Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.
The Timer Trap
“Use a timer, but remember: your current skill level is what you’ve earned through consistent practice—not your occasional best time.”
Top 20 Tactical Training Programs In the US for Law Enforcement
While folks might quibble about individual ratings, this is generally a solid list of training institutions.
Bad Habits, Real Consequences: Keeping Hands Away from the Muzzle
Excellent advice from Jeff Gonzales. Jeff and I are co-teaching a very unique class next month. Click here for details.
Gunfighting and Neuroscience: Why Using Your Front Sight Might Kill You
A look at “quiet eye” research and how it relates to winning gunfights. The best case scenario is that sighted fire becomes such an “overlearned” skill that you can trust yourself to see what you need to see to make the hit while using most of your visual field to track the factors that are even more important to your survival. If you have to think about using the sights, you aren’t thinking about all the other stuff you need to do to win the gunfight.
FPV Drone Casualties in Ukraine: What Limited Data Suggests—and What We Still Don’t Know
What type of injury patterns can we expect from air-dropped drone munitions?
Updated Detailed Information on Mass Public Shootings from 1998 to 2025
27 years of data covering mass shootings.
Are we in a golden age of pistol optics?
Caleb’s thoughts on handgun optics.
“No live ammo…”
“If the area offers a solid backstop and the lesson includes group dry fire, “no live ammo in the classroom” can be an excellent classroom-management tool. But that’s really all it is. It isn’t a core safety rule, it does not stand on its own without the core safety rules also being in effect, and it’s entirely possible to run a competent and safe lecture-only classroom without it.
Safety rules and protocols are like multiple layers of swiss cheese. Every single one of them has a hole or two. We stack them up so that no one hole goes all the way through the stack.
When we rely on only one layer of protection — whether that layer is “it’s unloaded” or “there’s no ammo here” or “keep your finger off the trigger” or whatever that one layer is — we’re destined to fail. And the hole that goes all the way through the stack may also put a hole in someone we love.”
Jack Weaver:The Real Weaver Stance
“Most of what I’ve done in my life has been eclectic — taking the best ideas of other people and putting them to use.” True to form, though he popularized it and taught it, he always gave Jack Weaver the credit for the stance. Indeed, it was Cooper who named it the “Weaver Stance.”
Why every patrol officer should have a rifle
I developed my police department’s patrol rifle program in 1999. We were the first department in my county to equip patrol officers with rifles. Soon thereafter, most other agencies in the area also carried rifles. I can’t imagine an agency not issuing rifles 20+ years after doing so became “industry standard.”
If you work at an agency that doesn’t allow rifles, this article might help convince the bosses to change their minds.
The Art of Spending Money: Simple Choices for a Richer Life
What I’m reading…
Leave Cross Draw To Lee Van Cleef, Unless You Can’t Help It
I’m in the Dominican Republic right now. Some of the National Police down here carry their guns cross draw. This type of carry was once much more popular than it is today. In the current gun world, it’s often difficult to find an article that even mentions cross draw as an option. This piece discusses a lot of the problems with that particular mode of carry and how to best mitigate them. I’m not a fan of cross draw holsters because of the weapons retention issues they create and for the fact that your draw can be “stuffed” easier in a very close range encounter.
For more information, read Massad Ayoob’s Secrets of Cross Draw.
HPD: Man who just left gun range shoots another man who was trying to rob him
Most of you understand the danger involved in bank follow-home “jugging” attacks. Have you considered that you might be followed home from the range or the gun store so criminals can steal your firearms?
How many of you have fired all of your self defense ammo at the range and driven home with an empty gun because you weren’t planning on stopping anywhere? I don’t do it often, but I’ve done it on occasion. No more.
The 20 Gauge Shell That Could
If you intend to use a 20 gauge shotgun for self protection, this is the defensive round I would recommend (if you can find it).
On Performative Males
For my male readers, in which aspects of your life are you being “performative.” Is that helping or harming your life satisfaction?
How to be angry
It’s best to use anger consciously and allow it to enhance your life rather than the alternative.
Life Gets Real
Have you considered that you may be attacked by something other than a traditional threat?
Personal Defense: A Practical Guide to Preparation and Awareness
A personal protection primer.
How to Prepare for Civil Unrest?
Some valuable ideas for any upcoming social difficulties.
History and the Decline of Human Violence
A fascinating interview about the declining rates of violence compared to historical norms. If you want an ambitious reading assignment, I highly recommend Pinker’s book The Better Angels of Our Nature.
Carjackings Have Fallen An Incredible Amount
Looking at some crime stats.
Project: Prepare For The Responses Of The Unprepared
Good advice from Paul.
MAKING THE WHEEL MORE ROUNDED
“A revolver remains a viable carry option even in 2026, but modify it with an eye toward practicality, not Instagram coolness.”
16 Things Not to Do When You Travel
Very good travel advice here.
Lessons Learned As An Instructor
“If you can provide concepts from your lesson in a conversation and the person(s) you are talking to don’t know you are teaching, you are winning. To truly become masterful of your focus, you must never stop studying and never stop discussing the material. Newer, older, better, and worse concepts all will come up as you teach. Your familiarity with all aspects of the material is a lifesaver and helps you gain additional credibility due to your diligence in your studies.”
If you don’t have our backs, why should we stay?
“Retention — not recruiting — is the answer.”
Social Engineering: 5 Manipulation Techniques
Learn How to Identify and Defend Against These Five Dangerous Psychological Manipulation Methods.
You Don’t Get To Fight Anymore: Lessons For Armed Citizens From The Alex Pretti Incident In Minnesota
Some important concepts few concealed carriers consider. To reinforce this advice, please listen to this podcast.
Concealed Carry When You’re a Parent
“Carrying concealed as a parent isn’t about fear. It’s about responsibility. When you have kids with you, your priorities change right away. You’re not just looking out for yourself anymore. You’re caring for little ones who count on you to make good choices when it matters. That changes how and why you carry.”
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