Like most Americans I never owned nor ever felt the need to own a handgun until one night in the early spring of 2008.  That night everything changed for me and my family.

    There was a bad house fire down the block.  In the next day or two, two people were found murdered in the rubble.  One was stabbed, the other was shot and stabbed.  The neighborhood was stunned, it is a quiet middle class mostly professional neighborhood and has enjoyed about the lowest crime rate in the county.  

    The local police did an outstanding job solving the crime in less than a week but something was still very wrong.   While the shock was wearing off it became clear that the police cannot protect individuals.  Each person  must be responsible for his or her own immediate safety. >

    As in this case, the bad guys do not always use guns.  They murder people with knives, box cutters, clubs, chains, screwdrivers, fists, guns or any number of ways.  The bad guys always have the initial advantage as they plan the crime and know exactly what they are going to do.   The victim will usually be vanquished or killed if not prepared and trained in advance.

    Just like death and taxes, bad people will always be among us, robbing, raping and killing us.  Just cleaning up the victims bodies and jailing the killers is not acceptable.

    Fortunately for the public our constitution provides a way for us to defend ourselves.  Its called the 2nd amendment to the constitution.    The 2nd amendment bestows to the individual the right to possess and carry firearms for self protection and protection from bad government.   

    Politicians that force bad government on us always fear firearms.  Any political party that fears firearms must be distrusted and feared by the people and voted to the ash heap of history.  Those politicians have no regard for the constitution and will take away our freedoms one step at a time.   The next to go will be free speech.  Education and elections matter.   Read this.

    One must observe that the mass shooting which occurred in the last few decades all happened in gun-free zones.  Gun-free zones are killing fields.  Gun control laws only protect the bad guys from the honest citizens.

   Good citizens are too busy to become proficient in all weapons for protection.  However firearms proficiency is one skill that everyone can accomplish quite easily and will level the playing field with the bad guys.   It does take some time and effort but the rewards could save your life and the lives of your family.

According to Boatman in Chapter 20 of his famous book 'Living With Glocks': "Convicted felons reveal in surveys that they are more afraid of armed citizens than they are of the police. And well they should be. Armed citizens kill 2,000 to 3,000 criminals each year, three times the number killed by the police. And only two percent of civilian shootings involve an innocent person mistakenly identified as a criminal, whereas the error rate for the police is more than five times that high."

    At this time there are still two states that do not allow conceal carry.  In our city, the local police detective bureau has jurisdiction for the pistol safety checks.  I found them very professional, courteous and helpful.  I hope you are as fortunate as I am.

    Our state is an "Open Carry" state.  That means anyone can openly carry his or her properly registered handgun. (with some restrictions)  Some areas frown on this and may give a person grief but the courts will soon solve that problem.  Open Carry is normally not recommended.   Most law enforcement officer deaths occur from their own guns taken by a bad guy.

    Be aware local police must respond to a 911 call of "person carrying a gun".  The public is not used to seeing firearms in the open so you can expect contact with the police if you carry open.  Co-operate fully with the officer, he is just doing his job.  Do not give him any problems or you may be detained.  The public needs to be educated on our 2nd amendment rights.

    Our state is also a "Conceal Carry" state.  To carry concealed one must have a  Concealed Pistol License or CPL.  A certified Pistol Safety Class is required to apply.   The initial cost of the pistol, ammo, range time, class and license will be over $600.  One must practice to demonstrate proficiency with your weapon before you can qualify for your Certificate.  The CPL is an investment in your families safety.

    CPL holders have made no small investment and take pride in their concealment. They become very proficient in the use of their weapons and most continue to train to fine tune their skills.   The goal is to draw and put 4-5 rounds in an 8" diameter target at 7-10 yards in about 2-3 seconds.

    Concealed Carry is the preferred and safest method of carry.  One should never advertise they are armed.  Surprise is the best defense against the bad guys.

    Print out lists of mandated gun-free zones and keep them in your home and automobiles.  You must be forever alert for posted no-firearms signs.  I do not patronize businesses that force me to disarm.  A "gun free zone" is where only the bad guys have guns.

    Carrying concealed will require a lifestyle change.  You will have to change your method of dress to properly conceal.  Carrying concealed means never expose your weapon, never touch or draw your weapon in public unless your life is in danger.

   Search the internet for information.  There are many sites that have articles and information.  Subscribe to newsletters.  Shop around for training videos, I've purchased three thus far from our local Top Gun, they have very good prices and were well worth the cost.  See the CCW Support links to the left.

    My main conceal carry holster in summer is an "Inside the Waist Band" or IWB type.  At other times of the year I use a Don Hume H721 O.T.  In my opinion, the Don Hume H721 O.T. is the best holster made. 

    My open carry holster, if I ever use it, is the Blackhawk Supra locking holster.  The pistol is locked in place and is released when you grip the weapon.

    My carry weapon of choice is a .40 caliber S&W M&P40 with a 15 round magazine.  I chose it because it is the largest caliber with a 15 round magazine that can be comfortably carried concealed.  I also carry two spare 15 round magazines.

    My ammo of choice is the standard hollow point round.   Hollow point rounds expand when fired so a few well placed one inch holes will usually stop any bad guy.

    When holstering your semi-automatic handgun, it should be pushed in by pressing the back of the slide.  If the slide bounces relative to the frame while holstering, it may misfire when you need it the most.

    One safety point:  Never, never pass your weapon to anyone loaded.  Always remove the magazine and/or expel any chambered rounds first.  Double check the chamber then point the muzzle to a safe spot and click the trigger.  

-DRD-