Sunday, August 28, 2011
Newsletter Article, August 1, 2011
Your Most Valuable Asset
Intuitive Awareness - The Alert Mindset
Years ago I read a report that was authored by a couple of guys from the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit. The article dealt with people's ability to survive an attack. In it, the authors mentioned several ways people have dealt with violent confrontations.
Chemical sprays, knives, sounding devices, guns, and even self-defense techniques/training were discussed. But the one "tool", from their studies, that had the most effect in self-protection was... being alert and aware.
Sounds like an over-simplification, doesn't it? But really it's not.
What Does "Being Alert" Do For Us?
It has been long promoted through Tulsa's Citizen Crime Commission (now known as Crime Commission OK ) that being alert is your most valuable asset. Being alert does two things for us.
1. Makes us "look" less like a victim
2. Buys us time to employ "options", if we see a potential problem
The 3rd Thing
Being alert does a third thing for us that is not so widely discussed. It is an exercise in learning "intuitive awareness". Funny as it may sound, "being alert" trains us on what "normal" looks like.
At first, that sounds a bit simplistic, but in reality, when you're alert, and you're scanning your environment... most of the time, nothing in particular is going on. Do that a lot and you get a lot of education on what "normal" looks like.
Then, when something suspicious occurs, it stands out. It's like a big flag demanding your attention. You may not know "why" it's suspicious, but for some reason, it doesn't "fit in".
How To Be Alert
It's easy to say, "Be alert!" But doing that means giving up something. Fortunately, what we "give up", in most cases, will probably not hurt us. Many times, it's actually good for us.
What we give up is...the luxury of thinking about other unrelated "stuff".
When we're "out and about", we tend to think of other things, i.e. what we're gonna' do when we get home...or reviewing the day's events...or any one of a million other things.
You can train yourself to be alert by focusing on what you are doing and the area that you are in. You look around at what's around you. You don't have to memorize your environment...just put your eyes on what's in your environment.
You let your other thoughts go...and just absorb. Doing that actually can quieten your mind. It can be calming. (You can get philosophic about this and include "acceptance of what it" as well as other concepts, but that's beyond the scope of this newsletter.)
To be alert, you put your thoughts on "hold" and have a look around. You're just looking... taking it all in.
It's amazing how quickly you can pick this up!
Other thoughts will creep in from time to time. When they do, recognize it, and have another look around. Continue on with your new "alert" point of view!
What Then?
Then, when something breaks that sense of "calm", you focus on it. For example, you're walking around, just taking things in, and you hear a baby cry. Your attention goes to the crying baby, you analyze, and if nothing seems too out of place, you continue your observing of the environment.
Now, if something doesn't seem right...you should act. Do something. What you do will depend on the situation. You may choose to just observe. You may choose to call it in to 911 as suspicious. You may choose to move into a building, or quickly get to your car, or some other form of evasion. Or, you may choose to employ other options.
Say that again...
When you are out of your safe zone (home, office, etc.), be alert. Keep looking around, checking, rechecking your environment. Just scan, and absorb; don't make a special effort to remember... let your mind (conscious or subconscious) soak it in.
Then when you notice something, focus on it. If it seems OK after a second look, continue on in "alert" mode.
If there's something about a suspicious event or person that you can't shake...do something. That something that you "do" will depend on the circumstances. What you may do is just, focus on the incident ... watch. Or you may see fit to call 911. Or, you may feel the need to get others (and/or yourself) involved.
What is it, that is so suspicious?
Often times, you can't put your finger on why something is suspicious. It may come as a subliminal indicator. Your subconscious mind may be warning you of "danger".
Whatever it is... you just can't get it out of your mind. Or it may make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. Or it just doesn't seem "right".
Suspicious activity or behavior doesn't "fit in". It's unusual. It makes you wonder. Or it brings about physiological reactions.
Don't necessarily dismiss your "gut" feelings.
Tangible Suspicious Activity
The following are indicators. They, by themselves, are not indictments of something afoul. Think of these as things that may warrant further investigation. They are "flags". If you find two or more indicators (flags), you may be on to something.
