SafeMind LLC

Among the first tasks we complete during any training is to conduct a safety brief. I do this not only with my students but when I'm shooting with friends.
Back in the day, during my service with Uncle Sugar, we were expected to play by "big boy rules". No, that didn't mean that we were given leeway regarding safety, but the agreement was that if you violated the safety rules one time you were gone. Like gone gone. Like go back to the team house, pack your bags and go to "leg land" gone. No warnings, no second chances. Why? Because any violation has consequences. You may hurt, or kill, yourself, a buddy, or someone who doesn't need to be hurt or killed. That's bad.
Here is a video a two buffoons with the Pasadena Police Department.
Can you imagine working in an environment where this occurs? Yeah, peace out. I'd be gone faster than you can say "bang".
Remember, only police should have guns...

Your Defense is Personal

https://abc7.com/post/pasadena-police-officer-accidentally-shot-fellow-cop-video-shows/19274381/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSXpWpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE1dUtHaEFuMGEzRzc1Qnluc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHma1YjUJ9loLgj83_VNwxmKvFtt-qxrPocEbTcBKmhco6pbAhFKV7iwSpv-b_aem_n2ke_Ki5taQKSY_WCPwGbg/

Pasadena police officer accidentally shot by fellow cop in 'horseplay' incident Newly released dashcam video shows a Pasadena police officer getting shot by a fellow officer in what the police chief described as a "horseplay" incident.

You have to give crooks some credit. If anything, they are creative and resourceful.
This is a new one: thieves will place a screw under the gas handle switch so that when you place the handle into the cradle it doesn't stop the meter. You think that you're done (remember, you scan your card before pumping) and then they pull up and fill their tank on your dime.
Your Defense is Personal

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/screw-scam-spurs-new-fears-drivers-when-fill-tanks?link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=6a2a1a2c5a54750001ef5ce1&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawSXnuFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFRTGlMV3BYcmd0N0R6REVrc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpFxw_l7C9B0M91D8rRpo0VCESobuuuHcTEsgiKqlMf4Iu4P8b0XkYSq90eh_aem_cKoQAnsBU22RcGDuMI6Fjg

'Screw scam' spurs new fears for drivers when filling their tanks A Virginia police department is warning drivers about a new way scammers are trying to rip off people when they fill their tanks: the gas pump screw scam.

Yeah, it's a meme, but I'll talk through what I got from it.
I teach all types of students, from people who have never seen a firearm, to people who have been involved in bad situations involving a firearm to those who carry them professionally.
I have found that words matter. Profoundly. As does context.
I have asked a student to perform a task and, when completed, the outcome was not what I was expecting. At first I thought it was due to a lack of skill by the student. I would repeat the instructions and the same outcome would occur.
Eureka! I changed my words, saying what I thought was the same thing, and received the outcome I desired.
As they say in fizzling relationships, "it's not you, it's me".
Today, I know that my words, and how they are used, must be exactly right, not for me to understand, but for the student to understand. To do this I must learn a lot about my student in a very short amount of time.
I also ask them to describe their experience they must use very specific words, with a very specific meaning. This helps them learn process, how to gain awareness of their process and tells me that our mutual communication is effective and efficient.
Words matter.

Your Defense is Personal

I'm fortunate to teach folks from all backgrounds and experience. One thing that I truly enjoy is teaching those who didn't grow up in the U.S. and whose only experience with fi****ms is what they have seen on the little and big screens. T is from Italy and was curious about fi****ms and, like many others, felt that it was important to learn how they work, how to be safe around them and how to shoot.
Well, he crushed it!
The B8 he is pointing at was his first run from 25 yards (2 hours into his first time on the range). I gotta say, there are a lot of those who "grew up around guns" that can't do this.
Strong work, Tony!

Your Defense is Personal

Today was load development day for an upcoming elk hunt. I already have recipes for my guns but am wanting to move to a heavier bullet, the Berger 156gr EOL (6.5 Creedmoor) and hoping I can find a recipe that works with the powder I have on hand (H4350), which isn't ideal, but it's what I have.
I always start with a known load, shown at the top square, and then move through the various charge weights, using a particular process to ensure consistency.
I did this for two rifles, and think I've hit the money.
Next I'll work through seating depths and dial it in, finding zero and finishing with a tall target test and some confirmation at different ranges.
A lot of work for meat in the freezer, but it's worth it.

Your Defense is Personal

Following a learning session with a new student it was time to load up with our "social ammo" before departing the range.
We walked to the firing line and, as always, I observed him go through the loading process and watched him place the round that he previously ejected from the chamber, prior to our training, back into the chamber and run the slide forward.
Knowing that this can lead to issues I had him clear his pistol and upon picking up the cartridge from the ground this is what we found.
He had been cycling the same cartridge as the one in the chamber for, at least, a year. The repeated impact of the slide hitting the chambered cartridge caused considerable setback and could cause increased chamber pressures or a failure to fire.
While there are many great processes to prevent this I just unload the entire magazine and put the round in first, randomizing where the previously chambered cartridges are.
What's your process?

Your Defense is Personal

Last night, while shooting a match, my dot disappeared mid-stage. Fortunately, I'm fairly dialed in using the optic body and was able to finish the stage, but it cost me some time.
I'm pretty consistent on maintaining my gear, always loktite and witness mark my screws, but I, obviously, was neglecting this one after several back to back matches.
Lesson learned. Check your gear, yet be ready for it to fail. Even if it fails you have to keep driving on and finish the job.

Your Defense is Personal

There is an old saying, "beware of the man with one gun". While I appreciate the sentiment, meaning that it's best to master one thing, yet I would be more wary of those who can shoot any gun that they pick up well.
As a teacher, I often have to not shoot my preferred firearm, but to shoot something similar to my student.
Today, it was a revolver, which gave me the opportunity to get some rounds down range with my new competition gun, a S&W 929. She's sweet.

Your Defense is Personal

It's not long between times when I see really bad "self defense" tools being released into the wild. The list is long, but this one is especially problematic.
Byrna is a "less lethal" pepperball gun that is supposed to be for those who a) don't like guns, b) live in anti-gun states, c) for those who, correctly, want a tool for those instances between a harsh word and a gun.
However, primarily, they suck. Like bad suck. Like mostly useless.
However, however, what is super dangerous is that they look like a gun. Lemme say, if you point one of these at someone, it would be reasonable to believe that they are in imminent jeopardy of grievous bodily harm, or death, and it could get you justifiably shot. And killed.
Or, it could be mistaken for a gun and you wind up in the California penal system.
Please, do me a favor, do the hard pass on these horrible gimmicks. You'll thank me later.

Your Defense is Personal