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Have I got a newsletter for you!! You are going to LOVE this! It's ALL about why people like you and I should carry a gun! I've got an unbelievably motivating NRA video, and an EXCELLENT article written by an armed citizen- just like you!
Here we go!
The Truth About the Right to Carry USCCA Video of the Week
"Why I carry"
by an Anonymous USCCA Member
We've all got our daily carry gear. Mine includes my wallet, work keys, vehicle keys, cell phone, ink pen, pocket knife, and an aluminum LED flashlight.
I've been trying to think of a great example lately, as to why the most recent addition- a GLOCK 9mm pistol and extra magazine- has made me more of a civilized person.
Every day since September 21st, which is when I received my permit, not one day has passed- not one trip down the driveway has taken place- that has saw me not carrying my pistol. I have been convinced from day one that this made me a better person. The best explanation I could come up with was "it finally allows me to relax", or "it allows me to interact normally with people, instead of having to be weary of them". Still, my best explanation was kind of unclear, and most people wouldn't get it. Until yesterday, on my way home from work...
That's when I saw a hitchhiker up ahead. Normally, (assuming they weren't standing by a broken down car- which even THAT can be a set up) my mind would jump to 'condition orange' and I'd think, "Yeah, nice try". At the very least, I'd think, "Man, I WANT to pick them up and help them out, but it's not worth getting killed over..."
Still, it would always feel like it was my duty as not only a Christian, but as a human being who lives within a hundred miles of another human being, to pick up someone less fortunate, and give them a ride.
This time though, I had a little 1.2lb hunk of steel and polymer tucked in between my pants and underwear, accessible from a sitting position in less than two seconds (I've practiced), with twenty-one 115gr. slugs at my disposal, the idea that this person would try to do me hard was not quite as 'loud' as it had been before. As soon as I saw the guy, my instinct was, "Sweet, I get to do humanity a favor for once".
I gave him a ride to his house, which was only a mile or so out of my way. Though he obviously had some problems of his own, he expressed nothing but gratitude for the ride, and I never felt a bit uncomfortable. I then realized that there was really nowhere I would feel uncomfortable going, and no person I would fear interacting with. Especially given that, with my hands placed lazily at my hips, my GLOCK is never more than a second from deployment. :)
Now I know that not everyone needs a gun to be able to interact with 'shady' characters, but I do, and I've accepted that.
That's why carrying a gun makes me a more civilized person.
GEAR NAME FOR REVIEW USCCA Gear Review
For the last two weeks, we've looked at a couple pretty good options for inside-the-waistband (IWB) carry. This week, I want to explore another IWB option that I haven't thought about in a long time. It's called the Active Pro Gear: Model 20 and it is carried in MOB, or Middle-of-Back.
The Model 20 is different from the other two IWB holsters, because this is actually meant to be wore (you guessed it) in the small of your back, with the handle pointing to your strong side, as shown in the picture below to the left. (This picture is of a right hander).
The picture below and to the right is how you draw from MOB. You reach behind your back with the back of your hand brushing against your back, and your open palm closes on the handle.
Photos courtesy of Active Pro Gear.
Now let me say this about the Active Pro Gear Model 20- It is VERY sturdy. Many people favor kydex over nylon, because nylon might close to the point where re-holstering is difficult. Not this holster! It's reinforced around the openings, and there is absolutely no worry of it closing up on you. The sturdiness also adds to the retention-by-friction ability to this holster. I think this is very important.
This holster keeps the pistol up high above your waistline. This could be bad or good, depending on your wardrobe, preferences, and other factors. For me, I'm mixed. I REALLY like how easy this holster makes drawing your pistol. It simply feels natural to reach behind my back for my pistol, and I especially like how "right-there" the handle of my GLOCK is. The other side of this coin, is that makes it a little more difficult to conceal. Especially when you bend over, the bulge in your back is pretty apparent, unless you're wearing very thick and heavy clothing. Wearing a jacket, or even a sweatshirt, this holster might be a great option for you, but in those hot summer months, you might want to have your spouse or close friend do a double check of your clothing choice to make sure you're not going to too obvious.
