I have sat down to write this weekly column 205 times since I started working here at the USCCA. You would think I would run out of things to say. When I started working here, I made a promise: I said I would answer every question anyone had about concealed carry. Then, after all the questions were answered, I would retire.

That means I will be working here as long as my bosses will allow it. That very likely means for as long as you, the readers of this little column, will have me.

At the bottom of this column I will leave an email address where you can send questions. This is not because I have run out of things to talk about. Oh no. This is because I want to make sure I am talking about the things you really want me to talk about.

Keep in mind that this column is not about politics or how angry we are with the government or the current slate of candidates. Let’s stay focused on self-defense issues—specifically issues that relate to concealed carry. I’d like to get a better feel for the questions people really want to have answered. I know this column will ensure that I am inundated with emails, but as long as you realize I might not answer every single one of them with a personal note, I think we will be OK. It will also give the rest of the Concealed Carry Magazine staff some insight as well (as if they needed even more to do). I’m not going to tell them about this column until the emails start rolling in. They can remain like hikers in the mountains: blissfully unaware of the impending avalanche.

So, kind readers, start thinking up some questions. In the meantime, here are a couple topics that didn’t really lend themselves to full-fledged columns.

Stun Guns

A couple readers have been asking about stun guns or Tasers as alternatives to firearms for personal defense. I am not a big fan of using less-than-lethal force when faced with deadly force. You will notice that police officers carry a Taser AND a gun. And a Taser is nearly always used with what’s called “lethal cover.” That is, someone on the scene will have a gun ready just in case the Taser does not work.

If a Taser or stun gun is your ONLY means of defense, make sure you have a viable escape strategy if you are faced with a deadly threat. I rarely make absolute statements when it comes to self-defense, and I won’t do it here. I just don’t feel it is good idea to face a deadly threat with a less-than-lethal response.

Carrying with a Round in the Chamber

Yes. Do it. It is perfectly safe as long as you follow safe gun handling rules of muzzle control and trigger finger discipline. You don’t want to be fiddling with your slide in the face of an advancing attacker.

Revolver vs. Semi-Auto

Just have a gun! I don’t care which gun. I don’t really even care which caliber. Any gun is better than no gun. The “best” gun is the gun you have with you when the gunfight starts. If you feel confident with a revolver, carry a revolver. Train with it. Learn to fight with it. Treat it like the piece of emergency life-saving equipment it is. The most important things to remember in a gunfight are these: move to cover, engage your target with accurate gunfire as quickly as you can do so effectively, remain vigilant after the shooting stops, reholster reluctantly, and follow the orders of responding police officers.

You notice none of those rules mention the operating system of your firearm.

So there you have it—a few tidbits for this week and an open invitation to send us questions. Our email address is simple: editor@usconcealedcarry.com.

Train hard. Stay safe.