Home Invasion

Your home is your castle and you have a right to defend it and your family.

So you’ve got a firearm and a safe and you keep it in your room in case of a home invasion. Now what? What happens if somebody breaks in your home? Are you ready? Have you trained? Can you get to your firearm in time? Can you operate your firearm? Let’s assume for a moment that you have trained with your firearm and you know how to operate it and you know that you can get to your firearm in time. Does your family know what you are going to do?

Communicating and training are two very vital ingredients to a successful home protection plan. Have you looked at all the possible scenarios? Do you know safe firing lines in your house. If you have children or other people in your house are they adequately protected if you set off your firearm?

Creating a Plan

The first things you want to cover are being able to access and operate your firearm in a quick an efficient manner. You would be surprised just how much quicker you can access your firearm with just a little practice. Can you do the same in pitch darkness? Many break-ins occur really early in the morning. Practice getting to your gun quickly both in daylight and in the dark.

The second thing you want to cover are where are the safe firing lanes in your house after you have acquired your firearm. Look at the way your house is laid out and where people are sleeping. Is your wife on your left or right? If you were to take a shot would anybody be in your firing lane? Communication is key here. If both of you know the plan ahead of time you can make better and quicker decisions. For instance, if your wife sleeps on your right and is in between you and the bedroom door you know you need to move to the left before you can acquire your target and fire. Is there a place to take cover? The best way to know you are prepared is to walk through a mock scenario.

Consider all possibilities. What do you do if there are multiple attackers. Do you and your spouse each have weapons? If so, who takes which target. A few minutes of conversation could turn a bad situation into a happy ending.

The third thing to consider is your exit strategy. Can you leave the home with your loved ones and avoid the situation? Do you have a cell phone with you and do you have the authorities phone number. Keeping your family safe comes down to three things; avoid, evade, and elude. Only as a last resort do you want to face the perpetrator.

Home invasion topics to discuss with your family:

• Plan
• Prepare
• Equip
• Escape

Personal Defense Ammunition

The age old question, does the 380 Auto have enough stopping power to make it an effective personal defense round? Fifteen years ago the equation was a bit different. Back then choosing the right weapon for personal defense was 80% the gun and 20% the ammunition. However, with the recent advances in ammunition and ballistics the equation has swung back to 20% the gun and 80% the ammunition.

Concealed carry and personal defense ammunition has been redefined with the introduction of such rounds as the Hornady Critical Defense and Mag Safe P+ Max. These new rounds change everything. Lots of people will tell you ‘size matters’ and they are correct, but physics can’t be fooled and velocity matters just a tad bit more. In an apples to apples comparison a .45 auto will have more stopping power than a 9mm or 380 Auto every time. Nobody will argue that the .45 is a terrific round, but it doesn’t lend itself very well to concealed carry. I suggest that we look at more of an apples to oranges comparison that takes into account certain trade offs when dropping to a smaller caliber gun.

The 380 Auto or 9mm Kurz as some will call it has become one of the most popular caliber choices for personal defense and has sparked a debate almost as big as Ford vs. Chevy. Big caliber fans cry out that the 380 lacks stopping power and traditionally that may have been true. The new ammunition that has been developed changes things dramatically. Looking at the ballistics of a pretty standard 9mm round, the XTP JHP, yields a muzzle velocity of 980 fps with 313 ft*lbs of energy. A similar 380 XPT JHP round yields a slightly higher muzzle velocity of 1,000 fps but with lower energy of  200 ft*lbs.

Stepping up to modern ballistics designed with increased stopping power in smaller calibers, we look at the 380 MagSafe 380+ P+ Max. The muzzle velocity of this round is an incredible 1,720 fps with 342 ft*lbs of energy! Numbers like these now make the 380 caliber something to be considered for every day carry. For example, in the Strasbourg Tests, MagSafe’s .380 beat every .45 ACP slug, every 10mm, every 9mm (including police-only ammo), every .40 caliber – no matter who made it. These are truly impressive results.

There are many, many factors to consider when choosing a round for concealed carry and personal defense. For me, the most important consideration must be will I carry this round? Second consideration to consider is will I train with this round? And the third consideration is will this round have enough stopping power?  If you choose a round that is loaded so ‘hot’ that it stings your hand every time you fire your weapon, you are not likely to either buy the round again or train with it regularly.

The primary goal in any personal defense scenario is to ‘stop the situation’. Choosing a round that matches that criteria should be your primary consideration. Other considerations to factor in are will I need a round that won’t penetrate drywall for in-home situations, will I need a round will low muzzle flash for night time situations. The considerations can go on and on.