Alone, looks nervous, may be agitated
Furtive behavior
Looking at, or for, others
Activity or behavior not consistent with that location
Pulling into a parking space, but not getting out
Hands kept out of visibility
Clenching of fists
Pretending to talk on a payphone or cell phonehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Watching others exit a building
Loitering
Inappropriate, for the weather, clothing
Looking out of place, or looking like they feel out of place
More
Here is a great article on situational awareness.
We know there are bad guys out there. Some are just unorganized criminals. Some are part of a group (gang). Some are part of a highly organized group. And some have political motives.
You don't have to be paranoid to be alert. Just be alert. And when you see something that is suspicious, ACT.
Don
Newsletter Article August 19, 2011
Concealed Carry Stats
Some data regarding the concealed carry issue
Oklahoma Statistics for 2010
Average age for both women and men - 50 years old
25% of licensees were women
75% of licensees were men
27,013 applications approved statewide
1,203 applications denied
30 licenses revoked
55 licenses suspended
US Statistics
For the year 2010 there existed 4o Right-to-Carry states in the U.S.
37 of those states are "shall issue", meaning that the regulating authority cannot make arbitrary decisions on who can and who cannot carry. If an applicant meets the requirements, they must be allowed the right-to-carry permit.
These states "may issue". They can decide for whatever reason to issue or not to issue a permit. (Highly susceptible to corruption.)
California
New York
Massachusetts
Connecticut
New Jersey
Rhode Island
New Jersey
Delaware
Maryland
Alabama
Three U.S. states allow "Constitutional Carry", meaning no permit is required as long as there are no conflicting federal law issues. (i.e. convicted felon). Those states are Vermont, Arizona, and Alaska.
The right to carry concealed is denied in Illinois and Washington, D.C.
Wisconsin passed concealed carry legislation this year and it should take effect sometime around November 1, 2011. Until around that time, concealed carry is not permitted.
In these states, the permit holder must be a resident of the state which issued the license.
Colorado
Florida
South Carolina
Michigan
Maine
New Hampshire
Does Concealed Carry Actually Reduce Crime?
According to the Lott/Mustard study which included analyzing statistics in every county in every state, in the U.S... when the state's concealed carry laws were passed and put into place, violent crime rates decreased. Murder decreased by 8.5 percent and rapes and aggravated assaults decreased by 5 and 7 percent.
Risk of Injury While Carrying
Criminologist, Prof. Gary Kleck, concluded from his analysis of National Crime Victimization Survey data that robbery and assault victims who used a gun to resist were less likely to be attacked or to suffer an injury than those who used any other methods of self-protection or those who did not resist at all.
How Often Are Guns Actually Used?
Kleck and Mark Gertz found that guns were used for self-protection about 2.5 million times per year. The late Marvin E. Wolfgang, self-described as "as strong a gun-control advocate as can be found among the criminologists in this country" said, "The methodological soundness of the current Kleck and Gertz study is clear. I cannot further debate it...I cannot fault their methodology."
Turning the tables on the bad guys
A study for the Justice Department found 34 percent of felons had been "scared off, shot at, wounded, or captured by an armed victim," and 40 percent had not committed crimes, fearing victims were armed.
Don
Friday, December 11, 2009
Gun-related Rumors!
It seems that with the proliferation of e-mail, we get a lot of information these days. Often the e-mails that tend to circulate are funny little stories, political, religious, or theme-oriented. For the most part they are entertaining, but when we receive too many of them... they can become a bit of a nuisance.
And then there are the gun related scare-emails!
This post deals specifically with shining the light of truth on those e-mails that we get that warn us of impending doom regarding issues related to gun rights and ownership.
If I should discover an issue that truly demands action, on my part, I will shout it from the highest hill. I will notify all of my gun-friends, talk about it at gun shows, and have something about it in each of my newsletters. I'll be writing my legislative and administrative elected officials. I will fight it, and keep on fighting it.
