The first thing that would happen in a world without the NRA is a massive power vacuum on the political front. Regardless of how you feel about the NRA, no other organization has the kind of lobbying infrastructure that NRA has. Yes, SAF and FPC are good at winning litigation, but lawsuits aren’t legislation, and the NRA knows how to get the sausage made. The other thing we lose at the political level is the ability to drive legislation at the state level. While some states have effective gun rights organizations, many states have benefited from the NRA’s state level lobbyists. If the NRA goes away, we lose access to that.
Off the political front, our losses would actually be even more damaging to the fabric of the shooting sports. In a world without the NRA we lose all these things:
Collegiate rifle and pistol shooting
The Camp Perry National Matches
Bianchi Cup
NRA Instructors
NRA Range Officer training
Eddie Eagle Gun Safety
NRA publications including American Rifleman and Shooting Illustrated
That’s just some of the stuff that we lose in a world without the NRA. To explain why that’s a bad thing, let’s look at the case of NRA Instructors. It’s kind of cool in professional shooting communities to laugh at the NRA Instructor certification, but it’s also one of VERY few nationally recognized instructor certifications. In many states, if you want to teach concealed carry classes you have to be a certified instructor, and the NRA cert accomplishes that. There are “NRA Instructors,” myself included who have never taught an NRA class, but use that cert to teach CCW courses. If NRA goes away, so do all those instructors, and suddenly it becomes harder for people to get their concealed carry permits.
We all know that the lawsuit to kill the NRA is politically motivated. We all at some point have been frustrated with the NRA as well; as a Life Member I especially want to see better, more accountable leadership. This makes it easy and tempting to say “f*** the NRA let them burn” – but the reality is that a world without the NRA isn’t one that the gun culture thrives in. And if you want to keep shooting, we need the NRA.
NEWINGTON, N.H., (August 6, 2020) – SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to announce the SIG SAUER CROSS Bolt-Action Rifle is now shipping and will be available in retail stores soon. Whether you’re hunting the steep terrain of mountains or densely forested hills, the CROSS delivers PRS performance, built for the backcountry hunter.
The SIG CROSS rifle is the first-ever true crossover bolt-action precision hunting rifle, engineered to meet the demands of today’s hunter. The SIG CROSS was designed and built, from concept to completion, at the SIG SAUER research and development facilities in New Hampshire with the input of the industry’s premier competitive shooters, some of the world’s best long-range shooters, and a team of professional hunters that the CROSS is built for.
The SIG SAUER CROSS features a precision free-floating stainless-steel barrel fitted to a one-piece aluminum receiver, with no need for bedding or action screws, to deliver extreme accuracy; an aluminum M-LOK™ handguard for quick and easy attachment of bipods, rails, night-vision or thermal clip-on optics; familiar AR-15 styled controls for a seamless transition to the CROSS platform; a unique two-stage match-grade trigger that can be adjusted from 2 to 4.5lbs, and AICS pattern magazines for the ultimate compatibility across calibers, platforms, cartridges, and loads.
The unique folding and locking precision stock of the CROSS offers toolless adjustment that can be modified for any shooting position while in the field. With folded stock the CROSS measures as short as 25” making it the ideal hunting rifle to fit in any backcountry backpack.
The SIG SAUER CROSS is available in .308 WIN and 6.5 Creedmoor with an 18” barrel, and the all-new 277 SIG Fury Hybrid cartridge with a 16” barrel.
About SIG SAUER, Inc. SIG SAUER, Inc. is a leading provider and manufacturer of firearms, electro-optics, ammunition, airguns, suppressors, and training. For over 150 years SIG SAUER, Inc. has evolved, and thrived, by blending American ingenuity, German engineering, and Swiss precision. Today, SIG SAUER is synonymous with industry-leading quality and innovation which has made it the brand of choice amongst the U.S. Military, the global defense community, law enforcement, competitive shooters, hunters, and responsible citizens. Additionally, SIG SAUER is the premier provider of elite firearms instruction and tactical training at the SIG SAUER Academy. Headquartered in Newington, New Hampshire, SIG SAUER has almost 2,000 employees across eight locations. For more information about the company and product line visit: sigsauer.com.
[Ed: Dr. Faria published this review first at Hacienda Publishing on July 27. Guns Save Lives is available at Amazon, etc.]
Once again author Robert A. Waters has performed a great service for true gun research adding to the chronicles of personal defense — and along the way, enhancing the cause of liberty. This book continues what he started in his best-seller, The Best Defense: True Stories of Intended Victims Who Defended Themselves with a Firearm (1998). In this newer tome, Waters establishes several axioms that are momentous not only in the annals of armed self-defense that he has almost singlehandedly established but also in the field of criminology.
When a criminal assailant, rapist or burglar is stopped by an armed citizen — countless neighbors and even distant targets, who were not even aware they were potential victims — are saved from injuries, robberies, rapes, their lives saved and property protected, without even knowing they were beneficiaries.
Waters recounts several cliffhangers that illustrate that point.
In one case a serial rapist was shot and killed by a college student who he had attempted to rape in her own bed. The predator had been terrorizing the community and had even been arrested and released several times. His death brought an end to his terrorism of young females both in the city as well as at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. After the rapist’s death, DNA results linked the assailant to four other rapes in the area. As Waters writes, serial rapists commit at least 20 rapes or sexual assaults before being captured, which means that this intended but intrepid victim, who fought back and turned the table on her assailant, “saved more than a dozen other women from being raped or murdered.”
