IN the FIREARMS WORLD, THERE Are Many Handguns on the Modern Market,ZERO Most of Which Are Made to Sell and Some of Which Are Made As Cheaply As Possible

ABSOLUTE CONCEALMENT CONTENTS FEATURES 92 54 GUNSITE SHOTGUNS GETTING SCHOOLED Gunsite’s 250 Pistol Class SHORT & SWEET, ❚BY STEVE ALBRECHT DOWN & DIRTY Understanding the 66 SAFES ‘Cruiser’ Shotgun ❚ BY ED COMBS GOING UP Second-Story Safe Considerations ❚BY SCOTT W. WAGNER

72 LEGAL WHEELS UP Flying With Your Gun ❚BY BRAD LEWIS

78 TECHNIQUE FROM SCRATCH InSights’ Integrated Act of Firing 60 TRAINING ❚BY JARED BLOHM BULLET POINTS 98 TECHNOLOGY Instructing Instructors THE WAY OF ❚ BY KLINT MACRO THE FUTURE? The MantisX Firearms Training System ❚BY DON STAHLNECKER

GEAR 84 10 2 KNIVES POLYMER SIMPLE IS GOOD Angles of Attack and PALOOZA Zones of Defense The Plastic Roundup ❚BY MICHAEL JANICH ❚ BY CHRIS CERINO 10 6 TACTICS LESSONS FROM THE FORCE Chicago PD’s Bob Stasch ❚BY RICK SAPP

4 November/December | www.USCCA.com November/December 2017

COLUMNS 50 DEFCON 1 SILENCE IS GOLDEN Understanding the Criminal Justice System ❚ BY JOHN CAILE

November/December | www.USCCA.com 5 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by Tim Schmidt

DON’T MISTAKE MARKSMANSHIP FOR EFFECTIVE SELF-DEFENSE As Executive Editor Kevin Michalowski is fond of saying, “A gunfight is not like a day at the range.” In a past episode of Into the Fray, he ex- Instead, I challenge you to use marksmanship pounded on that statement: “A gunfight is as a starting point for your self-defense fast. It’s unexpected. And you will rarely have training. the benefit of a perfect shooting stance or After you’ve mastered even a two-handed grip. You have got to do accuracy, you can start your best to train for such bizarre situations.” introducing other vari- Now, if you’ve been following Kevin’s video ables into the equation — series or reading his “Editor’s Shot” column in variables like movement, Concealed Carry Magazine for any length of time constraints, physi- time, you’ve likely encountered another of his cal or spatial restrictions, similar and equally serious admonitions: and other stressors. Keep “Stationary shots sent downrange don’t re- changing the variables. Practice ally count as self-defense training.” for the unexpected. I only share Kevin’s sentiments here be- Remember, in a self-defense cause of their importance — and their truth. incident, your target will be fight- I’m not here to look down on marksmanship ing back. Put some of Kevin’s sage or disparage those who spend time at the and potentially lifesaving advice range focusing on accuracy; those are both into practice: good things. And I’m not saying there’s no val- Get off the “X.” Always look for ue (or enjoyment) in standing behind the 5- or better cover. Don’t be where the 7-yard line and trying to achieve a tight group- bad guy last saw you. Escape if you ing downrange. (In fact, some of my fondest can. memories I have with my dad involve us doing Listen, I really do believe there’s exactly that with his nickel-plated .357 Mag- plenty to be said for being a great num revolver.) marksman, but the most important What I am saying is that you shouldn’t ex- thing in a gunfight is that you win. pect that kind of low-stress, controlled prac- That you not only survive but prevail. tice to increase your chances of survival So, sure, work on hitting your tar- during a dynamic lethal-force encounter. get every single time you step up to The truth is, the stakes are just too high to mis- the firing line. But, after you’ve got Introducing the most lethal combination of bullet technology in more than take marksmanship for effective self-defense. that one in the bag, work on doing a century. Ballistically superior stainless steel casings and patented copper +P ARX® Although I do acknowledge that marks- it under stress, on the move and polymer fl uted projectiles have come together in the new NovX 9mm Luger Engagement: manship and self-defense ultimately share with one hand. Extreme Self Defense +P ARX® Engagement:Extreme Self-Defense. The combination delivers a level one very important objective — the ability to Take care and stay safe. of performance lead and brass only dream of. 1,710 FPS. 65gr. Reduced Velocity of 1,710 FPS generates shoot accurately at a target — thinking that approximately 120,000 RPM. the former has prepared you for a gunfight recoil. Match grade accuracy. Devastating wound channels. Lead and brass had Upon impact exclusive ARX fl uted just might get you killed in one. their time. Now it’s time for NovX. Welcome to the new world. NovXammo.com design infl icts lethal performance.

6 November/December | www.USCCA.com Introducing the most lethal combination of bullet technology in more than a century. Ballistically superior stainless steel casings and patented copper +P ARX® Engagement: polymer fl uted projectiles have come together in the new NovX 9mm Luger Extreme Self Defense +P ARX® Engagement:Extreme Self-Defense. The combination delivers a level of performance lead and brass only dream of. 1,710 FPS. 65gr. Reduced Velocity of 1,710 FPS generates approximately 120,000 RPM. recoil. Match grade accuracy. Devastating wound channels. Lead and brass had Upon impact exclusive ARX fl uted their time. Now it’s time for NovX. Welcome to the new world. NovXammo.com design infl icts lethal performance. THE RICHARDS GROUP JOB #: FNA170033 CLIENT: FNA AD NAME: 1 Million Rounds 509A TRIM: 7.75" x 10.5" LIVE: 7.25 x 10 BLEED: 8 x 10.75 COLORS: CMYK PUB(s): Guns & Ammo-Oct / Shooting Times-Nov / Handguns-Dec+Jan / Concealed Carry Handguns-Oct QUESTIONS: Call Karen Newman 214-891-5875

EDITOR’S SHOT by Kevin Michalowski

THE BIG TWO: STAYING ON TARGET hat’s that old saying about standing Won the shoulders of giants? Well, that certainly sums up my career in the firearms industry. I have been truly blessed over the years. Blessed, of course, to work with some of the best people in the industry. . One of my all-time favorite people er. is George Harris. There is not enough space on this page to list the man’s ac- complishments, but I’m willing to bet you will agree with me that co-founder of the SIG Academy is enough of a cur- ® riculum vitae to garner some attention. George — I call him George because, well, that’s his name — is fond ■ The “P.O.W.,” or of saying, “Two things are key to hand- “Plain Old Wall” Drill, gun marksmanship and safety: muz- should fire, it will result in is just one way you you must operate your trig- zle management and trigger-finger no unintended injury and can train at home. ger correctly. That is to say discipline.” minimal property damage. you must operate the trig- If you focus on those two things, you (We say “unintended injury” because, ger all the way through its cycle with- will not only be safe with your handgun, in a self-defense situation, we intend to out adding any additional movement to you will be successful in hitting your cause injury to the attacker.) the muzzle. (Look at that … we’re right target. Think about it. Now, let’s get into trigger-finger disci- back to muzzle management again!) Muzzle management means that you pline. Of course, you know that you are Notice that George says “operate” PROVEN FIREARMS. PROVEN must control your muzzle. If you point to keep your finger off the trigger and the trigger. You can pull it. You can - your muzzle at the target when you out of the trigger guard until you have press it. You can slap it. You can even fire the gun, you will hit the target. You made a conscious decision to fire your jerk the trigger — as long as the means cannot argue with that. If you miss the gun. Doing so provides a tremendous by which you operate your trigger does NEW

target, that means your muzzle was not level of firearms safety. As George of- not add any additional movement to - Learn more at FNAMERICA.com or visit your local deal pointed at the target when you fired ten says, “A gun will not just jump up the muzzle. Some methods of opera- ® the gun. You can talk about sights and and start barking bullets by itself. You tion are better than others. sighting systems and stance and grip, have to do things to make it fire.” One There are many methods, tips and but it all comes down to pointing the of those things is to have your finger tricks to help you keep your muzzle muzzle at the target. There are many on the trigger. Barring some sort of me- pointed at the target through your dis- ways to do that, but you must do it in chanical problem, your gun will not fire ciplined operation of the trigger. But order to hit the target. Hitting the target if something is not touching the trigger. good marksmanship boils down to just is what we call marksmanship. But trigger-finger discipline alsotwo things: muzzle management and Muzzle management is also a key el- describes the way you operate your trigger-finger discipline. ement when it comes to firearms safe- trigger. If you hope to be successful at ty. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe shooting — remember, success means direction. A “safe direction” is defined hitting the target, and hitting the target thusly: any direction where, if the gun is the definition of marksmanship — the world’s most battle-proven ﬁ rearms. rearms. battle-proven most ﬁ world’s the intuitive grip angle, enhancedintuitive angle, incredible texture, and grip grip points recoil control. naturally always handgun The Over 128 years ofOver heritage. 128 Over one million rounds of testing. Now ready for the real world. Experience the and stays on target for fast, accurate follow-up shots. It’s the handgun expect you’d to come from the makers of THE WORLD’S MOST BATTLE THE WORLD’S THE ALL 1 MILLION ROUNDS OF TESTING IS HERE. IS OF TESTING ROUNDS 1 MILLION 8 November/December | www.USCCA.com

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■ MARKSMANSHIP is deceptively simple: Properly align the sights on the target and then press the trigger without moving the sights. Easy, right? Well, not so fast. One of the reasons the shooting sports — specifically target shooting — are some of the fastest-growing pastimes in the nation is because, like golf, there’s really no way to “top out” your skills. You might shoot well today, you might shoot better tomorrow … but there’s always going to be room for improvement. When lives are on the line, the concept of “marksmanship” changes. When shooting in defense of innocent life, all of a sudden, you’re not looking to hit a bullseye or a clay pigeon; you’re looking to stop an imminent, unavoidable deadly threat and hit it until it ceases posing that danger. Under such a circumstance, bullets put into the major “stop zones” on a human body — namely the upper thoracic cavity and anywhere that can access the deeper parts of the brain — are all that stand between you or a loved one and certain disaster.

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BREAKING ON MAGAZINE POINT LONGEVITY QUESTION:

I was reading “Round Count” (Page 12) in the February/March issue. Does storing rounds in a magazine harm the magazine? Is there any data on how long it is appropriate to leave ammo in a magazine? Thanks, Bryan, via email

ANSWER: This is a very common question, Bryan, mentioned the following anecdote and it’s an especially common question for instructors to in previous issues, but I’d like to field from shooters of all ability levels. The bottom line is go a little deeper into it here. that leaving magazines loaded doesn’t wear them out; A few years ago, noted gunwriter loading and unloading them does. Bob Ball acquired a 1911 magazine that had sat loaded When you think about the spring in a magazine, fire- since the Second World War, inserted it into a pistol, ran arms guru Patrick Sweeney urges that you think of it like the slide and fired all seven rounds without issue. you would a paper clip. If you bend the paper clip into a That told me a lot. position and set it on the table, it will sit there in that posi- For starters, the spring steel used in magazines today is tion, retaining plenty of remaining bendability until it rusts of far higher quality and consistency than the spring steel away. If, however, you get hold of that paper clip and bend used during WWII. Moreover, manufacturing processes it back and forth over and over, it will eventually break on are far more exacting today, and, as such, a higher quality the spot at which you’ve bent it the most. of spring is built into every magazine of quality manufac- Now, to be clear, modern (and even antique) magazine ture. springs are far stronger and more resilient than paper Next, let’s say it was charged on the last day of the war: clips, but the general idea is the same. Magazine springs Sept. 2, 1945. Let’s be generous and say that Ball con- are worn out by constant bending and unbending, not by ducted this test all the way back in the mid-1990s, may- being bent down once and left there for a long time. I’ve be ’95. That’s 50 years the spring was compressed under

12 November/December | www.USCCA.com ■ When you get down to ❚ TO SUBMIT A QUESTION TO “ASK THE USCCA,” EMAIL US AT [email protected]. PRESIDENT & CEO the specifics of what causes Tim Schmidt sidearms to malfunction, the answers can be surprising. EXECUTIVE EDITOR Kevin Michalowski MANAGING EDITOR Jared Blohm ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ed Combs magazines in our charge were getting CREATIVE DIRECTOR rusty and that others, if not rusty, were Ken Wangler clogged up with tobacco dust, lint ART DIRECTOR and bits of matches, the sort of stuff Dusty Reid that is found in most men’s pockets. COPY EDITOR We took it to heart and, as opportunity Carla Dickmann served, had every one of some 9,000 PHOTOGRAPHERS magazines stripped and cleaned. Ken Wangler • Dusty Reid The rust was removed, together with COLUMNISTS astonishing quantities of the stuff re- John Caile • Bob Campbell • Ed Combs George Harris • K.L. Jamison, ESQ. ferred to above, and, more important Tamara Keel • Alan Korwin • Anthony Lambert still, the overhaul served to reveal a Duncan Mackie • Kevin Michalowski certain amount of damage due to Rick Sapp • Tim Schmidt hard knocks and wear and tear. The CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Steve Albrecht • Jared Blohm only sensible thing to do was to rec- Chris Cerino • Ed Combs • Michael Janich ognize at once the wear and tear that Brad Lewis • Klint Macro • Rick Sapp existed, and would continue to exist, Don Stahlnecker • Scott W. Wagner in an arduous service, the conditions Published for USCCA by: of which could not be modified, and then to apply the remedy of periodic overhauls. It has long been our cus-

tom, therefore, to have every pistol, 1000 Freedom Way with its two magazines, sent to the ar- West Bend, WI 53095 moury [sic] for inspection at intervals of six months, regardless of whether MEMBER SERVICES (877) 677-1919 or not any defects are apparent … [email protected] The results of these periodic overhauls have been entirely satisfactory FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION, CONTACT: and jambs [sic] are now of rare oc- Bruce Wolberg currence.” (715) 445-8722 or (715) 281-4075 So, in short, it’s a lot more import- [email protected] a maximum payload of ammunition. ant that you carry your magazines ADVERTISING COORDINATOR That’s 50 years it sat — compressed, in a dedicated magazine carrier — Carol Busse supposedly losing all of its oomph. defending them from the kind of de- (262) 806-0117 On the other side of the coin, gun- tritus so commonly encountered in [email protected] fighting and tactical pioneers Eric A. pockets and purses — than it is to Concealed Carry Magazine (USPS: 022-302, ISSN: 1550-7866), Volume 14, Issue 8, Sykes and William E. Fairbairn chased obsess over how long the spring’s NOV/DEC 2017 Issue. Published 8 times a year, monthly, a lot of the problems the Shanghai Mu- been compressed. A proper maga- except combined issues: Feb/Mar; May/June; Aug/Sept; nicipal Police were having with their zine carrier will go a lot farther in pro- and Nov/Dec. By Delta Defense, LLC, 1000 Freedom Way, West Bend, WI 53095. Periodicals postage paid at duty 1911s down to the magazines. longing the lives of your mags and Jackson, WI and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: However, it was not the springs losing keeping your pistol running strongly Send address changes to: their punch that was endangering the than anything else. Concealed Carry Magazine, lives of the officers, as detailed below Thanks again and stay safe, 1000 Freedom Way, West Bend, WI 53095 in an excerpt from their 1942 classic, Ed Combs Shooting to Live: Associate Editor “We have to admit that, in the be- Signed articles in Concealed Carry Magazine reflect the views of the author, and are not necessarily the views ginning, we paid little attention to the of the editors at Delta Defense, LLC. Concealed Carry magazines or their condition. We soon Magazine and the U.S. Concealed Carry Association are registered trademarks of Delta Defense, LLC. All Rights noticed, however, that some of the Reserved. Copyright 2004-2017 by Delta Defense, LLC. Reproduction, copying, or distribution of Concealed Carry Magazine is prohibited without written permission. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP 1.Publication Title: Concealed Carry Magazine. 2. Publication Number: 1550-7866. 3. Filing Date: Oc- Ken, tober 2017. 4. Issue Frequency: Every 45 days. 5. ■CHECKPOINT: PASSED Number of Issues Published Annually: 8. 6. Annual I just finished reading your USCCA You have every right to politely decline Subscription Price: $47.00. 7. Complete Mailing August/September 2017 article “Permit a request to search your vehicle. Under Address of Known Office of Publication: 1000 Free- Check” (Page 92). Outstanding article! the Supreme Court ruling in Arizona v dom Way, West Bend, WI 53095. Contact Person: Tim Schmidt, Telephone: (877) 677-1919. 8. Com- As I read this, I was wondering how many Gant back in 2009, police officers do not plete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General CCW permit holders in this great country have an automatic right to a warrantless Business Office of Publisher: Delta Defense, 1000 have ever really thought how quickly they search of a vehicle, even after an arrest. Freedom Way, West Bend, WI 53095. 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher/Edi- could find themselves in just such a sit- In an opinion delivered by Justice John tor: Timothy J. Schmidt, 1000 Freedom Way, West uation. This should be an eye-opener to Paul Stevens, the Supreme Court held Bend, WI 53095, Executive Editor: Kevin Micha- all of your readers. Thank you for a great that police can search the passenger lowski, 1000 Freedom Way, West Bend, WI 53095, and Managing Editor: Jared Blohm, 1000 Freedom magazine. compartment of a vehicle, incident to a Way, West Bend, WI 53095. 10. Owner: Timothy J. Leroy, via email recent occupant’s arrest (and therefore Schmidt, Delta Defense, LLC, 1000 Freedom Way, without a warrant) only if it is reasonable West Bend, WI 53095. 11. Known Bondholders, to believe that the arrestee might access Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning ■GONE FISHING? or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Kevin, the vehicle at the time of the search or Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None. 12. You advocate CCW permit holders that the vehicle contains evidence of the Tax Status: Has not changed during preceding 12 know their state laws pertaining to what offense of arrest. months. 13. Publication Title: Concealed Carry Magazine. 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Be- actions to take during a traffic stop. Furthermore, Justice Antonin Scalia low: October 2017. 15. Extent and Nature of Cir- Hands on the steering wheel, interior wrote a concurring opinion, stating that culation (Average Number of Copies Each Issue lights on, window halfway rolled down “...we should simply abandon the 1981 During Preceding 12 Months). 15a. Total Number of Copies: 210,975. 15b. Paid and/or Requested awaiting officer instructions. First verbal Belton-Thornton charade of officer safety Circulation (1) Paid/Requested Outside-County exchange, “Officer, I am licensed to car- and overrule those cases. I would hold Mail Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541: 196,205. ry, have a CCW permit on my person and that a vehicle search incident to arrest is (2) Paid In-County Subscriptions: 1,055. (3) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, [am] carrying my weapon. How would ipso facto ‘reasonable’ only when the ob- Counter Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid Distri- you like to proceed?” Never say “gun” — ject of the search is evidence of the crime bution: 0. (4) Other Classes Mailed Through the LEO buzzword for “threat.” for which the arrest was made, or of an- USPS: 1,476. 15c. Total Paid and/or Requested I comply with officer commands and other crime that the officer has probable Circulation: 198,736. 15d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (1) Outside-County as Stated on Form the traffic stop proceeds. I’m a senior cit- cause to believe occurred.” 3541: 1,265. (2) In-County as Stated on Form izen, do not smoke, don’t drink and do So, unless you are placed under arrest 3541: 64. (3) Other Classes Mailed Through the not use or have any illegal drugs. How or the officer can state a specific reason- USPS: 253. (4) Free Distribution Outside the Mail: 611. 15e. Total Free Distribution: 2,193. 15f. Total would you advise handling the following able belief that a crime has been or is Distribution: 200,929. 15g. Copies Not Distributed: officer inquiry? about to be committed, that officer has no 8,558. 15h. Total: 209,487. 15i. Percent Paid and/or Officer says: “That’s fine, sir. Do you right to search your car. There are some Requested Circulation: 99.3%. 15. Extent and Na- ture of Circulation (Number Copies of Single Issue mind if I search your vehicle for my safe- exceptions. Officers can certainly observe Published Nearest Filing Date). 15a. Total Number ty? You don’t have any hand grenades, and take control of any unsecured weap- of Copies: 245,193. 15b. Paid and/or Requested bombs or zombie apocalypse weapons in what is described as the “lunge Circulation (1) Paid/Requested Outside-County Mail Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541: 225,577. ons?” area” inside the vehicle. One more thing (2) Paid In-County Subscriptions: 979. (3) Sales The reality is, now this stop has be- to remember: Giving consent to search al- Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, come a fishing expedition looking for oth- lows the officer to search the vehicle and Counter Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid Distri- er charges. Luckily, I’ve been traffic-cita- use any evidence found against you, but bution: 0. (4) Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS: 1,715. 15c. Total Paid and/or Requested Cir- tion-free for 50-plus years, but I still want you can revoke your consent at any time culation: 228,281. 15d. Free or Nominal Rate Distri- to be respectful. I am sensitive to “officer and the officer is legally bound to stop. bution (1) Outside-County as Stated on Form 3541: safety,” having been an FAA helicopter As a final note, do not resist or get bel- 293. (2) In-County as Stated on Form 3541: 74. (3) Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS: 269. flight instructor for a police department’s ligerent on the side of the road if the of- (4) Free Distribution Outside the Mail: 686. 15e. To- aviation unit in my younger years. ficer is determined to go ahead with an tal Free Distribution: 1,322. 15f. Total Distribution: I carry defensive OC spray in the con- unlawful search. Clearly and calmly state 229,603. 15g. Copies Not Distributed: 14,696. 15h. Total: 244,299. 15i. Percent Paid and/or Requested sole, have extra ammo in the trunk and, that you believe the search is unlawful, Circulation: 99.6%. 16. Publication of Statement of sometimes, another secured weapon in get badge numbers, complaint numbers Ownership. Publication Required. Will be printed in a locked case. I also have a hand tool kit and any supporting documentation and November/December 2017 issue of this publica- pouch, which, if any officer was stretch- tion. I certify that all information furnished on this prepare for your official complaint later on. form is true and complete. I understand that any- ing, could as easily be called “burglary Stay safe, one who furnishes false or misleading information tools.” How do you advise responding to Kevin Michalowski on this form or who omits material or information that inquiry unrelated to the traffic stop? Executive Editor requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/ Best, or civil sanctions (including civil penalties). Ken, via email

