Six Things You Should Know Before Carrying a Gun

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I hate "post & runs" without any explanations why you think this is a good list.

Why isn't the "4 Rules" the first thing on that list?

Rather than going on a Paleolithic Diet or learning Basic Tactical Medicine, I think your list needs to be revised.
 
The key thing to realize is that doing so gives false sense of security.
 
Common sense.

If you need someone else to *tell* you common sense, you shouldn't even consider carrying a gun.

I guess even bloggers need filler material from time to time.
 
"consider the Paleolithic diet"

In those days - it probably included eating the folks you killed.
 
If you were to ask several newbies to personal protection to write down all of the "common sense" things they could think of that pertain to carrying a gun, how many of those ideas do you think they would list?
 
The key thing to realize is that doing so gives false sense of security.
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It CAN, if your mindset is wrong. So this is phrased badly. But much of the same sentiment is delivered by the more useful maxim that one must not go any place, with anyone, to do anything, while armed, that they should or would not do when UNarmed. The gun isn't there to give you courage.
 
"Common sense" is a broad term. Think about how the antis distort it because of its vagueness.
 
I saw Kelly McCann mentioned in that article. Kelly and his instructors put on some of the best training I've ever received, especially unarmed skills. I'll second that aspect of the list. The rest is a bit of common sense, but there's nothing wrong with putting it out there for new shooters, or reminding the experienced ones from time to time.
 
Just a tad too simplistic...
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Man, say who response you are referring to. If it was Sam's, write ^^^^^ before your post; otherwise quote what you are referring to.
 
what list? seems the OP made a drive by posting. anyone care to elaborate or give opinions on anything?
 
anyone care to elaborate or give opinions on anything?
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Yes.

Not a bad list.

Not a great one, but worth looking at.

A better list might include the safety rules, as CWL pointed out.. Already in it.

I agree with the suggestion to read Branca's book, but I emphatically disagree with the recommendation to consider the use of force laws the "rules of engagement" unless the reader understands that the laws really all say that force may only be used to the extent to which there is basis for a reasonable belief that such use is immediately necessary.

In more depth: someone comes into your kitchen by breaking the door. In most jurisdictions you probably "can" shoot. But if you can safely get out without leaving someone behind, should you shoot?

An while I am not a nutritionist, I do not think a strict Paleolithic diet is a good idea.

"Basic tactical medicine?" Ignore it at your own risk.

And add Sam's advice.
 
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So you took a basic gun safety class or one of those hokey $19.95 online “Get Your Permit in 30 minutes or less!” courses, now what else do you need to know besides the NRA 3 Rules of Gun Safety or Jeff Cooper’s 4 Rules of Gun Safety?
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I can't be the only one that read the intro.
 
"Common sense" is a broad term.
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Of course it is. The definition of common means belonging equally to all those involved. Jeff Cooper's four basic rules of gun safety might be thought of by some as common sense, but in reality they are disciplines. Those disciplines contribute to safety which is one of the elements of what we gun enthusiasts consider common sense.

And to ride my high horse a little further, disciplines are not something you master, they are something you practice. Mastery involves a point of achievement; practice has no end.
Think about how the antis distort it because of its vagueness.
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I would argue that antis don't distort common sense, they just come up with something they are passionate about and try to make everyone think it IS common sense. Most of it is emotionally based and appeals more to idealism and symbolism than it does to reality and substance.

Lou
 
I can't be the only one that read the intro.
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HAH!

Good one.

I read it.

So...what is it that caused me to forget it, and to opine on the basis of someone else's comment?

I studied about numerous psychological theories in college fifty years ago, but I can't name one that would apply.

Perhaps GEM can help.
 
What is "pepper gas"?.....

I agree with a few of the remarks but not all of them are practical or realistic.
I don't carry pepper gas. :confused:
I do carry OC spray, right now I'm rocking a Mk IV size Vexor micro-spin in a Bianchi-Intl Accu-Mold plain case; tip, good prices at www.copsplus.com ;) .
I also have some Mean Green(Mark III/1.8 oz size) in a a older nylon Blackhawk, www.blackhawk.com holder.
I wanted the new Sabre Green Centerfire Mk IV size but alas, they aren't on the market for consumers, only sworn LE, military & bulk purchase. :(
The Vexor OC is potent & use by many corrections & LE units. I would advise against the yellow "safety" type containers & just buy the standard flip-top. The safety lever is slow and awkward to use. With gloves or under stress/combat it would be even worse. :eek:

I would also suggest a second non-lethal weapon like a Taser(C2) or a Mk III OC spray to carry since as stated, not every problem is a gun problem.
It's unlikely most armed citizens or CCW license holders will walk around like a SWAT cop or Inspector Gadget. :rolleyes:

Eating right & being fit is also great advice but not really a choice for many.
Unless you have the resources(time, $, transportation, access to stores/markets/gyms) you can't always be an ideal weight or in the best shape.
I will say wellness or fitness are important not just to CCW license holders but armed professionals.
Training is important too. Classes and cadre can help new gun owners lean the basics.

