DC Sniper – 2002 – Looking Back, Looking Ahead

I was living in the DC area then.  I remember the fear on people’s faces as they were gassing up their cars, or walking through parking lots.  I remember driving home from a friend’s home one night and being stopped at a road block and thinking…someone else just lost their life.  If you were here, you know.  If not, you shared the horror as it was spread across the nightly news. 

Now, Lee Boyd Malvo, the young man who was half of the shooting duo (the elder, John Allen Muhammad was executed for his crimes in 2009) is claiming sexual abuse from the age of 15 and appears to be using that as at least a partial defense for his actions.  In an interview with Matt Lauer, http://todaynews.today.com/_news/2012/10/24/14680073-dc-sniper-lee-boyd-malvo-i-was-sexually-abused-by-my-accomplice?lite, he spoke out about the abuse by John Muhammad.  

Many people are abused, it doesn’t turn them into serial killers.  This young man, at 15, was old enough to know that you don’t shoot people for the thrill.  He went on to claim that there were other victims of their spree, in other states, that people aren’t aware of.  I’m sorry, this made me sick to my stomach.

If you read my blog, you know I try to focus on shooting tips and the occasional product review, but this article really upset me.  Maybe because I was here, maybe because I was only a few miles away when one victim was gunned down for no good reason other than being randomly selected by a pair of murders. 

Mr. Malvo is serving six life sentences, and likely will never again walk as a free man.  But that is still better than the his victims or their families.  The simple fact that he has been getting press attention and was interviewed bothers me.  He participated in cold, calculated and merciless killings, in a very cowardly way, from a distance, secreted in the trunk of a car.  Ordinary people, going about their lives, doing ordinary things like getting gas or going to school…they are the victims.  Mr. Malvo earned his place in a cell and I have to leave the rest to God because I cannot find empathy or sympathy for him. 

Training and Training Logs for Shooters

I have never used one, I don’t record the specifics of my practice, but the question came up so I did some research.  Training logs can range from a small notebook with dates, time, rounds fired, type of shooting, i.e., marksmanship, drawing, speed, point, etc., to complex computer applications that calculate lots of different information and can graph your practice and your performance.  I admit to being intrigued by the apps I could get for my Android phone.  I might do that.

My training time generally starts with a warm up at about 8 feet, using my sights, slow fire, trying to make one hole.  Then I will gradually work out to 15 or twenty feet depending on my goal for that day and speed up.  I will draw, point shoot several rounds fast, come to a high ready, do a 360 degree scan, drive out and either shoot 4 or 5 rounds point shooting or slow down and do one precision shot with sights.  Somewhere in this combination I will re-holster.  I deliberately do not track my round count, nor do I always load my practice magazines to capacity so I am never sure when the reload is coming.  I believe in a real situation I won’t be counting my rounds so I want to be able to reload quickly, smoothly and re-engage with minimal down time. 

If I’ve had a particularly bad day, I may just go and put as many holes in the paper as I can, I find that very relaxing.  I will generally shoot between 150 and 200 rounds in a one hour practice session.  Every other month or so I will remind myself to shot with my weak hand, both one handed and two handed.  I actually shoot fairly well when I do that because it forces me to concentrate harder. 

I will be purchasing an app for my phone in the near future and post a review of what I think.  I may find that I like a training log, I’ll let you know.

 

Safe Shooting!

Writing can be hard work

Coming up with new ideas can be tough sometimes.  I’m going to turn some of that over to you and ask. “Do you have any questions?”  Maybe I can write about questions you have or ideas.  I know you don’t want me to write about my day at work or what I did for dinner, that isn’t what this blog has been about, so…thoughts?

Progress on the Book!!

I got the first edits from the publisher and finished making the requested updates.  Not much, and frankly her suggestions were improvements.  I was so nervous waiting for the edits!  Years ago I heard a relatively new author speak and he said that "having some edit your book was like watching them tattoo your baby".  That was Tom Clancy. 

I feel like I'm one step closer to being able to see it in print and am so excited.  I can't wait to be able to share the cover and release information with all of you.  Most of you won't need it, as it is focused on new shooters, but maybe you will know someone who can.  :-)

Thanks for the words of encouragement, many of you have been sharing this journey with me and I'm grateful for the support!!

We all Need One!

What do you need?  A friendly shop where you can pick up your accessories, boots, pants, range bags, knives, batons, 5.11 shirts, training pistols…you know, everything except the guns.  We need a great place for those, too.  But, you can’t always find everything in one place.

If you are in the Northern Virginia area, F3 Tactical, 13914 Metrotech Dr., Chantilly, VA 20151.

These are some of the nicest people I’ve met in the shooting community, and we all know what a great group the shooting community is!  They are very supportive of Law Enforcement, Military (even us Retired types, Firefighters, EMTs, anyone in public service).

My experiences have included them ordering special sizes for me so I could get exactly what I wanted if it wasn’t in stock.  A willingness to chat, complimentary coffee, great Show and Tell (I took my new shotgun in after I got it at the gun show and had them help me pick out accessories), great advice.  They have hosted lots of events, including the MASF meet and greet, a free SIRT (Laser Sight Indicating Resetting Trigger Training Gun) class, a free Knife class…What more can you ask for?

Not in the local area?  Check them out on Facebook for great pictures from the store, friends, Show and Tell, events…

Great people, competitive prices, free coffee, free classes…what more can you ask for?

Stop in and say hi, you are guaranteed a friendly smile and a great time.

 

 

 

Review of Mossberg 500 Tactical 12 Guage Shotgun

I have a Mossberg 500 12 guage tactical shotgun, and I got the chance to shoot it for the first time. 

I was a little nervous, have been well warned about the recoil of a pistol grip shotgun.  But, using Federal Premium 2 3/4 inch, 1 oz, low recoil slugs, it was a lot easier on the hand than .357 through my short barrel revolver! 

Being a wise women, I let my shooting instructor (Evan Carson of Innovative Defensive Solutions, LLC) fire it first.  I really like him, but he is a big guy, and watching him gave me an idea what to expect.  Holding it up, almost to the shoulder, didn't work well. 

Holding at waist level, with the strong hand arm tucked down tight, the bicep tight, one foot back to brace, and strong support hand on the pump...the only trick was leveling the barrel, it was harder to judge than I thought it would be.  I may add a rail and a laser.

But, it was surprisingly easy to handle, accurate, fun to shoot and will be an awesome home defense firearm.  At about 30 inches it is shorter than a standard shotgun (although I have the option to swap out the pistol grip for a standard stock) so there is less length to deal with.  It gives me the option to fire home defense shot, which is safer to my neighbors tham my 9mm rounds.  And, it has a crown muzzle that, if needed, will give me a great striking capability against an intruder.

Bottom line, great firearm, I'm very happy with it!!

Debate over marksmanship vs. defensive shooting

Ok, this is a hot topic right now, so here we go.  Which is more important?  Both, imho!

I believe that marksmanship practice builds your confidence as well as your skills.  Self defense practice; drawing, moving point shooting, shooting from different positions like standing, kneeling, etc., builds your defensive skills. 

You never know what your situation might be.  Being able to respond quickly may be critical but you may need to take a precise shot around a loved one.

I have written several time, Practice like your Life may depend on it.  I believe that now more than ever.  I practice marksmanship, I practice accuracy, and I combine the practice so I can draw, shoot rapidly without sights and then on demand take that precise shot.

If you need a precise shot and you haven't practiced, can you make it?  If you need to defend yourself quickly, can you?

Practice smart, practice safe, be safe!