In another case, a mass shooter was found to possess a list of victims he intended to shoot and kill, but he was prevented from carrying out his serialization of mass murder by an armed citizen. The lives of those fellow citizens and neighbors were saved because of the person who fought back and stopped the serial killer. Those good citizens and neighbors, some who may have been hoplophobic, would never know their lives were saved because of an armed good Samaritan.
In yet another case, an armed citizen who chose to protect his home and family stopped a trio of extremely dangerous criminals, specializing in violent home invasions. These criminals had performed more than two-dozen home invasions in Little Rock, Arkansas, over the previous 6 months. With the shooting and wounding of one thug and the apprehension of the other two criminals, the attacks stopped. Again, the citizen who stopped them saved the lives and property of dozens, if not hundreds, of potential victims, who were not even aware of the beneficence conferred on them by the citizen who had refused to become a victim.
Incidentally, this same case also shows that criminals can impersonate police officers during home invasions. After kicking in the front door of the apartment, the predators yelled, “Little Rock Police Department! Hit the Floor!” Because the intended victims fought back, despite this false warning, his life and that of his wife were saved. Citizens have a right to defend themselves when home invaders enter their home. One can never be sure that these intruders aren’t impersonating cops. This case proves it. Citizens may need to protect their homes and themselves from illegal cop “no knock” raids that may result in their deaths and those of loved ones. Armed defense is also a deterrent to tyranny.
Recently, the case of EMT Breonna Taylor and her boyfriend come to mind. They were subjected to a rogue police home invasion. Thinking they were subject to a home invasion, her boyfriend defended himself and fired his gun, wounding one of the cops. Ms. Taylor was wrongly killed. The cops have now been reprimanded but Taylor’s family, with good reason, is suing. Waters dedicates Chapter 5 to “Home Intrusions,” providing a plethora of useful tips on this topic.
In another chapter, Waters describes an encounter between a disturbed, would-be ninja warrior, who attacks and wounds a pawnshop owner with a samurai sword. Our hero, the shop owner, once again wins the contest, and in the process saves countless lives that were intended to be taken by the deranged assailant. Several other cases demonstrate that concealed-carry licensed holders invariably protect property and most importantly save lives.
Criminals, particularly serial rapists, are so used to getting away with their sexual crimes of sadism and control that a phrase of amusement recurs with numerous thugs when the intended victims fight back with firearms, “Why did you shoot me, bitch?” As expected, it requires and receives no answer.
Suffice to say, the tips in this book could save your life. And if you are one of those millions of new gun owners who bought your first firearm as a result of the coronavirus pandemic or the violent George Floyd riots — when the government demonstrated its inability to protect citizens or their homes and businesses — this book is essential reading.
All of these cases keep you at the edge of your seat. Once you pick up this book, you will not be able to put it down. Treat yourself to a good book. Get this book and read it. Besides being a pleasure to read, the information provided could help you defend your home, save your life — and the lives of those you love!
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— Miguel A. Faria, Jr., M.D. is a retired professor of Neurosurgery and Medical History at Mercer University School of Medicine. He founded Hacienda Publishing and is Associate Editor in Chief and World Affairs Editor of Surgical Neurology International. He served on the CDC’s Injury Research Grant Review Committee.
There are two more ways that social workers and other mental health professionals can assist police officers and their departments:
Community Mental Health Liaisons
“The Community Mental Health Liaison (CMHL) program is part of the Strengthening Mental Health Initiative. Thirty-one CMHLs work across the state [Missouri] to assist law enforcement and courts. The goal is to form better community partnerships between Community Behavioral Health Clinics, law enforcement, and courts to save valuable resources that might otherwise be expended on unnecessary jail, prison, and hospital stays and to improve outcomes for individuals with behavioral health issues. Liaisons also follow-up with Missourians referred to them in order to track progress and ensure success. Through the CMHL program, people with behavioral health issues who have frequent interaction with law enforcement and the courts will have improved access to behavioral health treatment.”
One-on-one psychotherapy to treat trauma in first responders
The experiencing of trauma among military personnel has been well publicized. If traumatic memories are untreated, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder may result. However, the vast majority of PTSD is among civilians who are exposed to traumatic events such as crime, accidents, and natural disasters. Less well publicized is the role of trauma and PTSD in first responders: police, fire, and EMS. Fortunately, in 1989 a psychotherapy technique known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing “was originally designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories.” Currently, many therapists specialize in treating traumatic events in first responders. The COVID-19 pandemic has added another layer of possible trauma, especially for emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. Crisis hotlines just for first responders have sprung up. In the author’s opinion, the main barrier remains the stigma of mental illness and seeking help for disturbing symptoms.
SUMMARY:
Police officers and social workers deal with many similar populations, and each profession works in its own way to alleviate human suffering. For over one century various models of collaboration have been successful. However, it is not necessary to “defund the police” to create liaisons with social workers. Particularly when it comes to the treatment of persons with mental illness, we as a society must ask hard questions about funding, treatment, and desired outcomes. What models here and in other countries have been successful? Second, we need more role models to self-disclose that seeking treatment is not a weakness, but rather a sign of strength.
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— Warren Lind is a retired licensed clinical social worker and a full-time security officer who writes extensively about crime, survival, and self-defense. He a long-time CCW holder and is a member of too many pro-2A organizations to list.
Small, compact revolvers are an excellent, and in this day and age, underrated choice for personal protection. Today in this Ruger LCRx 38 Special Review we’re taking a look at what makes this gun great for concealed carry.
I want to start the Ruger LCRx 38 Special review off by establishing one thing: small revolvers aren’t for everyone. They can be difficult to shoot, they’re hard to reload, and often have unpleasant recoil. But if you’re willing to put in the hours necessary to master the platform, it opens up a world of possibilities. Small revolvers conceal easier than any other gun, and can be used in some unique engagements where a traditional semi-auto would fail.
