Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.
NYPD Active Shooter Recommendations and Analysis
A solid piece of work published by NYPD. In addition to providing trend data and best practices for dealing with an active killer, the report also provides details on more than 400 active killer attacks worldwide.
The 3- E’s of Being Elusive (or Rude)
High quality advice on managing unknown contacts (or creepers, as the article calls them). My standard line in situations like those described is “I’m sorry. I can’t help you.” The author’s piece on using car keys for self defense is also a quality read.
How many rounds can an AK fire before it breaks down?
Some great first hand information about the relative durability of the various different kind of AK rifles. The barrels definitely last longer than the average AR-15!
Frog Pumps: A Highly Effective Bodyweight Glute Activation Drill
We all spend too much time sitting. That causes our glute muscles to atrophy, or hip flexors to tighten, and eventual back pain. Here is an effective new exercise to target the glutes. A better butt and diminished back pain. What’s not to like?
The fruitless search for extraordinary people willing to take ordinary jobs
One of the reasons that police agencies are ineffective. None of the departments I work with take time to do the things listed in the article.
“Building an extraordinary organization takes guts. The guts to trust the team, to treat them with respect and to go to ridiculous lengths to find, keep and nurture people who care enough to make a difference.”
Introducing TIREBALLS “RUN – FLAT“ Tire Protection System for Off Road Rescue Vehicles!
Massad Ayoob: Four Cases That Show How An Eyewitness Can Be Unreliable
Massad Ayoob discusses some of the inherent problems with “eyewitness” testimony.
1 Weird 2 Cent Trick For Precision With A Pistol
A very intriguing idea. I have to admit having zero experience doing it. Have any of you tried something like this? How did it work?
Trendy Crap: Use what is effective, not what looks cool.
Like Dave, I am anti-trendy.
Gun Control in 47 Seconds
Why gun control advocates aren’t really anti-gun.
How To Pack A Professional Travel First Aid Kit
This is an excellent article on what kind of first aid supplies to carry when traveling. For most folks, this would be enough to treat the majority of injuries they might encounter. I would add a few things to make it more complete: a CAT Tourniquet for severe bleeding. some duct tape (because surgical tape doesn’t stick well to wet skin), a broad spectrum antibiotic (usually Cipro, Levaquin, or Augmentin but Azithromycin if traveling in SE Asia) and a prescription anti-nausea medication like Zofran.
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Embrace the Security Freeze
You would be amazed at the numbers of identity theft cases I see as a cop. My small department probably averages at least one report per day. This is the best way I’ve found to prevent identity theft (or prevent further damage from being done after an ID theft). I give this exact advice to all the ID theft victims I encounter at work.
Cut Shotgun Shells For Survival
Every few months I get a question about “cut shells” from a reader. By making a cut around the circumference of a birdshot shell, you can turn it into an improvised slug. This article describes the process. I’ve done it. My results were less effective than the author’s. Some of them worked. Some of them didn’t. It wasn’t reliable enough to depend on in an emergency. And the biggest problem is that they won’t feed in a pump or autoloader. Who carries a single shot shotgun in a tactical or survival situation?
Scope turret cheat sheet
A handy cheat sheet from Kyle Defoor that will be very useful for you precision rifle instructors. When your student shows up and doesn’t understand the adjustments on his scope, you’ll be able to tell with one look exactly what type of scope adjustments he needs.
Mass Murder in America: The Obscure Killer
“You have a better chance of getting hit by lightning than being murdered in your church no matter what race, church, day, or state and attacking issues that have nothing to do with the situation only enflames the hype.
- We cannot prevent an obscure killer from attacking the target of their choice because we have no way of adequately determining who they are.
- Guns are not the issue because no laws created will change anything. See #1
- Adding additional hype about race, religion, or any other societal factor is just using one issue as the match for more inflammation of current public issues.
This killer had his own agenda, and that agenda does not reflect mine, yours, or anyone else’s so there is no need for us all to be at each other’s throats over this fool.
The best course of action when faced with a situation like this is to put a muzzle on the media. The crime, no matter how heinous, is not about the nation. It is about the killer and the victims. The rest of us are bystanders who have our own lives to live.”
We don’t need a national crisis made out of a local event just because the body count is over 2.”
AIWB Safety and Sanity
Last week famed firearms instructor Larry Vickers announced a new policy banning appendix carried inside the waistband holsters in his classes out of safety concerns. It’s Larry’s right to do whatever he believes is in the best interest of his students. I carry AIWB myself almost 100% of the time when I am off duty. I think it’s the best option FOR ME, and continue to allow my students to carry that way in class. Tim’s article above does a great job explaining why AIWB isn’t quite the problem that some make it out to be.
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* Some of the above links (from Amazon.com) are affiliate links. If you purchase these items, I get a small percentage of the selling price.