I also have to say this: This holster has a VERY strong clip, which I did find a little hard to get clipped onto my belt. The good thing is that once it's in place, it DOES NOT slide around at all. It stays put!
Overall, I think this is definitely an option to consider. If you prefer MOB carry, or if you're thinking about trying the style, this is one of the better quality MOB holsters I've come across.
Are you pumped up yet? Do all your friends and family a huge favor and send this awesome newsletter right on over to them! Just click the envelope above!
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!
So, we were locked down for the night after finishing the Sunday night football game. All locks had been checked, alarm still armed, my second favorite bed time companion had come out of the personal safe and rested comfortably on my bed side table when hell broke loose outside. We live in the country and our house is set deep in the woods off the country road. You can't see the house from the road and I go to pains to make sure our driveway looks like nothing worth investigating is at the end of it. No nearby neighbors or reason for anyone to be in my neck of the woods.
First, I hear several loud metallic sounds on the driveway. "What was that?" This was quickly followed by my dogs going freakin' ballistic. Now I'm thinking someone's out there and the sound was a crowbar or pipe being dropped…Dogs still going crazy when one of them yipps in a very painful way.
I'm officially wired and kicking into action. First priority is to see the alarm is still on and not triggered. At the same time, I'm grabbing my pistol and waking the wife up and getting her armed. Dogs still going crazy…
I'm pretty sure the house is secure so my wife "covers" me while I pull out a little more firepower from the gun safe. If it hadn't been for those metallic sounds, I would still be leaning towards critters in the yard while being ready for the worst. As it is, my thinking is this is the real deal bad situation. Dogs still going crazy…
We actually have an action plan for this scenario and it kicks in. My wife takes solid cover ready to defend the hallway leading to our bedroom and the kid's room and calls the sheriff's department. I make my way down the hall ready to address any threats before they get to the hallway. After a short time to convince myself there is not an immediate threat in the house, but knowing there is something happening outside, I decide a little more investigation is needed. About 10 minutes has lapsed since things started happening and the dogs haven't been heard from for 2 or 3 minutes. Is that a good thing or not? I'm certainly not taking any chances.
I start easing through the house, practicing my best house clearing techniques (boy, I really wish I had more training in this) working to a point where I can observe the majority of my yard yet stay hidden as much as possible and not expose myself to any potential threat. No lights on inside the house and stay away from the windows. This serves to focus me on the job at hand and I can really feel myself concentrating while being completely wired at the same time. Seconds before I get to my observation point, the dogs kick into another rage and I hear limbs breaking in my side yard just off the drive. Unbelievably, I manage to reach an even higher level of "holy crap".
Then I see it. I only catch a glimpse of a dark object moving quickly through the trees. It's too big for a coon, coyote, etc. - about 6' off the ground. I actually believe my heart stopped for a second before I got myself prepared to fight. Another painful yip from the dog then silence. This is not good. I saw a shadow moving rapidly around the edge of my house, moving right towards the back door. I catch a glimpse of the dog moving very slowly and obviously out of the fight, hopefully only temporarily. I slide behind solid cover and raised my shotgun to the shoulder. Safety off, finger hovering just outside the trigger. I was prepared to unload with the anticipated burst through the back door. Then it happened...
Want to see what happened next to this USCCA member? If you are a member- click here to go right to this thread! If you're not a member, you're in luck! Signing up is easy!
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...
"The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed."
~Alexander Hamilton
Closing Thoughts
Well friends, I hope you've enjoyed reading this week's newsletter as much as I've enjoyed putting it together! The thing that really put a smile on my face more than anything this week, was in that video, hearing that ex-NRA president say that our Right to Carry laws are a grass roots effort. This is the absolute truth. Arrogant politicians do not like Right to Carry, but we have passed the laws in NEARLY every state!
We're not totally there yet, but I am confident that if we keep the pressure on, and don't give them an inch, we'll be one step closer to a free, civilized society!
The USCCA has a FREE weekly newsletter for YOU! We discuss self-defense, guns, knives, tactics, family, friends and life. These weekly tips are valuable, entertaining and politically incorrect... and they're FREE. Sign up now or "pay the price."
Your name, and e-mail will NEVER be sold or rented to ANYONE. Click here to check out the USCCA Newsletter archives.
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