Firearms Warning Labels

First and foremost, today is Veterans Day, and I want to take this opportunity to personally thank all of my fellow veterans, our law enforcement, and our first responders for your service.  You are the reason that we are all safe and free!

It's been a while since Alex Kincaid has posted a video, so I wanted to share this one with you.  For those of you that don't know, Alex is an attorney who practices, among other things, protecting Second Amendment issues and gun rights.  Please check out her channel sometime.  She has a lot of excellent Second Amendment information in her videos and explains the legal aspects of gun ownership, especially legislative issues very well.

In this video, Alex explains laws that several states have put in place to provide "warnings" about the dangers of firearms.  Firearms are deadly.  No kidding?  Sometimes a deadly weapon is the only thing that stands between an innocent victim and a deadly attacker.  As she mentions in the video, the purpose of all this is not to enhance firearms safety, but to instead spread misinformation.  Incorrect or even outright dishonest information about firearms is often used to promote fear in the minds of gun buyers and even gun sellers to try to deter people from even legally purchasing firearms.  By treating everyone as idiots instead of educating them about firearms, we are not only denying their ability to learn and make good decisions but also needlessly instilling in them fear about a tool that should be respected and handled properly.  A tool that all by itself does not hurt or kill people,  but in the proper hands could be a tool that saves a life someday.

As Alex reads the statistics used by the anti-gun legislators who put these laws into place, please be sure to also read the actual statistics that are shown.  I have heard several anti-gun legislators and anti-gun groups try to use statistics from the Violence Policy Center, for example, who are notorious for spinning the numbers to suit their agenda.  The fact of the matter is that the vast majority of laws like the ones discussed in this video are simply ineffective, as illustrated by the actual statistics from the FBI and others, but at least allow the lawmakers to say that they're "doing something."

This Writer's Opinion: Gun control comes in many shapes and forms from banning certain types of firearms to making firearms ownership so expensive that the average citizen can't afford it, to inciting fear in the public and making them hate firearms.  Spreading fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) is yet another gun control tactic, and appears to be a great way to make people hate inanimate objects and even hate the law-abiding people who legally practice a Constitutional right.   One of my professors in my Master's Degree program used to say that "Figures don't lie, but liars sure do figure."  When I see a lot of these anti-gun groups try to use statistics, especially statistics that aren't even true, I get very concerned.

The key to preventing tragedies such as those involving so-called "accidental" (they are negligent, not accidental) shootings is through education and awareness.  Teach your kids about firearms.  For that matter, invite your anti-gun neighbors to the range and introduce them to the extremely high level of safety practices that we use around firearms.  Open their eyes with education, not with fear.

And in Other News...

Suppressors and Hearing Protection:

In this article (click on the image below) from the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA),  they cite that the National Hearing Conservation Association has published a paper recognizing the importance of suppressors in hearing protection.  As a person who suffers from a world-class case of tinnitus from years of working on jet aircraft and participating in shooting sports, I can tell you that anything that will help prevent or even lessen tinnitus is extremely valuable in efforts to enhance the quality of life, especially in later years.  Hearing loss and tinnitus issues for gun owners can be prevented by simply allowing law-abiding citizens to use the normal firearms purchasing processes access to an accessory that can be a big part of hearing conservation programs for hunters and in fact all gun owners.  I personally also see this as a very valuable tool in the home defense firearm arena.

To be honest, I have no idea how a firearms accessory such as suppressors even made it as an object that people felt needed to be so strictly regulated through the NFA.  Well, yes I do: people have been watching too many James Bond movies.  They somehow got the idea that if suppressors were available using the same background check system used to purchase firearms, that we would all run around like a bunch of little James Bond assassins.   The thought is that suppressors somehow hinder law enforcement's ability to see muzzle flash and hear gunshots, and will hinder the ability of urban shot detection devices to work properly.

Look, if I'm in my home and a violent intruder crashes through the door and I have no choice but to use deadly force to stop the attack, wouldn't it be reasonable to think that a device that would help prevent my family and me from having our eardrums blown out would be of enormous value?  The police are going to be called anyway, and they will be able to investigate.  Having a suppressor on a home defense weapon is not going to hinder their ability to do that.  Nor is having a suppressor on a hunting rifle going to hinder anything.  As for the actual assassins (gang members) running around killing people - hindering law-abiding citizens is not going to help that situation.  Those people don't acquire their firearms through normal lawful channels.

Read Full Article Here

Training

Proper Pistol Grip:

In last week's news update, I posted a training video about how to use trigger finger isolation techniques to find the good trigger finger positioning for YOU in order to improve marksmanship.  I have seen many instructors who insist that everyone should be using the same trigger finger placement, which in my opinion is simply not true.  Everyone has different hands.

This video from former Navy SEAL Chris Sajnog also discusses trigger finger placement but wraps it into the whole technique of properly gripping the pistol.  He emphasizes concentrating on proper grip and then letting the trigger finger find its proper position.

