U.S. Concealed Carry
“Armed American Report”
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August 22nd, 2008
Dear Friend,
Welcome to another blazing issue of the Armed American Report!
Being late August, the summer of 2008 is drawing to a close- especially for those of us in the northern half of the country. Even way up here though, we have a solid two or three more great weeks and weekends left in the summer. So I’d like to put out a challenge (to myself included!). We all have things that we were hoping to do this year that we haven’t got to yet… so that’s my challenge. Make the time to squeeze in your last round of fund summer-time activities!!
Okay- next item: At the very end of this Armed American report, you’re going to find a box that will allow you to enter text and send it to me. Every week the question may be different- this week, I am asking what your “most pressing concerns or questions about Concealed Carry are”. So please shoot your questions off to me using that form, and I’ll answer one in each Armed American Report!
Lastly, before we get going, I had something very important to share with you:
Do you remember that I was selling 1,500 copies of the “How to Transform Fear Into a Powerful Ally” reports? Well, at this very moment, I’m down to just a hand full left- less than one box!
In fact, at this very moment, there are only 24 reports remaining, so if you would like one, I strongly suggest that you get one as soon as possible… they might even be gone by the time you’re reading this.
So if you want to be one of the last lucky hand full of people to claim this great opportunity, here are a couple links:
Someone asked me a couple weeks ago to sum this report up into one sentence, so here it is:
If criminals can sense individuals who would make good victims (which they absolutely can), then that means victims are like magnets that attract crime. This report shows you how to turn your “crime magnet” upsdie down and REPEL the bad guys!
To simply just buy your own copy, visit THIS link.
To Become a NEW USCCA member and get a complimentary copy of this report, visit THIS link.
Awesome. Now ONE more thing. I came across this little comment on a public forum or blog a couple weeks ago, and as soon as I read it, I knew that I wanted to share it with you here. This quote is from some type of police officer:
You would be shocked to know how many people I pull over everyday who hand me a drivers license and a concealed handgun license and when I ask them if they are carrying they tell me no sir. My reply is always, “why?…your gun does you no good at home”. People the police can not and will not always be there to help you. Like the saying goes, we are only minutes away when seconds count. Carry your gun when legal.
Okay, on with the Armed American Report!
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== USCCA Laugh of the Week ==
See all of Chaim’s Cartoons at his website:
http://www.chaimcartoons.com/
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== ““Meditations on Shooting” ==
by LawDog
NOTE: This article was found on a guy’s blog which I happen to really enjoy reading! I strongly encourage you to check it out some time: http://thelawdogfiles.blogspot.com/
In my earlier post, I made mention that a whole bunch of pink .22LR rifles are apparently being given as presents this year.
It is our duty to see that these new shooters enjoy our sport — and continue to enjoy the sport of shooting.
With this in mind, I’d like to do a bit of a riff concerning introducing New Shooters to Shooting.
Ladies and gentlemen, shooting should be fun. Further, I state to you that shooting must — must– be an enjoyable experience for the new shooter.
“Fun” and “enjoyable” are not always the same thing to a beginner as to an old hand.
As an example, I give you my own experience.
My Granda — Mom’s father — was a deacon at the Church of the Sub-MOA. That old gentleman truly delighted in one-hole groups at whatever distance he was shooting at.
When I was gifted with my first rifle — a Remington 552 that I still possess — Granda was the first person to take me shooting. Bear in mind that I may have been ten years old at the time. Although I don’t think so.
He took me to his favorite shooting grounds, thumb-tacked an NRA slow-fire paper target to the back-board, and then we spent the next couple of hours shooting three rounds, walking to the target, walking back to the rifle, shooting three rounds, walking … you get the point.
Once I got used to the crack of the rifle … I was shooting holes I couldn’t see in a paper target … whee. I was bored nigh unto tears.
If I had been left to that kind of shooting, I probably would never have picked up a firearm ever again.
Fortunately, Mom and Dad took me out the next weekend with a brick of .22’s and a sack of empty cat-food cans.
Dad set up a bodged-together two-by-four frame at about seven yards, put three cat-food cans on edge across the top and then came back to the line and we loaded the rifle.
I took aim, squeezed the trigger …
… and the can disappeared!
It was wonderful!
I spent the rest of that afternoon setting up cans and then knocking them back down until I was out of ammunition and light.
From that point on, I was hooked.
Don’t get me wrong: shooting paper targets can be gratifying — if you’re an experienced shooter.
If you’re taking a beginner out, leave the paper at home. Grab something that will instantly reward the new shooter.
Get something that will pop, or fall over, or explode, or disappear. Use targets that do something.
Tuna or cat-fishfood cans are good — and can be reused for about an afternoon. Be sure to pick them up afterwards.
Supermarkets can be cajoled into giving you their manky old fruit. Mealy apples explode quite gratifyingly when hit by a .22LR, as do oranges, grapefruits, etc. And the local critters will probably be rather grateful for the goodies after you depart.
El Cheapo charcoal briquets explode nicely into a puff of black dust, and mass packages of generic candy wafers, lollypops and cookies also explode nicely — and are a bit traditional.