14 November/December | www.USCCA.com STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP BATTLE BLADES

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006217 Vedder Concealed Carry FullPage October v1.indd 1 8/10/17 1:37 PM

TRUE STORIES Compiled by Duncan Mackie

SILVERWARE SURPRISE TENNESSEE HOTEL GUEST DEFENDS AGAINST ARMED ATTACK ■ A Nashville couple checked into a local hotel after church one Sunday afternoon. They rode up in the elevator with an unidentified man who went in the opposite direction after stopping on their floor. Later, that same man knocked on the couple’s hotel room door and attacked with a fork when they answered. Thinking the fork was a knife, the male victim drew his legally carried Glock 19 and shot the attacker, who fled the scene. Police said the victim would not face charges, as he was acting lawfully in self- defense. WZTV Fox 17, Nashville, Tennessee

20 November/December | www.USCCA.com

CBH_USCCA_MainStreetAd.pdf 1 9/1/16 3:38 PM

TRUE STORIES Continued from Page 20

■ ILLINOIS MAN FATALLY SHOOTS HOME INVADERS ■ SOUTH CAROLINA MOTEL OWNER A homeowner on Chicago’s East Side heard strange noises DEFENDS AGAINST KNIFE ATTACK in his basement. Going to investigate, he brought along a pistol, An Oak Island motel owner was in his office when a man just in case, and he quickly found that three strangers — two men approached him threateningly with a knife. As chance would and a woman — had broken into his home. Fearing for his life, the have it, the hotel owner was speaking at the time with a 911 homeowner fired on the intruders, killing all three. He then called dispatcher about another matter, and the owner was heard on police and barricaded himself inside the home until they arrived. the 911 call ordering the subject repeatedly to “back off.” When Police are treating the incident as self-defense. the knife-wielding subject refused to do so, and fearing for his NBC 5, WMAQ-TV, Chicago, Illinois life, the motel owner fired twice on the armed man, killing him. WNCN-TV, Raleigh, North Carolina ■ GEORGIA HOMEOWNER PREVENTS HOME INVASION ■ TEXAS MAN DEFENDS AGAINST ARMED WOMAN When an intruder broke into his Columbus home and confront- A Killeen man was accosted in his apartment parking lot by ed him late one evening, the male homeowner defended himself an armed 23-year-old woman who wanted to quarrel about a with a pistol, killing the intruder and stopping the incident. Citing parking issue. As the woman grew more agitated, the male Georgia’s Castle Doctrine, investigators reported the defender tenant, himself legally armed with a concealed pistol, tried to would not face charges for the self-defense shooting. defuse the situation. When the woman assaulted him, the man The Ledger-Inquirer, Columbus, Georgia drew his own gun and shot her, ending the attack. The woman died at the scene from her injuries, which police determined ■ WASHINGTON MAN FIRES ON were inflicted in self-defense. INTRUDER BREAKING INTO HOME KCEN-TV, Killeen, Texas When an unknown man began pounding on his Puyallup door late at night, the homeowner took up a pistol and went to investi- ■ ALABAMA CHURCH EMPLOYEE STOPS ROBBERY gate. Seeing a gun in the intruder’s hands when he looked out the Two Dothan men were in their church’s office late Sunday door, the homeowner fired two shots at the suspect as he broke night when a lone man proceeded to rob them. After having into the residence, wounding him and putting him to flight. The robbed one of the duo of $50, the suspect was robbing the suspect was arrested when he sought medical help for his gun- second employee when the first employee retrieved a pistol shot wound at a nearby hospital, and police said the homeowner and shot the robber once, fatally wounding him. would not face charges for defending his home and himself. The Dothan Eagle, Alabama KOMONEWS.com ■ ARIZONA MAN SHOOTS TASER-ARMED BURGLAR ■ ARIZONA WOMAN FIGHTS BACK A Kingman man’s home was invaded by a taser-wielding IN ROAD RAGE INCIDENT burglar who tased the victim several times and then robbed A road rage incident between two women in Glendale ended him. Fortunately, the homeowner was able to get to a pistol well for one of them because she was armed. The aggressor he kept in the home for defense and fire on the burglar, fatally followed the victim’s car to an intersection, where she attacked wounding him and ending the assault. a passenger. When the driver got out of her car, declared she Kingman Daily Miner, Arizona was armed and ordered the attacker to back off, the attacker proceeded to attack the armed driver, beating her about the ■ KANSAS MAN HOLDS BURGLAR FOR POLICE head and shoulders. After repeated warnings to stop the attack A Salina man was awakened by his dog barking. He then heard or be shot, the victim used her legally carried pistol to shoot her sounds of someone trying to force entry into his home. Taking up female attacker once in the stomach, ending the attack. a pistol and going to investigate, he found a man who had broken AZFamily.com into his truck, whom he held at gunpoint until police arrived. KSAL.com, Salina, Kansas ■ GEORGIA HOMEOWNER SHOOTS CROSS-DRESSING BURGLAR ■ ARKANSAS WOMAN SCARES A DeKalb County man was awakened at home about 2 a.m. OFF PURSE-SNATCHER by sounds of a possible break-in. Taking up a pistol to investi- While unlocking her car door at a Little Rock grocery store, gate, he was suddenly confronted by a woman who had bro- an older woman was approached by a young man who tried to ken into the home. Fearing for his life, the homeowner fired a snatch her purse. The woman resisted and displayed a pistol single shot at the intruder, killing her. Responding police de- she carried in her purse, frightening the thief away. termined that the subject was a man dressed as a woman. No ArkansasOnline.com, Little Rock, Arkansas charges will be filed against the resident, who was defending his home and family. Fox23.com

22 November/December | www.USCCA.com CBH_USCCA_MainStreetAd.pdf 1 9/1/16 3:38 PM BENCH REPORT by Bob Campbell HOLDING THE AREX REX ZERO ■ IN THE FIREARMS WORLD, THERE are many handguns on the modern market,ZERO most of which are made to sell and some of which are made as cheaply as possible. I don’t stake my life on ironmongery but only on quality firearms, and among service-grade handguns worthy of critical use, the list is short. For a new handgun to enter the market and prosper, considerable research and development — as well as expertise in manufacture — are needed. The Arex Rex Zero 1 is a modern 9mm pistol that makes the grade based on sound engineering, quality manufacture and good materials.

24 November/December | www.USCCA.com Though it is certainly■ a duty-sized pistol rather than a SPECIFICATIONS compact, the Rex Zero CALIBER: 9MM LUGER (9X19MM) is a solid choice for OPERATING PRINCIPLE: SHORT RECOIL anyone looking for ACTION: MODIFIED BROWNING LINKLESS LOCKING SYSTEM full-sized defense at TRIGGER SYSTEM: SA/DA; HAMMER FIRED a reasonable price. LENGTH: 7.7 INCHES • BARREL LENGTH: 4.3 INCHES HEIGHT: 5.7 INCHES • WIDTH (SLIDE): 0.98 INCHES WIDTH (FRAME): 1.1 INCHES • MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 17 WEIGHT (WITHOUT MAGAZINE): 29 OUNCES MAGAZINE WEIGHT (EMPTY): 3 OUNCES WIDTH (SAFETY LEVERS): 1.46 INCHES TRIGGER PULL (SA): 5.5 POUNDS TRIGGER PULL (DA): 13 POUNDS TRIGGER TRAVEL (DA): 0.5 INCHES RESET TRAVEL (SA): 0.16 INCHES BARREL PROFILE: 6 GROOVES; RIGHT-HAND TWIST BARREL TWIST RATE: 9.8 INCHES MSRP: $670

The pistol is an upgrade on proven handguns in several regards. I prefer topical research to historical research, but the pistol’s makers in Slovenia have an excellent reputation for producing military wares. This is their first handgun, but, then again, performance is more impressive than lineage. The pistol isn’t an exact clone of an existing unit, although it relies heavily on the SIG P226 for its template. The pistol shows technical virtuosity in design, and aesthetic appeal is mixed with structural stability. As stated, the Rex Zero is a service-sized pistol that bears a re- semblance to the SIG P226. It is a locked-breech design, meaning the pistol locks up by butting the barrel hood into the slide in Glock/ SIG fashion and unlocks by use of angled camming surfaces. A solid guide rod and dual-wound spring set control recoil, and the slide is nicely machined — with no visible tool marks — and finished in a well-polished blue. My example is the Flat Dark Earth version, with a dark finish on the frame. The cocking serrations are well-cut and properly angled, which can be a useful addition to any pistol. The sights are service-grade, and they offer good visibility for rapid sight acquisition. The hammer is conventional and compact enough to offer minimal snagging when worn concealed, and there is sufficient surface area for easy manual cocking. The double-action trigger is a SIG type: The trigger is pressed and an internal draw bar moves to the rear, both cocking and dropping the hammer. The slide recoils on firing, cocking the hammer for subsequent single-action shots. The frame features nicely pebbled grips that offer good adhesion and abrasion. The two supplied magazines accommodate 17 9mm Luger cartridges. The frame features a modern light rail for mounting combat lights or lasers, and the pistol breaks down in SIG/Beretta fashion by use of a rotating lever on the frame. The pistol resembles the SIG P226, and the grip size is between the original P226 and the small-framed P226. The primary difference between the Rex Zero and the P226 is in the controls. The Rex Zero features a fully ambidextrous maga-

November/December | www.USCCA.com 25 zine release. The Rex Zero de- The only drawback I found in firing cocker is in the same location as the pistol was that I had to shift my the SIG’s, and this handy, ergo- grip to actuate the magazine release. nomic lever has been praised as a My hands are of average size and my model of efficiency. The Arex design is fingers are short, and I wound up us- a combination lever. When ing my trigger finger to hit the release. the slide is locked to the Since the magazine release is ambi- rear, the decocking lever dextrous, this works well; perhaps is pressed to release it. To using the forefinger isn’t ideal, but the safely decock and drop magazine release isn’t likely to drop the the hammer, the decocking advantage is magazine by holster pressure or being lever is pressed again. during tacti- bumped. I have practiced manip- cal movement. A service-grade handgun should be ulating the lever and have When using a reliable with every type of quality 9mm used it quickly on the double-action-first-shot hand- ammunition. The Rex Zero is nearing range. At no time have I gun, safe movement demands 1,500 cartridges over a year’s time, in- been able to short-circuit that the pistol is decocked while cluding many +P and +P+ loads as well the operation and cause moving. With the Rex Zero, you as handloads. There have been no fail- the hammer to drop — need only place the pistol on safe. ures to feed, chamber, fire or eject. Stan- save when I intended it to. Then simply take the pistol off safe and dard-pressure loads generate 35,000 The lever works as designed you are back with a short single-action pounds per square inch, while +P loads and makes for an improve- trigger press rather than having to go are at 38,500 and +P+ loads even great- ment on the SIG design. The through the long double-action trigger er. Not every handgun will function prop- lever is efficient in a man- press again. This is a clear tactical ad- erly with high-pressure loads, and some ner similar to the HK P7M8 vantage. (If the standard SIG-type oper- show excessive wear on the small parts cocking lever, which also ating procedure is used, the safety can with a steady diet of +Ps. The Rex Zero drops the slide. be ignored.) The double-action trigger has never failed. Economy of motion press is heavier than some but smooth, Despite the extra momentum of the isn’t the only advantage. and the single-action trigger breaks at a heavy loads, the pistol was never un- The original SIG slide clean 4.2 pounds. comfortable to fire, even using the lock is located on an DoubleTap 115-grain +P+ at 1,380 feet area of the frame that SHOTS FIRED per second. Practical accuracy and hit invites shooters to ride the thumb on Before heading to the range, I lubri- probability were both good. Using a Bull- the lever during firing. This results in the cated this specific Rex Zero on the long shooter rest, I fired the pistol for abso- slide failing to lock to the rear on the last bearing surfaces, cocking block and lute accuracy, which, while perhaps not shot and is difficult to train out of shoot- barrel hood. I loaded the magazines four combat-relevant, reflects build quality. I ers’ technique, in my experience. The rounds at a time and then tapped them used several 147-grain loads, including re-design is a good move in the practical to properly seat the cartridges until the the Fiocchi 147-grain JHP and the Fioc- and tactical sense. magazines were full at 17. chi Extrema 147-grain XTP. In addition to the combination lever, For this review, I employed a handload The pistol proved capable of excellent the Rex Zero also has a manual safety. combining the Hornady 124-grain XTP accuracy. I fired several five-shot groups A person who prefers the standard dou- and enough WW 231 powder for 1,100 at 25 yards, and the best were as small ble-action first shot with decocker might feet per second. I drew and fired at man- as 2 inches. The combination lever and ignore the manual safety, while others sized targets at 5, 7 and 10 yards; getting safety is a genuine improvement over the might carry it applied. The safety might a first-shot hit in the “X”-ring isn’t difficult original SIG P226, and the build quality be used with the hammer forward or to at 5 or 7 yards but demands attention to is comparable to any European handgun the rear. Carrying the handgun cocked detail at 10 — a not-altogether-unreason- — and that is very good. and the safety on isn’t really cocked and able distance in personal defense. Each The only downside was my difficulty locked carry, as the slide isn’t locked, magazine made one ragged hole at 10 in handling the magazine release, yet an an inferior system to the 1911. However, yards. Align the sights and press the argument might be made that handling most selective double-action handguns, trigger … and you have a hit. The Rex isn’t universal but specific to each hand- such as the CZ 75, do not feature a de- is controllable and recoil isn’t a problem. gun, and the manual of arms for the Rex cocker. I also fired 20 rounds of the Hornady Zero isn’t difficult. The Arex Rex Zero is a The addition of the safety gives the user American Gunner 124-grain XTP +P, credible defensive firearm with much to more options. The manual safety can be which proved similarly controllable and recommend. applied hammer down, which might lim- accurate. I extended firing to 15 and 25 it the ability of a felon to fire the hand- yards, firing at paper targets and steel gun if a gun-grab is successful. A real gongs with excellent results.

26 November/December | www.USCCA.com THE M2.0™ FAMILY JUST GOT SMALLER.

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RUBBERDUMMIES.COMSTUNT DOUBLE ■ REALISM IN TRAINING is of paramount importance after a student has mastered basic pistol marksmanship, and the biggest, best jump a shooter can make is to go from static paper targets to realistic 3D targets that respond when struck by a bullet. These torso targets from Rubber Dummies allow trainers to position targets in multiple configurations to maximize realism, and they allow students to visualize stopping the kinds of threats they’re most likely to be facing. Shown bare here for detail, these targets can be dressed in shirts, hats, jackets — you name it — and the solid rubber construction eliminates ricochets common with steel-plate targets. Moreover, plastic “kill-shot” packs filled with red dye can be affixed to the backs of the targets to confirm proper shot placement and for additional visual realism. Visit rubberdummies.com for ordering information and price breaks when ordering more than one dummy at a time. MSRP: $229.99 each (as pictured)

28 November/December | www.USCCA.com ™

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30 November/December | www.USCCA.com DOTM-NOV-DEC-2017.pdf 1 10/27/17 1:57 PM

Shooting accurately after rapid CY

CMY ■ K movement is an essential skill FOR MORE and is easy to train on with a single index card. INFO, VISIT: livefiredrillcards.com

■ YOU’LL NOTICE THAT a great deal of handgunning training stresses moving while shooting, reloading or fixing a malfunction. Movement in general — initially off of the proverbial “X” as you draw and then again as you fire on a threat — is one of the most critical factors in not just surviving a deadly force encounter but surviving it physically unscathed. Trick is, most people don’t train on movement, let alone shooting accurately between movements. Drill D-028 in the Burnett Life Fire Drill Cards addresses this issue head-on. For this drill, you will need your EDC sidearm and holster, a range where you will be allowed to move between two shooting positions 5 yards apart, an index card you can mount to a stationary target 5 yards from your two shooting positions, and either a magazine that holds 15 rounds or enough reloads to get you to 15 rounds. At the signal to begin, draw and fire five rounds into the index card from the first of your two shooting positions. Then, moving as quickly and safely as possible, move to the other shooting position and fire another five rounds. Move back to the original shooting position and fire your final five. If you feel confident enough to begin with a 3-inch by 5-inch card, do so. If you’d like a little more mar- gin for error on your first go-around, bump up to a 4-inch by 6-inch card or even a small paper plate. The two most important facets of any drill are that it will facilitate improvement and that it is challenging yet safe without becoming frustrating. Like with all other drills, start slow and build for speed. When properly employed, the 15 to the 3rd Drill is as useful for the masterful shooter as it is for the novice. Follow Live Fire Drill Cards on Facebook or Ins- tagram @livefiredrillcards. To use the complete selection of drills and targets in the Handgun Training Log system, visit livefiredrillcards.com.

November/December | www.USCCA.com 31 LEGISLATIVE NEWS by Rick Sapp

■RIGHT ON, OR ALMOST fired and would call police. Regarding ly ignored the wishes of his constituents Arizona’s crime index ranks it 43 out of self-protection, she said, Arizona law al- and law-abiding gun owners by working 50 states. Not good. So, how could Ari- ready allows someone to use a weapon, to kill SB 24 and its companion, HB 414. zona improve? even in a city, against an animal “to pro- By assigning the bills to subcommittee, According to its Department of Public tect oneself or another person.” he made sure neither bill saw consider- Safety, the Grand Canyon State current- Sierra Club lobbyist Sandy Bahr said ation on the House floor.” There is a good ly licenses 319,324 individuals to carry people shouldn’t indiscriminately kill chance, however, that SB 24 and consti- concealed firearms. As a constitutional snakes and that leaving dead animals tutional carry will return for consideration carry state, it allows responsibly armed around created a danger of lead poi- in 2018. citizens to carry openly and also recog- soning for scavengers — the “California Treadway wasn’t the only law enforce- nizes permits from all other states. Any Condor Defense.” ment officer opposed to SB 24. Madison person at least 21 years old and not oth- As if the opinions of Bahr and Cota-Lar- County Sheriff Blake Dorning said the bill erwise prohibited can carry openly or son were not enough, the anti-gun crowd is “an attack on the safety of law enforce- concealed without a license. Then, this… trotted out a victim. Edith Smith, Shannon ment.” In a peculiar twist of logic, Dorn- HB 2022, “Unlawful discharge of fire- Smith’s aunt, claimed that since Shan- ing still proclaimed, “I fully support and arms; exception,” sponsored by Rep. non’s Law was adopted, random gunfire defend our right to keep and bear arms Jay Lawrence (R, Scottsdale), would seemed to have dropped: “Why change as written by our Founding Fathers of the have allowed people to use small-caliber something that works? Shannon’s Law Constitution [and] reinforced in the 2nd shot to kill snakes and rodents within a made the Valley and other urban areas in Amendment.” town’s municipal limits. Lawrence’s bill Arizona safer.” Additionally, SB 330, sponsored by specified: “Rat shot or snake shot that Arizona’s HB 2022 died in the Senate Sen. Shay Shelnutt (R, Trussville), would consists of pellets that are 1.3 mm or less on a 15-15 partisan vote. No change to have allowed a sheriff to issue or renew in diameter and that are loaded in a rim- Arizona’s crime index is predicted. a pistol permit to or for a person residing fire cartridge with a caliber that does not CCW-Permit.com, Arizona Daily Sun, in any county in the state. It too failed to 22 ths exceed /100 of an inch.” Today’s News Herald, LegiScan.com make it to the Senate floor for a vote and Such cartridges, Lawrence insisted, has been redirected to the House for re- are not dangerous to people because ■WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY… view and a vote perhaps in 2018. they contain lead pellets “the size of most In May, Alabama’s Legislature ad- Sometimes, the harder you try, the grains of sand” loaded in .22-caliber rim- journed sine die, which means politicians harder it becomes. We have met the en- fire cartridges. went home without a specific date to re- emy … but is he us? “Even small animals and snakes are turn. Too bad, because Sen. Gerald Al- NRA Institute for Legislative Action, probably in no danger unless the person len’s (R, Cottondale) SB 24 constitutional National Review, LegiScan.com, firing the gun is within at least 14 feet,” carry bill passed the Senate. It failed to BearingArms.com, The Birmingham Lawrence said. make it to the House floor for a vote, ap- News Sen. John Kavanagh (R, Fountain Hills) parently due to maneuvering by Sen. Al- suggested that HB 2022 provided resi- len Treadaway (R, Morris), a Birmingham ■OHIO: HOTBED OF GUN RIGHTS! dents with an option for self-defense … police captain. Who knew! Here are four reasons we’re or at least a method of pest control. “Constitutional carry” (also called “per- rooting for the Buckeye State: HB 2022 would have amended “Shan- mitless carry”) allows the legal carrying 1. Show Me Your License: Sponsored non’s Law,” which passed in 2000 fol- of a handgun — openly or concealed by Rep. Scott Wiggam (R, Wooster), HB lowing the death of 14-year-old Shannon — without a requirement to obtain a li- 142 would eliminate the requirement that Smith of Phoenix. Shannon’s Law made cense or permit. The following states a concealed handgun licensee must no- the random discharge of a firearm into permit constitutional carry: Vermont tify a law enforcement officer that he or the air a felony. Smith died when struck (since its origin), Montana (1991), Alaska she is carrying if he or she is stopped. by a bullet apparently fired from some (2003), Arizona (2010), Wyoming (2011), When last reported, this bill — and others distance away. No one was ever arrest- Arkansas (2013), Kansas (2015), Mis- — had been sidelined into the Federal- ed. sissippi (2015), Maine (2015), West Vir- ism and Interstate Relations Committee. The usual opponents railed against ginia (2016), Idaho (2016) and Missouri Whether Wiggam’s is a universally HB 2022. Housewife and environmen- (2017). excellent idea is a difficult question for tal activist Rhishja Cota-Larson testified According to the NRA, Treadaway, who those who carry concealed. Following that neighbors hearing gunfire wouldn’t chairs the Alabama Public Safety and state law is mandatory, but the outcome know what kind of ammunition was being Homeland Security Committee, “blatant- of interactions between potentially ner-

