It’s one thing to hit a single, easily detected, close-range target in daylight with a single, moderately accurate shot, from a stable firing position, when not in a hurry. But change those conditions, presenting challenges common in defensive situations, and it’s a different proposition altogether.
Seen or unseen, knives are all around us. Peace officers and private citizens alike carry a blade as a back-up self-defense tool; some even seek training in their use. Considering the blade culture of the criminal world, it seems logical that those of the tactical persuasion should become proficient with this most common of weapons…. Read more »
I am a Wounded Warrior. I served as a Marine Rifleman during the initial 2003 invasion of Iraq, and was severely wounded while engaging the enemy in a gunfight on 12 April 2003 in the city of Al Tarmiyah, a small suburb just northwest of Baghdad. A little more than a year ago I got… Read more »
In the January issue, we looked at Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 malfunctions. This month we’ll examine some less common—but more perplexing—malfunctions. As stated before, this is not “the” way—it is “a” way. But understand this: If you use or train to use the weapon as a weapon and not a hobby item, you need to be able to clear malfunctions efficiently.
A malfunction is a stoppage in the cycle of operations. This stoppage can take many different paths, and we codify each one and break them into two broad categories: those that can be reduced with Immediate Action and those requiring Remedial Action.
Everyone in law enforcement knows that active-shooter tactics changed dramatically after the Columbine High School shootings of 1999. Less well known is how lessons learned during 2009’s tunnel fighting under Gaza forced Israelis to adapt. A special unit was established to study fighting in the sprawling labyrinth of newly constructed tunnels under the notorious Gaza Strip.
Whether you are a firearms professional or just want to protect your family, always be aware and alert to what the aggressor is telling you, even when he isn’t aware that he is. You may see or experience many of the cues simultaneously.
Let’s start with some definitions. When a firearm is discharged, it is because it was discharged intentionally or unintentionally. There are no other options. How do we distinguish between the two?
When it comes to defensive firearm training geared specifically toward private citizens, I feel confident in stating that Tom Givens is one of the best instructors in the U.S. I can say this because I have been in his class, and because he has had over 60 of his non-LEO students prevail in shooting encounters with criminals.
For a majority of police and military units, forced entry and door breaching during tactical operations have long been afterthoughts. Too often they are considered pregame warm-ups for the main event: the actual entry into a structure to neutralize bad guys and rescue hostages.