Stay away from glass — nobody wants a shooting afternoon to be ruined by a trip to the ER for stitches. Especially if some other oik broke the bottles that cut you or your children.
Instead, use balloons — filled with water for the tyros.
Many shooting places sell knock-down-reset rimfire targets, and these are a blast to shoot.
Also remember that you are there for the new shooter. Not the other way around. You should not only make the targets fun, you should put them at a good distance. I wouldn’t put a target further than the ten yard berm for any new shooter. Seven yards is probably better.
Yes, I know that you can probably hit that charcoal lump at twenty or thirty yards — but it’s not about you, is it? It’s about your new shooter.
Make sure your new gunnie has good eye and ear protection. I suggest that you use both foam earplugs and earmuffs for your newbie.
If they get tired — pack it in. Don’t force a new shooter past the point of Fun and into Ordeal just for you. If your new shooter gets tired, take them home and then come back, if you’re not done yet.
Make it enjoyable for them, make it an experience they’ll want to enjoy again — and you’ll make a gun person.
Every new shooter you make keeps our gun rights that much safer.
LawDog
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== SpotCrime Utility ==
‘By www.SpotCrime.com/‘
USCCA GEAR REVIEW
Okay friend, I’m taking a small break this week from the more physical product reviews, like holsters and whatnot, because I was told about this utility that I have a feeling you’re going to get a LOT of value from.
It’s called “SpotCrime”. Basically, it’s a website that you go to, select your state and area, and you’ll get an interactive map that shows you where the most recent crime occurrences have been.
The ONLY down-side to this utility is that they really only cover the larger cities… kind of a bummer for the people who live out in the boonies, but I’m betting most of you folks don’t have to worry about this kind of crime as much as those in the cities.
Anyway, here’s how you use this tool!
1) Go to this link: http://spotcrime.com/
2) Select your state from the list…
3) Select your city from the list…
4) Now you’ll get an interactive map, sort of like the one shown below:
5) If you hover over your mouse over each of the icons on the map, you’ll get some detailed information about the crime that occurred, when, and exactly where.
Pretty useful!!
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== USCCA Members-Only ==
Forum Highlights
Every Member has complete access to the USCCA forum, which is constantly being accessed by members sharing information, knowledge, insight, and fun. With well over sixty-thousand posts and growing by the hour, this is one heck of a valuable resource!
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How to Carry LCP Safely by ‘txpawpaw’
My wife and I are new to the whole CCW world and have a lot of questions. We have completed our CHL training and are waiting for the great state of Texas to get our CHL back to us… currently taking 4-5 months. In the interim we are training at the local range and becoming familiar with our weapons. I will probably carry a Bersa .380 Concealed Carry and my wife will carry a Ruger LCP, and we will have a Taurus 24/7 9mm for home defense.
My biggest question is how can my wife safely carry her LCP without having a manual safety. Before I start a large discussion about the need or lack of need for a manual safety with a DA pistol, let me say that she will probably not carry unless I can convince her that the LCP will be safe when she has it in her purse. She has a new Nemesis pocket holster and it certainly looks like it would preclude an accidental release of the trigger. I wonder if the magazine is loaded but the slide not charged would be a safe way to carry. She would only have to charge the slide to be ready to fire and though it isn’t the best way to carry, she would at least have the LCP available.
Thanks in advance!
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Speer Gold Dot question.
by ‘Hawker’
For years, I’ve shot the Hydra-Shok in my Wilson 1911 and Sig 225 (not the P6). Recently, it was suggested that I might want to try the Speer Gold Dots. They said Hydra-Shoks were “old technology” and the Speers performed much better all around.
Anyone have any feedback on this ammunition in 45 ACP and 9mm? Specifically, the 230 gr. for the 1911 and the 124 gr. for the 9.
Thank you.
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Jailed in Nev for carry w/o Nev CCW (long) by ‘BePrepared’
I’ll just recite the circumstance. I ride a motorcycle and had been visiting old friends in Kalif. I’d been gone from my home in Montana for about a week and carrying, where allowed my Colt OM in a DeSantis “Sky Cop” crossdraw holster. Returning in the general direction of Montana I had gone from Kalif into Nev. For medical reason I do not sit for extended periods and should walk to promote the health in my feet. Below Walker Lake I decided to go for a short hike and holstered my OM rather than leave it on the bike. After having wandered about for about 45 min I returned to the bike and continued my ride.
Just South of Tonopah and Nev State Highway Patrol pulled my over for speed and asked as he approached me if I had any weapons on me (dangerous biker ya know). It then flashed on me that I’d failed to place the OM back in the pack and that I was not in a great circumstance. I ans “Yes”. He put his hand on his Tazer and asked if I had a permit and I ans “Yes, one for Montana” and he ordered me to assume the position. After about 45 min he advised me that they did not honor a Montana permit and that I was under arrest for carrying a weapon without a permit. I asked about safe passage and he said “NO’. I noted that the chamber was empty and he responded that an empty chamber made no difference. He cuffed me and put me in the back of his vehicle. The impound wrecked came to get the bike, a Honda Valkyrie–weighs over 800 pds dry. I asked if I could help the impound person to load the bike and he refused. I told him they would drop the bike and he responded that I was under arrest and could not assist the impound person. We then proceed to to NYE County Detention Center where I was placed in solitary for 2 days. During that time I was booked on a Gross Misdemeaner charge of Carrying a concealed weapon without a permit (or some such thing). I was finally placed in the general population with a cell block population of gang members (another story).