Once we establish that small, concealable revolvers can be useful, let’s get into the Ruger LCRx 38 Special Review. First up – the caliber. People have asked “why not get the 357 Magnum instead?” The best reason to not get the Magnum version is that there’s no point to a Magnum round out of a gun this small. The gain in terminal ballistics from 38 Special to 357 Magnum out of a gun this size is almost insignificant, but the increase in muzzle flash, noise, and recoil is considerable. Get the 38 Special, save a few bucks, and don’t kill your hands.
The best feature about the Ruger LCRx 38 Special is the trigger. Most factory revolver triggers need some kind of help to get them where they need to be, but not the LCR lineup. It is the best factory trigger on any current production revolver regardless of size or caliber. This particular gun breaks at 9 pounds double action, which is phenomenal, because it’s also reliable with any primer. Because this is the LCRx, it also has a single action mode, which has a nice trigger pull, and is also irrelevant. These guns were designed to be shot double action. In fact, my only complaint about this gun is that it isn’t double action only.
During the Ruger LCRx 38 Special review, I fired the gun through various action shooting drills, as well as for accuracy. The 3-inch barrel gives solid accuracy, and the adjustable sights are robust enough for concealed carry, while allowing you to zero the gun for your carry ammo of choice. That’s important, because most fixed sight carry guns are regulated for slow, heavy bullets. If you want to run something like the Treasury load, a 110 grain +p JHP, the gun won’t hit to the sights if you’re using a fixed sight model. But with the adjustable sights on the LCRx 3 inch, you can tune it to whatever round you desire.
I liked doing the Ruger LCRx 38 Special review. I carry this gun on a regular basis, and since I initially reviewed the gun, I’ve put quite a few more rounds on it. The only thing that’s changed is I’ve added some Crimson Trace laser grips. I would unquestionably recommend the LCRx 3 inch 38 Special to anyone looking for a lightweight and compact revolver that’s also easy to shoot well. It’s a great little gun.
You know you’ve made it when counterfeit, IP ignoring, mostly Chinese companies start ripping off your idea. Esstac is one such company. They produced the original shotgun card, and now if you search Amazon, all you’ll find are cards from companies of suspicious origins. Luckily, you can still find the OG Esstac cards directly from Esstac. These shotgun cards serve as a detachable side saddle for shotguns. That may have you asking, why should I choose Esstac shotgun cards over a rigid side-saddle?
Why a Card Versus Rigid Design?
Oh boy, am I glad you asked. The Esstac Shotgun Cards has a few benefits over rigid designs. Keep in mind I’m only testifying to the quality of Esstac cards; your mileage may vary with cheap crap.
First and foremost, these cards are universal in terms of shotgun applications. Most accessories in the shotgun world are limited to the Mossberg and Remington family of guns with a sprinkling of Benelli and Beretta stuff. Esstac shotgun cards fit whatever you need to toss them on.
Second, they can be removed and swapped quickly. Should you run an Esstac shotgun card dry, you can pull it off, and replace it with a backup. These backups can be carried in an M4 spare magazine pouch.
Thirdly, you can swap these between guns. If you own a multitude of shotguns, you can attach the same card to multiple firearms.
Lastly, there is no need to swap parts from inside your weapon. Many side saddles require you to replace bolts that slide through the receiver and latch the saddle to the gun. The issue this can cause is those bolts can get too tight and cause problems with the weapon cycling. This happened to me with a 930 side-saddle. You have to get them just right tightness wise to ensure reliable operation. Esstac cards require no such tuning.
Using the Esstac Cards
Installation is simple, but you need to ensure you get the right loop backing. The cards come with Hook, and Esstac sells the Loop as well. If you buy the cards from a different distributor, you may need to seek proper loop material to attach to your shotgun. Velcro brand industrial strength loop tape is my go-to. It’s super strong and sticks well. Make sure you degrease the receiver before attaching the loop side.
When you cut the Velcro to fit, make sure you go a little bigger than needed. This gives you a little room for forgiveness should you be a bit clumsy as you throw on a new side saddle in a hurry.
The Esstac cards have very tight elastic bands that make loading the carriers somewhat tricky. They are tight, tight, tight. They may leave you asking, will the elastic wear out? Can I leave them loaded? Well, I got good news and bad news. The bad news is that the elastic can wear out, but it will take a long time.
The good news is you can leave these loaded just like a magazine. The wear and tear and loss of elasticity come from loading and unloading them, so feel free to leave them loaded without worry.
The tight loops allow you to carry brass up or brass down or any mixture of both. These tight loops hold the shells well, and they won’t plop out while running and gunning, and as long as you aren’t a small child, you won’t have an issue drawing shells from them. The big pull tab hanging off the end makes it easy to rip them off the gun and draw them from magazine pouches.
Running and Gunning with the Esstac Shotgun Cards
The Esstac shotgun cards are robust and durable, with years of hard use ready for them. These shotgun cards are well made and made to last. I went with the 4 round models to reduce weight and to allow better balance on my scatterguns. They come in capacities ranging up to 7 rounds if you want to be a fat bottom girl.
The Esstac shotgun cards work best when you own more than one. I own three and have found them ideally suited in a few different pouches from Blue Force Gear. From their belt pouch to their chest rig, they accommodate shotgun cards perfectly. Squeeze ‘em in with the pull loop placed upwards and you can quickly snatch and draw a shotgun card to replace whatever is on your gun.
I also believe these are a great option if you need to switch between different shotgun shell load outs on your gun. A gun with breaching loads can swap to buckshot, or a weapon with buckshot can swap to slugs to respond to whatever situation lies in front of you. If you are like me and no longer a cool guy, you can keep them loaded with buckshot for side saddle reloads. However you choose to load them is up to you.