That's the least I can do to honor my forefathers.
Below are the ones that have come to my attention over and over.
Blair Holt's Firearms and Record of Sale Act (HR45)
It is H.R. 45: Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009. This bill was introduced in the 111th Congress by U. S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D IL) on Jan. 6, 2009. Failing to attract any co sponsors, it was referred for consideration to the House Committee on the Judiciary, where it now rests awaiting further action.
Currently the bill has no co-sponsors. Few legislators will touch it knowing what happened after the passage of 1994's Crime Bill that placed severe restrictions on "assault weapons" and magazines of more that 10-round capacity. In the very next election Democrats lost control of both House and Senate. So far, that bill is going nowhere!
If it was passed Blair Holt would (according to http://www.snopes.com/politics/guns/blairholt.asp):
"Prohibit possession of any handguns or semiautomatic firearms that can accept detachable ammunition-feeding devices (excluding atiques) by anyone who has not been issued a firearm license.
* Require all sales of those types of firearms to go through licensed dealers.
* Direct the Attorney General to establish a run a federal record-of-sale system.
* Require the possessors of firearms to secure them (by secure gun storage or safety devices when they are kept in locales where children might be capable of gaining access to those firearms.
In order to be issued a firearm license under the provisions of the Blair Holt legislation, applicants would be required to submit the following information to the Attorney General.
1. a current passport-sized photograph of the applicant that provides a clear, accurate likeness of the applicant.
2. The name, address, and date and place of birth of the applicant.
3. any other name that the applicant has ever used or by which the applicant has ever been known.
4. a clear thumb print of the applicant, which shall be made when, and in the presence of the entity to whom, the application is submitted.
5. with respect to each category of person prohibited by Federal law, or by the law of the State of residence of the applicant, from obtaining a firearm, a statement that the individual is not a person prohibited from obtaining a firearm.
6. a certification by the applicant that the applicant will keep any firearm owned by the applicant safely stored and out of the possession of persons who have not attained 18 years of age.
7. a certificate attesting to the completion at the time of application of a written firearms examination, which shall test the knowledge and ability of the applicant regarding:
* the safe storage of firearms, particularly in the vicinity of persons who have not attained 18 years of age.
* the safe handling of firearms
* the use of firearms in the home and the risks associated with such use
* any other subjects, as the Attorney General determines to be appropriate.
8. an authorization by the applicant to release the Attorney General or an authorized representative of the Attorney General any mental health records pertaining to the applicant.
9. the date on which the application was submitted.
10. the signature of the applicant"
Blair Holt is not an issue at this time.
President Obama coming in through the "back door" with anti-gun measures by signing a UN Treaty
Lately there's been an e-mail circulating around the internet spreading concern about Obama signing a UN treaty and effectively coming in through a "back door" with his anti-gun agenda. While it is understood that his past stance on gun control is extreme and that he very well may make such agreement(s), it would be a legislative battle for such a sweeping change to take hold.
A few weeks ago I talked with the NRA/ILA about this. According to them, it's not an issue that is sneaking up on the NRA.
Yes, Obama may sign a treaty with the UN (or anyone else for that matter). In order for an agreement in a signed treaty to become effective, it must be ratified by the Senate in a 2/3rds majority vote. The Senate can ratify treaties line by line. So parts of a treaty may be ratified while other parts may not.
This is one of many situations in which Obama can assert his political leanings. But he cannot sign a treaty and simply have it enforceable the next day. This sort of thing will not be happening without us hearing a lot more about it.
Currently Democrats well remember the 1994 Crime Bill which placed huge restrictions on guns and gun ownership. They lost control of both the House and the Senate afterward.
Few, if any, Republicans will vote anti-gun and quite a few Democrats will want to be well insulated if they vote anti-gun. On a deal like this, there would have to be all Senate Democrats on board and six Senate Republicans as well. That, realistically, would probably not happen with the current legislative membership.
It's good to be aware of what's going on with the President and possible treaties, but, according to the NRA, this is not currently a reasonable concern.
