Keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Random Shots

A well regulated militia being necessary to the March/April 2016

Volume 6, Issue 2

security of a free State, the right of the People to

keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

Random Shots

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed in Random Shots are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily represent the positions of any other individual or organization.

Edited and Published by Gary Evens, Rangemaster and NRA Certified Firearms Instructor & Range Safety Officer

The terrorists attacks in Paris and San Ber- increasing anti-gun efforts of the govern-

nardino (among others) has resulted in yet ments in the traditional firearms manufac-

more calls from President Obama and other turing states of the northeastern United

liberals for more gun control laws. The States. Well, those relocations and new fac-

reaction to this has become predictable--a tories are now largely operational so the

significant increase in gun purchases and manufacturers are able to introduce new

interest in obtaining concealed carry licens- models.

es. (I found myself upgrading my NRA membership once again just because the offer came in the mail on the same day the President said he was going to take executive action because Congress wouldn't cooperate with him.)

At last year's SHOT Show, the big "buzz" was Glock's introduction of their G43 model, a compact single-stack 9mm handgun-- i.e. a slimmed down G26 with a reduced magazine capacity of 6 rounds of 9mm Luger ammunition instead of the G26's 10

Firearms sales over the 2015 holiday season round capacity. This year it looks like the

where the strongest ever. Overall gun sales "buzz" concerns Kimber's introduction of a

were significantly up for the year, with an all -time high number of NICS background checks being conducted.

Ammunition supplies are returning to normal levels and prices for most commonly used centerfire ammunition is close to what it was before the "great ammunition shortage" began in 2008. Even .22 Long Rifle

six-shot .357 Magnum snub nose revolver, the K6. This is Kimber's first entry in the revolver market. Traditionally they have only offered semi-automatic handguns, usually modeled after the Colt Model 1911. The Kimber K6 is "pricey" at about $900 so it will be interesting to see if this model catches on with the gun buying public.

the show. This looks to be an upgrade to their earlier Sigma and SR9 series of pistols, but it is unclear if this new gun will replace those two earlier models or be offered in addition to them. (Ruger also brought out new models of other firearms and their new precision rifle in the latter half of last year rather than waiting for SHOT.) Colt intro-

ammunition is now easier to find than it has

duced an economy version of their semi-

been in recent years.

automatic M4 carbine to the civilian market

Firearms manufacturers are once again introducing new models. It seems like "tactical" is the theme at this year's SHOT Show, the annual trade show of the firearms

and several new versions of the venerable Model 1911 pistol. Smith & Wesson has updated their popular M&P 15-22 line with slimmer fore ends.

industry. New handguns targeted at the

Altogether it looks like there will be plenty

concealed carry and "tactical" carry market,

of material to fill the gun magazines for the

rifles (both AR-style and more traditional

next several months.

bolt-actions) with threaded barrels to accept sound suppressors, various camouflage paint schemes (including one in a "Star Wars" pattern), etc. seem to dominate. Other introductions were new hunting guns. In the previous couple of years, manufacturers did not make a lot of new model introductions because demand for their current models were so high they could barely keep up with their existing manufacturing capacity. In addition, several manufacturers were in the process of opening up new manufacturing operations in other states as a result of the

Red-dot optics also were popular this year. Glock introduced new "red-dot ready" versions of their popular Gen4 G17 and G19 models. Last year they introduced their Modular Optic System (MOS) on their longer-barreled "target/completion" models, the G34, G35, G40, and G41.

Ruger jumped into the sound suppressor market by introducing a model for use on their .22 caliber pistols. They also introduced a new semi-automatic pistol, the Ruger American Handgun model just before

After a slowdown in 2014 and 2015, LongMeadows Shooting School is benefiting from this increase and we have started off 2016 with renewed strong interest in our Ohio Concealed Carry course. Eighteen dedicated individuals--young, old, male and female--showed up for our first class of the year. They endured the cold and occasional snow flurry to get in their range time and, combined with their classroom work, they completed the requirements Ohio has mandated for individual training to obtain a Concealed Handgun License.