The Esstac shotgun cards are an affordable and near-universal solution to weapon-mounted shotgun ammo. The only better option I know off the top of my head is almost impossible to find and costs 150 bucks. The Esstac Shotgun cards are available in a variety of colors and sizes. If you are a shotgun nut like me, you can appreciate their versatility, quick detach capability, and the fact they come in Multicam. Check ‘em out here.
Boonville, MO – CMMG® spent years innovating the AR platform with the patented Radial Delayed Blowback operating system that has revolutionized the industry. The addition of the Mk17, chambered in 9mm, shows CMMG’s commitment to never settling. Accepting Sig Sauer™ M17™P320™ magazines, the Mk17 is available in both BANSHEE™ and RESOLUTE® configurations. Pair the BANSHEE or RESOLUTE with your existing M17/P320 and you have the convenience of magazine interchangeability.
Staying true to its innovative and industry-leading values, CMMG brings to market the Mk17 on the heels of the U.S. Army and Marine Corps adoption of the Sig Sauer M17/M18 service pistols. In November of 2019, Sig Sauer delivered its 100,000th M17/M18 handgun to the U.S. military and the number continues to rise. Those familiar with the platform now have a personal defense firearm (PDW) at their disposal. As hundreds of thousands of service members adopt a new pistol platform over the next 20-30 years, the CMMG Mk17 will be a great pairing to add to their arsenal.
For personal defense, the Mk17 is offered in the BANSHEE configuration of AR pistols and short-barreled rifles with various barrel lengths. For the competitive shooter, the Mk17 comes in CMMG’s RESOLUTE line of 16-inch barreled rifles.
The BANSHEE is offered as a pistol or short barreled rifle with barrel lengths of 5 inches or 8 inches, while RESOLUTE rifles comes with a 16 inch barrel. Both the BANSHEE and RESOLUTE feature Last Round Bolt Hold Open.
Each Mk17 ships with one 21-round magazine and a retail price ranging from $1,199.95 to $1,549.95 for the BANSHEE and $1,299.95 to $1,799.95 for the RESOLUTE (depending on series).
On all CMMG BANSHEE and RESOLUTE 300 Series firearms, consumers can choose from ten Cerakote colors at no additional cost. Both the 100 and 200 Series offer Cerakote for the complete firearm for an additional $150 per model.
For more information on the Mk17, please visit CMMGinc.com/Mk17.
CMMG Guarantee:
All CMMG products are covered under the CMMG Lifetime Quality Guarantee. Conditioned on being a Limited Warranty of use, maintenance, and cleaning of the product in accordance with CMMG, Inc.’s instructions to be free of defects in material and workmanship. CMMG will repair, replace or substitute part(s) as determined in the sole and absolute discretion of CMMG Inc at no charge to the purchaser or provider. Complete limited warranty information can be found at CMMGinc.com/tech-support
About CMMG:
CMMG began in central Missouri in 2002 and quickly developed into a full-time business because of its group of knowledgeable and passionate firearms enthusiasts committed to quality and service. Its reputation was built on attention to detail, cutting edge innovation and the superior craftsmanship that comes from sourcing all their own parts. By offering high quality AR rifles, parts and accessories, CMMG’s commitment to top-quality products and professional service is as deep today as it was when it began. For more information, visit CMMGinc.com
The Misfit Toy Society (MTS) podcast, founded by a a preacher and gun toter by the name of Duke Krieger. Instantaneously, just that concept draws our attention. Why? Because it’s different and it already gives those within the firearms community a sense of relation and future growth.
The Misfits
An island of misfit men and women that a “risk of life and violence of action is an everyday part of their vocation and calling“, as Duke puts it. How can anyone within the faith community, who are best friends with God, be able to relate to us? People who are so rough, and raw, and broken?
That’s the whole point of this podcast. Within this very volatile industry there are many good people who can help each other find happiness and as Duke likes to put it, go “All in, All the time”.
The Shepherd
Duke the man behind the Podcast is a Founder and Pastor for Life of Faith Family Church. He has been within the tactical firearms community since 2007. Just like the Misfits, he has gone through the troubles of addiction, pain, and unhappiness. He realized that his hobbies, guns, the people within the industry, can’t fix the hole in his heart that he had. He then decided one day to go all in and start his relationship with God.
Duke Krieger MTS founder
The Apostle Paul is someone that Duke brought up during our conversation. Saint Paul is known for teaching the gospel of Christ to those who would not normally be exposed to it. Duke found happiness through this, and he wants to share it, expose people to the joy. Just like a GrandMaster of USPSA. You don’t have to be a GrandMaster to listen and learn. But a GrandMaster can teach and share his techniques.
“Duke Krieger is joined by Buck Thomas, Marine, PMC and Outdoorsman, as they discuss getting started in enjoying friendship with God. Join them as they candidly discuss their lives and what they’ve encountered in this new way of living.”
Buck Thomas
This conversations are just that, a conversation. With those who can relate to the Misfits. Duke talks on going through the same very troubles that Buck Thomas did and finding happiness. They also talk on the standard mountain man things, firearms, and hunting. It is a conversation with two people who found a mutual best friend, God.
ROI
Return of Investment. Let’s say that you are trying to get better at your handgun handling. So you go to the range and go through about an hour of firing at steel. You aren’t using any drills, you aren’t practicing on what you know that you aren’t strong on. You are literally just spending an hour of your day shooting ammo and hearing steel ring…sometimes. What will you get on that return? Not much.
