How many times does it need to be said?

When handling a firearm, SAFETY is ALWAYS the top priority.

I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the first time he fired a gun, and the person who gave it to him should have seen the potential for something like that to happen.

If you don’t know what you’re doing, don’t pull the trigger.

Actually, don’t touch the gun, period!

In April 2022, Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson, during a press conference, said, “If somebody’s breaking into your house, you’re more than welcome to shoot them in Santa Rosa County, and we prefer that you do.”

This was after 32-year-old Brandon Harris, with 17 previous arrests, went on a string of home invasions in Florida.

An unidentified homeowner had shot at Harris during one of the break-ins, but the sheriff didn’t know who it was and offered the person a firearm safety class.

“Whoever that was, you’re not in trouble. Come see us. We have a gun safety class we put on every other Saturday, and if you take that, you’ll shoot a lot better, and hopefully you’ll save taxpayers’ money.”

Knowing when you can and can’t use your firearm in self-defense is important, and it’s not always legal if someone is breaking into your home. In most jurisdictions, you have to be in fear for your life or grave bodily harm. This article talks about the factors involved that justify the use of deadly force, which are ability, opportunity, and intent.

There was a lot less gun violence when they taught gun safety in schools, and you could have your rifle in the back window rack of your truck.

Maybe proper firearm training for the masses is the way to go.

Self-defense laws vary by state, but generally, you have the right to defend yourself if you reasonably believe that you or someone else is in imminent danger of serious harm or death.

In this video, it appears someone is getting out of the back passenger side door right before the driver walks around the truck with something in his hands. The person in the second vehicle pulls out his firearm and points it at the man coming at him.

Would the man being attacked have been justified if he had pulled the trigger?

Now, let’s consider the scenario where someone is trying to break into your car while you’re inside with the door closed. In most states, you would likely be justified in using a firearm for self-defense if you genuinely believe that your life is at risk.

Try to safely de-escalate the situation or drive away, because avoidance is always the best option. A car is a powerful weapon, and sometimes the best defense is a good offense or, in this case, a good defensive driving maneuver.

But remember that every situation is different, and it’s up to you to use your best judgment, but using a firearm should always be a last resort.

Using a firearm in self-defense during a road rage incident is a serious matter, and you should always be aware of the potential consequences. If that bullet misses, it could hit an innocent bystander.

Always consider the potential consequences and try to de-escalate the situation if possible. Ultimately, it comes down to means, opportunity, and intent.

Stay safe on the roads, and don’t let road rage get the best of you or your trigger finger.

There are several things to think about before deciding if carrying your firearm appendix inside the waistband (AIWB) is for you. The most important factor is your level of training and familiarity with firearms. If you are not comfortable and confident in your ability to safely handle a gun, then appendix carry probably isn’t a good idea.

The next thing is what type of holster, and I can’t stress enough the importance of a trigger guard that covers the entire trigger area. Some holsters I’ve seen have a small gap, which might be what happened to the guy in the video. His holster was made out of Kydex and not leather, so we can rule out the trigger getting stuck on the leather.

When he tucked his shirt in, part of it got stuck in that little space, and when he bent over, it caused the negligent discharge. He then makes his second monumental mistake and tosses the gun on the floor. Fortunately, the guy shot himself in the muscle, and the bullet went straight through.

I appendix carry with a Philster Enigman, and now that I am used to it, I wouldn’t carry any other way.

However you decide to carry your firearm, always and carefully reholster your weapon and choose a quality holster.

So, what are the main reasons for these failures? Well, the wrong propellant will definitely do it. Substituting a slower rifle propellant for a faster pistol or shotgun variant can easily achieve overpressure. That is still unlikely for factory ammunition, but it happens with ignorant home loaders.

Squib Loads

Squib loads and bore blockage are probably the most common causes of overpressure. A squib load occurs because the propellant does not produce enough energy to push the projectile or associated parts (such as a shotgun wad) out of the barrel. When the next round is fired, the pressure cannot escape because of the blockage, so it finds its own way out.

Squibs can happen because the ammunition is old or poorly stored. They can happen due to a lack of propellant or simply not enough. Subsonic loads may also produce this effect when there is not enough propellant compared to the barrel length of the firearm. What makes it out of a 6″ personal defense weapon (PDW) barrel may not make it down a 24″ hunting rifle.

