I'm back - Living a New Life

 So many changes.  I suffered a significant injury, was mostly immobile for some time.  This led to my retirement from teaching and eventually retiring all together.  So, now I have joined the ranks of the unemployed (retired), moved to the country (the mailbox is a mile from the house), and am about to pick up writing again.  I hope some of you are still out there.

Since I'm not longer as mobile as I once was, I've taken a new approach to adaptive carry and personal defense.  I recognize if I go down, I'm not getting back up anytime soon.  Frankly, me getting up off the floor looks like an obscene game of Twister.  It might be entertaining, but it sure isn't easy.

There is a trend to carry Appendix.  I don't understand it.  I've tried.  I've tried CC Leggings, Belly Band, Appendix holster.  Nothing seems to work for me.  Maybe I'm too fluffy, but I end up printing badly in anything less than 2 layers and a 3 size too big sweatshirt.  SOB is not practical, or safe, especially for someone who is likely to get knocked down, so, I'm still strong side hip.  Worked for me for more than 25 years, don't see a need to change.  This seems to work whether I'm on my feet of on the ground.  

What is most important when looking at adapting to a changing body?  Situational Awareness.  When you know you move slower, running is not an option, and you appear more fragile because of impaired walking and age, your situational awareness if your First Line of Defense.  Bad guys with some experience will recognize that you see them and maybe look for a less aware target.  If they come after you anyway, you have an extra second or two to prepare you plan.  Either way, it is better than being blindsided.  

Secondly, be aware of what you can, and can't do.  My head still thinks I'm 30, riding horses and running.  My body just laughs or some other obscene response.  I remember what I could do, and I need to be aware of what I can do.  I am also aware that under stress there are things I can do that I might not attempt otherwise, but running isn't one of them.  I know my legs are strong, you really don't want my on my back where I can kick you.  Ladies, I'm not talking crotch shot, guys expect that.  I'm talking knee and shin.  There is a good chance I could kick hard enough to fracture a leg, or at least make someone think twice about getting up soon.  But it takes practice and a lack of compassion.

Lack of Compassion?   Yep, we are taught to be nice, demure, quiet, almost submissive.  Well, I was.  But get over it.  That's fine in church, being a little bit of a ball buster in the office can serve you well if you pick your timing.  But in a self defense situation, nope.  "Please sir, don't hurt me" isn't going to get you far with a thug screaming obscenities and trying to hurt you.  I've been reading a lot lately about the increase in obscenities by aggressors.  It is used as an intimidation tactic.  I'm not a fan of cursing gratuitously, but it has it's place, especially if rare.  But that isn't the world we're walking around in.  So, remember, if you are shocked into silence, they win.  Back to Compassion.  Kick like your life depends on it.  If you are in a physical encounter, and haven't escalated to a tool, use your body, no little taps.  Pull back and thrust with everything you have.  Just do it fast so you don't telegraph the move and give him to to prepare.  Surprise and ferocity are your friend.  Scream a sailor worthy string of words back.  Catch him off guard.  Yes, it is usually a him.  

If you must escalate, do so, but be very certain.  In this age, as we've all seen recently, there are cameras everywhere.  Bystanders are more interested in getting the cell phone footage than calling 911.  Stores and parking lots have cameras.  If you must use lethal force to defend yourself, be prepared for the aftermath.  We watched a young man have his life turned upside down recently because he defended himself.  Do I believe it was self defense?  Yes.  The video was very clear.  Do I believe a 17 year old should have been in the middle of a riot with an AR 15, even with good intentions.  No.  Which brings me to my closing point.  If you are going someplace you expect to be dangerous, perhaps you should rethink going there.  

Thank you for the support all these years.

  

Placing your holster in your new CC bag

I just got a beautiful new bag from GunGoddess.com. and it made me think others may not be as comfortable.

Just get a new Conceal Carry Handbag?  They are awesome for the times you can't or don't want to carry on body.  They also require a lot of vigilance. 

But, if you are new to CC Bags, you may not be sure about adjusting the holster.  Most bags will have a zipper on either side with the holster velcroid to the bag inside that pocket.  The easiest way to remove it is to unzip both side and lift it out with both hands,  This saves you from freeing one side and the other getting stuck and then back and forth to get it free.

Second, decide you preferred way to carry the bag, the 90% solution.  I prefer cross body, reduces the risk of it being snatched from my shoulder.  I also prefer the dual zippers close to my body.  Try the bag, hold it, see what feels good to you.  Some may want the zippers to the outside.  Most non shooters won't recognize it for what it is.  Once you have your preferred carry placement, you are ready for step 3.

Take you UNLOADED pistol and place it securely in the holster.  Yes, UNLOADED, you will be doing a little administrative handling, and you want to stay safe.  Think about if the pistol will be on the back of the front of the bag as the holster will have Velcro on both sides.  Once you have ensured a solid fit in the holster, think about the orientation.  For a smooth draw I prefer it with the backstrap a little higher than the muzzle.  Once you are comfortable, zip the forward zipper and carefully insert the holster from the side you would draw from.  Carefully so you don't stick to the Velcro too soon.  Once you have is where you think is good, firmly press the holster and bag together.  Now, does the zipper close easily?  with the bag in your carry position, can you easily draw the gun? 

If you can not say yes to both question, remove the gun and repeat the steps to remove the holster, rethink the position and reinstall until you have a comfortable placement, easy zippers and a smooth draw. 