No reason to be in "panic mode" at this time.
The "Gun Tax Bill" SB-2099
Over the past few months, NRA-ILA has received hundreds of e-mails warning us about "SB-2099," a bill that would supposedly require you to report all your guns on your income tax return every April 15.
Like many rumors, there's just a grain of truth to this one. Someone is recycling an old alert, which wasn't even very accurate when it was new.
There actually was a U.S. Senate bill with that number that would have taxed handgunsnine years ago. It was introduced by anti-gun Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and it would have included handguns under the National Firearms Act's tax and registration scheme. This has nothing to do with anyone's Form 1040, of course.
Fortunately, S. 2099 disappeared without any action by the Senate, back when Bill Clinton was still in the White House. We reported about it back then, just as we report about new anti-gun bills every week. Now, it's time for gun owners to drop this old distraction and focus on the real threats at hand.
Time-sensitive Primer Chemical Change
Also there is a rumor that, past a certain point, you will not be able to buy primers that will last for more than a couple of years. The rumor is that, by law, the chemical used will become inert after a period of time. (Unlike today's primers which last for decades)
Again, after checking with NRA's ILA and the internet, I could find nothing to substantiate this rumor. That being the case, if you can find them, buy them.
Ammunition Shortage
There are also rumors that the ammo shortage is by design in an attempt to keep ammo out of the hands of American citizens. Conversely, it seems to be that the shortage is due to many of us buying everything we can get our hands on. The November 2008 election caught many gun owners off guard. With the subsequent frenzied buying spree, the effect it had on gun and ammo availability is widespread.
Rather than it being an orchestrated move on the part of anti-gunners, this is appears to be more of a supply and demand issue.
"Encoded Ammunition"/Bullet Serialization
"Encoded Ammunition" (Bullet and Cartridge Case Serialization) Means:
* Forfeiture of Currently-Owned Ammunition
* A Separate Registration for Every Box of New Ammunition
* Outrageously Expensive Ammunition Costs for Police & Private Citizens Alike
*A Waste of Taxpayer Money, Better Spent on Traditional Police Programs
Currently there is no federal legislation introduced which would put this practice into place. It is my understanding that around 17 or 18 states (None of which is Oklahoma) have legislation introduced that proposes such measures.
According to a phone call with NRA/ILA folks last summer (2009), the legislation in these states was not moving. So there's no reason for concern here either.
In 2007, the sponsor of "encoded ammunition" legislation in Maryland urged lawmakers across the country to introduce the same kind of legislation in their states. The bill would require ammunition manufacturers to engrave a serial number on "the base of the bullet and the inside of the cartridge casing of each round" of ammunition for popular sporting caliber center-fire rifles, all center-fire pistols, all .22 rimfire rifles and pistols, and all 12 gauge shotguns.
Again, at this time, there's not a great deal of concern on this one.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Oklahoma "Stand Your Ground" Law
The below is available at: webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/2005-06bills/HB/HB2615_ENR.RTF
SECTION . AMENDATORY <21> O.S. 2001, Section <1289.25>, is amended to read as follows:
Section <1289.25>
PHYSICAL OR DEADLY FORCE AGAINST INTRUDER
A. The Legislature hereby recognizes that the citizens of the State of Oklahoma have a right to expect absolute safety within their own homes.
B. A person is presumed to have held a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or when using defensive force that is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm to another if:
1. The person against whom the defensive force was used was in the process of unlawfully and forcefully entering, or had unlawfully and forcibly entered, a dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle, or if that person had removed or was attempting to remove another against the will of that person from the dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle; and
2. The person who uses defensive force knew or had reason to believe that an unlawful and forcible entry or unlawful and forcible act was occurring or had occurred.
C. The presumption set forth in subsection B of this section does not apply if:
1. The person against whom the defensive force is used has the right to be in or is a lawful resident of the dwelling, residence, or vehicle, such as an owner, lessee, or titleholder, and there is not a protective order from domestic violence in effect or a written pretrial supervision order of no contact against that person;
2. The person or persons sought to be removed are children or grandchildren, or are otherwise in the lawful custody or under the lawful guardianship of, the person against whom the defensive force is used; or
3. The person who uses defensive force is engaged in an unlawful activity or is using the dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle to further an unlawful activity.