Page 2

Random Shots

Volume 6, Issue 2

I asked the participants why they decided to

unexpected. It is the things that are abnor-

get their concealed carry licenses? The al-

mal that could be signs of impending danger

most universal answer from them was that

and that deserve more of your attention.

they were concerned about their personal

They are the "anomalies" in the environ-

safety. I then asked them if they thought

ment. Patrick Van Horne and Jason Riley in

the neighborhoods that they lived in were

their book Left of Bang: How the Marine Corps'

becoming more dangerous? The answer to

Combat Hunter Program Can Save Your Life

this was "no" and that somewhat surprised

(Black Irish Entertainment LLC, New York,

me. Obviously they were concerned about

?2014) describe anomalies as "things that

their personal safety outside of where they

either do not happen and should, or that do

live.

happen and shouldn't".

Strong interest is also being shown for our February and future classes. See our 2016 class schedule later in this edition of Random Shots.

--G.R. Evens

continually be in a state of heighten awareness--it would be mentally and physically exhausting--my advice and that of just about every firearms instructor in applying Cooper's color codes is that you should try to be in Condition "Yellow" as much as possible especially when you are outside of your home. But, what should you be looking for when in Condition "Yellow"--i.e. what are the indicators of potential danger? This is where the OODA concept comes into play as part of your situational awareness.

Body language is a good indicator to look for. Look at peoples' hands. Hands are needed to hold weapons. If they are nervous, individuals might be continually putting their hands in their pockets and taking them out or "wringing" their hands. They might touch areas on their body where something is hidden "to check to confirm it is still there", etc. Are the people "acting natural"--i.e. trying to fit in where they do not. People that are trying to "act natural" instead tend to exaggerate their behavior. They might appear to be completely dis-

OODA stands for Observer, Orient, De- tracted, go out of their way to show they

cide, and Act. It is a decision-making model belong. They often appear to be "trying too

that was developed by Colonel John Boyd to hard" to be whatever they are trying to con-

explain how fighter pilots should think when vince others they are.

SaintudattihoenaOl OADwAareLnoeosps I have written often about the need to main-

tain the proper degree of situational awareness to avoid being involved in a violent encounter. I include blocks of instruction on this topic in my advanced firearms courses. I've also mentioned the OODA loop

they encounter an enemy. Later it was realized that the OODA concept can be applied to just about any situation someone may find themselves in where a decision is needed. During the "Observe" step you are gathering data about what is going on around you. To effectively "Observe", you must position yourself where you can see as much of the environment around you as possible.

Generally people in groups want to get along with each other and thus act in a submissive manner. Someone that is acting in a dominating or aggressive manner may be an anomaly. However, such behavior does not necessarily mean they are a threat. For instance, you would expect "the boss" to be acting in a dominant manner toward their employees--this is where applying context becomes important to your evaluation of the

and how it contributes to your ability to gain After you have gathered data about the envi- situation. You would also expect most peo-

control and prevail during a violent encoun- ronment during the "Observe" step, you ple to be relaxed and comfortable in familiar

ter. Recently I came across an article by need to put that data into a context. This is situations, but they might be just the oppo-

Brett and Kate McKay at their Art of Manli- where the "Orient" step comes into play. It site in unfamiliar or stressful situations. If

ness blog () that tied is during this step that you develop individuals are responding differently than

the two concepts together succinctly and "baselines" for the particular environment the rest of the individuals that are present,

prompted me to write this article.

you are in, determine what types of human they are the anomalies and deserve extra

behavior you should be looking for, and attention on your part. But, just because

The concept of "situational awareness" is where you begin to develop plans of action they are behaving differently from everyone

simple--it is nothing more than knowing depending on what you see.

else does not mean they are a threat. Once

what is going on around you. To explain

the various levels of awareness that need to

be applied to any given situation, Colonel

Jeff Cooper (the father of the modern hand-

gun technique) created his color code sys-

tem.

