USCCA Firearms & Self-Defense Blog

Hiding a firearm is not the same as securing it. A gun stored in a drawer, hollowed-out book or disguised piece of furniture may be out of sight, but it could still be accessible to children,…

Several years ago, I had a former student reach out to me to share an experience she had. She was at a local shopping mall and started to feel uncertain and uncomfortable. Remembering our training…

Defensive gun use is one of the most frequently cited topics in the debate over firearms in America. Supporters of gun rights often point to estimates suggesting firearms are used defensively…

Carry optics, also known as pistol-mounted optics or red-dot sights, are becoming increasingly popular because they make accurate shooting easier. However, moving from iron sights to a carry optic…

Firearms-related headlines continue to shape public conversation and policy discussions across the country. Each month, we’ll gather the notable stories involving firearms, self-defense and the…

The old adage of “buy once, cry once” is everywhere in gun media. The idea is simple: You pour every penny into a gun one time, then you’re set for life. Conversely, if you go cheap, you’re clearly…

Just because you live an active lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to forgo bringing along your carry gun. While the holster option you typically rely on daily may not be suitable for the activity you…

Modern shooters searching for a self-defense handgun that is not too big or too small but is just right have a far wider variety than when I became a reserve deputy in Ohio in 1980. Finding a pistol with manageable recoil but adequate capacity back then often meant making compromises.

With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, it’s become easier than ever for shooters to enter the suppressor world. While the purchase process has become far more accessible, choosing the…

Protecting your family now requires more than securing your home and remaining aware of your physical surroundings. Smartphones, social media, online shopping, connected devices and public Wi-Fi can…

A defensive pistol should be as close to flawlessly reliable as possible, easy to operate and comfortable to shoot. You can purchase the most reliable pistol on the market, but if that pistol doesn’t…

I’ve been using laser sights on my defensive handguns and AR-15s since 1995. I think guns mounted with laser sights are the best option in low light because they do not obstruct the user’s view. I’ve…

The short answer is yes … in some states. Whether you can legally carry a firearm without a permit depends on the laws where you are carrying. Today, many states have adopted constitutional carry,…

Two hands on the gun will usually give you more control, better recoil management and greater stability. That is why most defensive handgun training starts with a two-handed grip. But real-life…

One of the things that keeps me going as a firearms industry writer is that many companies in our industry are never content to rest on their laurels. The second is their willingness to resurrect and…

There is probably no legislation that evokes as much emotion as “stand your ground” laws. While they may vary in details from state to state, these self-defense laws generally remove the requirement…

A popular misnomer among gun-control activists about the AR-15 rifle is that the AR stands for “assault rifle.” Never mind the lack of definition that constitutes what an “assault rifle” is, AR is short for ArmaLite rifle, a name referring to the manufacturer of the firearm in the 1950s.

The world of carry optics has grown a great deal in the past few years. What began as an innovation for winning pistol competitions has become standard equipment among service members and civilian…

Should I shoot a warning shot is a common self-defense question. It may seem like a reasonable middle ground. You avoid shooting another person while still convincing an attacker to back down. But…

I’ve been evaluating Streamlight products ever since the all-metal Scorpion saved me during a late-night traffic stop 17 years ago when my full-sized duty flashlight went out. In all my years of working with tactical flashlights, Streamlight has continued to produce high-quality lighting products, always tweaking, adjusting or improving.