of the family could easily use this version of the Mini-14 to defend life.
My second favorite product of 2009 is the SERPA Holster by Blackhawk. This is where Blackhawk shines! The innovative and adaptable SERPA is a top-notch product. Take some time to read the review I wrote about the SERPA at:
http://armedamericanreport.org/general/holster-safety-the-four-rules/
The worst products I’ve seen this year won’t even make it into a review here. I did write up a review about the Intrud Alert a couple of week’s ago, but that was more of an educational piece to warn the passive about relying on a device to save them from a horrible crime being committed against them.
I hope that your Christmas dollars are well spent, and that there is no disappointment in any of your choices. If there is, then by all means take advantage of a company’s return or exchange policies. Don’t know the policies? You should before you ever give them your dollars to begin with! Fortunately for the gun stuff that we collectively spend billions on every year, the companies that want to stay in business serve their customers.
Next Friday is Christmas Day. I pray that everyone who reads these words will have the most blessed day that they have ever had in their entire lives. I would invite you all over for dinner, but our dog Lucy eats enough by herself to stretch our food budget to the breaking point. At least I don’t have to work Christmas Day. I offer a prayer to God for those who serve the rest of us—law enforcement, military personnel, medical professionals, and those who maintain operational infrastructure—though you must work, that you too have a most blessed day. And thank you all for your service. We good folk love you even though we don’t show it all of the time.
Merry Christmas! Or as we say sometimes around our house, where three big dogs live with us, Hairy Kissmus!
Quote of the Week
“I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!”
—Ralphie (in the movie A Christmas Story)
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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This week in the Forum Highlights I’m giving you an example of the responses members get from their posts. I want you all of you who aren’t yet members of our exclusive online members only forums to not only get a taste of the questions and other posts, but also the wonderfully informative replies.
NSSF Alert - Threat to Ammunition Availability
Threat to Ammunition Availability - Action Needed
As demand for ammunition continues to outpace supply, it is critically important that an amendment authored by Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) to a seemingly obscure hazardous material bill (HR 4016) be attached to the legislation during consideration on the House floor.
When the bill passed out of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Graves secured a commitment from Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, to allow a vote on this amendment. The amendment being pushed by Graves will help protect the shipment of materials necessary for the manufacturing of ammunition.
Without the Graves Amendment, the rate of production will slip, perhaps precipitously. In-turn, decreased production of ammunition will lead to decreased availability. This will lead to an increase in ammunition prices directly affecting consumers. Given the current high demand for ammunition, passage of the Graves Amendment should be considered critical to gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Floor action on the bill is anticipated soon.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) — the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry — is encouraging all hunters and sportsmen to contact Rep. Oberstar and urge him to support the Graves Amendment. Chairman Oberstar intends to bring HR 4016 to the floor prior to the end of the session (most likely between Dec. 8 and 22), so time is of the essence.
Congressman Oberstar can be reached at: (202) 225-6211
http://www.nssf.org/GovRel/news/threat-to-ammunition-availability.cfm
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This scenario came up at a recent CCW class:
You are walking down the street late at night and as you cross a dark alley, you hear some commotion down the alley. You stop and look and see a well dressed man in a business suit on the ground wrestling with a bearded man who is wearing dirty bluejeans, sneakers and a torn denim jacket. The bearded man is on top and suddenly you see him pull out a gun and presses it on the other man’s side and looks like he is ready to pull the trigger.
What do you do?
(The rest of the incident is contained in the thread at the link)
From another site. Useful things.
Rape defense options and their success rate:
Once again shows that women who are prepared and armed do much better overall than those who are not.
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http://medind.nic.in/jal/t07/i4/jalt07i4p99.pdf
Women who employ:
* Non-forceful verbal resistance strategies (i.e. pleading) were associated with completion of the raped in 96% of instances.
* Forceful verbal resistance (i.e. screaming) was associated with completion of rape in 45-55% of instances.
* Attempted flight was associated with completion of the rape in 15% of instances. (Only a fraction of women were even in a position to consider flight, i.e. not thrown to the ground).
* Forceful physical resistance was associated with completed rape in 14% of instances.