These range from Condition

"White" (unaware) through Condition

"Red" (acting in response to a confirmed

threat). Some add a Condition

"Black" (engaged/ambushed without warn-

ing) to Cooper's system. While no one can

"Baselines" are what is normal for that particular environment. Do the people look like they belong there--is someone acting differently from everyone else, are they dressed differently, etc.? Are the objects in the environment what you would expect to find there or is something out of place? What you are really looking for in establishing the "baselines" are not what is normal or expected but rather what is abnormal or

again context is needed to understand the situation. The "uncomfortable" individual may be a newcomer, they may be sick, or they might be distracted because of bad news they just received. A common trait among individuals that are uncomfortable in a particular environment is they appear to be nervous and are continually looking about trying to find exits or someone they might know. Yet another common trait is that most people do not pay attention to their

Volume 6, Issue 2

Random Shots

Page 3

environment because they are so involved I've written about previously, violent en- In future editions of Random Shots, I will deal

with what they are doing or who they are counters occur with little or no advance with Cooper's other principals in more de-

talking to. Thus the individual that is paying warning, they are chaotic, and they are over tail. In the meantime, stay alert and act deci-

attention to their surroundings or who ap- within seconds. There will not be time to sively when necessary!!

pears to be interested in another individual consider several alternative courses of acacross the room constitutes another anoma- tion. As Cooper says, "to ponder is quite ly. This is where you need to be careful so possibly to perish". Thus it is important to

-- G.R. Evens

that your relaxed Condition "Yellow" level "plan ahead" and consider what your re-

of awareness is not misinterpreted by others sponse might be to potential violent encoun-

as an anomaly.

ter scenarios that you might be confronted

If you are going to be in an environment-- i.e. a room, area, building, etc.--you should position yourself in an unobstructed spot so you will have a continual flow of information coming in to you and where you can

with. By thinking through them ahead of time you can formulate responses and have them ready instead of having to make up something "on the fly" as the event evolves around you--remember the OODA loop.

A .22 for Training-- Revisited

continue to keep the anomalies in view. It is impossible to consider all possible

You should be where you can see all of the threats and develop the appropriate plans to

entrances and exits so you can observe when respond to them. Instead you will have to

something/someone enters or leaves the consider what the "probable" or even

area--the "bad guy" might not show up "plausible" threats are that you are likely to

until after you are already there.

encounter and develop those response

By now it should be clear that the plans.

"Observe" and "Orient" steps of the You will not have time to adjust your preOODA process are essential to your planned response to make it "perfect" for Back in the 2nd edition of Random Shots in "situational awareness". Together they in- the situation you are in so you will have to the Summer of 2011, I included an article on crease your perceptive boundaries. How settle for a plan that is "close enough" to get the use of .22 caliber firearms for training. often you go through the "OO" steps of the the job done. Cooper believed that the spe- In that article I indicated that I thought a .22 OODA process will depend on how often cific course of action that you chose as your was appropriate for use in training new changes occur in your environment. By response is less important than the "vigor" shooters and for more experienced shooters doing this faster than any potential threats in with which you carry it out. The reality is to practice their skills. The reasons that I your environment, you should be able to that the mistakes you might make in execut- listed for this were:

avoid becoming a victim.

ing an imperfect plan are no greater than the - G.R. Evens ones that might result should you carefully

deliberate all options before acting.