This grip and trigger finger placement practice can be easily and effectively done using the LASR App software.  Practice proper grip, but also practice with different trigger finger placements as well so that you can see how your grip and the various trigger finger placements affect the actual point of impact on the target.  Then when you think you have found your proper grip and trigger finger placement, go to the range and practice under live fire to confirm and build up good muscle memory.

Shameless Commercial Plugs:

For more information about the LASR App Training System that you can use to set up this type of practice in a dry fire environment, see my LASR App page and receive a discount when using my discount code.

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The Failure of Self-Defense Products

I know I have written a number of times about the importance of practicing with your firearms, inspecting your gear, getting training, and making sure that your every-day-carry tools are functional.  But how many times do you think about your other self-defense tools for which testing and training are just not possible or practical?  If you live or work in an area where you feel the need for self-defense products, don't you want to be certain that the products work -- before you find yourself in a situation where you need them? Of course, you do. For this reason, you need to test them.

Now, obviously, you are not about to spray yourself in the face with pepper spray or taze yourself with a taser -- but you do need to test them to make certain that they work. In the end, as far as tasers go -- unless you are willing to taze yourself, you can only make sure that the batteries are operable by trying them out in another device. Make it a habit to put fresh batteries in -- or at the very least to test the batteries -- at least once a month.

You can spray pepper spray or mace to make sure that the sprayer operates correctly -- and that you know how to operate it. Make sure that you do this outside, and that you spray the mace or pepper spray onto a surface. You can sniff the surface -- carefully -- after spraying to make sure that the chemicals will actually do something to a would-be attacker. 

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Self-Defense and Safety Products

Aside from this type of testing, the only other thing that you can do is to be prepared for your self-defense product to fail. If your taser didn't work, or the spray didn't work, what is your next course of action? Make sure that you have a plan in mind before it happens!

Have self-defense products that will not fail. For example, a police whistle is a good self-defense product. It will not fail, and it will alert other people to a problem, or to your location. It will often scare away an attacker as well. But having said that, I am a strong proponent of firearms for self-defense, and strongly encourage you to get a firearm, get trained, and know how to defend yourself with one.  Firearms are not as likely to fail, but they are a tool that you can use improperly if you are not trained and can fail more often do not inspect your gear and keep it in good working order.

It is also a good idea to learn some basic self-defense moves, in case your product fails. Consider taking a self-defense class in your area. Obviously, your first desire should be to prevent an attack. Your next desire should be to keep an attacker away from you, and your third option should be to strike back with physical moves if you are put in a situation, where there is no other choice.

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VIDEO: Front Sight Focus...

Self defense is one thing that you will hear me preaching over and over.  And the use of firearms in your self defense repertoire is, in my opinion, the  most effective for what I am pretty sure we are about to face.  Being able to shoot effectively and accurately will save lives, as well as saving precious ammo.  Making every shot count will be a life saver!

Try these drills.  This method works! In all my years teaching firearms techniques, I have found that my students have the most difficulty with aiming because they really don't know where to put their focus.  Front sight focus is absolutely the key to having the ability to shoot consistently and accurately.

Your eyes have muscles and nerves that enable them to move and focus. Doing these drills builds muscle memory.  So don't be afraid to begin slowly.  By being slow and deliberate, you will do things the same way every time.   Doing these movements slowly and deliberately will cause your eye muscles to learn and "burn in" the desired motion and function.  This will allow you to begin speeding up these movements, and work up to acquiring your target more quickly.  You will find that by repetition,  you will be able to acquire targets more quickly, make defensive decisions more quickly, and shoot more accurately.

Shoot safely, be accurate!

When is a Gun Really a Weapon?

One of the things we learn early in our training when becoming an NRA firearms instructor is the use of proper terminology.  The use of correct terminology and definitions in the classroom is vitally important so that we can develop the proper knowledge, skills, and attitudes about firearms and firearm safety from the very first minute that a firearms class begins.  Then, further use of correct terminology helps us to correctly describe the use of firearms as we go about our daily lives.  Terminology is used not only to describe the “what” in many cases, but also implies the “how” that is appropriate to the term being used.

Personally, I think that one of the reasons that some people are so frightened of firearms is because of constant exposure to incorrect terminology.  Over and over, people have (falsely, in my opinion) been led to believe that the firearm is always used as a “killing machine” of some sort, and that there are no other uses for firearms.  The term “weapon” is commonly thrown around when discussing firearms, which seems to indicate that folks don’t really seem to understand the true concept of what firearms are or what they are used for.

What IS a firearm?  A firearm, like any other tool, is nothing more than an inanimate, mechanical device.  The firearm does not do anything in and of itself – it must be employed by a human being to perform some task.  In fact to prove this notion, I placed a web cam near the gun safe to monitor their behavior, just in case something might be going on while I was away.  You know – those darn, lazy guns just laid there!  Not ONE of them jumped out of the safe and performed any violent acts.