Rusty
 
Good Heavens, I think I just better stay home. I didn't realize I needed to take a graduate level course just to survive a trip to the grocery.

I do agree that having some situational awareness is good, and knowing the laws is vital, and being able to shoot is a plus. What I have trouble with is the mindset that 90% of my time/effort needs to go into preparing for disaster. If I were as 'operator' as the internet seems to think I should be then I wouldn't have much time left to live the life I'm training so hard to preserve.

I would also suggest a second non-lethal weapon like a Taser(C2) or a Mk III OC spray to carry since as stated, not every problem is a gun problem.
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I 100% agree that every problem isn't a gun problem, but I'm not a cop nor am I Batman. When it's 95 degrees and 90% humidity I can't wear a trenchcoat or a utility belt to carry all this hardware. There's only so much stuff I can fit in my pockets so I have to choose based on the worst case scenario---and the worst case most assuredly IS a gun problem.

Maybe I could find room for two extra pieces of hardware in the dead of winter, but not today.
 
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Elkins45 said:
Good Heavens, I think I just better stay home. I didn't realize I needed to take a graduate level course just to survive a trip to the grocery.

I do agree that having some situational awareness is good, and knowing the laws is vital, and being able to shoot is a plus. What I have trouble with is the mindset that 90% of my time/effort needs to go into preparing for disaster. If I were as 'operator' as the internet seems to think I should be then I wouldn't have much time left to live the life I'm training so hard to preserve.
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A handful of books is "graduate level" and what I would consider the bare minimum for training takes up 90% of your time and effort? Being prepared doesn't take that much time or effort, and if someone isn't willing to put in the work, they probably shouldn't be carrying in the first place. There are some that spend way too much time preparing for things that are not likely to ever happen, but I don't think that's what's being advocated here.
 
A handful of books is "graduate level" and what I would consider the bare minimum for training takes up 90% of your time and effort? Being prepared doesn't take that much time or effort, and if someone isn't willing to put in the work, they probably shouldn't be carrying in the first place. There are some that spend way too much time preparing for things that are not likely to ever happen, but I don't think that's what's being advocated here.
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Exactly! Otherwise you end up like this.

worstcarryrig.jpg
 
Elkins45 said:
Good Heavens, I think I just better stay home. I didn't realize I needed to take a graduate level course just to survive a trip to the grocery.

I do agree that having some situational awareness is good, and knowing the laws is vital, and being able to shoot is a plus. What I have trouble with is the mindset that 90% of my time/effort needs to go into preparing for disaster. If I were as 'operator' as the internet seems to think I should be then I wouldn't have much time left to live the life I'm training so hard to preserve.



I 100% agree that every problem isn't a gun problem, but I'm not a cop nor am I Batman. When it's 95 degrees and 90% humidity I can't wear a trenchcoat or a utility belt to carry all this hardware. There's only so much stuff I can fit in my pockets so I have to choose based on the worst case scenario---and the worst case most assuredly IS a gun problem.

Maybe I could find room for two extra pieces of hardware in the dead of winter, but not today.
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Exactly!

You’re not alone by any means. No reasonably intelligent person needs to attend a class in order to effectively defend themselves, and fewer need some of the “tactical” classes I see mentioned so often.

Apparently I’m on borrowed time because….

• I haven’t had tactical training on how to effectively defend myself against multiple perpetrators.
• My shotgun only holds six shells and someone heard of a guy who knew someone who had read something about seven perpetrators invading a home somewhere.
• My diet includes too many carbs.
• My reload time is two seconds- 1½ seconds too long to survive an armed encounter.

Of course, common sense says that 99.98% of the time no home invader is going to keep coming after taking a single blast from a shotgun- even if you miss, or that a mugger will feel his life is so disposable it’s worth risking it to try to take your OC handgun, or that historically a self-defender will never need to reload….

That’s not to say you don’t need to be prepared, but temper your preparedness with some real reality- not the internet or Hollywood kind.
 
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