32 November/December | www.USCCA.com vous cops and those who legally carry should be eliminated. He uses the ex- unwittingly enter a gun-free zone with a depends on many factors, such as a ample of a woman attacked in a parking concealed firearm and those who do it motorist’s or pedestrian’s cooperation or garage: “She has a duty under Ohio law intentionally. tone of voice and the cop’s experience to see if she can escape first. She has to 4. Extend and Repeal: Finally, HB 201 and level of training. make this decision in an instant, but it’s would allow adults 21 and older to carry Marian Harris, a former state lawmak- going to be debated over the next year in a concealed firearm without obtaining a er, testified on behalf of Ohioans for Safe courts and in testimony. Should she have license, unless they are prohibited under Communities, a Bloomberg android. She tried to get in her car first? She’s under so federal law. And all legal firearms would opposed the measure because “it would much stress, all she’s thinking is, ‘I need be allowed, not just handguns. HB 201 is endanger law enforcement officers for to get my gun, and I’m not sure I have sponsored by reps. Ron Hood (R, Ash- the sake of providing a minor conve- time to do anything else.’ We’re putting ville) and Thomas Brinkman, Jr. (R, Cin- nience to concealed carry holders.” too many duties on the crime victim.” cinnati). The NRA’s John Hohenwarter said the 3. Reduce Penalties: HB 233 is spon- The current licensing system would same organizations testifying against HB sored by Rep. John Becker (R, Eastgate). remain intact for individuals who wish to 142 fight every gun-right measure and It states that members of the military and participate in state reciprocal concealed “oppose concealed carry, period.” concealed handgun licensees would not carry agreements. Further, HB 201 would 2. Duty to Retreat: Sponsored by reps. be charged with a crime for carrying a also remove the requirement that a Terry Johnson (R, McDermott) and Sarah concealed weapon in a gun-free zone if licensee notify a law enforcement officer LaTourette (R, Bainbridge Township), HB they leave when asked. Permit holders that he or she is carrying when stopped. 228 expands the circumstances under who refuse to leave face a misdemeanor Rep. David Leland (D, Columbus), which a person has no duty to retreat charge of disorderly conduct, punish- who opposed the bill, said the measure before using force in self-defense. Fur- able by up to 30 days behind bars and a would ax the state’s requirement of eight ther, HB 228 shifts the burden of proof $250 fine — a lighter sentence from the hours of training to obtain a permit. to the state. A prosecutor would have to current fifth-degree felony charge that Rosie Craig, a private citizen, remind- prove beyond reasonable doubt that a carries up to 12 months in prison and a ed lawmakers they were meeting in a person charged with an offense involving $2,500 fine. statehouse room named after President the use of force did not use that force in The Ohio Chamber of Commerce op- James Garfield, an Ohioan who was as- self-defense. poses HB 233, as does the Ohio Pros- sassinated. HB 228 proposes the following lan- ecuting Attorneys Association, the Ohio “He was taken away from us by a mad- guage: “A [judge] shall not consider the Association of Chiefs of Police and a man who carried a concealed pistol,” possibility of retreat as a factor in deter- number of Bloomberg groups and pri- she said. mining whether or not a person who used vate citizens. They claim the bill strips Craig argued that more data on con- force in self-defense, defense of anoth- business owners of their private prop- cealed carry holders was needed; she er or defense of that person’s residence erty rights, including the right to decide said she began fighting for victims’ rights reasonably believed that the force was whether they want concealed weapons when her daughter’s friend was fatally necessary to prevent injury, loss or risk in their establishments. shot in 1999. to life or safety.” Don Boyd of the Chamber of Com- Rep. Kyle Koehler (R, Springfield) The Johnson/LaTourette bill would also merce said, “HB 233 goes far beyond challenged Craig. reduce several concealed handgun of- the ‘I forgot’ scenario, since it allows “Would any of these bills have prevent- fenses to minor misdemeanors and elim- people to knowingly enter a business ed this man who you described as de- inate the mandatory posting of gun-free with a concealed weapon without pun- lusional from killing President Garfield?” zone signs. ishment.” he asked. Jim Irvine, board president of Buckeye Becker disagreed, noting that it’s I think not. Firearms Association, supports HB 228 tough for a prosecutor to prove, beyond Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ohioans for because individuals under attack have a reasonable doubt, that someone in- Safe Communities, NRA Institute for enough to worry about. They shouldn’t tended to enter a gun-free business Legislative Action, Vindy.com, be second-guessed later as to whether when armed. Buckeye Firearms Association they might have been able to avoid us- “This is a subtle difference,” he said. ing deadly force against an attacker by Prosecutors said they would oppose retreating, he said. the bill in its current form but would be Ohio law currently includes a “duty to willing to work with lawmakers to cre- retreat” if possible, which Irvine believes ate a distinction between people who

November/December | www.USCCA.com 33 GEAR WE LOVE

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November/December | www.USCCA.com 35

LEGALLY ARMED CITIZEN IT’S IT’S J UST THE LAW | LAW THE UST BALLISTIC BASICS | AFTER THE AFTER SHOT | DEFCON 1 DEFCON

■ Almost every culture on the planet has its own parable about small efforts adding up, be it India’s about rice on a chessboard or America’s about an axe and an oak.

36 November/December | www.USCCA.com THERE’S AN OLD STORY ABOUT THE SHAOLIN MONKS OF CHINA. THERE ARE A LOT OF PERMUTATIONS, BUT THE GIST OF IT GOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS: The boy’s family sends him away to a Temple out in the mountains in hopes that a Master will teach him Kung Fu. A Master accepts the boy and stands him in front of a large iron kettle on a stump in a garden. He tells the boy to carry the kettle down to the river, fill it with water, bring it back up to the stump and slap the water out with his palms until it is empty. After he empties it, he is to refill it and do so over again. The Master makes the boy do this all day every day for a year. After all those months with the kettle, he is allowed a visit home to see his family. At dinner, his relatives badger him ceaselessly to tell them about all of the amazing combat techniques he’s learned from his Shaolin Master. Final- ly, frustrated that they don’t believe his mundane tales of slapping water out of a kettle, he stands up and shouts, “I tell you, I’ve learned nothing! All I did was slap at water!” To accentuate his point, he slams his palms down … and crushes his family’s enormous banquet table into pieces. Whether that ever really happened hardly matters. As cheesy as it might sound coming from a mini-mall karate instructor (or a magazine editor), what matters is that it’s an important enough les- son that almost all corners of the world have their own version. In Greece, it’s the (probably mostly mythical) 6th century BCE wrestler Milo of Croton, who carried SLOW a calf around the barnyard every morning from the day it was born, eventually becoming the stron- gest man in the world as the calf grew to maturity. In India, it’s the legend of the king losing an in- calculable quantity of rice on a chess bet. After losing, the king was to put one grain of rice on the first square, then two on the next, four on the next, eight on the next, et cetera. As the number of grains continued to double on each subsequent AND square across the entire board, the result was a debt of 210 billion tons. Americans cut out all of the small talk and made it a nice little rhyme. We just say, “Little strokes fell great oaks.”

IT ALL ADDS UP Small amounts of training add up very quickly STEADY over time, as do very minor bad habits. As those LITTLE BY LITTLE DOES THE TRICK grains of rice are doubled — as you pass another ❚ BY ED COMBS week diligently training or casually ignoring what

November/December | www.USCCA.com 37 LEGALLY ARMED CITIZEN you know you should be doing — the cisions, you cannot spend your life even in dry-fire practice, don’t be surprised reward or penalty incurred becomes in- mildly dehydrated. Avoid any advice if you draw and immediately press the creasingly consequential. on how many glasses of water to drink trigger when you’re out afield and your No one can afford to spend three or every day unless an actual physician gun is loaded. Don’t fall into the trap of four months a year attending the world’s issues it (and just going by the name training yourself to do one thing and one elite physical and tactical institutions (and “Doctor Someone” on television doesn’t thing only. This leads us right into… if he or she can and does, my advice on necessarily cut it). Drink as much wa- training will likely be of only so much use ter as your actual doctor tells you to or, PRACTICE THAT DRAW … FOR REAL to him or her). This is for everyone else; if you’re through listening to doctors, This is the one area of concealed carry this is for the instructor who wants to be drink 8 ounces of water whenever you training that is the most neglected by the able to tell her students five actually easy, feel hungry or thirsty and before eating highest number of people. Range time is actually simple steps they can take to or drinking anything else. In addition fun. Dry-fire training can be fun. Wearing dramatically increase preparedness lev- to keeping you generally healthier and a winter coat inside and working up a els. This is for the individual who carries a generally better prepared to do every- sweat clearing it while dry-drawing your pistol every day and feels confident that thing else on this list, proper hydration sidearm isn’t necessarily fun. he can effectively employ it to save lives keeps you mentally sharper and more As much of a chore as it might seem, but who has the nagging feeling there’s alert. Speaking of which… there’s absolutely no excuse for not train- more he should be doing. ing with your sidearm for the manners in All of these are simple — some even USE YOUR BRAIN which you might have to access it. You seem easy — but the hard part is the dis- We all “use our brains” every day, but don’t have to even leave the house to cipline it takes to integrate them into your what I’m talking about here is a pastime practice your draws, but just standing daily life. that actually stretches and challenges around in your regular pants, belt and your mental faculties. It could be writing, shirt isn’t going to cut it. Again, you need KNOW YOUR TRIGGER it could be Sudoku, it could be cross- to train in all of the clothing you wear I have this one separated out from the word puzzles, it could be checkers or with any regularity. If you wear a parka in rest of the firearms-based training simply word searches or crafting or any other the winter, then you need to train draw- because it is the most important. No two number of things, but it has to be some- ing from that parka. If you wear a suit to triggers are alike, even within models of thing that isn’t just watching television. church on Sunday, then you need to train pistols or revolvers. You can line up five If you’re going to trust yourself to make drawing from that suit. Hitting what you different Glock 19s and, if you’re paying split-second life-or-death decisions, you shoot at is actually Step 2; Step 1 is get- close attention, you’ll notice that none need to be keeping your mind as lim- ting positioned to even have a chance of of the triggers break exactly the same. ber as your trigger finger. Along those accomplishing Step 2. Though it is easy to sit back and sneer lines… that, under the threat of death, no one KEEP FIGHTING presses a trigger the same way he or she HANDLE THAT GUN With as many people as I hear pro- does on the training line, the fact remains When newcomers to pistol shooting claim that they’ll keep fighting until there that the more proper repetitions you put would ask me how I got my draws and isn’t a breath left in their lungs, there sure in with your sidearm, the more likely you reloads to be as fast as they were, I seem to be a lot of them who are danged are to perform that trigger press exactly would tell them that I didn’t just regular- disinterested in performing the training the right way when it counts. Train on a ly train in drawing and reloading. I was necessary to make the dying part un- proper trigger press from all conceivable also constantly handling the pistols I de- necessary. Even the smallest change positions from which you might have to manded that I be good at using. I’d be to your routine — an extra two trips up shoot: with both of your arms fully ex- fieldstripping them while on the phone. and down your stairs every morning or tended in a “proper” shooting pose; from I’d be practicing my draw while watch- an extra few dozen draws a week — can retention right down by your holster, with ing the news. I would tell whoever asked make as big a difference in keeping you your other hand up and away, ready to that if they wanted to get fast, they were alive and unharmed as the very decision fight off an attacker; laying on your back going to have to get as good with their to carry a firearm in the first place. with your knees out of the way of the muz- sidearms as they were with their remote Never lose sight of the fact that when zle; you name it. Time you put in etching controls: When you go to do anything you train you aren’t spending time; you’re that proper trigger press into your mind with it, you shouldn’t have to look at it or investing it, and wise investments yield — regardless of position — is time that even give it a second thought. It has to good returns. can literally save your life. be that much a part of your hand. Handle and manipulate your firearm HYDRATE and do not allow yourself to fall into a Your brain runs on water, and in order specific routine. If you draw and imme- to be capable of making fast, correct de- diately press the trigger 15,000 times

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IT’S IT’S J LAW THE UST BALLISTIC BASICS | AFTER THE AFTER SHOT | DEFCON 1 DEFCON

40 November/December | www.USCCA.com TELLING YOUR STORY “EVERYTHING YOU SAY WILL BE MISQUOTED AND USED AGAINST YOU.”1 The shooter’s story will be told a min- what would happen to the wounded at- TO THE POLICE imum of three times. It must be essen- tacker.) The very short declarative sen- tially the same each time, although each tences to 911 must identify the location ❚ BY K.L. JAMISON telling is for different purposes to differ- and the caller as the victim. ent branches of the police. A difference will be considered a lie. After you are a THE SECOND STATEMENT liar, you must be a murderer too. The second statement will be to the A Missouri town marshal was at- responding officer or officers. In some tacked at a traffic stop. He and his re- cases, every badge within three coun- volver reacted accordingly. He told the ties will appear, including game war- responding officer that, at one point, he dens, regardless of jurisdiction. This ONCE “drew” his flashlight. In his full state- is dangerous, as there is no obvious ment, he said he went to his car and person in charge. By policy, the first retrieved his flashlight. This trivial differ- officer on the scene is in charge, yet I ence was said to be a “lie.”2 After he have seen a case in which none of the was a liar, he must be a murderer too. It responding officers had any idea who took seven years to sift the wheat from was in charge.4 UPON the chaff. Everything is communication — dress, bumper stickers and especially THE FIRST STATEMENT body language. The citizen must greet The first telling is to the 911 opera- the officer with the gun pointed in a safe tor, which is a report given to a civilian direction if it is not pointed at a prisoner. working for the police. It is common for Ideally, it should be holstered but ready A TIME people to blurt out incriminating state- for a second act to the gunfight. An ID ments, which works against making the must be held above the head, which is call oneself. That said, asking someone a gesture used by plainclothes officers else to make the call runs the risk of to introduce themselves to responding the party inventing factoids that will be- officers. This will cause the officer to come part of the official record. talk to the citizen first, which means the Calling an attorney and having him citizen will get to tell his story first. This make the 911 call appears to be priv- might define his role in this little drama. ileged and legally ideal. It cannot be The victim must again identify his taken into evidence, even if the lawyer role and then point out evidence and should try to reveal the confidence, but witnesses. Patrol officers are discour- there is a practical problem: The legal aged from questioning suspects, but consult will be described as “cooking there are exceptions (and you can bet a up a story.” The prosecutor will rhetor- defensive shooting will be one of them). ically ask, “Who knows what was dis- The citizen will be asked the location of cussed?”3 This will provoke 12 imagi- weapons, if there are other parties and, nations to create a conversation much “Which way did they go?” A Miranda worse than anything John Wilkes Booth warning will not be given; courts have might have confided to his notebook. ruled that such emergency questions The prosecutor will incredulously ask, do not require the Miranda warning on “With a man bleeding to death in front of “public safety” grounds. If the officer you, why was your first call to a lawyer asks, “Where is the gun used to shoot and not an ambulance?” (The obvious these innocent persons in the back?,” answer is that the shooter was more the answer could be incriminating but afraid of what would happen to him than admissible.

November/December | www.USCCA.com 41 IT’S JUST THE LAW

Conversations with this officer must be the police, and once he’s a liar, he must One lady was told that she was a liar very short. The temptation will be to ram- be a murderer too. after speaking into the machine. How- ble off a long stream of self-justification; Breaking off a conversation is legal but ever, the operator forced her to scream such temptation must always be resist- must be specific. In order to invoke the into the machine in order to get a result, ed.5 right to remain silent, one must speak which would seem to create micro-trem- A Florida woman threw her boyfriend (for reasons obvious only to the Supreme ors where none existed before. out of her house after he smoked all of Court). Silence makes it difficult for law Neither machine is admissible in court. her cigarettes and drank all of her beer enforcement officers to fill out their -re Their value is that if one passes the test, without being worthy of these pleasures. ports, and you must explain your asser- the prosecutor will decline to prosecute He returned without cigarettes or beer tion in terms the officer can understand. on the testimony of a government ma- but with a pistol and threats; she killed Police get sued all the time, so something chine. Failure will focus attention on the him. When asked what happened, she like this would be a good place to start: subject but cannot support a charge or said, “He smoked my cigarettes and “I heard of a man who defended himself lawsuit. drank my beer,” but was struck dumb by and he got sued. I’m afraid of being sued. the sight of her boyfriend’s corpse be- I want a lawyer.” The last four words must BUILDING CREDIBILITY ing wheeled past. Meanwhile, the officer be included exactly, and statements to One might make a fourth statement to wrote down that she killed him because the effect of “I probably should have a the media, but only if one is a raving id- he smoked her cigarettes and drank her lawyer” might be taken as philosophical iot. There is a reason lawyers are called beer, rejoiced in the brevity of the paper- statements and not demands. “mouthpieces.” Some lawyers have sent work and moved on to his next case. The clients to interviews, but this is a danger- whole truth and nothing but the truth did THE THIRD STATEMENT ous and desperate move.6 not come out until a lengthy trial. The third statement will be to the detec- Each statement is an attempt to build It is a peculiarity of our system that the tive assigned to the case. The Miranda credibility with justice system intake per- famous rights are not enforceable until warning will be given and a form contain- sons. Under no circumstances should the after arrest. Anything said before arrest ing the warning signed. By this time, a statement start out, “Once upon a time...” is voluntary, and refusal to make a state- lawyer must be contacted. Many people ment before arrest can be used against have thought that if they just confessed Kevin L. Jamison is an attorney in the the shooter in court. a little more or gave up a little more, then Kansas City, Missouri, area concentrating When two police officers approached the authority figures would like them and in the area of weapons and self-defense. a man sitting on his porch, he asked, “I believe them. This is the same philoso- Please send questions to Kevin L. suppose you want to know about that phy liberals display when negotiating Jamison, 2614 NE 56th Ter, Gladstone, Buick I stole.” The officers were there with international thugs, and the results MO 64119-2311 or KLJamisonLaw@ to promote a community event but were of such negotiations have been obvious. earthlink.net. Individual answers are not willing to be flexible. The confession was People have confessed to crimes that usually possible but might be addressed admissible. DNA proved they did not commit, and in future columns. The exact moment of arrest might not survivors of such confessions have said This information is for legal informa- be obvious, but the criterion is having a that they did so to stop the incessant tion purposes and does not constitute reasonable belief that one cannot leave. questions. “I want a lawyer” is a better legal advice. For specific questions, you Nothing spells arrest like handcuffs. They way to end questioning. should consult a qualified attorney. are often applied with the claim of being The shooter might be offered the op- “for your safety.” Fairy tales used to start portunity to take a polygraph, often called ENDNOTES off, “Once upon a time...” There is noth- a “lie detector.” The machine does not (1) Cynical legal maxim. (2) The flash- ing safe about being handcuffed, but it’s detect lies; it detects changes in heart- light had nothing to do with the shooting. an almost universal policy and resistance beat, blood pressure, respiration and (3) I would object to such speculation is not only futile but a separate crime. electrical conductivity of the skin due to as intruding into a privileged conversa- Anything said, written or done after arrest sweat. These factors are related to lying tion. However, prosecutors have tricks is another voluntary statement. but also to stress, medication and other to draw attention to matters they cannot The shooter must break off the state- factors. Despite books promising secret argue. Even if the objection is sustained, ment after laying out the basics. Some techniques, it is difficult to beat. the damage has been done. (4) We won. have advocated demanding medical The voice stress analyzer is a recent (5) Buddha advised moderation in all care. However, when the tests come rival to the polygraph. It is supposed to things. This is very true in statements to back empty, conclusions will be drawn. detect micro-tremors in the voice relat- the police. (6) Rubin & Matera, “Get Me The shooter will be thought so imagina- ed to lying, but it is widely considered a Ellis Rubin!” St. Martin’s Press, NY, 1989 tive he might have imagined the claimed whiz-bang machine of no value. Like the at 135 et seq. threat. It might be suspected to be an at- polygraph, much depends on the skill of tempt at escape. The shooter had lied to the operator.