If you can quickly decide on a course of

The Principals of Personal Defense: action and carry it out decisively, you will

Decisiveness

significantly increase your chances of surviv- ing the encounter. In responding to a vio-

lent attack that threatens you (or someone

Lack of recoil and muzzle blast/noise Low cost of ammunition Widespread availability of ammunition Inherent accuracy of ammunition Lower cost of guns

else) with serious injury or death, you are Since then some of these reasons have

generally justified if you respond with lethal changed, particularly with regard to the cost

force to stop the threat. However, most and availability of .22 caliber ammunition,

people abhor violence and are hesitant to but things are slowing improving and re-

use it. Hesitation can cost you or someone turning to normal. The price of .22 Long

else you are trying to defend their life. If Rifle ammunition--the most popular cali-

you hesitate, you may not deliver enough ber--is about 8? to 9? per round for

force on the assailant to stop them from "plinking" ammunition and 14? to 18? per

carrying out their attack. So, you need to round for premium "match-grade" ammuni-

respond quickly and decisively.

tion, much higher than the "glory days"

Fear will be your greatest obstacle to being when .22 ammo cost about 2? to 3? per

decisive. Fear leads you in the opposite round. Even at these higher prices, .22 rim-

direction, creating indecision as you struggle fire ammunition remains cheaper than cen-

The second of Colonel Jeff Cooper's princi- to deal with the risks associated with making terfire ammunition. However, supplies re-

pals of personal defense is "Decisiveness". the wrong decision. However, having confi- main limited both in terms of the variety

When confronted with a threat of serious dence in your abilities helps you to over- from the different manufacturers and in the

injury or loss of life, your response needs to come your fear and to take decisive action. total quantity customers are able to purchase

come quickly without any hesitation. As

at any one time. However, the other rea-

sons that I listed remain valid.

Page 4

Random Shots

Volume 6, Issue 2

The lack of recoil and muzzle blast pro-

ply your shooting skills when and if you

duced by the .22 rimfire cartridge makes it

should need them!

much less intimidating to new shooters. Without these distractions new shooters are able to concentrate on the fundamentals of

- G.R. Evens

shooting--proper stance, aiming (sight

alignment and sight picture), hold control, breath control, trigger control, and follow-

Media Reporting

through. The inherent accuracy of .22 caliber ammunition means greater satisfaction

of Mass Murder

on the part of new shooters. Success in hitting their targets provide positive rein-

Events

forcement and make it more likely that they

will continue to practice to hone their

shooting skills.

The .22 caliber Walther PPK/S (top) closely mim-

ics their PPK/S chambered in .380 ACP (bottom).

Many firearms manufacturers offer similar

models of their handguns in both rimfire and centerfire chamberings, with some offering caliber conversion units that allow the same gun to fire both types of ammunition. Thus shooters are able to practice with the lower cost rimfire ammunition and then use the centerfire ammunition for hunting, personal defense, etc.

range and a loss of shooting proficiency. So, we have come "full circle" back to the point where the use of a .22 handgun for training makes sense again. And while it is true that exclusive use of the light-recoiling .22 can make the shooter "sloppy" in terms of their grip and stance, it does enable the shooter to focus on the other fundamentals.

[Editor's Comment: Back in the very first edition of Random Shots I indicated that I would

Of course, at the end of each range session use this forum from time-to-time for topics that

the shooter should fire a few rounds from caught my attention but that did not necessarily

their full-caliber carry gun just to make sure follow the general theme of articles. While I have

they know how to manage recoil, etc.

tried to stick to the topics of self-defense, firearms

Quality

.22

caliber

"understudy"

guns

are

and firearms-related training the most recent series of mass murder/active killer events--I refuse to say

available from most major firearms manufacturers. For instance, Smith and Wesson offers the M&P 22 to go with their fullcaliber M&P 9mm, .40, and .45 ACP pistols and, for those more interested in self-

they are "active shooter" or "mass shooter" events any more as "shooting" is a recreational sport that millions of Americans participate in--recent events have caused me to digress temporarily. Unfortunately given the pace of world events, more mass murder

defense rifles they offer the excellent M&P 15-22 to mimic the AR-15 style rifles. Smith and Wesson also offers .22 revolvers that

situations may occur before this article gets published but the essential conclusions below will no doubt apply just as well.