* Weapons use in forceful physical resistance(knives/guns)were associated with completed rape in <1% of instances.
Other reports:
The following is from John Lott’s site: http://johnrlott.tripod.com/other/NCVS.html
Quote:
The National Crime Victimization (NCV) Survey from part of the 1990s (extracted from Table 7.1 of Armed by Gary Kleck and Don Kates) shows injury rates (pre-self protection and post- self protection) for crime victims who take a variety of self protective actions. The actions range from attacking the offender with a gun to yelling at offender and turning on lights to taking no self protection measures at all. A recent improvement in the NCV Survey allows analysts to separately identify injuries inflicted after the victim engaged in some form of self-protection. When investigating whether the self-protection measures are effective at reducing the likelihood of injury, it is necessary to compare the post-self protection injury rates for the different strategies with the injury rate when no self protection measure is taken.
Taking the examples of confrontational robbery and assault shows an interesting story. After the self-protection method was employed, the rate of sustaining injury or further injury was lower in every instance than was the rate of sustaining injury when no self-protection measure was employed at all. Note that aggravated assaults are much more common than robbery. Data covering a longer period of time makes an even stronger case for defensive gun use.
Percent Injured after
Self Protection Action…………. Robbery……Assault
Any SP with gun…………………… 7.7%. ……3.6%
Chased, tried to catch……………. 9.6%…. …9.0%
Ran/drove away; tried to……….. .4.9%……. 5.4%
Screamed from pain, fear……… 22.0%….. 12.6%
Threatened O without weapon. 15.8%….. 13.6%
No SP measures at all…………… 23.6%….. 55.2%
Our exclusive members-only forums are an incredible resource due to the numbers of experienced members ready and willing to help answer questions. An added plus is that it is for paid members only. That hands down eliminates the creeps and losers that can be found lurking in other online forums.
Video of the Week
The following video has been emailed and linked to so much that probably everyone who reads the Armed American Report has already seen it. However, I think it may be a bit misleading. It makes it sound as if Switzerland is a society where everyone can own and carry a gun anytime and anywhere. That is not the case, as even a quick Internet search of Swiss Gun Laws will explain. Still, the video does make a few good points.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nf1OgV449g
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!
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!
December 15, 2009
Marion County, Florida
From: WFTV
(Video at link)
Wheelchair-Bound Marion County Man Shoots Home Invader To Death
Eyewitness News talked to a 62-year-old wheelchair-bound man who shot and killed a man who tried to force his way into his home.
Gary Wroblewski says he was watching television in the Silver Springs Shores neighborhood off County Road 464 late Monday night when someone knocked on his door.
Wroblewski slightly cracked open the door and found a man claiming he needed help with his broken down car. He says he was immediately suspicious of the man and his story.
"So I went and got my gun. I held it behind the door and I opened the door," said Wroblewski.
Wroblewski says he tried to send the man away and suggested he go to another house or call AAA. He says that is when another man, this one wearing a mask, appeared out of nowhere and forced his door open.
Wroblewski was knocked out his wheelchair but was able to hold onto his gun and shot the masked invader.
"I fired three shots," recalled Wroblewski.
"Obviously you hit one of them," said a photojournalist.
"Yeah, severely," said Wroblewski.
Wroblewski says it took him ten minutes to get back into his wheelchair. Once he did, he went to a neighbor’s house and asked them to call 911.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has not released the name of the suspect who was killed. The other suspect got away.
The sheriff’s office has not said whether the homeowner will face any charges. He is likely protected by Florida’s Castle Doctrine.
Closing Thoughts
Tim, I have a friend who is a highly decorated military veteran. He is disabled but owns a 1911. He needs a device or holster that he can use to cock a 1911 with one hand (right. His left hand is missing several fingers. Your advice is really appreciated.
Friend, this is quite a situation and I’m honored to help your Veteran friend find a solution.
Unfortunately, I don’t know of a device that will allow this to happen, but I have a feeling that if anyone knows, it’ll be someone reading this right now.
Do you know of a device or method to help our fellow armed citizen? Use the ‘Ask Tim’ form below to make your suggestion, and I’ll share all the feedback with you next week!
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!
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