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Our hearts and minds go out this week to all those effected by the turbulent weather the country (and hemisphere!) has been getting. Be safe out there!
You might remember that several months ago, 20/20's John Stossel aired a piece on gun control as part of a "Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity". Well, after some digging online, I came across this similar video by John Stossel that was aired back in 2002. It's very similar, but it sure got me pumped up!
Pretty good, huh? Click Below to send this to a friend!
This story was posted on the USCCA online forum this week, and needless to say, it's REALLY good! Further testament to so many things, not in the least that armed citizens save lives, and that the USCCA attracts some of the best citizens this fine country has to offer!
"Back from Vacation, Had an 'Episode'" by Deluxe USCCA Member 'Snobak'
First off; Alaska was spectacular, nothing but elbow room. I left a couple fish for the next batch of sportsmen!! Carrying my .44 at all times was hardly an issue. Felt very comforting both in the bush and in town.
I wanted to share a personal experience I had when I arrived back here at home….In Kalifornia.
The story started about 3 weeks ago when I received a call from a gal inquiring about simple firearms training. The conversation went on for probably an hour and progressed to personal defense concerns for her in the big city. She is a CPA and has a private practice. She also stated that she was interested in CCW for her piece of mind living alone and being a single gal. Unfortunately her
Image courtesy of www.crimsontrace.com
County does not issue CCWs, period. We focused more on her home defensive planning instead. I explained the course outlines for the NRA Basic Pistol training, Shotgun training and then moving up to the Personal Protection in the Home training. She explained to me that she had never used a firearm before and desired some input as to what to acquire.. It was decided that an 870Tactical 12g was great for her 'safe' room as well as a Ruger p89-9mm would suffice in her 'casual' areas. She made her 'first' purchase and went forth.
We spent 10 hours training at my range for the Pistol, and 14 hours on the Shotgun. Then another 8 hours on the Personal Protection endorsement. She insisted on the "full meal deal".
It was arduous, but she was a fantastic student and a very quick learner. She was hitting trap on the 3rd shot fired during live-fire. I really was impressed. Her pistol skills were spot on, she trained on the 'point' shooting approach instead of using the rear sights. (I taped them off). I figured defensive shooting should be the focus for her needs. The Personal Protection in the Home study entails making a battle plan and a 'safe' room in your home with all the needed 'tools' kept within. She passed all the practical and written with flying colors, truly a 'model' student. All 3 certificates were issued.
….So when I got home, I get a message from her on my voicemail, she has had an 'episode' she said. Right away I'm thinking N.D.(negligent discharge)! I call her right away. She tells me that while I was on vacation she had 2 bad guys casing her house, and testing her windows and doors! I asked if she was alright. She laughed and said yes, thanks to resorting to her formal training by yours truly. No shots fired, battleplan worked perfectly. Bad guys taken away, NO victim! I was ecstatic and she was proud of herself. She actually followed up her training with trigger time and scenario planning immediately after the classes. She was prepared and ready for the big world.
I am sooo proud of her. It makes a guy feel good for offering such training and guidance. She definitely paid attention. One less victim is priceless. God only knows what could have happened if she hadn't had the tools and knowledge. She may have been another statistic.
Shoot straight.. Snobak OUT…..
Now is that inspiring, or what?!
Click below to share this story with a friend!
CURRENT USCCA DELUXE MEMBERS! Since you already have complete access to our online forum, click HERE to go directly to this thread, and talk directly to Snobak and other members about this story!
Gun and Gear Review
Here we go! My favorite part of every "Tip of the Week". This is where we get to look at some neat and interesting guns and gear.
Image provided by www.wilsontactical.com
This week I'm reviewing an eye-catching knife if I've ever seen one! It's called a Carbon-Fiber Stealth, and just like the "Cop Tool" that we looked at a couple weeks ago, it's made by Wilson Tactical.
