Who ya goner call....

Ghostbusters?

It's an interesting concept, who is responsible to keep you safe? We as a society have over the years developed to make the best of the skills that people have to offer, and probably rightly so.

When I want new kitchen cupboards, the last person my wife would allow to build and install them is me, my spirit level was damaged some years ago, resulting in the bubble now being in the wrong place!! My wife was equally distressed when I suggested we convert our cooker hood to gas, and that it would be a great idea for me to run the gas line, and hook up the gas.

I realize with some depression (and admission of defeat) that there are some things I should leave to others who have some kind of affinity and skill to complete the task properly, without the possible terrible consequences of me doing over reaching at something that is not necessarily my top skill set.

This is where it gets interesting. I would suggest the same applies in various emergency situations. I have fire extinguishers in my house, garage, cars, truck, and even one that I take camping. Now, does that mean that when I am up in Payson, camping for the weekend, and a forest fire erupted, I could or should tackle it beyond the immediate response of maybe a mishap within a tent or maybe a cinder igniting a small fire, no, of course not. My fire extinguisher at BEST is to try to keep me, my family and my stuff, aswell as others should they be in danger, uninjured until the fire fighters turn up (much to my wifes approval) to deal in a professional and safe way, with the proper equipment with the problem.

In my view, the same applies to the concealed weapons we carry, and to the the weapons we have in our homes and vehicles. I am not in a equipped nor more importantly trained to fight a small war against insurgents, nor take on hoards of bloodthirsty terrorists. I am equipped to deal with an immediate issue, to keep myself and loved ones safe in situations where I do not have a police officer standing next to me to take care of the problem.

When my lovely wife decided she would go jogging in the early mornings, it was obvious to me that she needed to be able to defend herself should it be required. Only last year, and woman was mugged whilst jogging early in the morning. Now we don't live in  downtown LA, it can happen anywhere, at almost anytime, being prepared is what it's all about. Not prepared to fight WW3, just prepared enough to get to a place of safety, or perhaps until the professionals arrive.

I met a lovely lady and her daughter on the range on Wednesday. She was thoughtful, considerate and looking to make informed choices. She wants to buy a gun, and be proficient in it's use, so she is able to defend herself and her family from the threats of the modern world.

Her view is that she wants to be able to defend family and home against those who would do them harm. And that is exactly to the to look at it. The police are there to deal with big issues, any issues BUT they are not next to you every moment of every day.

It simply makes sense to be able to deal with a fire or someone who would do you harm in the 1st few minutes of any issue, until the professionals arrive. The fire, nor the mugger, thief or home invader will not quietly wait until the professionals arrive, You need to be able to defend yourself the same as you need a fire extinguisher.

A HUGE reason to be prepared!

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CCW holder going to PRISON!!

That got your attention as it should!!

But lets start at the beginning a great piece appeared on my Facebook feed earlier in the week, and below is a section of it.

It's not the police who need to be retrained, it's the public. We have grown into a mouthy, cell phone wielding, vulgar, uncivil society with no personal responsibility and the attitude of 'it's the other person's fault', 'you owe me'. A society where children grow up with no boundaries or knowledge or concern for civil society and personal responsibility. 

When an officer says "Put your hands up," then put your hands up! Don't reach for something in your pocket, your lap, your seat. There's plenty of reason for a police officer to feel threatened, there have been multiple assaults and ambushes on police officers lately. Comply with requests from the officer, have your day in court. Don't mouth off, or fight, or refuse to comply... that escalates the situation. 

Police officers are our sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters. They're black, white, brown, all colors, all ethnicities, all faiths, male and female, they are us. They see the worst side of humanity... the raped children, the bloody mangled bodies of traffic victims, the bruised and battered victims of domestic violence, homicide victims, body parts... day after day. 

They work holidays while we have festive meals with our families. They miss school events with their kids, birthdays, anniversaries, all those special occasions that we take for granted. They work in all types of weather, under dangerous conditions, for relatively low pay. 

They have extensive training, but they are human. When there are numerous attacks on them, they become hyper vigilant for a reason, they have become targets. When a police officer encounters any person... any person, whether at a traffic stop, a street confrontation, an arrest, whatever... that situation has the potential to become life threatening. You, Mr & Mrs/Miss Civilian, also have the responsibility of keeping the situation from getting out of control.
Many law enforcement officers are Veterans. They've been in service to this nation most of their lives, whether on the battlefield or protecting us here at home. They are the only thing that stands between us and anarchy in the streets. 