D. A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force, if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.
E. A person who unlawfully and by force enters or attempts to enter the dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle of another person is presumed to be doing so with the intent to commit an unlawful act involving force or violence.
F. A person who uses force, as permitted pursuant to the provisions of subsections B and D of this section, is justified in using such force and is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of such force. As used in this subsection, the term “criminal prosecution” includes charging or prosecuting the defendant.
G. A law enforcement agency may use standard procedures for investigating the use of force, but the law enforcement agency may not arrest the person for using force unless it determines that there is probable cause that the force that was used was unlawful.
H. The court shall award reasonable attorney fees, court costs, compensation for loss of income, and all expenses incurred by the defendant in defense of any civil action brought by a plaintiff if the court finds that the defendant is immune from prosecution as provided in subsection F of this section.
I. The provisions of this section and the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, Sections 1290.1 through 1290.26 of this title, shall not be construed to require any person using a pistol pursuant to the provisions of this section to be licensed in any manner.
J. As used in this section:
1. “Dwelling” means a building or conveyance of any kind, including any attached porch, whether the building or conveyance is temporary or permanent, mobile or immobile, which has a roof over it, including a tent, and is designed to be occupied by people;
2. “Residence” means a dwelling in which a person resides either temporarily or permanently or is visiting as an invited guest; and
3. “Vehicle” means a conveyance of any kind, whether or not motorized, which is designed to transport people or property.
SECTION . This act shall become effective November 1, 2006>.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
What To Bring
List of things you need to bring to the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act - Concealed Carry Class:
Handgun: The handgun cannot be greater than .45 caliber. The gun must be in good (safe) working condition. If you need to borrow a gun, there are a limited number available. Make those arrangements with the instructor at least one week ahead of time. If the instructor provides the handgun, the student must still provide ammunition. If you bring and shoot a revolver in the shooting exercise, you will only be licensed to carry a revolver or derringer. If you shoot a semi-automatic pistol in the shooting exercise, you can carry any of the three - derringer, revolver, or semi-automatic.
Ammunition: Bring fifty (50) rounds of factory ammunition for the caliber of gun you will be shooting. Make sure that the ammunition is suited for the gun you are bringing. If you use a gun furnished by the instructor, it will probably use .22 caliber, long rifle ammunition. Check with the instructor ahead of time. (NO RELOADS - COMMERCIAL OR OTHERWISE)
Eye protection: It is the responsibility of the student to bring eye protection. "Eye protection must be designed specifically for shooting, or be of safety glass."
Ear protection: It is the responsibility of the student to bring ear protection. "Ear (hearing) protection may be the standard shooting earmuffs, or the foam, rubber, or plastic plugs. Spent ammunition casings are not acceptable as hearing protection."
Headgear: It is the responsibility of the student to bring a brimmed hat. A baseball or golf hat is fine, but any hat with a three inch brim will do. The brim of the hat may afford another layer of protection to the face from falling objects.
Lunch: If you want to eat something for lunch, you will need to bring it with you. We will not have a long enough lunch break (30 minutes) to find something to buy. There are a pop and candy bar machines that are usually fairly well stocked, but you'd better not depend on them.
Handouts: Bring the handouts you received by e-mail. You will need them.
Additional items:
- A container for carry equipment and ammunition
- Pencil
- Notebook paper
Regarding the exam:
Students will take a fifteen (15) question, multiple-choice, Safety Examination. The examination will cover only firearms safety. The material on the test will be well covered in the course.
Students must correctly answer eleven (11) of the fifteen (15) questions to pass the examination (70%). If they do not pass the examination they will be asked to leave before the examination is reviewed. Students failing the examination must re-enroll in another SDA Concealed Carry Class; they may not continue. (Per the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training)
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