Firearms typically have the ability to hold ammunition cartridges in various amounts, have a hammer and firing pin to cause the ammunition to discharge a projectile, have a trigger mechanism to release the hammer and cause it to strike the firing pin, and have a barrel to guide and stabilize the projectile along a straight and steady path.  The firearm also has a handgrip and/or a stock to allow for stabilization of the firearm when it is in use, sights to allow for the proper aiming of the firearm at a target, and a frame to which all of the other components mentioned are mounted.  

A firearm is a tool that can be properly used for sport shooting, hunting, and self defense – all of which are proper, legal, and constitutionally protected uses of firearms.  The use of firearms is even a part of internationally recognized sporting events, such as the Olympics.  Can firearms be used for illegal, violent, or improper purposes?  Sure they can – in the hands of criminals or other negligent users.  Can firearms be used as weapons?  Sure they can – in the hands of our brave soldiers on a battlefield or law enforcement officers in the field.

So when is a gun a NOT a weapon?  Are guns built with the sole purpose of being used for killing?  I hear it all the time:  “guns are meant to kill…” to which we in the pro-gun community typically reply “guns don’t kill, people do.”  “But a gun IS a weapon…” is a common statement.  The firearm in and of itself is not capable of using itself as a weapon.  It takes a human operator with intent for it to be used as a weapon, just as it takes human intent for a knife to be used as a weapon against another human being as opposed to cutting a steak. 

In order to answer those statements more fully and shed some brighter light on firearm terminology, firearms and firearm uses, let’s first get into some of the commonly misused firearm terminology:

Terminology Misuse 1:  All Guns Are Weapons -  If that were true, then it would also be true that all guns are built for the sole purpose of killing human beings (see Terminology Misuse 2 below).  We don’t need weapons to harvest game, after all, we typically use hunting firearms instead of combat rifles.  Is it necessary to “attack” that paper target or clay pigeon with a “weapon?”  I personally have never had to “attack” any inanimate target with a “weapon.”   Weapons belong appropriately on the battle field and in self defense situations.  That being the case, then it naturally follows that none of my firearms are weapons until I enter the field of combat or against a violent attacker.  As a regular citizen, I don’t take them into combat on a daily basis.  Firearms can be used as weapons, but there is nothing in any firearms owner’s manual I have ever seen that expressly states that the firearm is always used as, or was built with the sole purpose of being employed as a weapon.

Terminology Misuse 2:  Guns Are Meant For Killing - See Terminology Misuse 1 above.  Guns are no more built with the sole purpose of killing than they are built for the sole purpose of being used as a weapon.  The sole and entire purpose for which a firearm is built is to act as a mechanical device used to safely activate and discharge a projectile from an ammunition cartridge, and provide for a safe and effective launching platform for causing that projectile to emit from the firearm’s muzzle on a straight and consistent path towards a target.  That target can be a piece of paper, a tin can, wild game, or a violent attacker.  We can’t kill paper, we can’t kill cans, we don’t “kill” animals when hunting (we harvest game), and we don’t intend to “kill” a violent attacker (only to stop the attack).

Terminology Misuse 3:  The Sole Purpose of Hunting is to Kill Animals - I only know of two appropriate uses for the word “kill.”  Killing as it applies to ending a human life, usually caused by another human (with a car, with a knife, with a firearm, etc.), and when ending a process in the computing environment (kill the process, kill the application, kill the session).  All other applications of this term are inappropriate, in my opinion, especially when it applies to hunting.  Hunters harvest game.  Hunters are responsible for some of the greatest strides in wildlife conservation through responsible and lawful harvesting of game.  Hunters actually prevent animal starvation and promote conservation of the species.  In sport shooting, the marksman shoots at a paper or other non-living target.  That just doesn’t sound like “killing” to me.

Terminology Misuse 4:  Violence is Caused by Guns – No:  the gun, in and of itself is not capable of violence.  Violence is a result of malicious intent, in my opinion.  Firearms are not capable of expressing any intent whatsoever.  Intent is a result of intelligent thought.  Only humans can express intent.  Guns can be used for violent purposes, but only by violent humans.  Violence happens when an attacker rapes a woman and she has no way to protect herself.  Violence happens when a man is stabbed at a gas station and robbed of his vehicle, and he has no way to stop the attack.  Guns have actually been used to save lives by those who have intelligently made the decision not to be victimized.  That’s not violence.  That’s self defense.

At Northern Colorado Firearms Safety Training, our mission is to foster the proper knowledge, skills, and attitudes for owning and using firearms safely.  Our philosophy is that a firearm is only as safe (or as dangerous) as the person using the firearm, because firearms in and of themselves have no ability to spontaneously operate themselves.  We don’t teach our students about the deployment of weapons, we don’t teach that guns are only meant for killing.  We teach that a firearm is a tool to employ in a variety of appropriate circumstances:  sport shooting, hunting, or self defense.  And above all, we teach firearms safety!