Bore Blockages

Bore blockages can also occur because of poor maintenance. Some issues are carbon buildup, stuck patches, and mud clogged in the muzzle. You can remedy this by inspecting the bore before and after shooting or cleaning. If you’re shooting and don’t know where your round went, check the bore before shooting again.

Secondary Explosive Effect

The last issue I will mention is the secondary explosive effect. This can occur with very low charge weights and too much free case volume or degraded propellant. If the propellant doesn’t burn quickly and efficiently, it will deposit fumes within the case void. These fumes can be highly explosive and may detonate. If you’re reloading subsonic rounds, start high on charge weight and work down. Make sure you select a propellant that takes up plenty of case volume.

Reloaded Rounds

Most people imagine that the high charge weight (too much gunpowder) causes overpressure, but that is rarely the case. If we take a .223 Rem round as an example, the maximum average pressure, according to CIP, is 4300 bar. The single max pressure is 4945 bar, and the single max weapon pressure is 5375 bar.

Given that 24 grains of suitable propellant will be about ballpark for a charge weight within max average pressure and that 28.8 grains are the maximum case filled with H20 gunpowder, we can surmise that it would be nearly impossible to achieve catastrophic failure from overfilling.

An easy way to avoid all this is to buy high-quality ammunition like Swiss P, Norma, RWS, Sako, or MFS. Remember to listen to your shots, and if something doesn’t sound right or feel right, check your gun before firing that next round.

Think of it like this: You wouldn’t give a toddler a Stradivarius violin and expect them to play a concerto, would you? When it comes to firearms, the same rules apply. A piece of equipment is only as good as the person using it.

This guy went out and bought a vest, communication gear, and a riot shotgun, but he did not know what he was doing.

Firearm safety is always your top priority, but being safe and responsible aren’t the only considerations. Firearm training can also help you enhance your shooting skills and become a better shooter.

Firearm training is more important than the equipment you choose because proper training helps prevent accidents, improves accuracy, and instills confidence. It also fosters a tactical mindset and plays a role in making sound decisions in high-stress situations.

This is especially important for those of you who use a firearm for self-defense because your life may depend on your ability to use it.

So, before you buy that next Gucci accessory or fancy upgrade, make sure to invest in proper training as well

Many people ask me about event safety, so here are some things I do. It doesn’t matter if I’m looking for a story, pre-planning, or threat assessment.

Social media is a love-hate relationship.

I check Twitter or Instagram first because the groups causing problems use social media to post what they are doing like it’s a trophy they won.

I search for cities and events on Twitter (Chicago, Times Square, etc.). Then, some basic generic terms: Protester, riot, crowd, police, activist.

Next search for specific terms depending on world events: Palestine, airport, and interstate are examples. When you use Twitter sort posts by “latest” and “top” so you can see the most up-to-date Tweets.

I prefer videos and photos because “protestors” share everything they do but question all of it because there is always misleading information.

There are many articles on crowd safety. However, here are a few highlights others can build on:

• I prefer being near the crowd’s perimeter since you’re less likely to get stuck.
• Dress down and blend in. Wear comfortable shoes that you can run in.
• Sometimes, it’s best to hold tight and let everyone else scatter. There’s nothing wrong with ducking into a building to get off the street.
• I download venue layouts and maps before leaving home because cell sites may be overwhelmed, and I frequently carry a small external battery pack.
• In case your group gets separated, have a spot to meet. Consider a backup location because the first one might be inaccessible.
• I leave about 30 minutes before the event is over to beat the rush and prefer Uber or Lyft instead of driving.
• There isn’t enough time to cover all the scenarios, so the main point is to always be thinking outside the box.

If you carry, do it responsibly, and don’t be drinking. I carry an Enigma AIWB because it gives me more control over my firearm, especially in a crowded environment.

Remember to pay attention to what’s happening around you and say something if you see something. It’s better to be safe than sorry. You can choose to be part of the solution or possibly be a victim.

Enjoy yourself, and don’t worry about the sky falling. It is what it is, so go have fun.

However, the real rewards come from a challenge. Take something you cannot do well and aim for consistent improvement. So, I bought a secondhand over and under and began shooting some down-the-line (DTL), sporting, and skeet clay pigeons.

I had to swallow my pride and miss a lot. Now, I hit a lot more than I miss.