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The “big gun, long ■distance/small gun, short distance” argument becomes functionally moot if you don’t train to land shots beyond 3 or 5 yards.

| IT’S IT’S J LAW THE UST BALLISTIC BASICS

AFTER THE AFTER SHOT ACCURACY

DEFCON 1 DEFCON MATTERSGOOD SHOTS SAVE LIVES ❚ BY TAMARA KEEL

44 November/December | www.USCCA.com AVERAGES HAVE EXTREMES, AND THE EXTREMES ARE WHERE MARKSMANSHIP MATTERS. “Why the harping on pistol marksmanship, ters can occur. Tom Givens, of Rangemaster, and why is it so important? Aren’t most en- keeps track of his students’ use-of-force inci- counters“ resolved either simply with the pres- dents and one shooting took place at a mea- ence of a gun in the defender’s hand or the sured 22 yards. The reason for the lengthy sound of his first shot?” shot? The concealed” carrier had to fire in This was the gist of something a friend defense of a loved one who was being at- asked me in a conversation recently, and he tacked across the street. Having the ability did have a point, based on the statistical facts and confidence to make a shot like that with- of the situation. Private citizen armed en- out endangering innocents requires marks- counters very rarely require much in the way manship. of marksmanship at all; simply producing a The second kind of encounter where firearm solves many and firing it resolves a marksmanship matters is that of the deter- bunch of the rest. When it comes to criminals mined attacker who is not after your wallet who are after a profitable encounter, very few but rather is specifically there to harm you. are going to advance through gunfire to get a Whether it’s someone you know who is after wallet or a cash drawer. revenge for a real or perceived slight or some But averages have extremes, and the ex- stranger who has decided that what he real- tremes are where marksmanship matters. ly needs to do to make his day complete is There are two kinds of encounters I can harm you, this is the sort of attacker who is think of off the top of my head that are un- not going to be dissuaded by the mere ap- common but do happen and call for a higher pearance of a gun. He might well take being degree of handgun shooting skill than mak- shot as merely further incitement rather than ing a loud noise and putting a hole some- a deterrent. where in the black from 10 feet away. And here’s why marksmanship matters in The first outlier is the long-range encoun- this case: People tend to have a gross over- ter, which can and has taken several different estimation of the capabilities of pistols. No forms. The first is the public or mass shoot- popular concealed carry pistol has anything er. There have been numerous incidents in like what you’d call “stopping power;” the recent years where a lunatic with a gun has wounding mechanism of almost all pistols started shooting in a movie theater, a mall or is drilling holes. That’s all they do, and as it some other large public space. I’m not the turns out, there is a rather large percentage one to tell you what the best thing to do in of the human body that can have .35-inch to that hypothetical situation is. It might well be .45-inch holes drilled right through it without that the best thing you can do is herd your- much immediate effect. self and your loved ones toward the nearest Marksmanship matters with the deter- exit. Considering that the place is about to mined attacker because you’re not just trying be crawling with cops looking for someone to hit the bad guy; you’re trying to stop the waving a gun who is not wearing a police uni- threat that bad guy presents to your life by ACCURACY form, this might not be a bad idea. hitting certain small targets inside him. That But what if the shooter is between you requires more marksmanship than just get- and the exit? What if he sees you and starts ting a hole somewhere on the black part of shooting at you? Next time you’re in a mall or the B-27 target at 3 yards. a big-box store or even the hallway or lob- When you’re at the range practicing, prac- by of an office building, look at how far those tice like marksmanship matters, because sight lines are. There are a lot of places in sometimes it matters a whole lot. MATTERS your day-to-day travels where things are hap- pening 25 yards or more away from you and still within sight in the same building. There are other ways long-range encoun-

November/December | www.USCCA.com 45

LEGALLY ARMED CITIZEN

| IT’S IT’S J UST THE LAW | LAW THE UST BALLISTIC BASICS

AFTER THEAFTER SHOT

DEFCON 1 DEFCON

46 November/December | www.USCCA.com MUZZLE CONFRONTATIONS FALL INTO TWO BASIC SCENARIOS. A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THIS MAGAZINE AND THE SELF-DEFENSE INDUSTRY IS BUILT AROUND THE FIRST: THE QUICK-DRAW MODEL. The holsters, sidearms, training programs and related thinking have a built-in skew toward bringing a gun to bear quickly in an emergency. This is good. It is a valuable skill to learn and cultivate QUICK and when it is needed, nothing else will substitute. Tons of practice and understanding must precede the ability to perform that task properly and with confidence. Some people are better at it than others, the same as anything that requires a degree of athleticism. Some folks are more concerned about it than others. The absurdly politically correct contingent currently making trouble in America would rather not hear this, but interest in the quick-response model skews male. That’s just for now, though; affirmative free-market ef- DRAW forts to increase diversity here are underway. On the other side of draw-or-die is the slow draw. Bringing a gun to bear because you anticipate trouble and have decided to adopt an armed posture is a different ballgame, and it very well might not involve a holster at all. Arming up at home because of suspicious or outright dangerous activity nearby — unexplained noises or environmental factors like power outages, flooding or civil unrest — these are conditions that allow OR for more thought and reflection. A different mindset and training are appropriate, and firearms instructors have seen increases in women and men interested in keeping a firearm for safety at home, which is far different from immediate response on the street. The breathing space you might have when you’re not confronted with a quick-draw situation can dramatically change what you face in the legal aftermath of a firearms-related incident. Your options are limited just by the urgent nature of a sudden incident, thrust upon SLOW you at a place where you have a legal right to be while THE SITUATION AFFECTS you’re not doing anything wrong — conditions necessary for a valid self-defense claim. THE UPSHOT In an arm-and-prepare situation, although it might ❚ BY ALAN KORWIN well seem like the coward’s way out, the smart move is to seek a defensible hideout or a way out if it’s safe — the avoidance route, an “anything-but-shoot-someone” resolution to the scenario. You never want to have to shoot your way out of your home or a convenience store if you can avoid it. Or do you? If being a hero or spending your life getting free drinks for killing some dirtbag who really needs killing

November/December | www.USCCA.com 47 AFTER THE SHOT is your thing and you’ll take the risks of like most people who read these words, the ones the authorities tell, the ones the getting it wrong, offing the wrong guy, you will have held fire and survived quite prosecutors hell-bent on locking you up survivor’s guilt, spending the rest of your nicely, thank you. tell, plus all the witnesses’ stories — and life in jail or getting the wrong lawyer, But you lose all that in a quick draw. those could be all over the map. You prosecutor, judge or jury, then you need For all the stories told about people who might not even know what to think, and different advice than I can offer. had to actually rely on the training, the that, guaranteed, will change over time. In a slow draw, your options might be a gear and so many grains of powder and Chances are you’ll have an easier bigger factor at trial. You heard the noise, lead, nothing goes as planned. Folks time of it if you don’t have to fast draw, you saw it coming, the gun was in your who have had the misfortune to get because you’ll have time on your side. possession minutes or hours earlier. You caught in a gunfight — and that’s what it Chances are better for disengagement could have taken steps and didn’t. Even is, caught — learn afterward what went or avoidance. Your story might be better YOUR STORY MIGHT BE BETTER AFTERWARD — STILL EXCITING, AND NO LAWYER BILLS. rudimentary training teaches you to grav- down and how it went down. If they sur- afterward — still exciting, and no lawyer itate from low levels of involvement and vive, they get to spend the rest of their bills. If you’re at home, that slow draw energy to higher ones; the firearm is sup- lives considering how that reality com- might provide an edge, or maybe not, posed “to be the last step. pares to what they imagined it would be depending on the actors. ” If you perceived a possible need to go like. From what I hear, you really don’t By now, maybe you’ve come to the to your gun, whether you’re wearing it or want that experience. obvious conclusion: It’s always better to have it in a drawer or a safe, you knew Where that hits the fan in the real world avoid a gunfight than to win one. you needed to act so you wouldn’t have is when 12 people you’ve never met think to (literally) dodge a bullet. The prosecu- about what you did. Or, rather, what they tor will ask you about that, and if you’re think you did, because they really don’t smart — you read this rag, so you must know. Not only don’t they know you, they be — you will have taken steps to get only have stories about what you did to to safety so you didn’t have to fire. And, go by — the stories your lawyer tells,

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IT’S IT’S SILENCE J UST THE LAW | LAW THE UST IS GOLDEN UNDERSTANDING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ❚ BY JOHN CAILE BALLISTIC BASICS |

AFTER THE AFTER SHOT

DEFCON 1 DEFCON

50 November/December | www.USCCA.com FROM THE MOMENT YOU USE YOUR FIREARM TO DEFEND YOURSELF, YOU WILL ENTER A WORLD THAT FEW PEOPLE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED: NAMELY, THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. If no shots are fired and everything aligns in your favor, your experience could be brief and only mildly annoying. But, after you shoot, things get complicated. If you have actually killed someone, you should expect a marathon of exhaustive interrogation. Remember that the police responding to the scene did not witness the event. Neither did the detectives who will be questioning you later. While they aren’t your buddies, they aren’t the enemy either. As one of my cop friends explains, “It’s just that we have no idea who you are or what really happened, and it’s our job to try to find out.” Meanwhile, it’s your job to assert your right to wait for your attorney before speaking with police. Upon doing so, you will likely UNDERSTANDING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM be subjected to a whole series of psychological techniques, all ❚ BY JOHN CAILE designed to get you to break your silence. In this article, I am going to concentrate on a fatal shooting scenario, although you might encounter some of the same tactics even if you were involved in an incident where you did not discharge your firearm.

FIRST THINGS FIRST When you call 911 to report an incident, give your name and current location and say only that you need the police and an ambulance right away. Then hang up and immediately call your attorney. Don’t wait. After shots are fired, you will only have a few minutes before police arrive. When you call your lawyer, make sure that you include the location of the incident so that he or she knows which jurisdiction is likely holding you. Good criminal defense attorneys will not be sitting by the phone; they will have other clients — lots of them. It might be hours before he or she can get to you, and your attorney needs a way to track you down. It’s important to know that police arriving on the scene are not required to give the Miranda warning until they formally arrest you. But don’t wait. Recent court decisions have held that you must “immediately and unambiguously” assert your right to remain silent and have your attorney present. Tell the officers only that “he/she/they tried to kill me” and that you don’t wish to say anything more until your attorney is present. Discuss with your attorney the exact wording he or she recommends; then memorize it. It will help keep you from blurting out something potentially incriminating.

‘WE JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS’ After you’ve asserted your rights, police are no longer allowed to question you. But they can continue talking to you, often saying something like, “That’s fine, but we just have a couple of questions … strictly routine.” Those specific words have been

November/December | www.USCCA.com 51 DEFCON 1 chosen because experience has shown police.” These words are specifically room” while a detective tries unsuc- that they lull people into a false sense of chosen to heighten anxiety in the inter- cessfully to get you to talk. Suddenly, security. If it’s “routine,” it must be OK to viewee. there’s a knock at the door. Your inter- talk. Right? Wrong. If you have a family, especially kids, rogator walks to the door, takes a file Assuming you follow your lawyer’s the officers might try something like, folder, opens it, then shakes his or her advice and keep your mouth shut, “We just want to get this cleared up so head. He or she sits down, seems to since this is now a homicide investiga- we can get you home tonight.” Here read the file and says, “Looks like you tion, you will very likely be taken into again, the words “get you home” sound have a serious problem here. We have custody. Note that “homicide” merely so good. an eyewitness willing to testify that you means “death at the hands of another” But the “ticking clock” is a lie. In real- gunned down [the deceased] in cold — whether what you did was a crime ity, it is the investigators who are facing blood.” will be determined later. a deadline. They know that after your at- There is no eyewitness, of course, but torney arrives, their efforts will grind to a in your heightened state of stress and THE ‘INTERVIEW’ halt. Your job is to stay silent until then. emotion, you have an overwhelming Upon arrival at the police station, you urge to defend yourself. It will take every will be seated in an interrogation room. ‘HEY, I’M ON YOUR SIDE’ ounce of self-control to keep from react- (Interestingly, it’s now called an “inter- This one is particularly effective, being. At least if you know about this tech- view room,” which is less likely to put cause you are expecting an adversarial nique in advance, you might recognize people on the defensive.) Even the dé- confrontation, but, instead, the detective it and be better prepared to keep silent. cor will be designed to affect you sub- sitting across from you actually seems to consciously. It will be painted in stark agree with you. He’ll say something like, …BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE! colors — white, light gray, etc. The furni- “Frankly, buddy, I’d have done the same Obviously, there are many other ways ture will be sparse — a table and chairs, thing you did.” In your highly charged investigators have to get you to talk. One cheap and uncomfortable. emotional state, you really want to be- student of mine, involved in a fatal shoot, As stated, after you have asserted lieve you have a friend. You don’t. had five different detectives take turns your right to remain silent and are await- Sometimes, they’ll go even further. attempting to break him while he waited ing your attorney, police can no longer One veteran homicide detective I knew many hours for his attorney to show up. question you. But they can make state- back in Chicago told me he kept an Humorously, the last person to inter- ments. They can also lie. They can, in old-fashioned micro-cassette recorder, rogate him was an extremely attractive essence, employ anything other than the kind where you can see the reels female vice detective, dressed, as he outright threats or coercion in order to turning and a red light glowing when it’s tells it, “almost like a TV hooker.” As she get you to effectively rescind your right on. If he was getting nowhere, he would walked in carrying a file folder, she flirted to remain silent. conspiratorially shut off the tape record- shamelessly with him, saying “Hmmm, Note that while you have to clearly er, then lean forward and whisper some- they didn’t tell me you were so good express your intention to invoke your thing like, “Look, I shouldn’t tell you this, looking…” Apparently, they thought she rights, to rescind them, you need only but most of us here at the precinct think could get to him where the male detec- engage in conversation with investiga- you should get a medal. That guy you tives had failed. tors. The courts have reasoned that if, shot was bad news.” It didn’t work. I’m proud to say my stu- after “lawyering up,” you then decide to It’s all a lie, of course, but he confirmed dent never blinked. He kept his mouth talk to police, it can be inferred that you that, nine times out of 10, the defendant shut throughout. As a result, when he have changed your mind, and police starts talking. Big mistake. As already appeared at a short pre-trial hearing can once again question you. noted, by voluntarily engaging in con- with his lawyer, the prosecutors reluc- versation, the defendant has unwittingly tantly agreed they had no evidence to ‘THE TICKING CLOCK’ agreed to waive his or her rights. Be- recommend any charges. Case dis- A common ploy, often seen on TV dra- sides, as you’ve probably realized, the missed. mas, is to suggest that “time is running cassette recorder is just a prop. The real Police, detectives and prosecutors do out” for some reason. After you clam up, audio and video recorders in almost ev- this for a living. And they’re very good police might say something like, “Hey, ery interrogation room are hidden and at it. But always remember that anything that’s your right, but after we get back to always on. you say, even though it seems innocent the station, it will be too late to help you.” No matter what, keep your mouth shut to you, can and will be used against you Or the detectives, interviewing you at … even if it’s hours before your attorney in a court of law. the precinct, might try something like, shows up. Bottom line? Silence is golden. “Sir/Ma’am, we’re running out of time. We have to file our report, and it won’t ‘WE HAVE AN EYEWITNESS’ look good if we have to tell the judge Another technique works like this: that you refused to cooperate with the You’re sitting silent in the “interview

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TOLL FREE 866.340.2778 ELITESURVIVAL.COM s I lay on the ground and how much work it would be, and the snowflakes landedeach night I returned to my hotel Aon my neck, I aligned the in nearby Prescott Valley hum- sights of my Glock 17, tightened bled, tired and ready for a steak my fingers around my gun and and sleep. I came home with wished I had brought gloves. some blisters, a sore back and a I also had two other thoughts: new appreciation for the “Gunsite “You paid for the right to be here,” Way”: shooting safely, accurately and, “The three-day 9mm shoot- and quickly. ing class you went through when you were a cop was not as tough THE BACKGROUND as this.” Founded in 1976 by U.S. Ma- So began my week-long stay at rine Corps Lt. Col. John “Jeff” the Gunsite Academy in Paulden, Cooper, Gunsite Academy is one Arizona, for the five-day 250 Pis- of the oldest shooting academies tol Class. This involved firing more in the country. Col. Cooper’s leg- than 1,300 rounds: day and night, acy lives on there, as Gunsite is standing, kneeling and prone, in based on his strong beliefs about all types of weather. We shot at safe firearms use, marksmanship various distances from the out- and winning a gunfight. His es- door range, took two turns in the sence is in the air, and his lifelong “Fun House” — the building used commitment and contributions to for shoot/no-shoot drills using firearms safety and gunfighting frangible ammo — and walked a technique can be felt in every trail facing a steel target course acre of the property. (After your built into one of the many wa- class week is over, you can meet ter-carved arroyos. his lovely widow, Janelle, and tour Along the way, I discovered his library and museum in her I was not as good of a shot as I home.) thought I was, despite my law en- If you’re considering attend- forcement background and the ing a shooting course, it’s not fact that I’ve written five police as if you’re lacking worthwhile tactical books. I quickly learned choices. If you’ve got the time I had some bad habits to over- and money, you can go to Gun- come, mostly with my stance, site Academy, but there’s also elbow positioning and grip. I was the Surefire Institute, the SIG surprised how stressful the expe- Sauer Academy, the Smith & rience was and, to be honest, I’d Wesson Academy or a smaller hoped Gunsite would be more lei- school or club program in your surely than it turned out to be. area. Whatever your decision, There was immediate respect you can get professional help for our no-nonsense but cordial with your pistol, shotgun or rifle and helpful instructors, a nec- with the ultimate goal of becom- essary attitude of “safety first, ing muscle-memory-familiar with fun second” and plenty of hus- your firearm. This will make you tle from drill to drill. Between the faster out of the holster, quicker classroom lectures, the all-day up and on target, more aptly into ■ Considered by many as the world’s premier range efforts and the nightly gun your sights or scopes and will shooting school, Gunsite’s gate welcomes those cleaning, it was work. It was, in improve your skill of hitting that who are serious about pistol training. fact, clear that I’d underestimated at which you’re aiming.

54 November/December | www.USCCA.com GETTING

SCHOOLEDGUNSITE’S 250 PISTOL CLASS ❚ BY STEVE ALBRECHT

November/December | www.USCCA.com 55 COURSE PREP Thirteen men attended my section of the five-day 250 Pistol Class, and there existed the usual sense of competition. This meant many good jokes at each other’s expense while building a team bond within a consistent ethos of safety. The four range instructors who taught my section were all veteran firearms trainers with extensive backgrounds in military, law enforcement or both. The other section had senior instructors with the same skills and was a mix of men and women, and the students in both sections exhibited a wide range of ages and levels of firearms experience. Whichever multi-day program you choose, your instructors will keep safety first and require the same from you. You will be removed from the class if you violate their range use or their carrying or gun transportation rules, which are as follows: 1. All guns are always loaded (this in- ACADEMY TIPS cludes yours and everyone else’s). To make your shooting academy experience a success, you’ll need to un- 2. Never let the muzzle cover any- derstand the following: thing you aren’t willing to kill or destroy (meaning don’t point your firearm at • You’ll Need to Prepare Yourself and Your Guns people or sweep your barrel past any- You’ll shoot lots of rounds, which can leave your hands sore and blistered. one on the range line). Build your wrist and grip strength before you arrive. Toughen your fingers by 3. Keep your finger off the trigger unloading countless magazines beforehand. Bring bandages and first-aid tape. til your sights are on target (especially Practice getting into kneeling or prone shooting positions, and do so while while moving into standing, kneeling or wearing the clothing and footwear you’ll be wearing on the firing line. prone positions). 4. Be aware of your target (always • You’ll Need to Put Your Ego Away see the background behind it). Be ready to learn things their way; you might need to learn a new grip, Perhaps not surprisingly, these rules stance, sight picture or trigger pull. Don’t argue, rationalize or explain why are pretty standard for any reputable your way is better. You should be there to learn, not tell them you know a better shooting school you’re likely to find. technique. Use the experience to drop bad habits you’ve developed (and yes, everyone has at least one). BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING To get the most out of your experi- • You’ll Need to Listen to the Instructors and Focus on the Drills ence at a multi-day or week-long shoot- Every drill you do — at every distance and in each shooting environment — ing academy, you need to get mentally has a reason and a purpose, so just do as you’re told. We spent much of a day and physically ready. You’ll need eye clearing pistol malfunctions, which, to be honest, is something I hadn’t prac- and ear protection, the right gun (as far ticed very much. Training on clearing the possible jams, stovepipes or faulty as handguns go, the Gunsite instruc- ammo issues improved my confidence. Take advantage of the repetitions and tors seem to be Glock aficionados), the listen to the instructors’ tips and techniques to be safer, smoother and faster. proper belt and OWB holster (without complex retention restraints), multiple • You’ll Need to Play the Game magazine carriers and lots of rounds. While these courses are not like military boot camps, they can be intention- This is no place for appendix IWBs, ally stressful to get you in a combat mindset. Programs like Gunsite Academy shoulder holsters or thigh-mounted use frequent scored tests and competition with your peers to sharpen your nylon rigs; it’s all about your holster skills. Use the peer pressure of these competitions, like who can drop the most on your hip, which you will draw from steel targets the fastest, to progress. When you win, you show the instructors seemingly thousands of times. you’re listening and improving. You will need magazines — lots of

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CSI_147152_USCCA_October_001.indd 1 8/24/17 5:12 PM them, because Lord help you if you dry- RANGE WORK after a reload. To put it mildly, it’s not ev- fire during a live-fire exercise. I kept six To put it simply, my group shot a lot. ery range where you’re allowed to run full mags in my pockets at all times and We shot from five different range-line such a drill. I refilled or changed them out on the distances. We shot frangible rounds in Gunsite is as storied an academy as range line every time I was not on the the “Fun House,” which contained shoot/ you’ll find here in the U.S. Its instructors firing line or whenever we took a break. no-shoot targets throughout its rooms. are top-notch, its history is unlike any No matter which part of the country We shot in the evening in low-light, frosty other and it’s more than outstanding you’re planning to visit, you had bet- conditions. Our dusk-to-night shoot ex- training; it’s a dang good time. Wheth- ter dress for all weather. Plan to bring ercise gave us training opportunities in er you elect to train at a destination a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, knee near darkness and later with flashlights. school like Gunsite or with an instructor pads or a shooting pad, gloves, tacti- Each range day started or ended with a just a county over who’s still building cal pants and shirts and a jacket. On classroom discussion on handgun safe- his name, remember that what’s most my trip to Gunsite in November, I got ty, cleaning, gunfighting and concealed important is that you’re training. You’re Mother Nature’s full assortment: sun, carry tactics. discharging your duty as a responsibly wind, frost, snow and rain. I would also armed citizen, and that puts you out recommend you bring two flashlights, a HAIL TO THE CHIEF ahead of more than a few. Time spent full gun-cleaning kit, at least two maga- One exercise we repeatedly ran was training saves lives, and saving lives is, zine loaders, an extra holster and even the “South American” or “El Presidente” after all, the name of the game. an extra pistol. I brought my Glock and Drill. From standing 10 yards away with Ruger pistols, planning to use both, our backs to three targets, we would and on the first day, the firing pin in my turn, draw and put two rounds into each Ruger broke. The Gunsite Academy target before reloading and giving each has a skilled gunsmith on-site, who you another two rounds. This drill teaches can hire for repairs, and a pro shop, you to draw from the holster quickly, be- SOURCES where you can get gear for the week, ing careful not to “sweep” other people Gunsite Academy: gunsite.com including ammo, gun and holster rent- near you as you pivot, and trains you on als and Gunsite-related merchandise. engaging multiple attackers before and

58 November/December | www.USCCA.com

BULLET

POINTSINSTRUCTING INSTRUCTORS ❚ BY KLINT MACRO

60 November/December | www.USCCA.com ■ Reputable instructors, raining a trainer is a rewarding process such as those certified by that requires patience and imagina- the USCCA, offer the kind tion. Folks often ask me what I look for of instruction responsibly T when training new USCCA-Certified Instruc- armed Americans require: tors, so here’s a little inside baseball on my competent, professional and legally defensible in court. personal process and what I’m looking for. SAFETY, SAFETY, ABOVE ALL SAFETY When working with anyone who is going to use a firearm for defense, sport or rec- reation, we, as instructors, must first lead by example by reinforcing safe practices. When evaluating instructor candidates, I am looking for individuals who exhibit firearms safety in all acts, words, explanations and deeds. Muzzle discipline, muzzle awareness and trigger-finger discipline are paramount whenever handling a firearm. Instruc- tor candidates must also be quick to identify when a student needs guidance with regard to safety.