Now I am not implying or even suggesting that the 380 auto is the best caliber available, far from it. But what I am suggesting that a properly loaded 380 pistol is perfectly adequate for personal defense and if the 380 auto comes in a size that you are comfortable carrying day in and day out instead of leaving the bigger, more powerful handgun in the drawer then the 380 hands down is a winner.

Keeping your skills current

Are you practicing enough? Are you keeping your skills current? In the face of danger are you ready to take action to protect yourself? If you answered no to any of these questions, it is time to get out to your local range or tactical practice area and work on those skills.

Keeping yourself in shape both physically and mentally are key elements in being prepared for any situation. One way to do that is to get to your local gun club and get some bullets downrange. Nothing substitutes firing your weapon like firing your weapon. Get out and use your gun. Get comfortable drawing it, loading it, firing it and carrying it.

The old saying “Practice Makes Perfect” is not exactly correct. Practicing bad habits just serves to reinforce those bad habits. I prefer to say “Perfect Practice Makes Perfect”. If you conceal carry in your purse, show up at the range with your purse and practice drawing from your purse. If you conceal carry in your pocket everyday, yet when you show up at the range and practice with a hip holster you aren’t doing yourself any good. Practice and react in the situations that you will find yourself in.

Although I advocate getting to the range as much as possible, I further encourage you to find a tactical practice area. An area that will allow you to put a little stress on you while you are managing your firearm. The range is perfect for maintaining proficiency with your weapon, but you also need to practice in an environment that is a little more real-world, a little more stressful. Let’s face it, if you are put in a position of protecting your own life, it will be very stressful. Simulate the environment in which you will need to use your protection skills the most.

If you have access to wilderness, BLM land, or forest area get out and set up your own ‘run and gun’ course. Try running, shooting, reloading, running and gunning. Nothing simulates real world scenarios like that.

Any practice is better than no practice, but be sure to practice the skills that you are going to need. Perfect Practice Makes Perfect!

Concealed Carry with IWB Holster

You’ve made the commitment to carry a concealed weapon for your own protection. That is great, but how do you make this work in your day to day lives? Carrying a weapon makes choosing what to wear just a tad bit more difficult.  The variables in deciding how to change your wardrobe are pretty immense and I don’t surmise that we will cover everything in this article, however there are some universal ideas that can be applied to all manner of dress.

In the winter in a colder climate the options are pretty wide open. With big winter jackets and extra clothing, concealing your handgun becomes fairly easy. The first option to consider is an IWB or Inside the Waist Band holster. When combined with a leather or tactical belt, the IWB becomes a great way to conceal your carry weapon. Finding a place around the waist that is comfortable is all personal preference, however most people choose to wear the IWB holster on the hip or slightly rotated towards the back. Material choice is also personal preference, however getting a nice leather holster will form to the shape of your body and will invariably be the most comfortable over the long haul.

If you have chosen a small concealed carry weapon along the lines of the Ruger LCP, Sig Sauer P238, Diamond Back 380 or other gun similar in size, then a pocket holster becomes an option. Carrying your weapon in your front pocket makes clothing choices fairly straight simple. If the weapon will fit in your front pocket without becoming obvious or a nuisance, then no problem.

Summertime concealment can be particularly frustrating, however there is some help available. Several companies, including 5.11 Tactical and ScotteVest make some great clothes that are both very comfortable and very functional. They include extra pockets and deep concealment areas ideal for tactical and concealed carry circumstances. Some people may prefer to carry their weapon in a fanny pack or backpack which is acceptable as well and is a matter of personal style and taste.

Ankle holsters wouldn’t be my first choice for concealment because accessibility becomes a problem, however if that is what you are comfortable with and it is an ankle holster or nothing, then by all means use an ankle holster. Many law enforcement professionals will use and ankle holster as perhaps a second or even third weapon.

Ladies clothing choices are ripe for an entire additional article, however some of the same principles apply. Women have the added advantage that carrying a purse or handbag is an acceptable accessory and it a terrific place to keep a concealed weapon.

Whatever you decide to wear be sure it is comfortable and not revealing to the fact that you are carrying. If you are comfortable, you will be more likely to carry and will have a better chance at survival when things get dangerous.

Monday, April 16, 2007 on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia, Seung-Hui Cho, killed 32 people and wounded many others before committing suicide.  September 29, 2010 on the campus of the University of Texas in Austin, Colton Tooley, 19 opened fire on students before eventually killing himself. These stories play out all too often and have sparked a debate on whether to allow or ban concealed carry on college campuses.