These podcasts revolve around ROI. Can you give 15 minutes? An hour? You can then turn on a podcast and “go to the range/go to church“. It is a way to start that shift in your mind to Christ. It isn’t forced, it’s on your terms. They are conversations about Misfits. Misfits that figured out how to fill that hole. Invest your mind and heart, and you will get the return…Go all in with Christ..and you will get the return of utter happiness and a best friend.
“The Island” showing resources being dropped to those in need
Within the website are also training courses. Duke talks on bible verses and relations with God. ROI. You taking 13 minutes to listen to a training course, you will get another outlook and way to relate to God. You will be able to be “fed all week”.– Duke Krieger
During this conversation I asked Duke a question, “do you think that doing this will be a hard thing to get across the firearms community?” Immediately he answered, “no.” There are many good people within this community. Many people that are very committed to growing each day.
Guests on MTS so far
Buck Thomas: Former Marine and Outdoorsman
Will: @give_war_a_chance, retired Army veteran and Warrior’s Heart alumnus
Darryl Bolke of @dbshootingadventures, highly respected lawman, gunfighter, shooting instructor and medically retired cop
Exposure is a large thing when being comfortable with something. They use these techniques in a lot of beginner firearm courses. Nervous around a Glock? Let’s take it apart and know what every little piece does. Nervous around Christ? Let’s learn about him. Let’s open that book.
It’s Tuesday and I don’t want to internet today. I am very busy on the personal side of the house since I am moving into a new house, a process that has been hit with delay after delay after delay. But it is finally happening!
Unless it gets delayed.
But anyway. The rumblings of the internet are many right now but with nothing very concrete in gun circles. Stuff is happening, people are developing the shiny things, but we are in a moderate interim on the development side because everything that currently exists cannot be produced fast enough for commercial demand.
So instead of pointing out something wizzbang new and neat today, I post Gun Meme Review with Brandon Herrera.
FEATURING GRAND MASTER JAY!
Yes, that Grand Master Jay. The NFAC leader who just titled himself Grand Master, who called a conventional AR type rifle a Bullpup “because this bitch got kick”, and whose in depth knowledge or firearms is so vast he believes that the AR fires when the bolt closes.
[Hint: It doesn’t, even if the safety is off and you are squeezing the trigger it does not fire. The disconnector will continue to hold the hammer when the bolt moves forward just as if it was cycling normally. These weapons are called dropsafe for a list of reasons.]
There are four ways that social workers and other mental health professionals have been helping police officers/departments for a long time.[Ed: Part 1 can be found here.] This article will explore two methods.
Crisis Intervention Training (CIT)
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training, developed in Memphis TN, provides a model of specialized law enforcement expertise. Volunteer officers, based in the general patrol division, work in cooperation with the mental health system, individuals in crises, and families. Trained CIT Police officers carry on the normal duties of law enforcement, but switch to a specialist role when a potential mental health-related crisis is identified.
CIT focuses on de-escalation strategies, and redirecting the individual from the criminal justice system to the mental health care system. In turn, the mental health care system assumes “custody” of the individual, and provides directed and non-restrictive accessibility to a full range of health care and social service options.
How Does CIT Work?
Selected/volunteer police officers and other first responders take part in a 5-day, 40-hour training program. The program includes mental health and substance use experts, legal experts, consumer/family advocates, and experienced CIT officers. Once trained CIT officers are in place, high-risk crisis calls are directed to an on-duty CIT officer.
The CIT officer leads a police-based crisis intervention of generalist officers. The CIT officer, employing a de-escalation intervention strategy, may access ACI crisis services, or transport the individual to a partnered hospital emergency room.
The mental health system assumes “custody” and provides a “police-friendly” efficient rturnaround time for the officer to return to normal patrol duties.
What Is “More Than Just Training”?
Training is more than a “one-shot” deal. Several times a year, officers meet for debriefing meetings and in-service trainings to problem solve tactical issues, discuss different experiences and scenarios they have encountered, and participate in advanced training. This allows officers a chance to reinforce and sharpen their skills, address new problems, and build cohesiveness.
[From the Missouri CIT Council. This website contains considerably more information than can be published here.]
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD)
“Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) is a specific, 7-phase, small group, supportive crisis intervention process. It is just one of the many crisis intervention techniques which are included under the umbrella of a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) program. The CISD process does not constitute any form of psychotherapy and it should never be utilized as a substitute for psychotherapy. It is simply a supportive, crisis-focused discussion of a traumatic event (which is frequently called a “critical incident”). The Critical Incident Stress Debriefing was developed exclusively for small, homogeneous groups who have encountered a powerful traumatic event. It aims at reduction of distress and a restoration of group cohesion and unit performance.
“A Critical Incident Stress Debriefing can best be described as a psycho-educational small group process. In other words, it is a structured group story-telling process combined with practical information to normalize group member reactions to a critical incident and facilitate their recovery. A CISD is only used in the aftermath of a significant traumatic event that has generated strong reactions in the personnel from a particular homogeneous group. The selection of a CISD as a crisis intervention tool means that a traumatic event has occurred and the group members’ usual coping methods have been overwhelmed and the personnel are exhibiting signs of considerable distress, impairment or dysfunction.” [From Jeffrey T. Mitchell, PhD at the University of Maryland.]
CISD can be utilized with police, fire, and EMS personnel whenever there is a serious injury or death to a first responder. In some departments this is mandatory. CISD has been shown to “derail” the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
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— Warren Lind is a retired licensed clinical social worker and a full-time security officer who writes extensively about crime, survival, and self-defense. He a long-time CCW holder and is a member of too many pro-2A organizations to list.