FOLLOW THE CURRICULUM A well-developed and well-vetted curriculum is just that … well-developed and well-vetted. Lots of time, money and firearms and legal expertise went into the development of the USCCA curriculum. USCCA-Certified Instructors are handed a tremendous resource that is safe to teach as long as the instructor in question follows the curriculum. To paraphrase a quote from the 1986 comedy classic ¡Three Amigos!: “Stray from the formula and pay the price.” I look for instructor candidates who will teach the USCCA course the USCCA way. Follow the curriculum and you will always look like an expert. This is the best way for us, as instructors, to maintain the highest standard of quality.

PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS ARE A MUST In order to be an effective USCCA In- structor, a candidate must be an effective presenter. Speaking to an audience can be stressful for some instructor candidates, and not everyone is born with the “look at me!” gene. For those folks who would rather stand in front of an oncoming train than in front of an audience, I suggest keeping a

November/December | www.USCCA.com 61 steady, measured safe and efficient pace when pre- firing line is key, senting material. and instructor can- Think about what didates must con- you want to say, tinue scanning for make eye con- any safety infrac- tact with the audi- tions and be phys- ence, speak, think, ically close enough make eye contact, to the student to speak … rinse and offer guidance or to repeat. It is better step in and forcibly to pause and think stop an accident in about what to say progress. It is your next than fill the moral and profes- The inaugural silence with um- ■ USCCA Instructor sional duty to offer mms, ahhhs and filler statements, such can buy those minutes so that Certification Course a safe environment for the as, “And like that,” or, “So, there you go.” the police can do their jobs, was held in 2015. shooters on your line. Instructor candidates often get “time di- well then so much the better. Secondly, the whole rea- lation” while presenting lessons, and I Always keep in mind that when we press son we conduct live fire is to improve tell them not to worry; your pauses are the trigger, our lives change, and this our shooters’ skills. Instructor candi- rarely as long as they seem when you point must be stressed again and again dates must observe shooters and be are in front of a group. and again. able to accurately diagnose technical Most folks will agree that knowing the Secondly, the aggressive “drill instruc- deficiencies and offer practical sugges- subject matter makes presenting it far tor” approach simply doesn’t work in a tions to correct poor performance. Be- easier. My suggestion is, when you first one- or two-day class. Joe and Jane Ci- ing a good coach is not only important receive your USCCA Instructor Toolbox vilian will either get very angry or break to helping our shooters improve their prior to attending an Instructor Training down if you bark at them in front of a shooting skills, it also helps to gain their Workshop, take time to familiarize your- classroom or range filled with students. trust; without trust, education is unnec- self with it by thoroughly reading through Either way, you’ll shut down the learning essarily difficult. the material. process and do a disservice to all involved. Instructor candidates should in- NEVER STOP LEARNING TEACH CIVILIAN COURSES TO deed be serious, but, at the same time, Instructor candidates should maintain FELLOW LAW-ABIDING CIVILIANS they should be positive, supportive and, a teachable attitude and strive to be on Instructor candidates need to keep in when necessary, nurturing. the cutting edge of tactics, technique mind that we are teaching fellow law-abid- and technology. Take advantage of dry- ing private citizens, not law enforcement BE A PROFESSIONAL fire, live-fire, SIRT pistols, LASR software or military personnel. Civilians do not Whether an instructor candidate or other creative and exciting training have an “ROE,” or “Rules of Engage- wants to volunteer her time or charge tools. When we become inflexible or ment.” Such military codes of conduct do top dollar, she must constantly strive for stale, we will not give our students the not apply to Joe and Jane Civilian. Many professionalism. One must try to outdo best information possible. firearms trainers come from LE or military himself each time he dons his USCCA One of the aspects of the USCCA backgrounds, where they might have had polo shirt or cap. Using proper nomen- curriculum that I find most beneficial is some sort of ROE. If a civilian chases clature, articulating your points without that it is constantly updated, with new down a bad guy, that civilian might wind littering your speech with profanity and stats and information added regularly. up in jail for it. Instructor candidates who slang, respecting your students and Instructor candidates must be open to are administering classes to civilians representing yourself as a subject mat- new concepts and continued educa- must acknowledge that safe gun han- ter expert will reinforce you as a profes- tion. Read books, watch videos, attend dling, situational awareness and conflict sional instructor. Keep in mind that a courses and clinics, assist other instruc- avoidance are of paramount importance. professional instructor must administer tors and crave knowledge. You owe it to Aggressive gunfighter tactics might help a course efficiently and disseminate in- yourself and you owe it to your students. send your student to prison. formation accurately. All shooting skills taught must be in a TREAT STUDENTS AS CLIENTS AND defensive context, considering what the RUN A SAFE, QUALITY FIRING LINE OFFER ONGOING CUSTOMER SERVICE body does naturally under stress. When working with students on the fir- I make it crystal clear that I am part of When seconds count and help is mining line, instructor candidates too often my instructor candidates’ training team. utes away, we should all be prepared develop tunnel vision when administer- Too often instructors teach a course, to do what is necessary to defend our ing a particular course of fire and forget give their students an “Atta-Boy” and a families. However, if we, or our students, to offer quality coaching. Maintaining a certificate and send them on their way.

62 November/December | www.USCCA.com

Instructor candidates should look at come ambassadors of safe and re- CCA Training Program. The real work their students not simply as students sponsible firearms ownership and the begins after an instructor candidate but also as clients. Treat students with 2nd Amendment. Instructor candidates puts himself out there, runs classes the respect of valued customers and should arm themselves with the facts and develops his own personal style work to gain their trust. A student will and be willing to engage in civilized and technique. On-the-job training is initially sign up for a course because debate to help sway their fellow Amer- where a serious, professional instruc- one instructor is 10 bucks cheaper icans away from dishonest anti-gun tor hones his or her skills and craft. or 3 miles closer than another or be- propaganda. Instructor candidates cause an instructor’s course worked must promote a positive image and JUST THE BEGINNING within her schedule. After you’ve reinforce responsible “well-regulat- If I do my job well, USCCA-Certified gained her trust, that same student will ed” firearms usage (in the true sense Instructors will leave my workshop come back to train with you no matter of what “well-regulated” means). Re- with a solid understanding of the cur- the cost — and no matter the travel member, gun safes don’t keep our riculum, examples of effective ways to time. It might take her a while to save guns safe from politicians. We should present it, the experience of present- money to attend your next class, but promote civic duty, voting and coming portions of it in a positive and cre- she will come back. Instructor candi- municating with our elected officials ative environment and the confidence dates need to market their classes as about all issues important to us. that they can be successful USC- businesses, because that’s what they CA-Certified Instructors. I’ll always be are. Offer ongoing customer service to ON-THE-JOB TRAINING there to answer questions and help your clients and ensure that you be- A fantastic instructor is not made in them how I can, but the rest is up to come their go-to instructor. a two-day course. As a USCCA Train- them. ing Counselor, I have to be sure that BE AN AMBASSADOR instructor candidates meet the min- When instructor candidates become imum requirements set by the USC- professional USCCA-Certified Instruc- CA but also consider the candidates’ tors, they represent something bigger overall attitudes and potential to be than themselves and, by default, be- excellent representatives of the US-

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remember well when I pur- GOINGchased my first safe — a IBrowning — back around 1992. I wanted to put it — of moderate size and not fire- lined — on the second floor of the three-story condo in which I lived at the time. Being 25 years ❚ BY SCOTT W. WAGNER younger than I am now, I figured UP it would be easy for me and two other cop buddies to wheel the safe on a dolly up the stairs. We were entirely incorrect. The stairs were a bit narrow, and we found it difficult to get the safe into a position to haul it up, even on a dolly. We also quickly realized that this was not like moving something lighter — like a dresser — up the stairs. Further, we realized that the Browning safe wasn’t going to end up on the second floor and that we were clearly lacking in safe-moving technique. That Browning safe might as well have been a grand piano for as far as we were able to move it up a flight of stairs.

66 November/December | www.USCCA.com GOING UP

November/December | www.USCCA.com 67 STEP UP? ■ Larger safes, like this Browning US37 model, can be difficult to move above the ground floor safely. For starters, some wooden steps are not equipped to handle 800 to 1,000 pounds or more.

As if that first experience wasn’t In order to bring some credibility to safe, then it can’t hold one without fire humbling enough, I would soon eat an- the table, I contacted an actual safe protection. other slice of humble pie. When I later mover: Corey Sowards, owner of Mod- The Centurion I have is the equiva- moved into a house, I hired a moving erne Safe Moving in Dayton, Ohio. But lent of the current Centurion 18, which company for much of the heavy work, before I tell you what he had to say, can hold up to 18 long guns. The

including moving the safe. This house let’s talk about weights and sizes of Centurion line is less expensive than

ww.vaultprousa.com also had a walkout basement. There safes, and why you should — especial- the standard Liberty line and, like the w

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it in the requested location. All I could In addition to my Browning Safe, Liberty line, based on my sales expe- + %

say was, “Wow,” and feel that all the I own a Liberty Centurion Series rience at Vance Outdoors in Colum- 0

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72 November/December | www.USCCA.com WHEELS FLYING WITH YOUR GUN ❚ BY BRAD LEWIS UP

November/December | www.USCCA.com 73 ■ Traveling with a firearm is a high- stakes proposal, so make sure you cross your Ts and dot your Is.

carry my handgun everywhere I legal- True, it is against TSA regulations to plete TSA regulations at tsa.gov/travel/ ly can, and I often travel by air com- carry a weapon onto a plane. However, transporting-firearms-and-ammunition. I Imercially for work. This piques peo- with careful adherence to TSA regula- encourage you to read it thoroughly; no ple’s attention. tions, you can place an unloaded fire- fair treating it like one of those “terms “I thought you’re not allowed to take a arm in your checked luggage. and conditions” windows that most of us gun onto a plane?” Right off the top, you can find com- accept without reading a single word. Study it and know what it says. I keep a printed copy in my gun case for reference. Atop the TSA rules, you also need Skinner® Sights LLC to review any specific instructions pro- ANNOUNCING THE SKINNER HTF GARMENT BAG vided by the airline you intend to fly. • Up to a 40" long gun and two handguns • Room for three rifle and eight pistol BOX SOCIAL • Knife, flashlight and accessory pouches Ah, the gun case: about as simple a • Courdura construction HTF part of the operation as you can find, but Garment • Heavy duty stitching people sometimes still manage to mess Bag it up. You must use a lockable, hard-sided case that cannot be pried open. I use the MTM Single Gun Case. Because this Who Steals Clothes? is not a firearms-specific case, I am able to carry different weapons without issue. Regardless of which you choose, the operative terms here are “hard-sided” FOLDS FOR EASY CARRYING and “lockable.” If it doesn’t fit those two WITH WRAP AROUND HANDLES criteria, it’s a no-go. REMOVABLE HOLSTERS WITH MAGAZINE POUCH It is very important that the firearm be unloaded before it goes into the case. Al- though not required, I often remove the slide from the frame and place the two side-by-side along with two magazines. That way, if TSA X-rays the case, they will see the firearm is not only unloaded but in THE SKINNER® SIGHTS “HTF” BAG ALLOWS YOUR a non-firing condition. FIREPOWER TO BE “CONCEALED IN PLAIN SIGHT” Firearms and accessories shown are for illustrative purposes and are not included with Skinner cases. Choose standard keyed or combina- YET READY IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. tion locks that only you can open. You www.SKINNERSIGHTS.com should not use TSA “luggage locks,”

74 November/December | www.USCCA.com because TSA officials have pass keys is operated for passengers with unique After seeing the case, the agent will ask for those units and you therefore cannot circumstances, such as wheelchairs or you to sign a card declaring the firearm guarantee that only you have access service animals. These counters are of- is unloaded. You will then be asked to to the case. TSA might X-ray the case ten staffed with some of the most expe- place that card on top of the firearms during their screening process and, if rienced agents, and that makes the pro- case and then close your luggage. I they have any concerns, they might ask cess all the more easy and comfortable. once had the card separated from the you to provide the key or combination. When it is your turn to approach the case as my luggage moved around and, For this reason, most airports will ask counter, state respectfully and in a normal since then, I’ve placed a vinyl holder on you to remain near the check-in counter voice, “I would like to declare an unload- top of the case that allows me to slide the while the screening takes place. ed firearm.” Avoid phrases like, “I have declaration card into the holder and keep After the firearm is in the locked case, a gun,” and avoid speaking louder than it securely attached. (The holder is a sim- place it in the luggage that you plan to normal. Simply be respectful and polite. ple badge holder — like you might use check. As an extra precaution, I take a The agent will ask to see the locked case, at a conference for a name tag — held in cable lock and secure the firearm case so be prepared to open your luggage. place with double-sided foam tape.) With to the inside of the luggage. To do this, I unzip the liner and pass a laminated steel cable through the bars that hold the collapsible handle used to pull the luggage. I then zip the liner around the cable, leaving enough cable exposed to reach the firearm case, and run the cable through the firearm case handle and lock it. (The cable I use came from an old “ski tote” that used to keep my downhill skis where I wanted them, but any bike lock will work.) Granted, the handles inside the suitcase are not as strong and secure as the cable, but it would take some effort to separate the firearms case from your luggage. Effort draws attention, and thieves aren’t fond of either. TSA regulations allow you to travel with up to 11 pounds of ammunition in your checked luggage. Regardless of what the TSA homepage might or might not say, stick to factory loads in the original packaging. Place the ammo in the bottom of your luggage; there’s no need to place it in your locked firearms case. On one extended trip, I placed my locked firearm in one piece of luggage and a box of ammunition in another. The idea was to distribute the weight more evenly, holsters. or concealed with standard Available and doing so is perfectly allowable. With your firearm secured inside your checked luggage, it’s time to head to the airport. Give yourself at least an extra 30 minutes to check in. After you’ve done this a few times, you’ll get a feel Quick Access, comfort for how much time you really need, but And sAfety. every airport is different; more on that in When it comes to self defense a moment. and carry you are looking for quick access, comfort and ‘NEXT, PLEASE’ safety. That shouldn’t change When you arrive at the airport, pro- when you’re behind the wheel. ceed to your airline’s Special Services the Gum creek Vehicle check-in counter, which is usually at the mount is the best solution. end of the normal check-in counter and

November/December | www.USCCA.com 75 the declaration card on top of your fire- conveyor belt and sends it down, and I’m arms case, close and lock the luggage. instructed to wait in a special area for my (This would be the time and place for a bag to be cleared. After about a 10-min- TSA-approved lock.) ute wait, the agent or a customer service representative will tell me that my bag is THE HANDOFF(S) cleared. At this point, I can go through the The next step in the process is what usual security checkpoint and board the continues to surprise me. (Remember plane. that part about each airport being At other airports, I’ve experienced dif- different?) At my home airport, the ferent procedures. Some ask you to car- agent calls TSA to communicate that ry the luggage to a special room, where checked luggage that contains an un- you will watch a TSA officer perform the loaded firearm is headed their way. The screen, after which they’ll send the bag agent then takes my luggage to a special to the airplane. At other airports, the agent will take your luggage and send it down the same conveyor used for all bags and will dismiss you to go through regular security. In other words, be prepared for variation. Your home airport and return airport are likely to follow different procedures. After you land, retrieve your checked luggage and exit the airport. Before ex- iting, I often find a quiet corner to open my luggage to ensure the locked case is still in place, but I never remove the firearm at this point. I execute this quick check in case there is an issue and I need to go to the airline baggage office. (To date, I have never had a problem.) Some airlines will bind your suitcase with large plastic ties for the flight, and when you retrieve your luggage, it will be basically inaccessible without a knife or strong clippers. If you did not check a knife in that bag, then you will either have to ask an agent for assistance or walk away with your luggage thus bound. Either way, those giant zip-ties attract attention. Remove them as soon as you can.

FLY SMART Always review the local laws and regulations for your destination before you pack your firearm. If you plan carefully and treat the airline and TSA agents with respect, you’ll find that traveling with your firearm on commercial flights is remarkably easy.

SOURCES TSA Firearms Regulations: tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition MTM Case-Gard: mtmcase-gard.com

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78 November/December | www.USCCA.com ’m not much use in a kitchen beyond the microwave — or the table, I suppose — Ibut, over the years, I’ve noticed at least one trait that almost all great bakers share: They’re relentless fine-tuners. A tweak here. A little something they picked up from a friend there. A dash more flour perhaps. Go easy on the salt this time. A bit more butter wouldn’t hurt. (Author’s note: It never does.) Whether these bakers are preparing cookies, cakes, bread or biscuits, their rec- ipes almost always serve as guide rather than gospel. Each evolving iteration is another crack at perfection, and no matter how closely one dough-slinger follows the directions of another, tiny nuances in preparation will make for an entirely unique final product. Handgun shooting form is no different. Now, that might sound a little far-fetched, but bear with me for a second. I’m guessing the path I took to find my shooting form “recipe” is pretty close to the one many of you took. It started with Dad providing the basics. Then I picked up tips — a healthy mix of good and bad advice — from friends and family members through the years. As I got more serious, I shot on my own as much as possible, making strides while simultaneously learning many of the annoying habits that haunt me today. In recent years, I’ve sought the instruction of respected trainers, each providing important tweaks. Over time, my “recipe” kept improving. Sure, I wasn’t out there winning IDPA matches or anything, but shooting form is a per- petual work-in-progress, and I was definitely headed in the right direction. That’s why I was a little nervous when Tra- cy Roberts, my instructor for InSights Train- ing Center’s General Defensive Handgun course, asked me to rip up my recipe and start from scratch using the InSights Inte- grated Act of Firing.