Now, just be very aware of the bag.  remember it holds something precious and you can't hang it on the back of a chair, or unattended anywhere.

Responsible Carry

I'm a vocal advocate for Concealed Carry, but I believe more in Responsible Carry.  What is responsible carry?  It means you regularly go to the range and practice your skills, not just plinking, but drawing and firing, assessing the threat, firing again if needed.  It means you understand that the annual range trip is not enough.  Shooting is a perishable skill that needs to be kept up.  Responsible Carry means you train, beyond whatever the minimum was to get a permit, you take defensive training, you work on supportive skills as the gun is not always the first choice.  You choose not to go areas where you have a high risk of needing your gun.  You've made the decision, deep down inside, that you are prepared to use your firearm to defend yourself or your family.  You understand that there is great risk in interfering in a situation that you stumble on and don't have all the facts.  Finally it is understanding when not to carry, such as when you are not able to practice due to injury or physical instability.  It is accepting that you are dangerous if you can't be confident in your skills.  The only way to be confident is to practice.  When you are injured you more vulnerable, and that may make you think you need your gun, but if you are not physically able to practice, you are not in a good position to use your gun defensively, you put yourself and bystanders at higher risk.

Be smart, be responsible, be safe.

#2A

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.".

There have been multiple interpretations, but I tend to focus on “…shall not be infringed.”  In the last few years there has been a lot of calls for “gun control” in various forms, ranging from complete disarming to banning specific types of firearms.  These calls get louder after an atrocity like a school shooting, church shooting, etc.  Why am I so resistant to the call for my gun rights?  For one, history shows that disarming the citizens is often a first step down a very dangerous path.  Also, the adage “if guns are illegal, only criminals will have guns” rings true.  Just look at the rate of firearm violence in Chicago, a bastion of gun control.

Some are saying we need to follow the model of New Zeeland by having gun turn ins.  We have our Constitution, and affirmation by the Supreme Court, that grants us the inalienable right to “bear arms”.

Other voices are calling to chip away at our rights, by banning specific firearms.  With the swipe of a Governor’s pen, many in New Jersey became felons for possessing magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds, including off duty Law Enforcement Officers. To the uneducated, calling for magazine bans for semi-automatic firearms sounds reasonable.  However, the stock magazine for more of these guns holds more than 10 rounds.  There is a call for banning Military Style features, but they aren’t defined.  This is a move against the AR, which many call an Assault Rifle.  Actually, there is no such thing as an Assault Rifle, it is an Armalite Rifle.  It is not used by the military, it just looks scary to someone who doesn’t understand firearms.  It is also the most popular rifle for hunting and sport.

I have two specific issues with those calling for firearms restrictions or bans.  First, they are often protected by armed security guards.  Second, they don’t know what they are talking about.  The don’t understand.  They are ignorant of how guns work, or what is currently legal.  Most have never fired a gun.  Or if they did, it was with a big show of how “scary” it was.  Remember the “journalist” who was nearly knocked over shooting an AR 15?  This was contrasted with videos of young girls happily shooting Ars with their families.

Firearms allow us defense options, fun time at the range, family outings, sport and competition.  The vast majority of gun owners are law abiding citizens who use their guns for lawfully allowed purposes.  We need to continue to resist the call, and support our #2A rights!

Going Un-Armed in a Scary World

Due to a series of incidents over the last couple years, I’ve learned a lot about vulnerability,
being realistic, and fear. I have carried through a variety of injuries, but these last few had me
too unsteady on my feet to practice with consistency, and my philosophy has always been if my
skills aren’t sharp, I don’t carry. In the course of 15 months I have both hips replaced. Then as
I was just about ready to start back to the range, I fell and fractured my femur. Surgery, metal
plate, screws. And months of crutches. All of this adds up to significant changes in my personal
defensive strategy.
I miss going to the range, but I’m just not steady enough on my feet, or crutches, to be
comfortable shooting. Actually, I could probably shoot, it is dragging the range bag with all its
assorted heavy objects that is really slowing me down. But I’m close.
For now, I’ve tried to ramp up my situational awareness even more than my normal, which was
pretty high. Because I have trouble walking or standing for any length of time, I’m at home
more, so my exposure is less. I still know how to swing a crutch and use is to extend my punch,
but with the plate in my leg I’m more fearful of falling. That, and I don’t bounce like I did when I
was younger.
I will be returning to the range soon. My plan is an hour on my own, stressing fundamentals,
starting at 8-10 feet and just concentrating on grip, shot placement and not falling over. The
next time I will likely enlist support from another instructor to help me spot anything I need to
correct, they can always see it faster than I can, just like I can spot something they’re doing
almost immediately that they aren’t even aware of. Good instructors are great allies!
Then, since crutches are in my future for a few more months…appendix carry will be my new
best buddy. I’ve always been a strong side hip, but the sound made when the crutch hits the
gun is pretty obvious.
This is new territory for me. I’ve carried through lesser injuries, and worked with people with
severe limitations. But I believe, if I’m not practicing, I’m not carrying. It isn’t worth the risk to
innocents. I need to know exactly where those rounds are going.
Be Safe, have wonderful holidays, and for those of you getting something special this year,
happy shooting! My gift to me was a new AR (but that will be a while unless I shoot sitting down.

Safe Shooting!