Now, the single feature that sets this knife apart from others is that it's non-metallic. Just like the name implies, it's made out of Carbon Fiber. If you've never handled carbon fiber, it basically feels like plastic or polymer. In the same way that Polymer makes pistols light, Carbon Fiber makes this knife REALLY light! 1.4 ounces to be exact, which is a heck of a lot lighter than the tactical LED that you carry! And with an overall length of 10.25 inches, you will be amazed at how light this is compared to a knife this size made of steel. The thing that boggles my mind about this weapon is how sturdy it is. You would think that being carbon fiber, it would bend fairly easily, but it doesn't. If you apply a lot of pressure, it gives just a little, but it's certainly less than 1/16th of an inch!
IMPORTANT NOTE: This knife does not have any blades, just the tip. It is ground to look like a double edged weapon, but its actually not sharp at all on the edges. It is meant to be used as a 'puncture' weapon.
The other awesome feature on this knife is its handle. Just like the cop tool, it's woven out of parachute cord, and really feels great to hold on to. The handle provides an excellent grip- and it looks very cool!
One last thing worth noting about this knife, is that it comes with a great sheath. It's great for concealment, and the knife really locks into it, yet is easy drawn.
Now this is an outstanding weapon, but have one thing to note: (And I wouldn't feel like I was doing you much of a service if I didn't run this knife through the ropes!) You see, carbon fiber is kind of a layered material, like fiber glass. Because of this, I wondered about the tip's ability to stand up to being punched through some hard surfaces...so I tried it out!
This thing punched through thick cardboard and plastic water bottles filled with water with surprising ease. However, I wanted to see what would happen if you hit a hard surface, like wood. For the first test, I stabbed through a water bottle and into a hunk of wood, that had been softened by rain. The tip held up to this. On the second try, I stabbed through another water bottle, and into a piece of hard, finished wood. At this, about 1mm of the tip bent over. I picked it off, and was left with a flat spot, about a millimeter in width. Surprisingly, it still stabs through plastic with ease, but there you have it.
Overall, this is one fine knife. Even if the tip is not as strong as a steel weapon, this one is much, much lighter, faster, and easier to conceal. I would definately recommend it to a friend!
Click Below to email this Gear Review to a friend!
USCCA Forum Highlights
Every Deluxe Member has complete access to the USCCA forum, which is constantly being accessed by members sharing information, knowledge, insight, and fun. With well over twenty-thousand posts and growing by the hour, this is one heck of a valuable resource!
I have a problem with where to put everything I want to carry. I'm 5'5, fairly muscular build. My primary carry gun is a Springfield Compact 4" in a variety of holsters, on my right hip. I also carry 2 spare mags in a fobus paddle ammo carrier on my left hip. I also carry a folding knife with a belt clip and a small tactical flashlight in a nylon holster. No matter where I put everything, I have trouble reaching something. I have some Martial art training so I don't like things in my pocket so I can move a little easier. I would like a few pointers on where some of you carry your gear that is not restricting access or movement.
This was a great story of someone taking responsibility and confronting two armed men with a Beretta 9mm who had just shot and killed a beloved store owner in a Dayton, Oh neighborhood. This guy didn't have to do it, but he put his neck out there and captured a BG at gun point. The link below has the story and a video of him talking about it.
Today I ejected the round from my GLOCK 26, and found this (see picture below). What this is a result of, is having the same ammo in one magazine for about two months, and racking the first round into the gun, and out of the gun many, many times. The round, the one on the left, has had its bullet jammed back into the casing after constantly being smashed into the barrel loading bay, nearly two millimeters. I'm not sure what would have happened if I would have fired this round but it definately will change the way I do things!
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Quote of the Week
Sometimes a good quote will inspire or motivate you. Sometimes, they'll just put a smile on your face! Here is the quote for this week...
"It is from their foes, not their friends, that cities learn the lesson of building high walls."
~Aristophanes
Closing Thoughts Member Feedback: Some of the best ideas, tips and thoughts come from other USCCA members just like you! So if you have something you'd like to share with the rest of us, please don't hesitate to send me a message. Click here to go to our contact form.
Thanks again for reading my weekly newsletter! This is the part where I urge you to make a sound investment by joining the USCCA. For those who have already made the decision to carry a concealed pistol, and those who are still debating alike, the USCCA is a treasure trove of information and insight. This newsletter is just the tiny tip of the ice-berg!
Don't wait any longer! Do it for yourself!
Stay safe, and stay prepared! And have a great weekend!
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