INSIGHTS TRAINING CENTER First, I should point out that the instructors at InSights encouraged our class to seek training from as many different shooting schools as possible and by no means suggested that what they teach is the only way. It’s evident they feel it’s the best way to shoot, but if your shooting school isn’t teach-

November/December | www.USCCA.com 79 ing the techniques they believe are most effective, you should probably ask for your money back. It’s also worth mentioning that a great deal of research was put into InSights’ Integrated Act of Firing by some pretty qualified minds. Greg M. Hamilton, InSights’ founder and chief instructor, is a veteran of the U.S. Army Rangers and Special Forc- es and is certified by the Army as a Close Quarters Combat Instructor and Anti-Terrorism Instructor. He has been named a “Master Instructor” and “Mas- ter Tactician” by the American Tactical Shooters Association and has attended shooting schools across the country. He’s a two-time National Tactical Invita- tional champion and has placed in the top five six years in a row. Hamilton founded InSights in 1990, and the center is now recognized as one of the top shooting schools in the country. Roberts, who served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army before working as a ‘THE MORE I TRAINED WITH INSIGHTS, THE MORE I DISCOVERED ski instructor and mountaineering trainer for many years, was an InSights student THAT THEY HAVE FIGURED OUT THINGS THAT I DON’T THINK OTHER himself in the mid-1990s. “It started to answer all of my ques- SCHOOLS HAVE FIGURED OUT,’ ROBERTS SAID. tions,” Roberts said of InSights’ training. ““What we try to emphasize in this can take care of itself — your reloads, “Initially, when you start self-defense course is we want you to understand you’re on target when you need to be, training, you have some very limited — at least partly, this is only a two-day your safety procedures are all in place, questions. Then you start solving these course — what the best shooters in that can all run automatically. very limited problems, but as your the world are doing,” Roberts said. “If “If you’ve got any brain” cells left to knowledge of bad situations expands, you looked at the top 100 competition do work, they should be thinking about the number of questions you ask can shooters — and mixed in among them tactics. You don’t want to be that per- sort of expand. What I discovered at In- there are a few police officers and elite son who’s trying to make a tactical de- Sights Training Center is that they have military people — they will have discus- cision while figuring out how to reload principles that can be applied to situa- sions and differences about minute de- your gun or how to clear a stoppage. tions.” tail, but in the big picture, 90 percent of This class is about getting that founda- Roberts said the InSights curriculum what they’re doing, they’re all doing in tion in place. We do that through all of that Hamilton put together along with common.” our drills, gun handling, a lot of shoot- John Holschen, another InSights in- ing and a lot of range time.” structor with an impressive military and INTEGRATED ACT OF FIRING InSights asks students to bring at competitive shooting background, is The General Defensive Handgun least 600 rounds, and I went through the most comprehensive program he’s course began like most other basic almost the full 600 through two days found on civilian use of force. handgun courses — introductions, ba- that were split between sessions in the “The more I trained with InSights, the sic philosophy, firearms handling rules, classroom and the range. more I discovered that they have figured range rules and some other general The Integrated Act of Firing is bro- out things that I don’t think other schools business. After that was out of the way, ken down into five categories: Stance, have figured out,” Roberts said. we started to get into the red meat of Grip, Aiming, Trigger Press and Fol- It’s that reputation that led me to the the class — the Integrated Act of Firing. low-Through. The framework of the West Coast Armory in Bellevue, Wash- “The goal is to get your foundation process is not revolutionary — Modern ington, where Roberts, who has been gun-handling skills in place,” Roberts Isosceles Stance, high-thumbs grip, fo- an InSights instructor since 2001, tried said. “You want your gun-handling cus on the front sight, disciplined trig- to convince me the InSights’ ingredients skills to occur automatically, some peo- ger break, resetting the trigger during were better than the ones I had been ple would say unconsciously. You have recoil, etc. In fact, by shooting-school working with previously. to train through until the gun handling standards, the steps are pretty basic,

80 November/December | www.USCCA.com and that’s by design. Over the course For the aiming portion of the Integrat- trainers make a concerted effort to help of the class, especially on the range, ed Act of Shooting, InSights instructors shooters develop a deep understand- the instructors aim to drill the details of simply train students to focus on the ing and natural feel for their handguns’ the Integrated Act of Firing until each front sight, leaving the rear sight and trigger break and reset. step becomes second nature, even if target slightly blurry. The top of your “What beginners will do is just mash your gun jams or you have to reload. front sight should settle exactly where that trigger to the rear and hope for the “A person who has been shooting you want the bullet to hit. best,” Roberts said. “We’re trying to get for quite a few years, they have certain a lot more sophisticated with our ma- habits in place,” Roberts said. “May- TRIGGER PRESS AND nipulation of the trigger and understand be they’re even pretty quick and safe FOLLOW-THROUGH the whole sequence.” at drawing the gun and they’re pretty There’s perhaps no bigger emphasis Through range exercises and rec- accurate, but a lot of the intermediate in InSights’ General Defensive Hand- ommended dry-fire practice, students steps, like clearing stoppages effi- gun course than on trigger press. The gain an advanced feel for the levels of ciently or doing reloads, they haven’t thought about how that would all fit together in a real fight.” Each step of InSights’ front-loaded shooting system is meant to fit together seamlessly with the next one. “We’re trying to accomplish all of the skills as early as possible,” Roberts said.

STANCE, GRIP AND AIMING In our first session in the range during the General Defensive Handgun course, Roberts asked us to get into our shooting stances. He checked our posture and provided feedback. When he got to my spot in the line, he pushed my right leg slightly forward and balanced my arms, transitioning me from a Modifed Weaver Stance into InSights’ preferred Modified Isosceles Stance. This “boxer’s stance” is taught by InSights because it creates symmetry and balance. With your strong-side foot slightly back and your arms fully extended, the stance feels natural, stable and easily repeatable. Roberts also adjusted my grip to what he called the “thumbs-high grip.” With my right hand — my strong hand — as high as possible on the pistol’s grip and my middle finger tight against the trigger guard, Roberts had me put the heel of my left hand on the portion of my Walther PPQ’s grip that was still exposed. I then wrapped my non-firing hand’s fingers around the strong hand. Roberts said that the strong hand should provide approximately two-thirds of the gripping force. “That final interface with the gun — the grip — that’s where you get a chance to exert the most influence on the behavior of the gun and recoil,” Roberts explained.

November/December | www.USCCA.com 81 the trigger press — slack, engagement, were well-run and specifically chosen build upon their proficiencies. break, over travel and reset. InSights to emphasize specific details of the In many ways, starting over from teaches students to maintain constant system. scratch on my shooting form at In- contact with the trigger following a shot, “I want students to be able to take Sights Training Center was challenging allowing it to return just 10 percent of away the knowledge of how to train,” and frustrating. Predictably, old habits the way back on the reset. That brings Roberts said. “We probably can’t make collided with new skills I was trying to the trigger back beyond the break but you into a better shooter in a week- incorporate, and I shot inconsistently. not into the slack, helping to set the end — Saturday to Sunday — but we But the Integrated Act of Firing forced shooter up for the next shot. InSights hope to give you enough knowledge me to take a much closer look at every calls this the 90/10 Rule. and enough drills so that when you aspect of my shooting form and gave “We use staging the trigger and then get away on your own time in your me the tools I needed to improve on my breaking the shot skillfully as an ap- dry-fire practice sessions and in your own. Since then, I’ve adopted most of proach to precise shooting,” Roberts range sessions, you will have a training the system into the recipe I use today, added. scheme that will allow you to continue and through practice — range time and Along with the trigger reset, InSights to develop your training.” dry-fire — I’m a better shooter because drills students on proper follow-through That know-how, combined with the of it. and ensuring their front sights remain legal information and other classroom on target throughout recoil. material presented in InSights’ General Defensive Handgun course, gives stu- GOOD INGREDIENTS dents the basic ingredients they need Throughout the range portions of the to successfully use a pistol in a close- two-day course, Roberts drilled the In- range, high-speed defensive situation. SOURCES tegrated Act of Firing fundamentals into The other InSights courses — roughly InSights Training Center: our brains until they started to become 50 that comprehensively cover com- insightstraining.com second nature. While the drills were bative, handgun, rifle, shotgun and tac- much like the basic exercises you’d tical subjects — are designed to layer expect in an introductory course, they skills so students can continuously

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THE PLASTIC ROUNDUP

84 November/December | www.USCCA.com t seems that polymers have all but taken over the gun world these days. Al- Imost everything you can think of in the firearms industry has a polymer coun- terpart somewhere — guns have polymer frames, sights, triggers, magazines and more. And it’s not just firearms; accessories, training tools and safety gear are more and more commonly found in non-ferrous form as well. Polymer is prolific all around us. Most would define “polymer” simply as plastic. Hard or soft, we use polymer and plastic synonymously every day. Person- al experience and knowledge lead me to believe and do the same. Plastic or rubber, not wood or steel … right? I had enough doubt to feel that a little legwork on the true definition of the word “polymer” was necessary. “Polymer” comes from the Greek polymerés, which means “having many parts.” Yikes! That doesn’t scream “plastic” to me. Finally, I found a scientific website that opened by talking about polymers or plastics as one and the same. OK then … polymer is plastic. ’Nuff said! With the prolific polymer presence in the market, the USCCA announced it would hold the first-ever Polymer Paloo- za. Concealed Carry Magazine Exec- utive Editor Kevin Michalowski was the man behind the event, and he contacted a variety of manufacturers of polymer products on the market. He covered all the bases: guns, gear, targets, protective gear and even ammunition. Invitations found a select few and arrived with minimal information. Keeping it mysterious and simple, Michalowski stated that it was to be the first-ever Poly- mer Palooza and there would be “some The author and many other professionals in the ■ friendly competition.” (Of course, brag- firearms world gathered at Fireline Shooting and Training Center in Appleton, Wisconsin, to put ging rights would go to the winner and the Walther Creed and a range of other polymer there would be writing opportunities for products through their paces. all.) No one really knew what to expect.

November/December | www.USCCA.com 85 ■ Shooting for speed and accuracy, the competitors had a pair of 15-round magazines to drop 24 polymer plates from Newbold Targets.

Not too far from the USCCA head- in the looks department with a balanced pistols or shotguns at distances that quarters, we all gathered at the Fire- feel and a truly great trigger. Touted as would be unsafe with steel. line Range in Appleton, Wisconsin. A a “double-action-only” pistol, the Creed I could do an entire article on the fea- franchise-able chain of combination does have an exposed hammer that tures, benefits and advantages of New- gun store/indoor firing range, Fireline is is, for the most part, unnoticeable; the bold’s polymer targets. Not only are they state of the art. Owner Brandon Powers actual hammer itself is bobbed and al- of polymer construction, the bases and greeted us and gave a quick tour of the most completely shrouded by the slide. mounting hardware are also made of well-stocked facility before we headed You can’t tell it’s there until you actually the same durable, resilient material. If into one of its several classrooms. Mi- press the trigger, and you won’t notice you’ve shot traditional steel-plate racks, chalowski took the floor, introduced all it live-firing. What you do notice is that, you understand the problems with main- the attendees and gave us a rundown of at 6.5 pounds, the travel of that dou- tenance and ricochets from rounds hit- what the day held for us. ble-action is as smooth as butter, with ting the racks and the hardware. We’d be running Walther Firearms’ no stacking or gravely feel. The DXT Big These self-sealing, reactive polymer latest offering and shooting an array Dots, supplied by XS Sights out of Tex- targets are also safe to use indoors. of reactive and indoor-range-friendly as, were easy to see and fast to pick up. Newbold’s polymer construction allevi- polymer targets. Safety gear, loading Despite an appearance of being top- ates concerns of ricochets and back- aids, shooting gear and, yes, even poly- heavy, I did not find the Creed to be splash and therefore concerns about mer-coated ammunition was also pro- so. None of the shooters had difficulty collateral damage to ceilings and walls. vided, and some manufacturer repre- shooting the gun quickly and accurately. Being able to shoot reactive targets on sentatives were on hand to explain their The Creed is ergonomically friendly with an indoor range is a great feature, and wares. controls in all the right locations, and, couple that with not requiring the mini- with an MSRP of $399, it doesn’t break mum standoff distance of steel (usually THE ROUNDUP the bank. Watching everyone shoot 30 feet for pistols and 100 yards for ri- Walther Firearms supplied their new the pistol well leads me to believe that fles) and it allows for incredible versa- Creed pistol in 9mm. Walther’s Creed is it could be that “one gun” in your col- tility. Safe, light and reusable, polymer a polymer hybrid, as many new guns re- lection you could take to the range with targets really increase your options. leased today are. It has a full-sized steel anyone and have a successful day. We also got a sneak preview of their slide and a full-sized polymer frame to new line of dummy rounds. Made with match. Its size lends itself to training use TARGET ACQUIRED the same tough yet flexible polymer in- or plinking. It was very shootable, and it Newbold Targets, of Middlesex, New serted into your favorite caliber case, felt good in my hands. Jersey, supplied targets for the event. these inert rounds have another desir- Though not the most attractive gun Significantly more fun than traditional able feature: For dry-fire use, enough and certainly lacking sex appeal in my paper units, Newbold has a solution for material protrudes from the primer pock- eyes, it makes up for its shortcomings when targets are to be shot with rifles, et to protect firing pins.

86 November/December | www.USCCA.com GUNLEATHER up for me. SSP Eyewear of Moses and a 1.25 bifocal on my non-dominant Comp-Tac Holsters out of Houston, Lake, Washington, provided protective eye. There was a slight learning curve Texas, supplied holsters, magazine car- eyewear for the event. Having spoken to get my head down just enough to see riers and their latest gun belt for our use. to a representative of the company as the sights through the top-focal lens, Comp-Tac impressed me with their qual- well as a current user and proponent of but the sights and target both remained ity construction and fit; no surprise that these glasses, my interest was piqued clear. a little research revealed them to have to try them. been voted the most popular holster at Safety eyewear made of unbreakable WHAT’S THAT YOU SAY? the IDPA Nationals from 2011 to 2016. polycarbonate with strategically located Walker’s Game Ears out of Grand On the firing line, we had their Inter- magnification is more than just advance- Prairie, Texas, offered two types of hear- national Holster and double magazine ment in the modern market; it’s the kind ing protection: Both were electronic, but carrier. The mag pouch was a belt-slide- of thing that can literally change shoot- one was in-ear and the other more tradi- style but incorporated a curved mounting ing for millions. If you’re like me and tional “can”-style earmuffs. I chose over- surface, which aided in fit and comfort are getting to the point where reading the-ear protection ($69.99 MSRP) since by drawing the entire unit closer to the glasses are mandatory, SSP Eyewear my wife already has the Walker’s Silenc- shooter rather than creating tension with is worth a look. Actually, with pricing er in-ear electronics ($229.95 MSRP) squared-off surfaces on the body side. so reasonable — $69 for their Premier and I wanted to work with something I’d The holster itself ships with mounting Kit — it would be foolish not to try these never used before. options for belt-slide or paddle as well glasses. Besides providing clear, yellow At an indoor range, it’s not unusual as an optional drop and offset. When and smoked lenses, the kit includes the to have to wear “double ears,” which I teach defensive pistol classes, I use same lenses with bifocal and top-focal means wearing both plugs and over-ear the standard-ride belt-slide holster; the as well as no magnification. With all protection. The great thing about using drop and offset additions are better suit- these options, you can customize your electronics for your over-ear protection ed to competitive shooting. It’s easy to safety glasses to clear up your sights is that you still have great hearing abil- recommend this holster to anyone in- while keeping distance in focus. ity despite having inner ear plugs, as terested in training and competing and During the shoot, I gave these glass- the hearing magnification gives you the who doesn’t want to shell out a bundle es a fair shake. I set up with a 1.25 mag- ability to hear directions while still offer- buying gear. nification on the top of my dominant eye ing the “double ear” protection. Finding a solid gun belt that’s comfortable isn’t easy. Comp-Tac’s Kydex Reinforced Contour Belt ($84.99 MSRP) is absolutely a heavy-duty gun belt with a look that doesn’t give away your pas- sion for firearms. Despite the out-of- the-package comfort, it’s designed to support the extra weight of a gun and magazines. The break-in period generally found with stiff gun belts is eliminated by design, as the polymer insert delivers the required rigidity without the potential discomfort of steel. Strength and shape are created by sandwiching Kydex between high-quality Texas steerhide, but that’s not all. If you’re wondering what the “contour” is about, look at any belt you wear often and you’ll see that it isn’t straight when you take it off; it will have swail, or a bel- ly-like bend, in the center where it runs through your back belt loop. Comp-Tac built that contour into this belt and it’s extremely noticeable the first time you put it on.

SHARP FOCUS When it comes to protective eyewear (for lack of a better pun), the USCCA’s Polymer Palooza really cleared things

November/December | www.USCCA.com 87 USCCA Ads_USCCA 1-3 V 12/1/15 9:11 AM Page 2

LET’S GET SHOOTING This is combined with clean-burning Keeping the Creed’s 16-round mag- powders and a lead-free primer. Federal azines loaded and ready for everyone states that this new polymer-coated bul- would have been a thumb-breaking let, primer and powder combination will Unleash experience had it not been for another keep your gun cleaner longer, so you polymer invention. Elite Tactical Sys- can shoot more — and shoot better. tems, of Knoxville, Tennessee, support- The only thing that I found irksome ed the event with their handy C.A.M about the new ammo was the red poly- Magazine Loader ($29.99), which works mer-coated bullets. When I first ap- much like a stripper clip works for mili- proached the loading table, I thought XL650 tary rifle magazines. we were practicing using the C.A.M. STANDARD FEATURES: To use the loader, first — and I kept loaders with dummy rounds. • Automatic Indexing forgetting — seat your magazine into I could see these ending up mixed • Loading Rate: 800-1000 Rounds/Hr. the unit. Then use the included rail to in with the dummy rounds at a training pick up 10 rounds out of your factory academy if utmost care were not taken, • 5-Station Interchangeable Toolhead ammo box. The supplied plunger is but the ammunition did work flawlessly • Lifetime “No-B.S.” Warranty used to press the rounds into the mag- all day and the guns were remarkably • RISK FREE 30-Day Trial Period! azine. Repeat as necessary until the clean upon inspection at the close of magazine is filled. the event. Federal, in the form of its new Amer- An internet search of popular am- ican Eagle Syntech line of ammunition, munition sites found American Eagle kept everyone shooting for the day. The Syntech selling for around $14 for polymer coating on these new projec- a box of 50. This is a little more than tiles is intended to prevent harsh met- other practice ammunitions, but, if you al-on-metal contact between the bullet have to shoot at a range that requires and bore, thereby eliminating copper lead-free primers, it is a reasonably and lead fouling. priced option.

NOTE: Pictured here with available options.

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88 November/December | www.USCCA.com CONFIDENTLY CARRY YOUR GUN AND SUCCESSFULLY PROTECT YOUR LOVED ONES WHEN IT MATTERS MOST

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GET YOUR TRAINING www.ArmedAndReadySystem.com Or Call 877-677-1919 FINAL THOUGHTS opened a lot of eyes to new polymer The event itself was tremendous fun technology. I’d always recognized poly- for all involved. Michalowski started off mer’s presence in the firearms industry with simple criteria: Each of us would as it pertains to firearms themselves, shoot an array of 24 Newbold targets but until Polymer Palooza, I hadn’t really on a timer, from the holster, as fast as considered polymer’s presence across we could. But regular old two-handed the entire industry. Plastic might be shooting wasn’t enough for this compet- comparatively new to the scene, but it’s itive group of showboating writers and here to stay and in more ways than one. shooters. Movement across the range was added from left to right. It snowballed from there as this “simple” challenge added more criteria each time. Keeping the movement and speed of completed SOURCES time, shooters also competed in strong- Walther Firearms: hand-only, weak-hand-only, and then waltherarms.com there had to be two-handed, weak-side XS Sights: xssights.com as well. None of it was particularly diffi- Newbold Targets: cult, but everyone tried to go fast and newboldtargets.com the smack talk was full-on. I wish I could Comp-Tac Holsters: comp-tac.com say I had something to brag about when SSP Eyewear: sspeyewear.com it was all over, but I really don’t. We all Walker’s Game Ears: shot well, but only one was the best. walkersgameear.com There was learning, camaraderie, Elite Tactical Systems: etsgroup.us gear vetting and fun. The USCCA’s Federal Ammunition: Polymer Palooza was a success and federalpremium.com

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90 November/December | www.USCCA.com The Truth Is

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92 November/December | www.USCCA.com UNDERSTANDING THE ‘CRUISER’ SHOTGUN SHORT & SWEET, DOWN &