During this period I was denied all medications for 4 days and finally allowed two for the last two days. The pain meds were not allowed and the pain from peripheral neuoropathy continued to increase. I asked for and was twice declined on two days access to the hospital for pain treatment and was twice denied. Once they gave me another persons meds and I was again placed in solitary for observation (for effect) as a result.
This solitary was no more than a concrets room with a hole in the floor to handle body functions. No means for cleanup including the absence of bathroom tissue.
Finally, after 6 days, the DA’s Office declined to file charges. The judge charged me with a defective taillight, gave me credit for time served, said my weapon would be returned to me and that I was free to go.
The rest of the story is that my weapon was not returned to me (I had to track it down and return a month later to obtain it).
The impound yard tricked me into signing off on the liab paragraph before I saw the bike. They had dropped it on the right side incurring about lK damage to the machine.
A “senior moment” was very expensive.
I”ll leave the reader to their own conclusion. Oh, they scarred up the frame on the OM when they clamped it in the test fire device to secure a bullet and fired brass.
Oh, I’m 73 years old with a clean record. No tickets or arrests of any kind.
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== “A Crime Magnet …” ==
USCCA VIDEO OF THE WEEK
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== “Tim-spiration” of the Week ==
USCCA PHOTO OF THE WEEK
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USCCA 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…
“How you think when you lose determines how long it will be until you win.”
-Gilbert K. Chesterton
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Self Defense Story OF THE WEEK
- Every day, thousands of Armed Americans use their firearms to preserve human life. Let this section of my newsletter serve as a record of this fact!
- “Hanover, Pennsylvania: Road Rage Ends in Death”
found at:http://www.claytoncramer.com/gundefenseblog/blogger.html
On June 28, only two days after the Supreme Court announced its 5-4 ruling that Washington, D.C., citizens have the right to bear arms under the Second Amendment to the Constitution, I found myself standing in a pool of blood in York, from a man I had just shot. It was not my intent that evening to test the Second Amendment or kill somebody, but events unfolded to make it necessary for me to draw my weapon to defend myself and others.
My fiancée Maria and I had spent the day showing real estate investors our investment properties in York. We were driving to nearby Hanover to visit my mother when we came across what looked like a rear-end traffic accident.
Instead, a man, Douglas Need, had been driving recklessly when he swerved in front of a car and was hit in the rear. In a fit of road rage, he stormed out of his car, went back to two young women and a baby in the car that hit his, reached through the driver’s window and started beating the driver very violently. She was able to break free and drive her car to the only place she could go — the parking lot next to the street. Need ran back to his car, squealed his tires into the parking lot and looked as though he was going to broadside the women’s car with them still inside.
At the last moment, he swerved his car around and blocked hers from going anywhere. I pulled into the parking lot, got out of the car and yelled at Need to leave the women alone while Need’s passenger was in the parking lot. My gun was still holstered by my side. The woman got out of her car and escaped into the store. He followed but only moments later exited the store back into the parking lot. Both Need and the man with him were uncontrollably enraged and seemed deranged past the point of caring who they hurt.
As they continued to threaten that they had guns and were going to kill people, for some unknown reason Need ran to the driver’s side door of my car and started pounding on the window, shouting at my fiancée who was inside the car with the engine running. Fearing that Maria’s life was in danger because of his previous death threats, that’s when I drew my weapon. I ordered Need to step away from my car, which he did. He then returned to the center of the parking lot, according to witnesses, and continued with threats and deranged behavior.
I went to my car and stood at the driver’s side door. Need turned back to me and started coming at me with his arms waving and shouting “just shoot me.” I ordered him to stay back, but he kept coming. Then, when he was about four or five feet from me, he put his hand into his pants pocket, and that is when I fired my first shot into his left thigh. It didn’t stop him from coming at me. He grabbed my shirt, ripped off the top button and grabbed my right arm. That’s when I shot him the second time point-blank into his thigh. I was told later that the bullets had severed his femoral artery and he had bled to death at York Hospital. I was truly sorry he died, but knew I had made the right decisions.
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Closing Thoughts
Okay friends, below this sentence you’ll find the first ever ‘Ask Tim’ question- I am very excited about this!
Before you give me a question, I just wanted to tell you that I have something AMAZING coming up in the middle of September that is going to involve you, as an Armed American Report reader. I can’t tell you what it is yet… but the USCCA has never done anything like this. I sure do have a great feeling about this….
Okay back to the question!
Tim Schmidt
Founder - U.S. Concealed Carry
http://www.usconcealedcarry.com