I will take part in a few competitions in the next few months and see how it goes. I enjoy every minute of learning a new skill, and I am grateful to my Pro Clay friends who have shared some knowledge with me.

The moral of the story is to step out of your comfort zone and never stay on the easy, well-trodden path. Sometimes, the path you beat through the dense forest leads you to the most rewarding destinations.

This is the Anchor Drill, and although it is a high-speed drill, many things are happening inside it that occur simultaneously. If you cannot explain all that to someone, you should not be teaching it.

The drill in the video is a single-threat drill, but you can also adapt it to a maximum of three threats, with the drill modified accordingly so that you keep the “anchor” sustained. In the video, the anchor is the target.

• There is a reason WHY the forearm comes up to the threat’s neck or throat.
• There is a reason WHY the three initial movements are done simultaneously. If they are not, the drill fails.
• There is a reason WHY the shooting stance has to be different from your normal shooting stance.
• There is a reason WHY your stance is non-aggressive before you engage the threat.
• There is a reason WHY  you don’t take a sidestep.
• There is a reason WHY you lower your gravity base.
• There is a reason WHY your head is below your forearm.
• There is a reason WHY you use a chainsaw draw.
• There is a reason WHY the pistol points at a 45-degree angle.
• There is a reason WHY you shield the pistol so high on the side of the chest.
• There is a reason WHY the pistol does not present or protrude past the front of the body.
• There is a reason WHY the thumb knuckle of the firing hand is so important.
• There is a reason WHY you execute the drill from a concealed carry platform.
• There is a reason WHY the firing hand wrist does not “cock” and point straight at the threat immediately before firing.
• There is a reason WHY the drill is based on the “minimal movement” of the firer.
• There is a reason WHY the firing arm does not chicken wing.

If you do not know the WHY – you shouldn’t be teaching it.

Not only is this drill fast and aggressive, but there MUST be an understanding of WHEN you can use it, along with the impact and consequences of using it for the shooter.

Please check your instructor’s credentials and experience before allowing yourself to be taught this kind of training.

For Christmas, I’d really like it if people stopped teaching stuff from YouTube videos that does not work in real life.

Thank you, Santa!

I have lost count of the ranges I have been on where someone has a gun they think is “rubbish” and “won’t shoot.” 99% of the time, it was simply a poor technique. So, for those who are unsure, here are the basics of rifle fundamentals.

Getting in Position

You may not be able to dictate your shooting position in every situation. You will have to learn to make the best of what you have. In a perfect world, you would be prone and lying down with the rifle. This allows the recoil impulse to be straight and consistent.

You can keep your eyes on the target during and after recoil. You should try to get as comfortable as possible. Never “muscle” the rifle onto the target. It should point at the target naturally while your shoulder acts as a sandbag behind it, soaking up the recoil. If you have to shoot from an awkward position, apply the same principles as best you can.

Damping Movement

Sandbags are your friend, and there is no better option for reducing the unwanted movement of the weapon system. A rear bag will prevent you from inputting involuntary body movement into the rifle (it is the buffer between your hand and the butt). This allows you to control rifle elevation in a highly consistent manner. A front bag will reduce chaotic harmonics and aid recoil consistency.

Breathing

Learn to relax the body, breathing deeply and evenly, to avoid muscle tension as much as possible. Tense muscles affect the recoil impulse and contribute to involuntary movement.

Breathing should be consistent and deep. It’s not always easy if you have to sprint to your position under stress, and that is where excellent fitness comes into play. The higher your VO2 Max, the quicker you can bring the heart rate down and get into deep rhythmic breathing. Your breathing will give you fine elevation control, which you will see in your sight picture.

When you pause this breathing cycle, when you have the target centered, it will give you a couple of seconds without movement to make the shot. Pause too long, and you will induce stress and, thus, increase your movement. If you can’t make the shot in the pause, return to the breathing cycle and reset.

Sight Picture

Sometimes, no matter how good your glass is, you will not have a perfect sight picture. Mirage, heat, haze, smoke, and contrast all come into play. There are technical means to combat some of these factors, but you often find you may have to trust your brain’s ability to make the shot.

Aim small, miss small works well until you can’t make out the “small,” and you have to use the overall image and predict the obscured center mass.

Rifle Fundamentals

Get into position, minimize movement, breathe, and concentrate on your sight picture. You will make the shot if your basic rifle fundamentals are on point.