match their larger caliber offerings. You can

get .22 caliber version of the Colt Model Some readers may question my "credentials" in

1911 and Beretta Model 92. There are con- being able to discuss the issues below. Let me ad-

The S&W Model 18 (bottom) is an excellent version kits that you can buy that allow you dress that right now. I have a Bachelor's Degree in "understudy" for their centerfire Model 19 (top) to convert your Glock pistols into a rimfire U.S. history and a Master's Degree in Political and Model 67 (middle) chambered in .357 Mag- practice gun. Ruger offers .22 caliber ver- Science and International Relations, so I do know

num and .38 Special respectively.

sion of their SP-101 and LCR revolvers. about history, politics, and the media's role in

However, with the rise in concealed carry and the use of handguns for self-defense, many trainers moved away from the concept of using a .22 as a training substitute for larger caliber handguns. The idea was you need to "train with what you carry". But, with the trend to smaller and smaller carry guns in larger calibers (such as the "mini9mm" semi-automatic pistols), most shoot-

Walther offers .22 caliber versions of some of their centerfire pistols. I'm especially fond of their .22 Long Rifle version of the PPK/S to go with their .380 ACP version of the same gun. Unfortunately, .22 "clones" are not yet available for the popular "mini9's". Availability of .22 caliber versions of the small revolvers is much better than it is for small semi-autos.

American society and reporting of events. I also served in the U.S. military for over 20 years and have experienced history "first hand".]

Like many of you probably were, I was very frustrated with the television media's first day (and subsequent) reporting of the mass murder events in San Bernardino in early December. As has become their habit, the cable TV networks went to "24/7" report-

ers no longer looked forward to a day of So, yes it will cost you more to duplicate ing almost from the moment the event be-

practice on the range. The increased recoil your full-caliber self-defense handgun with a came known. Not knowing the facts, the

and muzzle blast is just too much "wear and .22 "clone" (or conversion unit), but it is various talking heads that appeared on tele-

tear" resulting in a decline in trips to the good "insurance" so you will be able to ap- vision speculated about what was happening

Volume 6, Issue 2

Random Shots

Page 5

and the significance of the event, all while "Watergate" (1972-1974) scandals. Follow- even though neither of the two killers'

the networks repeatedly showed what lim- ing those events, everyone wanted to be an names were on that list--nor were any of

ited video they had previously recorded or "investigative journalist" and the national the other mass killers in the U.S. in recent

live views of people milling around. They media changed forever. Since then, the me- years. Thus the media calls on Congress to

did this to consume time until more facts dia has become "activist" and considers enact laws that would not have affected the

became known to them that they could re- their first priority to pursue an "agenda" be killers' ability to carry out their attack in any

port. Many of the "facts" that they report- it anti-war, civil rights, feminism/women's way, yet that was their "solution" to pre-

ed--often rushed on air so a rival wouldn't rights, gun control, pro-abortion, pro- venting future attacks of this kind.

get the "scoop"--had to be retracted (or more often just ignored) as real or contradicting facts became known.

I have come to question what the value of this continuous reporting is. While I can certainly understand that people in the immediate vicinity--be it a terrorist attack or a weather-related event--need to be continuously updated with what is transpiring, those that are not immediately affected by it are not served by endless speculation which tends to heighten apprehensions and fear. Instead, we would be better served by getting periodic, fact-based updates. But that is not the nature of the national media, especially the "real-time media" like radio, televi-

immigration, Gay rights, global warming/ climate change, "black lives matter"/police violence, or the cause of the moment. Increasingly their reporting of "the news" has become shaped by how the events contribute (or do not contribute) to the advancement of the "agenda" they are pursuing. If things support their agenda it gets covered. If they don't then little or no reporting of the event is the result. Even when the event does not appear to contribute to the advancement of their agenda, they will try to make it do so by either reporting things as facts that are not entirely true or by omitting facts that don't support the storyline they are advancing.