This is one of the most interesting videos yet from 9-Hole Reviews (who are approaching 200k subscribers, so let’s help get them there especially if you aren’t subscribed already) and not because the AK-103 is some legendarily, groundbreakingly, radically new rifle. It wasn’t the rifle itself, it was the process of making it.
The AK-100 series is the fighting rifle meets a giant manufacture/export demand, taking everything they had learned from the original AK-47 through the AK-74M. While not changing the core of what the AK rifles are, as full stroke piston, stamped receiver, forged trunnion construction, the 100 series standardizes as many parts for as many models as feasible.
Meaning that a bare minimum number of parts need to be changed out on a workbench in order to build a different model of the AK-100 series. Barrels, bolt heads, pistons, gas blocks, and sight bases. Receivers, trigger groups, stocks, and the like all stay the same.
The AK-103 is fine example of a simple modernized AK in the same way many companies have come out with very streamlined, simple, functional AR’s. But it’s genius, still helmed by Mikhail Kalashnikov, was in its streamlined manufacturing. It was an ultimate expression of Russian arms exportation to nations needing to run a very simple to make rifle. The rifle could still be easily built for the native ammunition supply of choice too.
As to the 103 itself, the rifle benefits from many of the parallel product improvements that we saw come to M4. They front loaded all the things they had found could make the AK run better or be built quicker and more cost effectively and implemented them all into the whole line. The 103 is like the AR-15 after mid-length gas systems, QPQ nitride, closer tolerance finishing, M4 feed ramps, H1 buffers, and the like all improved the AR incrementally.
It sits as a simple yet modern turn of the century standard for a well storied rifle series. But enough from me, enjoy the video.
If there is one trend that drives the gun business, it’s people who want to know what gun is “best” for thing xyz. The truth is that if you’re buying from a reputable manufacturer, most guns are pretty equal. But, if you’re looking for a jumping-off point and have 90 seconds to spare, here’s my list of the five best guns for concealed carry.
5. Any midsize 9mm polymer gun: Glock 19, HK VP9, Sig P320, Beretta APX, Walther PPQ We live in a golden age of 9mm handguns. All the major brands make a mid-sized handgun suitable for concealed carry with the right holster. It doesn’t matter which one, because they’re all designed to do the same thing: hold 15-17 rounds of 9mm, have a 5ish pound trigger pull, shoot decent groups at 25 meters, and be reliable. You could toss all the guns listed in a bag and tell me I had to carry one for the rest of my life and I wouldn’t care what I pulled out, because they’re all largely the same.
4. Shield EZ 380 The reason the Shield EZ 380 makes the list of the five best guns for concealed carry is because it’s designed to be…well, it’s designed to be easy to use. The slide is intentionally engineered to be easy to move to the rear, and because it’s chambered in 380 ACP it’s also pleasant to shoot. It’s basically the perfect gun for someone who might lack the hand strength to rack a slide and the dedication to get good at shooting a revolver.
3. Sig P365/XL The Sig entrants on this list are great guns. The P365 was the first gun to challenge the Glock 43 and M&P Shield’s domination of the “compact carry gun” market, and it did it by making a 10 round gun that was the same size as guns that held 7 or 8 rounds. Everyone loves more capacity, and the Sig P365 delivered. I consider the XL part of the P365 lineup, and I actually prefer it to the regular gun, because I like guns with longer slides. Longer slide = more sight radius = easier to shoot well. The P365 belongs on a list of the five best guns for concealed carry.
2. Ruger LCR The lone revolver on our list, the Ruger LCR earned its place here by being the best straight-from-the-factory small frame revolver on the market. The trigger on any LCR is light years better than the triggers on the small guns from the competition, and somehow Ruger managed to make the LCR almost as hard to kill as the legendarily tough SP101. Sure, revolvers give up a lot to semi-autos in terms of capacity and shootability, but for a deep concealment gun or a gun for a specific purpose, it’s hard to beat a wheelgun, and the LCR is the best.
1. Glock 43x/48 Rounding out the top of our list of the five best guns for concealed carry you have, what is the king of the crop: the Glock 43x and Glock 48. When Sig dropped the P365, Glock was quick to fire back with the 43x and 48. Thanks to the huge aftermarket for Glock pistols, these make the #1 spot on our list. In fact, these guns are so good they’ve almost erased the market for the Glock 26, which used to be the darling of concealed carry.
The truth is that you could make an argument for any of the guns on our list of the five best guns for concealed carry as the “best” – this list is designed to serve as a starting point for your research. If you disagree with our selections, great! Get to the range and do some shooting and find out what you believe the best gun is. Regardless, one thing is true: this is the golden age of concealed carry guns.
Hello all, it’s your main man Jase, and I am back with another piece of writing to entertain your Covid brains with… if you want to. Today I’d like to tell y’all about one of my sponsors, Midwest Industries.
For those of you who don’t know, Midwest Industries is an American firearms and parts manufacturer located in Wisconsin. They manufacture parts for everything from your standard AR-15 down to your trusty Lever Action or your old faithful Ruger 10-22 We’ll get more into that juicy stuff in a bit.
Midwest Industries was established in 2003 with the goal of making high quality American Made products at an affordable price. I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Troy Storch (Midwest Industries President/ CEO) and some of his staff during SHOT Show 2019. Having Sponsors is cool, but having Sponsors who you have met in person and had an actual conversation with is so much cooler.
Thankfully the entire MI crew are awesome people. Not only did I have a great chance to meet with them but also got some personal time to learn a bit more about the MI line of products. I look forward to crossing paths in person with everyone from the MI crew again.
My MI Experience and Rifle:
A little while after I first got into competition shooting I was put in touch with the fine folks at Midwest Industries as a potential rifle sponsor. I’m very grateful my friend Steve Fisher of Sentinel Concepts made the introduction.