Many argue, and rightfully so, that if there had been a student or faculty member that was ‘carrying’ on campus they, perhaps, could have defended themselves and furthermore could have ended the shooter’s rampage and saved many lives. Cho’s attack at Virginia Tech lasted over 30 minutes. Had just one person been armed to protect themselves, countless lives could have been saved. Nothing is as easy as preying upon a defenseless target.

Many people argue that college students are too young to carry a concealed weapon and are not mature enough to handle the responsibility. 19 of the 32 people killed in the Virginia Tech massacre were over the age of 21.

An interesting fact is that in almost all cases the area surrounding the college campus, concealed carry  is allowed. This leaves the college campus as a defenseless, unprotected island just ripe for violent crime. Present argument does not suggest allowing or even encouraging students to carry weapons, it is just suggesting to allow current municipal or county or even state carry laws to cover college campuses as well.

Allow those that are educated, trained and have a desire to carry to be allowed to do so on college campuses. Currently Colorado is one of the few states that allows concealed carry on 15 of it’s college campuses. Could more guns on campus prevent school shootings? Please leave your comments.

Watch the John Stossel interview on his segment “Should Students Pack Heat”

Purchase, Practice, Carry

After you have decided to take control of your personal protection the first thing to decide is what method of protection you want to use. Any good protection program will include multiple strategies for protection. Just carrying a knife will not be enough, just carrying a handgun will not be enough, just knowing a martial art will not be enough. A combination of several of the above skills or strategies will help you to properly defend yourself. We will address all of the possibilities suggested above in future articles, but today let’s focus on carrying a handgun.

Selecting the proper handgun for concealed carry is a very important consideration. If you select a handgun that is too big or that you don’t like, guess what, you WON’T carry it. The best handgun for concealed carry is the one that you WILL carry with you! You don’t get to decide the day that a Wacko shows up at the Piggly Wiggly and starts shooting. You need to make a commitment to yourself that you will protect yourself and you will always be prepared. I can make many recommendations on what to carry, but in the end it comes down to personal preference. There is no substitute for going to your local gun store and trying every option until you find the one that suits you the best.

For the sake of this article we will discuss the two major categories of handguns, revolvers and semi-automatics.

Revolvers:

Revolvers typically hold 6 rounds in a revolving cylinder with each chamber holding one round. Revolvers are cheaper and easier to operate than semi-automatics which makes them a strong choice for personal protection. Some of the benefits of revolvers are:

• Easy to use and operate
• Easy to learn
• Very reliable
• Very accurate right out of the box
• Less cleaning and maintenance

Revolvers are very appealing as a home defense/personal defense weapon as they are pretty much just pull out and use. There are no safeties to worry about, no slides to rack, no magazines to seat. For a person that doesn’t want to train regularly and stay proficient on their skills, the revolver is the natural choice.

Semi-Automatics:

Semi-automatics are more complicated to own and operate, but have a lot of advantages over a revolver. Semi-automatics hold their rounds in a removable magazine and have round capacities varying from 6 to 19 rounds. The high round capacity of the semi-automatic is clearly an advantage over the revolver. Long after the revolver is out of rounds, the semi-automatic can still engage the target. The ability to drop a magazine and reload quickly is another huge advantage in favor of the semi-automatic. Some of the advantages are:

• Large carrying capacity
• Multiple chamber sizes available
• Ability to carry multiple magazines
• Large number of accessory items
• Easier to conceal

It is not all roses with semi-automatics, however. They are much more complex than a revolver and require a higher level of training and regular use to maintain proficiency. Dropping a magazine, racking the slide, moving the safety and reloading the magazine are all skills that need to be practiced and maintained. Some of the problems associated with semi-automatics are:

• Complex to operate
• More training required to become proficient
• Jamming, fail to load, fail to eject are all possible
• Tough to operate slide with weaker operators

Summary:

In the end it comes down to what YOU are comfortable with. We can make recommendations all day long, but you would end up with a gun we are happy with and not a gun that suits you. Revolvers are easy to use, easy to operate and work right out of the box, but are limited in their ability to be concealed easily and by their capacity. Semi-automatics reign supreme in round count and concealability, but are more difficult to learn and operate.

Be Prepared for any Situation

If you have taken all the precautions that you can to avoid a conflict, yet you still find yourself in a situation that you need to protect yourself you may need to engage your assailant. The goal in a life threatening situation must be to stop the situation. Protecting yourself is not only a Second Amendment Right it is also a basic natural instinct. Humans are genetically programmed to defend themselves. In today’s society if you are unarmed you not prepared to protect yourself.

This website is designed to provide you the information you will need to prepare, protect and defend yourself and your family.