The media also "tip-toed" around the concept that the killers might be "Islamic terrorists", going out of their way to point out that Islam is a "peaceful religion". Some tried to indicate that while the killers were indeed Islamic, their actions had nothing to do with their religion but were instead motivated by a workplace disagreement. It became difficult for them to stick with this storyline after it became known that the female killer had "sworn allegiance" to ISIS and then tried to delete this from her Internet history prior to the attack. When it was learned that a neighbor of the killers had become concerned about their actions prior to the attack, he stated he did not report it

sion, and Internet-related news outlets. As an example of this from the San Bernar- out of fear of being labeled a "racist"! I

Instead of reporting the news, most of the dino event, the media was quick to speculate wonder where this idea came from.

national media outlets treat news events as "entertainment" and use them as opportunities to increase their viewership and what they can charge sponsors for advertising time/space. Providing periodic updates would mean less "on-air" time for the various talking heads who are more "celebrities" than they are journalists these days--and

that the attack was carried out by some "domestic right-wing" individual/group. When the name(s) of those being sought by the police first came out--Middle Easternsounding names--the media did not report them "out of fear that it might cause an antiIslamic backlash". They were also very reluctant to state that it was a "terrorist at-

The media tries to skirt around the fact that Islam is a religious-based political ideology based on strict religious laws (Sharia). Never mind that those laws clearly conflict with other closely-held liberal concepts like women's rights, Gay rights, etc. Clearly "political correctness" has run amok!

who seem to get paid based on how much tack" preferring--hoping?--that it was When terrorism is carried out in the name of

time they are "on air". Besides, the media "workplace violence" instead. One national a religion, it is incumbent on the mem-

also does it to push an agenda, usually a reporter expressed frustration that after 2 bers--majority?--of that religion to vigor-

liberal political agenda as several surveys hours the police appeared to have no idea ously renounce it. When they remain silent,

have shown that most members of the na- who the killers were, where they were, or that implies concurrence with the action.

tional media support liberal political ideolo- what motivated them to carry out the attack. (Insert the sound of crickets chirping here!)

gies.

It wasn't always this way. A change occurred in the national media in the 1960's and 1970's with the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement. They changed from

Yet within a couple of more hours those same police had located and killed the individuals that had carried out the attack, ending the threat of additional attacks the two killers had planned to carry out.

The media and liberal politicians were quick to denounce calls to delay bringing Syrian refugees into the United States until it could be assured that none of them posed a security threat. It mattered little to them that

reporting the news to becoming advocates Almost immediately the national media U.S. intelligence officials testifying before

for a particular political agenda. The specif- joined the President in calling for more gun Congress stated that ISIS and other such

ic event that probably did more than any- control laws. The New York Times dedicated groups were trying to smuggle terrorists into

thing else occurred in early 1968 when Wal- their first front page editorial in 94 years to the U.S. as part of these refugee groups or

ter Cronkite (CBS-TV evening news anchor) the subject of gun control. Little did it mat- that national security officials could not

came back from reporting on the fighting in ter that the San Bernardino attack took place positively guarantee that terrorists would be

Vietnam very disillusioned with what he in a state (California) with some of the detected during routine background checks

saw. From that point on, his reporting be- strongest gun control laws in the United conducted prior to them being admitted.

came more "editorial" than it did pure re- States or that the guns used in the attack had Indeed, the President bragged about how

porting of facts. And once he did it, the rest all been legally obtained in compliance with the "vetting process" for immigrants from

of the media followed suit. Next came the that state's laws. The media supported the the Middle East would prevent terrorists

events surrounding the Nixon Administra- idea of prohibiting anyone on the "no fly from entering the U.S. If this was true, then

tion and the "Pentagon Papers" (1971) and list" from being able to obtain a firearm how was it that the female killer with ques-

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