Three years and roughly 16,000 rounds later, my rifle and my respect for MI are more solidified than ever. My rifle is a MI-FLW18CRM17XR (unfortunately not listed, but the one linked just sports a slightly shorter handguard). It has an 18” barrel chambered in .223 Wylde. It’s got a 17.5in MLOK rail (MI-CRM17XR) which is actually my favorite thing about the rifle. The 17.5in rail has a V-cut on the sides to allow the muzzle brake to do its job while also giving you a full length rail system. This not only is aesthetically pleasing, but is also beneficial while running competitions due to the security I feel when throwing my gun into the dump barrel.
Aside from my rail, the greatest thing about the MI rifle is that it just plain runs. It runs fast, it runs smoothly and it runs accurately. I’ve only ever had one issue with this rifle. A few years ago I had a gassing problem with my rifle (to no fault of MI, it was an ‘at home armorer’ issue. My bad!).
Not only did they fix my gas block, but their armorers also gave my rifle a full tune up, to include an improved set of back up iron sights and a replacement of all parts that could have been worn at that current round count.
Best of all, and something I think speaks volumes about their Customer Service, is that the total turnaround time felt non-existent. With my competition gun down for maintenance, I only had to use my Training rifle for one 3-Gun match. Out the door and back home in less than 10 days… the fine folks at MI take care of you, making it a priority and that makes for happy customers. That was the one and only issue my MI rifle has ever had.
What is my Training Rifle you might ask?
She’s a Franken Gun built with parts from a lot of top notch firearms/ component companies (this article isn’t about them so they will remain unnamed) and a Midwest Industries (MI-SLH12.625) Rail. For 3-Gun and Multigun I train with my Competition rifle, but my travel/ training gun is different.
This gun has seen training with Steve Fisher, Dan Brokos, Jared Reston, Chuck Pressburg and Bill Blowers amongst others… It’s travelled from WA to San Diego, CA to FOP in Alliance, OH, all the way to The Ranch in Eagle Lake, TX. If I’m taking a class on tactical shooting fundamentals or advance firearms work, the Franken Gun is my go to because I’m not trying to beat the hell out of my Competition rifle.
To this day my Midwest Competition rifle is still the most accurate AR platform in my safe. The only thing that I changed to the parts was a Geiselle SSA-E trigger, and I think that upgrade explains itself. Throw on a Vortex Viper PST GenII, a Radian Raptor Charging handle and an Arisaka fingerstop you have yourself a rifle worth competing with. Maybe add a Lead Faucet Tactical sling from time to time when stages get extra funky.
Unique Lever Gun… Ruger… PCC Upgrades
Now let’s talk about lever action rifles. You may be envisioning that classic look of sleek metal and wood furniture with a leather sling hanging off a cowboy’s shoulder. Just a man and his gun ready to take on the world.
While that is one depiction, and certainly not a bad one, there is another picture I’d like to paint. The modern cowboy who still has his trusty lever action, but now has an Aimpoint on it, and an MLOK rail, maybe a light and a hand stop, as well as a sturdy 2-point adjustable sling. The modern cowboy with his modern Lever Gun. What a great mental image, right?
Well that picture can become reality with Midwest Industries Lever Gun upgrades. Turn your Henry or your Marlin from a classic yet plain old lever gun into a badass modern day lever action blaster that your friends and family can drool over. MLOK handguards, top rails, and optic mounts to give it a truly functional and modern piece.
Maybe you’re less about the cowboys and more about the modern sub gun life… Midwest has that too. Whether you’ve got a Ruger PC-9, or a CZ Scorpion, or maybe even a Kel Tec sub-2000, Midwest has the PCC parts for you. Obviously cool points count when you are modifying a rifle, but practical cool points count much more. Taking the capabilities of the PCC platform and having the ability to change its form and function via Midwest Industries upgrades is a mighty cool thing.
And while we are on the topic of cool upgrades for the blasters in your collection, let’s not forget about the American gun owner’s staple, the Ruger 10-22. Midwest Industries has taken a classic and given shooters the ability to upgrade it with everything from dedicated optic mounts to MLOK rails and even a new chassis. Best of all these upgrades are available for both standard rifles and the Ruger 10-22 TakeDown.
So why should you buy Midwest Industries?
Covid-19 has given many Americans lots of free time (and stimulus checks). My dad and I spent a bunch of it dumpster diving in our parts bins and building out guns and I’m sure many of you readers did as well.
Whether it’s a brand new build you put together, a new purchase that needs modifying, just a rifle that needs those finishing touches, or an upgrade on outdated technology, Midwest Industries probably has the parts you need and most certainly has the parts you want.
Personally I wouldn’t mind picking up an MI-PC9PKG12 for a Ruger PC-9 or even an MI-MARMR for a Marlin Lever Gun in the near future. And of course some MI-CRLW-15’s for the Covid builds.
Their customer service is above excellent, and the people at MI are just solid humans. Having Midwest Industries as a sponsor has been awesome. As a shooter, I have been more than happy with MI firearms/ parts/ customer service, and I think you as proud American gun owners will be too!
[Ed: Given the talk about replacing some functions of police with social work interventions, DRGO turned to our expert on the subject, Warren Lind, LCSW.]
One of the many suggestions (or demands) coming out of the current political upheaval is to put more social workers in police departments. In my long career in social work from 1971 to 2018, I was twice a police social worker. This concept dates back to the early 1900’s. Unfortunately, few of the nation’s 13,000 police departments utilize social workers.