DIRTY❚ BY ED COMBS

November/December | www.USCCA.com 93 ■ The Mossberg 590 “Shockwave” pictured here is ATF-legal and requires no oth in films and in reality, different fired in rapid succes- paperwork beyond a normal 4473. equipment designed Though certainly not for everyone, shotguns are shorthand for differ- sion and sometimes for a very specific type this kind of extremely potent tool Bent things. In fact, if you pay close even a folding stock is exactly what certain of situation. attention, you’ll notice that shotguns are either up over the top situations call for. Right off the top, we all kind of like tobacco in that they’re em- of the receiver or along have to get on the same ployed as character-defining totems in the port side. (Additional rounds are, of page about something: You don’t dock Hollywood. course, affixed to any available surface the barrel on a shotgun to speed up the Say you’re writing a script for a Viet- on the firearm and shooter.) Remington spread of the pellets. You remove part of nam picture and you intend to make 870s and the Mossberg 500/590-pat- the barrel to make it more maneuverable McNamara the hardcase in the group. tern are the most common models from in a vehicle, hallway or other tight area. Well, if you always have a cigar stub which such shotguns are made. More tests have been run on this old saw sticking out of his jaw and cover his Shotguns that are augmented for than we’ve released issues of this maga- LBE suspenders with 12-gauge rounds, close-quarters use are nothing new and, zine, and I’m going to leave it at that. your work’s done. Similarly, if you need in fact, are as old as shotguns them- What’s made that myth so easy to pass to properly wrap up your sci-fi piece, selves. Everyone from Old West mar- along is that a shotgun does, of course, for everyone in the audience to under- shals to none other than the NYPD’s elite afford the shooter a higher probability stand that overalls-clad Old Man Cle- “Stakeout Squad” employed shortened of scoring a hit on an attacker at close mens is got-dang sick and tired of this double-barrel shotguns in circumstances ranges. With off-the-shelf 12-gauge 00 got-dang alien invasion, he’d better be with a high likelihood of close-in shoot- buck, the spread will include nine pel- holding a side-by-side, double-barreled ing. Plenty were fully stocked, but some lets, each only a few hundredths of an shotgun and he should probably be were bobbed on both ends, especially if inch smaller in caliber than a 9mm bul- able to punctuate his lines with a stream they were likely to be used in tight hall- let. At indoor distances, the spread of of chaw spit. To have him dispatch an ways or from vehicles. pellets you’ll send at an attacker will be alien with a $2,700 Browning Citori and The pistol grip, or cruiser configura- somewhere between the size of a base- then light up a Virginia Slim just wouldn’t tion of shotgun, came into its own in the ball and the size of a softball, both of seem … proper. 1970s. As law enforcement agencies which are a heck of a lot easier to locate Which brings us to the most Holly- assembled “Special Weapons and Tac- on a map than a cherry pit. wood of all the shotguns: the “Cruiser.” tics” teams to deal with the rising drug That said, shotguns aren’t the magical We’re not talking about a shotgun that’s crime that was flattening entire neigh- cannons movies make them out to be, kept in a squad car (or “cruiser”) and borhoods in some of the nation’s big- and it’s a heck of a lot easier to miss with we’re not talking about a shotgun that’s gest cities, many of those men brought a shotgun than ’80s action flicks would kept aboard a patrol vessel (or “cruiser”) techniques and weapons systems from have you believe. Look at it this way: If for maritime use. We’re talking about the the battlefields of Vietnam to the streets someone’s never thrown a baseball and stockless shotguns you see in films and of New York, Los Angeles and other ma- then has to throw a baseball at some- television and behind the gun counter jor American cities. Among those tech- thing while literally responding to an with the handguns. They’ve been called niques and weapons systems was how attacker who is trying to murder him or by many names over the years, but for to deploy a shotgun in close quarters her, what do you think the chances are our purposes here, we’ll just say “cruiser.” and how to modify a standard Reming- of him or her missing that attacker with ton 870 or Ithaca Deerslayer Police Spe- that baseball from 20 feet away? ON PATROL cial to do so. Whether you’ve ever heard the term RECOIL IN HORROR or not, you’ll recognize the profile: either SPREAD THEORY You’ll notice that when someone’s wood or polymer pistol grip, barrel that is Shotguns with barrels shorter than describing a new firearm or cartridge barely longer than 18 inches (and some- usual are in our DNA, along with revolv- they’ve just tried for the first time, there times shorter in law enforcement con- ers, lever-action rifles and 1911 pistols. are a few firearms that are pretty much texts), often a barrel shroud to protect The hard part about a cruiser-style shot- standards for comparison. Not a lot of the shooter’s hands after 15 or 20 rounds gun is that it’s a very specific piece of recoil? “It was like shooting a .22.” A

94 November/December | www.USCCA.com hands, forearms and shoulders, which with a cruiser-style shotgun. means plenty of you will just plan to fire I’ll stand a shooter — sometimes even the shotgun from the hip. I don’t love a regular pistol shooter — in front of a this, but I understand this. As such, the large sheet of white paper with a silhou- goal here is to help you become as ac- ette target in the center. I’ll have him curate a shot as possible from the hip hold the shotgun at his hip as he’s seen

halfway decent amount of recoil? “It was like shooting a .30-06,” or, “No more kick than a 12-gauge.” Both of those last two are the end of the scale that means, “This is stout recoil, but it’s totally controllable by the average person.” Thing is, that’s assuming the firearm in question has a buttstock and that the recoil in question is absorbed through the shooter’s shoulder and the slight amount of rearward movement that goes along with discharging a shotgun chambered for 12-gauge shells or a rifle chambered for the .30-06 cartridge. Discharging a 12-gauge shotgun with a pistol grip and no buttstock is entirely doable, but it isn’t necessarily pleasant. This is because cruisers aren’t exactly designed for wiling away pleasant hours on the trap range. No, like punching an attacker as hard as you can, cruisers are to be deployed only during the direst of emergencies, and this is where they really shine like a solid right hook behind the earlobe. Just because it might smart a little doesn’t mean accurate fire from a cruiser isn’t entirely possible (and potentially extremely valuable).

GET ON TARGET Though I’ve owned and enjoyed a pistol-grip Mossberg 500 for many years, no other firearm I’ve ever handled more brutally and thoroughly drives home the fact that true point-shooting is a heck of a lot harder than the average person would think. The easiest way to shoot a cruiser is to hold it up as you would a normal shotgun but without the cheek-stock weld and out about a foot away from your face. Then hold on tight; if you forget that last part, the whole works can come crashing back into your nose and severely limit your effectiveness. For op- timal performance, you’ll have strong

November/December | www.USCCA.com 95 in the movies time and again, and tell There’s a much simpler, much more him to fire when he thinks he’s ready to effective way, though in its easiest form, send a shot into the center of the target’s it involves a laser. In a pinch, you can chest. make do with a flashlight. It’s not that no one ever gets it on the First and foremost, you’ll need to per- first try; it’s that almost no one ever does. fect your grip. Your stance will be no dif- The hits are usually way to the shoot- ferent from your pistol-shooting stance: er’s non-dominant side, as he ends up non-dominant foot forward, shoulders instinctively sighting with the position of slightly bladed away from your target his dominant hand. That hand is lined up and your feet set so you’re ready to as it would be when firing a pistol, but move. If possible, brace your firing hand his off-hand, which has a vise-grip on the against your hip and lock it in there. As pump, is all the way on the other side of you grip the forearm of the shotgun, his torso. As such, a right-handed shoot- keep your thumb pointed forward along er will usually get pulled wide left. the slide rather than in a C-clamp around

■ It can be difficult to choose the right “truck gun,” and a cruiser might be just what you’ve been looking for.

the forearm and barrel; this will allow for smoother operation of the pump and reduce the extent to which you pull wide. At home, with a cleared gun and in a room that contains no ammunition, get a roll of electrician’s tape and a Mini Mag-Lite. (If you don’t have one but still want to run this drill, consult the check- out line of the nearest hardware store for a Mini knock-off.) Wrap the head- end of the flashlight just below the neck with tape until it will tightly slide into the muzzle of the shotgun, as in until it won’t drop out by gravity. If necessary, turn the flashlight on and then pass a few wraps of tape around the whole works after it’s in place; any adhesive residue will come off easily with a little CLP. Large front sight Now get into what you would consider increases speed your appropriate shooting stance and see where the beam of the light is shin- of front sight ing. You might be surprised to see that FRONT acquisition. though you know where you want it to be pointing, it will likely not be … well, REAR V-notch rear you’ll likely realize that there’s work to be done. covers the The good news is that you can use this least amount technique along with dry-fire training or a training cartridge like those available of the target, from Laser Ammo to work out almost all Use US10 encouraging the of the acclimation to a cruiser. The bad shooter to focus news is that, at some point in time, you’re for 10% off going to have to get out to the range and your next purchase on the front sight. practice shooting from the hip if that’s what you know, deep down, you’ll end xssights.com up doing during a crisis. Trust me, you should look into training to fire a cruiser

96 November/December | www.USCCA.com as you would a normal shotgun but out away from your face. The recoil will be absorbed through your wrists and bi- ceps, which will be steadily locked and ready for impact. When you fire from the hip, all of the force goes straight into your wrist, which, for even the young, is an unpleasant experience.

OLD FRIEND, NEW CENTURY Cruiser shotguns are one of those odd spots in the gun market: They’re extremely popular with a wide variety of individuals, but they’re dang-near rarely spotted on the range. To a lot of consumers, they sound better on paper than they feel on the firing line, and, like other weapons systems that have a tendency to really wallop a human wrist, it’s not uncommon to find thrice-fired units at a nice discount on the used gun rack. If you feel that a cruiser might be a good fit for your lifestyle, ask around in your local shooting community; it almost seems as if some cruiser shotgun shooters share the zeal for experience-shar- ing of blackpowder shooters, and, like with any firearm, it’s always a better idea to try before you buy. If it turns out you’re a fan, one of these Disco-era layovers might be just what the doctor ordered.

November/December | www.USCCA.com 97 echnology is amazing. A couple of days ago, I purchased a device that Tallows me to use my iPhone in place of an empty brass shell case. THE MANTISX FIREARMS TRAINING SYSTEM DRY-FIRE PRACTICE In recent years, creative minds have developed a lot of new and clever technology to make firearms training easier, safer and more effective. Some of these inventions allow a student to practice solving real-life THE WAY situations in a safe virtual environment. Others make it possible to practice target acquisition and transition on a regular cycle without spending a fortune on ammo each month. The device I just purchased gets down to the business of what could easily be called the most important funda- OF THE mental of marksmanship: trigger control. When it comes to actually putting bullets where you want them to go, trigger control is king. It is one of the most difficult skills to master, and the best way to develop good trigger control is with lots and lots of dry- fire. The trick is, though, you must engage FUTURE?❚ BY DON STAHLNECKER in quality dry-fire practice for it to do any good; lousy dry-fire won’t help at all and will, in fact, harm your technique. So, how is a person to know whether their dry-fire practice is exceptionally productive or worse than pointless? One classic trick is to use a bit of old technology that is found all over the ground at any shooting range. To use this old-school technique, take an empty piece of brass and balance it, mouth-down, on a flat spot at the front of the firearm next to the front sight. If your firearm has a rounded slide, place the brass mouth-up anywhere you can get it to balance. Then press the trigger to take your dry-fire shot without unsettling the piece of brass. If the brass jumps or falls off, then the front of the gun moved when you pulled the trigger. This means that if a bullet were fired at that moment, it would not hit the intended point of aim; the more wild this movement, the less accurate the shot. With this simple piece of range debris, shooters can test the smoothness of their trigger presses and train with confidence that their dry-fire practice is up to par.

98 November/December | www.USCCA.com THETHE MANTISX FIREARMS TRAININGWAY SYSTEM OF THE FUTURE?

■ In many respects, the shooting world often lags behind other technological fields. It can be hard to convince some people that anything other than burning powder and sending projectiles will make for effective training, but that’s changing.

November/December | www.USCCA.com 99 ■ Routed through and working in concert FALLING SHORT with your smartphone, the MantisX The old-style dry-fire drill does have training system is a diagnostic and a few shortcomings though. First, the performance-tracking training aid. most frustrating part of the exercise is getting the piece of brass to balance on the front of the gun in the first place. This almost always requires two people: the shooter and an assistant to manage the piece of brass, which often has to be reset after each shot. Second, this training tool only works in dry-fire; it doesn’t help confirm live-fire trigger control. Over the years, I have had many students demonstrate perfect dry-fire trigger control and yet, as soon as they put live rounds in the gun, they start yanking the trigger like mad. But despite this disconnect, dry-fire has proven to be an excellent way to check, train and maintain good trigger-control habits — as long as it is performed correctly (which is where the brass comes in).

ENTER THE MANTISX According to the MantisX website, this simple little device could solve both of these shortcomings and provide many other benefits as well. The device attaches to the accessory rail on the front of a gun and monitors the movement of the firearm during practice. It then transmits this information to a smartphone or tab- let, where the included app evaluates the shooter’s performance, identifies areas of improvement and tracks progress over time. Each shot is scored, with a perfect score being 100 (apparently impossible for a mortal human), and strings of fire are evaluated for tendencies and patterns of movement. These patterns can be used to identify weaknesses and problems to be corrected, and the app even provides coaching tips to improve shooting. Those were some bold claims, and I was anxious to see if this simple little gadget could really do everything the website promised, so I ordered one and took it out to the range for a little testing. I ran it through several strings of fire, live and dry. After firing several sets, I was quite pleased. The results on target proved to correspond quite accurately to whatever the MantisX app said I did right or wrong. When the device reported a good, stable shot, my bullets struck where I intended to hit. When the device reported I yanked a shot low, sure enough, a bullet hole low

100 November/December | www.USCCA.com on target proved the device right. experienced human is still the best way to for what this thing can do. The first test I ran was in dry-fire. I used get you pointed in the right direction. a .223 shell case balanced near the front That said, I still consider the MantisX a sight to compare my old-school method worthwhile investment. I purchased mine against my score from MantisX. After five directly from the manufacturer’s website SOURCES dry-fire shots in a row without the .223 for $149.99, which I think is a good value MantisX: mantisx.com case falling from trigger press, MantisX gave me a score of 95.1. (MantisX is ap- ND A parently even pickier than my old trick, THE ALL NEW O R B M

which is no small feat in and of itself.) I S then stabilized the gun on a rest and tried T E five more dry-fire shots. This time my X A N score was 98.2. Indeed, the MantisX is re- TEXAN sponsive to even the slightest movement or lack thereof. At the range, I fired five shots into a satisfactory 1-inch group for which MantisX gave me a score of 92.4. I then handed 6” Barrel Shoots both my firearm to a relatively inexperienced .45LC & .410 FOR MORE INFO OR shooter, who put up a score of 39.8, with shotshell A FREE BROCHURE, three of his five shots inside of 3 inches CALL 817-573-4445 and two badly yanked shots at the bottom OR GO TO of the paper. What’s especially noteworthy BONDARMS.COM is that the two yanked shots were clearly and accurately reported by the app. Made in Texas by Texans. For the final test, I wanted to know if the

MantisX correctly tracked the movement ® pattern, so I attached a laser to my pistol and recorded video of the laser movement on the target while dry-firing, which I then compared to the pattern of movement recorded by MantisX. From what I could tell going frame by frame in the video, MantisX tracked the movement almost perfectly. Overall, at the end of testing, I was quite pleased. There were, however, a few shortcomings worth mentioning. First, the device attaches to the accessory rail of your firearm. This means that if your firearm doesn’t have an accessory rail, you can’t use MantisX to improve your shooting. Second, the coaching tips are pretty general and might not apply to every shooter. I fear that a number of people will buy this learning aid in hopes of it curing all that ails them. The reality is there are an awful lot of little problems and issues that a shooter can have, and the only reliable way to track those down and weed those out is with professional firearms training. The MantisX can only guess at what the issue might be; sometimes, it might guess right and, sometimes, it might guess wrong. So, as a training aid, I think this thing is great, but if you’re seeking the most reliable way to accurately diagnose and correct your shooting, a skilled and

November/December | www.USCCA.com 101 102SIMPLE November/December | www.USCCA.com IS GOOD ANGLES OF ATTACK AND ZONES OF DEFENSE ❚ BY MICHAEL JANICH

wo of the most commonly used words in the neck but would be powered by the opposite rotation self-defense-training world are, “What if?” of the hips and shoulders and the extension of the el- T This is particularly true when it comes to non- bow joint. firearms-based fighting skills, since they tend to be a In addition to pairing angles with specific targets, lot more situationally specific than shooting. many systems combine angles into programmed To put it bluntly, the problem with most traditional patterns of motion. The sequential flow of angles, martial arts systems is that they have far too many which are typically numbered for convenience and techniques. Just remembering how to perform hun- ease of reference, creates a fluid combination of dreds of different defenses is difficult enough; ac- cuts and thrusts and promotes speed, power and tually recognizing and categorizing specific attacks solid body mechanics. Typically known as “Angles quickly enough to use the defenses reflexively is vir- of Attack,” these patterns of angles form the founda- tually impossible. tion of many fighting styles, especially those of the We’ve all heard of the “OODA” (Observe, Orient, Filipino Martial Arts (FMA). Decide, Act) loop, “Hick’s Law” and all the other While the basic logic of this approach is sound, tactical concepts that determine how quickly and too much of a good thing can still be bad. Most Fili- efficiently we can choose a sound course of action pino systems use 12 Angles of Attack, though some under combative stress, so I won’t rehash them here. can have many more. And although many systems Instead, let’s just say that when you’re defending go to great pains to make their angles different from your life, simpler is better. With that thought in mind, those of other Filipino arts, the first five — often let’s look at how “Angles of Attack” can form a highly known as the Cinco Teros (Five Cardinal Blows) — effective template for combative skills — especially tend to be the same. And, in an emergency, when edged-weapon skills. the Filipinos had little time to get their fellow villagers Most true edged-weapon fighting systems are “up to speed” on combative skills, those were the based on angles. In simple terms, an angle is a plane only angles they taught them. or vector of motion of the weapon associated with a particular set of body mechanics. For example, a high, THE FIVE BASIC ANGLES horizontal forehand strike — like the motion you’d use In simple terms, the five basic angles — as ex- to hit a tennis ball with a racquet — follows a defined pressed by someone wielding a knife with his right path and is powered by a rotation of your hips, core hand (a 90-percent probability) — are as follows: and shoulders. That same movement executed with • Angle 1: High forehand a knife could translate to a forehand cut and, in many • Angle 2: High backhand systems, could be associated with a specific anatom- • Angle 3: Low forehand ical target, like the side of the neck. Similarly, a high • Angle 4: Low backhand backhand motion could target the opposite side of the • Angle 5: Centerline thrust (high or low)

SIMPLE IS GOODNovember/December | www.USCCA.com 103 Rather than thinking of these nar- your hand will turn over from a “fin- ■ Understanding the row-mindedly as target-specific cuts gers-up” attitude to a “fingers-down” Zones of Defense or thrusts, think of them more as basic attitude. Similarly, a knife held in a allows you to classify attacks as specific body mechanics. The boundary be- standard grip (blade extending from “angles” and then tween “high” and “low” is the level of the thumb side of your hand) will go respond to those your own elbows, since that’s where from “blade-up” to “blade-down” when threats accordingly.

104 November/December | www.USCCA.com lowered below your elbow level. and defended against accordingly. responses. It’s worked for Filipino war- Using a horizontal line at elbow level Understanding Zones of Defense riors for centuries and can work just as and a vertical line through your center- and using them to instantly identi- well for you. line (to differentiate forehand and back- fy attacks by angles is a simple way hand motions), imagine a giant “cross- of shortening your OODA loop and hair” reference in front of your body. building practical, effective defensive Each 90-degree quadrant defines one of the first four angles. Instead of being highly specific about exact angles, think in general terms and accept that an “Angle 1” can be any high forehand strike within that 90-degree quadrant. It doesn’t matter if it’s on a horizontal plane just above elbow level or on a near-vertical plane coming straight down — it’s still an Angle 1.

ZONES OF DEFENSE In addition to providing a simple reference system for your cuts and thrusts, the five Angles of Attack provide a much more important tool for simplifying your approach to self-defense: they define the “Zones of Defense” which, in simple terms, are nothing more than the “receiving point of view” of the Angles of Attack. Imagine that same “crosshair” pattern and its four quadrants floating in front MagazineAd-4x3.indd 1 10/3/2016 4:36:08 PM of your own body as a reference. If an attacker swings a high-right forehand strike at you, he’d be targeting the upper-left portion of your body, or your “Zone 1.” Anything that attacks Zone 1 is considered an Angle 1 and the proper response is to execute an An- gle 1 defense. Similarly, anything that attacks the upper-right portion of your body falls in Zone 2 and is therefore an Angle 2. Your response should be to execute an Angle 2 defense. The advantage of this approach is that it keeps your decision-making process short and simple. It doesn’t matter whether your attacker is armed with a stick, a brick, a bottle, a hammer or a box cutter; if he attacks with an Angle 1, you respond with an Angle 1 defense. How does he know how to attack with an Angle 1? He doesn’t. If he aims at the left side of your head or neck, he’s attacking Zone 1, so you consider it an Angle 1. And since the four zones cover your entire body, every attack can be easily classified as a specific angle

November/December | www.USCCA.com 105 ■ Chicago has a reputation as an extremely violent city, but that’s nothing new. Some of the law enforcement officers who’ve served there are wealths of information on combat handgunning, and they can offer insights few others can.