If you want to protect your child, teach them respect.

What does that tell us? I have seen a great change in society in various countries over the year, and not for the better. It now seems that there is a large element in society that hangs on everyone they disagree with's every word, looking for something with which they can be offended, and use that as a stick with which to beat that person, until they achieve their aim, usually the removal of the person with whom they disagree. If they are prevented from doing whatever they choose, they the ACLU turn up almost as an emergency service.

Yet. they think they can treat anyone they perceive as not agreeing with their cause, whatever it maybe, in anyway they choose, and drag in ordinary members of the public, and remove their rights for as long as they choose in the name of "protest". The way that law enforcement is treated by this element of society is beyond contemptible, yet they expect to be treated with kid gloves as they stop traffic on motorways, and throw abuse at anyone who dares to disagree.

Michael Aaron Strickland

We now have new laws making their way through various legislatures that provide for a defense for people who find themselves in the position of tragically hitting protesters who choose to try and block roads, but is that something anyone should have to go through, along with the inevitable protracted and expensive civil suit?

Take the case of Michael Aaron Strickland on Portland Oregon. Carrying a legal firearm, he was in what he deemed a life threatening situation whilst apparently doing his job as a radiographer and journalist during a demonstration. This guy drew his firearm having apparently been assaulted and verbally abused by a large crowd of protesters. Lets be clear, he didn't shoot anyone, nor did he he resist arrest, yet he finds himself convicted on various charges, that could see him in a state prison for some decades. Again, it seems that if a group is offended enough, they can change the course of someone life dramatically, simply because they disagree with them or their actions.

Where does all this lead I hear you ask. Well, it's a message I have put out there several times. Training is everything, whether it is how to use the resources you have available to you, to CRUCIALLY knowing WHEN you can and even more important when you can't use those resources. Even training with people who are ex law enforcement as many are at Caswells, can save not only your life, but your liberty. Know the law where ever you are. If you utilize the reciprocity that the AZ CCW affords you, don't think that the laws surrounding self defense or even how you carry your firearm are the same, they aren't, and it's VERY easy to be caught out.

Knowledge IS power!!

Get trained, PLEASE don't be the next news story! Follow this link, and you will find yourself on the Caswells CCW page, book into the CCW class on Monday the 20th, Presidents Day, and send me a mail with your confirmation number and "Presidents Day" in the subject line, and I will give you a free special offer voucher when you come to take your class on Monday! Just follow this link, and as spaces are 1st come 1st served, don't delay!

Sources;
North Dakota passes law to protect motorists who accidentally run over protesters

Man who pulled a gun on protestors convicted, faces decades in prison, and permanent loss of 2nd amendment rights

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Desert or range?

The age old problem in Arizona. With desert all around us, why wouldn't you want to take a trip out into the desert, and shoot for free?

On the face of it, great idea, lots of space, you can do what you like, shot what you like, with what you like, take the family, and not be troubled by those pesky RO's, right?

Well lets think about that for a moment.Can you do what you like? Sort of is the obvious answer. For  parts of the year, the state, city, county close parts of the desert to shooters, with heavy penalties for those ignoring the restrictions, but do you know where to look to find out where you can and can't shoot? Safety can also be an issue in the desert when you are in locations that allow shooting.

Not withstanding the local fauna wishing to take a bite out of you if they get the chance (no I have yet to see a snake, and hope I never do, but they are out there!!) especially in rocky terrain that makes up a lot of shooting locations, do I want to come across one when placing/retrieving targets?

Targets, another consideration is of course targets. Can you just press a button and have your target run out 65 feet, and come back when you have shot a perfect 1" group, or is it time to send family members trudging over open group that others may shoot over?

But far more importantly, what is everyone around you doing? No matter how safely you behave, and how sensible your gun handling, do you know what everyone else is doing, and how they are going about handling their firearms? Have a look at this video, what you see is someone firing a .50 cal Barrett and yes, that is the bullet he firing that comes back. No matter how careful you are, do you know what others are doing?

With lane rental fees at only $15, is it REALLY worth the effort to drive miles out into the desert?