“Issues in implementing police social work within police departments:
Employing police social workers within police departments raises numerous issues that need to be considered. These issues include, but are not limited to: (1) securing and maintaining funding for sustainability; (2) the influence of civil service regulations that direct local government agencies such as police departments to require a MSW/BSW or an academic degree in a related field in addition to relevant experience; (3) police officers’ concerns about the safety of civilians; (4) the influence of police unions and perceptions that police officers are being replaced by social workers or that social workers are performing police functions; (5) police social work training and appropriate supervision; (6) the use of equipment such as police radios and unmarked police departmental vehicles by civilians; and (7) where to position police social workers within the various police department units.” Excerpted from Police Social Work, A Unique Area of Practice Arising from Law Enforcement Functions, George T. Patterson, Ph.D., ACSW, LCSW-R, Assistant Professor, Hunter College School of Social Work, July 2008.
Is there a culture clash between police officers and social workers?
Social workers are often portrayed as being very liberal, whereas police are portrayed as being very conservative, but the truth lies somewhere in between. In my experience social workers tend to gravitate to fields of practice that fit their personality. Police social workers must have a very “take charge” attitude. Police social work consists of rapid assessment, crisis intervention, and short-term intensive case management, not long-term psychotherapy. Having a dark sense of humor helps; all professions have their own ‘inside humor’.
One example: I was once called to assist officers with a mentally ill man. After the ambulance took him away, his dog jumped from the second-floor balcony to the ground and continued running; I remarked to the officers: “Dog attempts suicide by jumping”, which got a hearty laugh.
And there needs to be time for socializing so that the LEOs and social workers can get to know each other as people, and break down barriers and stereotypes. In my experience, picnics, food, and (in moderation) alcohol can help.
How social workers can help police officers:
One study (1985) found that 26 percent of the calls to the 911 dispatcher were for general advice and information and 22 percent were related to victim needs. Once the scene is secure, the LEO can turn the problem over to the social worker and leave.
Some of the problems that social workers can deal with include homelessness, elderly issues (Alzheimer’s Disease, etc.), family and neighbor conflicts, drug/alcohol abuse, and crime victimization. Police are often called to the same address over and over again to deal with the same “frequent flyer”, often a mentally ill person. The sad fact is that the mental health system in most states is broken, and jails/prisons have become the new “treatment centers”, warehousing persons in dire need of professional treatment.
Fact: there are 10 times as many mentally ill persons in prisons and jails than there are in psychiatric hospitals. Having a social worker can both reduce police burnout and give them more time to deal with actual crimes.
True story: I was sent to an address by police dispatch to assist an officer with a dispute between a young mentally ill man and his mother. Upon arriving at the address, I heard a loud voice from the backyard, and assumed it was the client. But upon rounding the corner of the house, I saw the police officer standing about one foot from the “suspect”, and reading him the “riot act” about how he was treating his mother.
After the lecture concluded, I asked the officer what was going on; he took me aside and told me that he had lost his temper. He and I shared the same values about how parents should be treated, but we had different ways of handling our tempers.
The next two articles will cover four more ways that social workers (and other mental health professionals) are already assisting police officers:
Crisis Intervention Training
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing
Community Mental Health Liaisons
One-on-one psychotherapy to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Resources:
In Illinois there is the Association of Police Social Workers. (According to Dr. Patterson’s article, Illinois and Wisconsin are the leading states for employment of police social workers.)
— Warren Lind is a retired licensed clinical social worker and a full-time security officer who writes extensively about crime, survival, and self-defense. He a long-time CCW holder and is a member of too many pro-2A organizations to list.
Everyone knows that 9mm is the best round for self defense, and we all also know that 40 S&W is good, 357 Magnum is good, etc. But what are rounds that are good, but we maybe don’t acknowledge? Here are the five most underrated self defense rounds.
5. 10mm I know what you’re saying, how is 10mm one of the five most underrated self defense rounds? 10mm is awesome! You’re right, 10mm is awesome, but it’s sort of under appreciated. The existence of 40 S&W has relegated 10mm to a specialty cartridge for people worried about dangerous animals, but it still excels at its original purpose – stopping bad people from doing bad things.
4. 22 Magnum The best thing about 22 Magnum is that it’s awesome. In all seriousness, the little 22 Magnum revolvers like the 351PD or more common 351C are fantastic, because they hold 7 rounds. That’s…more than you get in a 38 Special j-frame, and more rounds is always good. The only drawback to 22 Magnum is that it’s a rimfire round, so the triggers are a little heavy and the round is technically less reliable than a centerfire round.
3. 38 Special 148 grain Wadcutter This is a specific round, and it doesn’t apply to all 38 Special. Just 148 grain wadcutters, because they’re easy to shoot, have low recoil, almost always hit to the sights, and will absolutely meet the FBI’s penetration standards. There’s a reason they’re on the five most underrated self defense rounds, and that’s because in the era of hi-cap 9mm pistols, we have forgotten some of the old ways. Back in the day, squared away dudes were loading these into their little wheelguns for serious work.
2. 32 ACP If we accept that the FBI is correct and penetration is the most important handgun wounding criteria, then suddenly the 32 ACP makes a lot of sense. In fact, it makes more sense than 380 ACP, especially in similar sized packages. The 32 ACP holds more rounds, is easier to shoot out of tiny mouseguns, and again – it meets that penetration standard.
1. 32 Magnum This is a bit of a wheelgun specific choice, but man is the 32 Magnum one of the five most underrated self defense rounds. It does everything you can do with a 38 Special in a little gun, but gives shooters that critical 6th shot, and in some newer guns even a 7th round. More capacity is always a good thing, and squeezing those extra rounds into very small self defense guns is a great idea.
So how many of our rounds do you have? Do you think I missed one?