❚ BY RICK SAPP

LESSONS FROM CHICAGO PD’S BOB STASCHTHE FORCE 106 November/December | www.USCCA.com ❚ BY RICK SAPP identify the floor the drug dealer used. the street. We’ve no reason to doubt Instead, he found the Cuban reliev- him; in his time with the Chicago Police ing himself inside the stairwell. Rick Department, he’s been involved in 14 identified himself and drew his service shootings. He does not brag but says sidearm, then moved the man out of simply that he has shot nine men; five the stairwell for a protective pat-down of them died. So, why was this particular search. perp so different? Suddenly, the man whipped out a He had a will to live and survive, kitchen knife with what looked like a Stasch says, that was beyond anything 10-inch blade and tried to stab the of- the police veteran had ever seen. Shot ficer. The men grappled and Rick fired. 15 times — fingers blown off and en- He shot the drug dealer six times in trails blown out, busted ribs, destroyed the chest with his .45, six Silvertip hol- lung and spleen — he continued to fight low-point chunks of lead. Any reason- until Stasch shot his kneecap off with a able man would have collapsed from 240-grain semi-jacketed hollow-point. the impact of so much kinetic energy at Stasch says people will surprise you such short range, not to mention the to- and faith in any round’s “stopping pow- tal destruction of his insides. er” is false. People like the Cuban in Not this criminal. The fellow wrenched Stasch’s first street fight can defy phys- his knife hand away and shouted, “Now ics and rationality. I’m going to cut your head off!” As well as removing a thug from the Rick drew his backup, a five-shot streets, the episode with the drug dealer S&W .38 and managed to get all five taught Stasch a few other lessons. shots into the perp’s torso, five 158-grain First, he says, is the idea of cen- +P hollow-points, as Stasch recalls. ter-mass shooting, routinely taught in The 11 shots hardly slowed the drug police academies and private-citizen dealer, who screamed and continued self-defense classes. The idea stems swinging the knife while Rick tried to use from aiming at the largest target — the his revolver speedloader. chest and abdomen — in a moment of Stasch ran toward the fight, drawing stress. But when the Cuban took a doz- his S&W Model 29 and heard, “Shoot en shots to the chest and back and still him! The guy’s going to kill me.” fought, Stasch began practicing head At 15 feet, Stasch fired twice into the shots. It isn’t something he would rec-

Mark Reinstein / Shutterstock perp’s chest and still the Cuban did not ommend to every shooter, but for him slow down. Stasch shot again and hit — Stasch goes to the range often, firing ith only two years on the force, the man in the pelvis. Then again — the thousands of rounds a year — it works. Bob Stasch worked undercover bullet smashing the thigh and knee — So, when a cornered perp pulled a Win Chicago with his partner, Rick. and the perp went down. gun on him at virtually point-blank range Assigned to a tactical team, they were The drug-dealing gang member, a a few years ago, Stasch already had his conducting surveillance of a skinny, slender guy weighing 143 pounds, lived gun trained on the perp’s head; the perp 23-year-old Cuban individual, a mem- for 10 days after the shooting. He had never got off a shot, because Stasch ber of a street gang heavily involved in been hit 15 times and wasn’t drunk or on made a quick, fatal shot. Stasch is an moving drugs. The Cuban made several drugs. His blood-alcohol reading barely experienced cop who trains diligent- small street-corner sales, but the offi- measured .05. Stasch assumed he was ly and, while the idea of a head shot cers wanted a bigger fish before moving wearing body armor, but he was not. might seem, in some sense, “romantic” in for an arrest. to the one-shot-one-kill crowd (or horri- They watched the drug dealer turn THE TAKEAWAY ble to effete anti-gun activists), it is his and amble inside an apartment com- Stasch swears that Cuban was the well-practiced routine. plex stairwell. Rick followed, hoping to scariest man he’s ever encountered on Stasch’s tactic is useful, because

November/December | www.USCCA.com 107 IN AN EMERGENCY, YOU DON’T GRAB FOR A FLASHLIGHT, A BATON OR PEPPER SPRAY TO DEFEND YOURSELF; YOU WANT A GUN. most of his encounters took place at dropped. The accomplices fled and criminals grabbed their primary duty close range — between 12 and 20 feet were later arrested. weapons. So, Stasch carries his light- — and several at arm’s“ length. Only two The fight with the drug dealer taught weight five-shot backup in an ankle hol- of the street fights Stasch has survived Stasch there was little about “knock- ster. He carries two extra magazines in were long-range. Both involved snipers down power” or the “heavy-bullet-ver- his pocket,” though he’s used them only — one or more men on a rooftop and sus-fast-projectile” discussion to argue three times in his long and distinguished one that barricaded himself in a build- about. He recommends heavy loads career, always while laying down sup- ing. In the second, Stasch’s friend and because what made the difference that pressive fire. He also keeps additional fellow cop Richard Clark was shot to day in 1983 was a final incapacitating magazines in his vehicle trunk and duty death while Stasch and others lay down shot to the knee. The Cuban was deter- bag. suppressive fire to allow others to close mined to fight through injuries that would “I don’t believe in taking chances,” in on the shooters. have buried most strong men and, at Stasch said. Other shootings occurred, such as that point, the only way to drop him was In an emergency, you don’t grab for the shooting in the 23rd Precinct, which to physically compromise the structure a flashlight, a baton or pepper spray again involved gang members and that held him upright. to defend yourself; you want a gun. Al- drugs. Stasch and his partner had though he has drawn his backup twice, staked out a high-rise and entered as CARRY HEAVY he has not used it. the gang leader and two associates Stasch’s experiences on the street The training that Stasch and entry-lev- emerged from the elevator. The room have also taught him to carry a backup el cops of the ’70s went through usually was barely the size of a kitchen, but the and extra ammo. Guns are mechanical began with an issued .38 Special revolv- criminals drew their weapons and fired devices, he says, and can fail for multi- er and a trip to a shooting line. To qual- as soon as Stasch identified himself. ple reasons — anything from a bad mag- ify, cops were taught to take a stance The gang leader, a “big, muscular guy,” azine spring to faulty ammo. Moreover, a and shoot with balance; to aim carefully. was hit in the head in the first volley and number of cops have been killed when They could take plenty of time, as no

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108 November/December | www.USCCA.com timed shooting standards were then ad- selves. rect sight placement. Plus, as a shooter opted … and that was about as far as Stasch was never a fan of the “take-a- ages — Stasch is over 70 — the ability to it went. stance, pull-a-deep-breath, two-handed pick up the traditional sight picture be- What they didn’t teach was that, in a aimed” shooting, at least not for police comes more difficult. This style of shoot- gunfight, you are so preoccupied with work or self-defense. He was never a fine ing lets Stasch consistently hit a 6-inch staying alive that you might end up shot, he admits, never good enough to pie plate at combat distances. Before shooting from an unusual position. The compete in 3-Gun, but, in 30-plus years he adopted this technique, he says, his standard “training stance” is never one on the Chicago police force, his shoot- accuracy was not as good as it is now. you acquire before shooting; at times, ing — except in two instances where he This might not be an effective technique Stasch has found himself sitting or lying laid down suppressive fire — in 14 gun- for snipers or long-range shooting, but down, trying desperately to get low and fights has been superb. He has no body for close-in, self-defense shooting, it is thus present a low profile. It also seems scars from bullets or knives. There’s an effective. that the off-hand is always holding a 80-percent chance that if you are going Stasch also advocates practic- flashlight or talking on the radio or push- to be shot, he notes, it will happen at ing one-handed shooting. He says ing someone out of the way or holding less than 20 feet. one-handed point-shooting is instinc- oneself up. So, Stasch has learned to Stasch does not rely on the sights of tive, even with big guns and heavy shoot one-handed, and this has led him his firearms. He raises the gun to eye rounds. In a fight, one hand is always to promote a special type of handgun level and puts the front sight on target occupied with warding off an attacker or handling. while his trigger finger is lying beside holding a light. Practice the way you in- the barrel, pointing. It seems instinctive tend to fight and remember that it is not STASCH SAYS... to him and, as he points at his target, he necessarily the first shot that counts but When he reports for duty, Stasch slips his finger to the trigger (and even the first shot on target. says his objective is always to get home the middle finger can be used to send Sound advice from a pro. at night with no bullet holes or stab the shot while the trigger finger remains wounds. More than 520 officers have pointed alongside the handgun). been killed in the history of the Chicago Thus, when you point at the target, Police Department and, since Stasch you will have automatic and correct has been on the job, more than 65 have sight alignment and automatic and cor- been killed, 13 of them personal friends. It’s not easy to fire a gun at someone, but Stasch keeps in mind that, by shooting a criminal in a fight, he saves others from dying. It’s his duty, but it’s hard. If those in charge didn’t want you to carry a gun and use it effectively, he says, they wouldn’t have issued one. Still, the best way to survive a gunfight is to not get in one. Stasch fires a gun to live, and gunfights — no matter how many you have been in — are never easy because there is always uncertain- ty. So, Stasch does what he has to do to get home, but he believes many young, modern cops don’t seem to understand this … and hesitation kills. In a street gunfight, you can’t have any hesitation to do your duty. Sound advice from a pro.

INSTINCTIVE? POINT? An NRA life member and promoter of 2nd Amendment values, Stasch believes people have a right to carry if they follow the law. The guns he’s taken off the street — and there have been plenty — were mostly stolen and in the hands of felons — bad people who had forfeited their gun rights. Citizens, he says flatly, have a responsibility to protect them-

November/December | www.USCCA.com 109 INSTRUCTOR’S CORNER by George Harris

THE HARDEST SIMPLE THING YOU WILL EVER DO TEACHING THE ESSENTIALS OF MARKSMANSHIP ■ “MARKSMANSHIP” can be defined simply as skill at shooting. An accomplished marksman is a person who can hit a defined target on demand. Technically speaking, marksmanship is a two-part process that is exceptionally simple in theory but quite difficult in practice — at least for the great majority of shooters.

The first of those two parts is to tionless is basically impossible without lized in the proper perspective to the stabilize the muzzle of the gun in the artificial support). target — who releases her shot without proper relationship to the target to al- The second part of the process is to adding movement to the gun will hit low the bullet to impact in the desired fire the shot without affecting the stabil- her target (discounting the effects of location. In this case, “stabilize” means ity of the muzzle in relationship to the atmospherics in long-range shooting). to restrict the gun to the minimum of target. This issue is all about coaxing marks- motion possible for the given condi- It is non-arguable that a shooter — manship proficiency out of individuals tions (knowing that holding a gun mo- with the muzzle of her firearm stabi- using conventional pistols and revolv-

110 November/December | www.USCCA.com your students can do when they leave mind, in close proximity to the eyes — your class. When it comes to marks- must be overcome. The fix for this is a manship, the best instructors can one-on-one with the student in which quickly and easily analyze a student’s the instructor isolates the senses to strengths and weaknesses and then el- the lowest level of input to the brain, evate that student by reinforcing those which will eliminate the student’s fear strengths and correcting those weak- by proving the recoil, movement and nesses. Such corrections need to an- noise generated by firing the gun is of swer several questions in the student’s no consequence to his or her personal mind in order to be fully effective. safety. The first part of the corrective action Both of these exercises are done is to identify what, exactly, needs im- without a target, firing into a backstop provement. As is often the case, the with a minimum of distractions or in- student doesn’t even realize that he or put to the brain so the shooter realizes she has a particular problem. consciously and subconsciously there For example, a student closing his is nothing of which to be afraid. There eyes every time he pulls the trigger is a lot to be gained in the success of might deny vehemently that he’s do- practicing these drills to eliminate un- ing so until you ask him to describe necessary distractions. what he sees at the moment the gun The “why” should be obvious at this fires. His answers will, at best, be am- point but can be further explained by biguous guesses, because he doesn’t discussing follow-through, which is really know. He’d be able to tell you important in any eye-hand-coordinat- had his eyes actually been open; the ed action. Put simply, it is successfully smoke, muzzle flash and gun cycle hitting the target, meaning stabilizing would have been plainly in his field of the muzzle on the target and releasing view had his eyes been open and fo- the shot with no effect on the muzzle’s cused on his sights, as is necessary stability until the bullet has cleared the for precision marksmanship. muzzle and is on its way. The next step after identifying the The mark of an effective firearms problem is determining how to fix it, instructor is the ability to explain and and proving to the student that there demonstrate to students the what, how exists a deficiency in his system that and why of any subject such that it needs correcting might be all that makes sense, is non-arguable and is it takes to remedy the problem. For relatively easy to reproduce. All too of- those still having difficulties, spending ten, students, particularly at the forma- ers for recreational and defensive pur- some time dry-firing the Wall Drill and tive stages of marksmanship, are given poses. Though much of the information verbalizing what they see regarding too much information to comprehend. provided can be used in a broader the relationship of the front sight to the By teaching the essentials of marks- perspective regarding marksmanship rear sight with each trigger release of- manship — stabilizing the muzzle on with any firearm, the extent of our study ten helps. Such training will teach the the target and triggering the shot with- for this article will be handguns. student to keep his or her eyes open out affecting the muzzle’s stability — and focused on the sights for sufficient you’ll establish a solid foundation on JUDGED BY THE WORK YOU DO time to allow the bullet to exit the muz- which your students will build as they As an instructor, your success is zle during live-fire exercises. progress in their endeavors. not measured by what you know and In the worst case, an innate fear of what you’re capable of but rather by loud noises and unwanted movement what your students know and what in the visual field — in the shooter’s

November/December | www.USCCA.com 111 LIFELINE by Anthony Lambert

COLD

SNAPTHE HUMAN IS A TROPICAL ANIMAL

■ IT’S THAT TIME of year again: freezing cold weather, snow, slush and long hours of darkness. Old Man Winter is coming upon us quickly. Now some of you lucky readers might be catching some rays down south or out in California, sipping your fruity drinks oceanside, but the rest of us lucky folks are battening down for winter with our four layers of outerwear and three layers of underwear. Humans are not designed for down. During the winter, with the cool ple, it is recommended that, if you work a cold-weather environs, so some of us or cold weather, many just don’t feel as desk job, you should be drinking roughly need to factor more into the equations as thirsty as they do in the summer, even 6 to 8 quarts of water per day, minimum. If we prepare for the winter months. In this though they’re losing just as much fluids. your job is more physical, you should be installment, we’ll discuss the top three Here are a few reasons why we dehy- consuming about 10 to 12 quarts per day. medical emergencies to focus on pre- drate quicker in the cold: The tough part is, the body’s thirst re- venting during the coming months and 1. Every time we breathe, we lose sponse is diminished by up to 40 percent how to treat these emergencies if you ex- fluids. Ever notice the condensation in cold weather, even when dehydrat- perience them yourself or observe them escaping as you talk outside or simply ed. This happens because our blood in others. when you breathe? That’s water leaving vessels constrict when we are cold to your body. What about when you are prevent blood from flowing freely to the DEHYDRATION shoveling those 6 feet of snow that the extremities, which enables the body to Believe it or not, more people suf- plow driver deposited in your driveway conserve heat by drawing more blood to fer from dehydration during the winter and you’re soaked with sweat? That’s its core. It’s your body’s way of protecting months than the summer months. In the also water leaving your body. all your vital organs, and if you’ve ever summer, when we feel hot, we drink flu- 2. We don’t drink enough water. Your had cold hands in winter, you know the ids and head to the shade or even into work and lifestyle will dictate how much feeling. Because of this, the body gets an air-conditioned room to cool ourselves water you should consume. For exam- fooled into thinking it’s properly hydrated,

112 November/December | www.USCCA.com ■ The winter months because our perspiration tends to evap- posed to cold, the worse the frostbite will can produce a startling orate so quickly, and this is another factor typically be. Like burns, frostbite is clas- number of cases of that can contribute to a diminished thirst sified by degrees of severity. hypothermia, frostbite response. It is best to layer your clothing, First Degree: Frostbite is superficial, and even dehydration. and as you get warmer, you can remove surface skin damage that is usually not the additional layers as needed. permanent. It might be cold and stiff Remember to stay hydrated (and I’m to the touch. During recovery, the skin not talking alcoholic beverages). might peel or slough off. Second Degree: The victim will devel- HYPOTHERMIA op clear blisters early on, and the skin’s Hypothermia is a medical emergency surface might harden weeks after the that occurs when your body loses heat exposure. This hardened, blistered skin faster than it can produce it, which caus- dries, blackens and peels off. Some pa- es a dangerously low core body tem- tients might experience lasting sensitivity perature. Normal body temperature is to cold or develop lasting numbness. 98.6 degrees; hypothermia occurs when Third Degree: The layers of tissue be- your body temperature falls below 95 neath the skin freeze. A blue-gray discol- degrees. I cannot overstate that this is oration of the skin will appear, and a pa- a true medical emergency. If your body tient might develop long-term ulceration temperature drops to hypothermic levels, and damage to their growth plates. your heart, nervous system and other Fourth Degree: Usually the entire ex- COLD organs can’t function normally. If left un- tremity is completely frozen and the skin treated, hypothermia can lead to heart will have a black, mummified appear- failure, respiratory distress and eventual- ance. Amputation of the affected part is ly to death. usually required. Hypothermia is often caused by long Individuals with frostbite or potential exposure to cold weather or immersion frostbite should go to a protected envi- SNAP in cold water (usually caused by a fall ronment and slowly rewarm the affected through ice). Look for these signs and body part. If there is no risk of refreez- symptoms: ing, the extremity can be exposed and • Shivering warmed in the groin or underarm. Do not • Slurred speech or mumbling allow the affected body part to refreeze; you won’t feel as thirsty and your body • Slow, shallow breathing this can cause worse tissue damage. If doesn’t conserve water. All of this adds • Weak pulse the area cannot be reliably kept warm, up to people being less likely to drink wa- • Clumsiness or lack of coordination the person should be brought to a med- ter voluntarily in cold weather. Atop that, • Drowsiness or very low energy ical facility without rewarming the area. the kidneys aren’t signaled by hormones • Confusion or memory loss Rubbing the affected area can also in- to conserve water, and urine production • Loss of consciousness crease tissue damage and should not be increases — a condition called “cold-in- Primary treatment for hypothermia is to attempted, but aspirin or ibuprofen can duced urine diuresis.” So, a diminished rewarm the body slowly. Do not rewarm be given in the field to prevent clotting thirst response and an increase in urine quickly, as this can send the victim into and inflammation. (As always, check for production are additional contributing hypothermic shock. You want to focus any medication allergies or sensitivities.) factors to winter dehydration. on the core body temperature, so re- 3. We wear extra clothing. Heavy move the cold, wet clothing and slowly PLAN AHEAD jackets, long underwear and other piec- immerse the victim into a lukewarm water The winter months can be extremely es of warm clothing help your body con- bath. Call 911 and get the person to a enjoyable, whether you’re celebrating the serve heat, but the added weight and lay- hospital as soon as possible. holidays with family and friends, finally ers are factors that make the body work going on that ski trip or just enjoying the between 10 and 40 percent harder than FROSTBITE change of seasons. Whatever you find when in lighter togs. By working harder, Prolonged exposure to cold tempera- yourself up to, stay aware of your envi- the body produces more sweat, contrib- tures causes freezing of the skin and ronment and plan ahead for the weather. uting to fluid loss. Equally challenging, soft tissues, referred to as frostbite, and sweat evaporates more quickly in cold the most commonly affected areas are (often meaning dry) air. We often think the outer extremities — your hands, feet we aren’t sweating in cold, dry weather and face. The longer these areas are ex-

November/December | www.USCCA.com 113 CLEAR IMPACT by Ed Combs

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■ THE ABILITY TO ORDER firearms online and have them shipped to a local FFL was beyond game- changing; it fundamentally shifted how gun markets in various parts of the United States operated. No longer were you stranded and forced to pay the local going rate. For once, you could reach out without a lot of hassle. This plays an especially important role in the realm of law enforcement trade-ins and, as more and more agencies return to 9mm for a service cartridge, that leaves a lot of .40- cal pistols out in the cold. Some pistols, like this Glock 22, can be readily and easily retrofitted with a .357 SIG barrel, and now all of a sudden you’ve got a different ballgame. For less than $500, the average Joe or Jane can bump up into the next level of handgun performance — in this case, into the realm of 1,356 feet per second and 511 foot-pounds of energy. When innocent life is on SWITCH the line, it pays to pack as heavy as you can, and a combination like this one might be just the ticket for your lifesaving needs. HITTER MSRP: $22.95/20 November/December | www.USCCA.com 115 MEMBER PROFILE

■ IT’S NO SECRET that customer service lies deep within the bedrock of everything the USCCA does. The support the unparalleled Member Services Depart- ment provides to members and prospec- tive members is paramount to every part of the organization’s mission. So, training new Member Services Ad- visors is one of the most vital tasks at the USCCA. And, for that, the organization turns to Mark Critchlow. At one time, Mark had trained every USCCA Member Services Advisor. While the five-year USCCA veteran has a little more help in the burgeoning call center these days, the satisfaction he gets from helping mold a new hire into a seasoned professional never wanes. “I love training new agents and watching them grow into their new jobs,” Mark said. Since Mark’s hire in 2012, the USCCA has grown exponentially, but the traits that attracted him then remain today: “I looked into the company and realized that I shared the same beliefs in the 2nd Amendment and self-defense,” Mark said. “I saw that the company had fantastic leadership and personal growth opportunities.” He also appreciates USCCA’s “family feel” and culture of accountability that have endured through the organization’s expansion and recent move into a brand- new building. Mark’s training expertise is put to use outside the walls of the new state-of-the-art facility too. The dedicated concealed carrier is a USCCA-Certified MARK Instructor and helps spread the lessons he’s learned to other responsibly armed CRITCHLOW Americans. WEST BEND, WISCONSIN “After spending four years in the Unit- MEMBER SERVICES SUPPORT MANAGER ed States Army, I learned how harsh life really is and that it is up to you to protect EVERYDAY CARRY: yourself and your family,” Mark said. “I GLOCK 17 OR BERSA never want to rely on anyone else for my THUNDER .380 safety.”

116 November/December | www.USCCA.com WHY WAIT FOR SUNDAY? ARMED AMERICAN RADIO NOW AIRS EVERYDAY!

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STRIKE THREE

■ AS AUSTIN KOECKERITZ AND ABIGAIL JOY walked to their car, a jarring noise caught their attention. The metallic grinding grew louder and louder until a man emerged on the sidewalk along the St. Cloud, Minnesota, Walmart parking lot. The couple paused as they watched the man — a 30-something wearing a green coat with fur on the hood — continue to drag a metal bat toward their path. “Have you ever been hit in the head with a baseball bat before?” the man snarled as he approached. The next few moments would change the course of all three of their lives. Read their story in the next issue of Concealed Carry Magazine.

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