Beware the Concealed Carry Permit Holder Without Training

     You have heard me say it before .... if you are going to be handling a firearm, you need to get trained!  And you have heard my own confession .... I held a Concealed Carry Permit for two years before getting certified training, and I was appalled at how much I didn't know about carrying a weapon for self-protection.  And I feel compelled to sound the alarm again.
     This past weekend my friends, Tom and Ashley, who have trained alongside PLW and myself for the last few months, felt qualified to get their Concealed Carry License.  They attended a one-day class, along with 25 other gun-owners, which included classroom instruction on laws that pertain to concealed carry and self-defense, as well as a firearms proficiency test (to assess how accurately you shoot a target).  We spoke to our friends at the end of the day, and this was their response:  "It was downright terrifying!"

     The story they told perfectly illustrates what I've been warning about.  According to Tom, people arrived at the class with a wide array of weapons; some in plastic bags, and many not even knowing the make and model of the gun they were qualifying with.  He was horrified to witness people with their fingers on the trigger and muzzling everybody in sight!  He said he was amazed that just by taking a class and being able to hit the target, these 25 people would soon be allowed to legally carry a weapon, and most of them would become dangerous not only to themselves, but the general public.
     I am in no way advocating restrictions on Concealed Carry permits.  I am a firm believer in the Bill of Rights and the Second Amendment.  Our right to keep and bear arms should not be infringed upon.  But I'd like to take it one step further.  I'd like to call upon all citizens who decide to take advantage of this most important right to take the responsibility of educating themselves on gun safety before they apply for a CCL.
     The fact is that a large majority of the people in Tom and Ashley's class will never carry a weapon for self-defense.  Their firearm will either stay tucked away in their car or within the confines of their home; rarely, if ever used.  Which is exactly my point!  If you are not going to familiarize yourself with your weapon; know how to safely load and unload it (even in the dark); learn how to manage different stoppages (commonly known as "jams"); or acquire the skills to effectively shoot behind barriers and at multiple targets at different distances --- all conceivably present in a "self-defense" situation --- then that permit tucked away in your wallet does you no good.  You are not automatically protected just by possessing it!  

     Not only do you have a responsibility to yourself to know how that weapon works and to handle it proficiently and safely, you have a second responsibility .... to cause no harm to innocent bystanders.  Just consider the Empire State Building shooting last week.  New York police are responsible for injuries inflicted on nine innocent bystanders during their shootout with the perpetrator.  And they've supposedly had training (but that's a whole other topic).
     My point is this:  you have no business carrying a firearm for self-defense unless you have had certified training in the handling of that weapon.  Through the different scenarios I have run through in my training classes, I can promise you that when confronted with an aggressor, it will be nothing like your CCL class where you stood in front of a target at 3 yards and pulled the trigger.  Your adrenaline will be surging, your heart will be pounding, you're likely to get tunnel vision, and you won't remember a thing that you did.  That's why you have to rely on professional training that will teach you muscle memory and automatic responses.... through countless repetitions of learned skills.  You don't acquire that through osmosis in an 8-hour CCL class.
     So once again, I'm ringing the bell, and shouting from the rooftops.  Just because you passed that Concealed Carry License class, it does not mean you are ready to carry a weapon for self-defense!  Please be sensible and get some instruction; know what that permit entitles you to do and then learn how to correctly operate that weapon and safely defend yourself and your family.   Legally being allowed to carry is simply not enough!

Hebrews 12:11       "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

Saturday Morning Commentary: Crossing The Threshold to Peace

     This post may turn some of you off, but I feel this must be said.  If you call yourself a "Christian Prepper", I am speaking to you.  You may not agree with me, but I hope you will give me the courtesy of listening to what I have to say.  My only purpose is to get you across "the Threshold."

     As the tension in the air grows, I am discerning a distinct difference among my friends who are "awake."  Everyone is pretty much on the "Prepper" page.  The very essence of "preparing" means to pre-position assets for an undefined event (or crisis); whether it be a hurricane, an ice storm, a comet from outer space, a busted sewer line, grid-down situation, economic collapse, civil unrest, martial law, or terrorist event.  We are no longer taking things for granted.  We are storing supplies and making contingency plans to get through whatever is coming.
     And we know something is coming.  A few years ago, the thought began circulating that America was changing from the country that we knew as kids.  At that time, the view was kind of fuzzy, not exactly in focus.  But today, the picture of America is sharp, well-defined and clear as day.  We know our world has changed!  There is no hiding it, and it is in plain sight.  Forces are aligning themselves to destroy the very heart of America, and I feel the need to speak to a deeper significance of "prepping."

     Because we are all sensing the pressure and the distress of these uncertain times, the urgency to gather together all the necessities to survive such a scenario (in whatever form it comes) has overtaken our lives.  I see those "preppers" who have huge stockpiles of everything they think they will need to get though "it".  With every new threat to our freedom, or new peril to our economy, environment or health, they buy some more "stuff" to calm the anxiety.  I wish I could make them understand one thing .... there's not enough beans and rice, guns and ammo, generators, or toilet paper to give you the peace of mind you are seeking.  You must cross over the threshold of counting on material lifelines to depending on the salvation of Christ.
     Now, before you think I am saying, "There is no need to prep at all.  God will take care of me"; please listen carefully.  I am not saying that at all!  Jesus clearly told us to be awake, stay alert and be prepared.  Read Matthew 24:42-44!  “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.  But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.  So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."  He gave us a brain and He expects us to use it.  He doesn't want us to sit idly by, and do nothing; we are to prepare, with the ultimate preparation focused on His return.

     That means we are not to put our faith and trust in those "things".   Yes, we will need them to help us persevere and endure.   There are actually two parts to being prepared, and all your stuff, all your training, and all your arrangements will help you to accomplish the basics of prepping.  But, I'm afraid there are too many people who are concentrating on accumulating more gold and silver, more solar panels, and the perfect hideaway, and then discovering that it's never enough.  It doesn't bring them peace.  They are trying to store up their security.  I want everyone to understand that your only real security lies in the saving power of believing in Jesus Christ as your personal savior.  He is the only way to feeling at peace in this crazy, mixed up, evil world.   What is happening to our world is bigger than the next Presidential election,  what is happening in the Eurozone, or the value of the dollar.
     And there are those who say, "I just don't see how 'They' can ever bring us down!  We still have the Second Amendment; we're too prepared and too strong-willed to ever give in to tyranny."  Again, they are putting their trust in human factors.  What we are experiencing is Biblical.  It was foretold thousands of years ago through the Prophets, and just over two thousand years ago by the very One who will come to judge this wickedness and Evil.
     So, if you are experiencing the worry, and the torment, and the despair of the times in which we live, then I'm pretty sure you are making ample preparations to ride out the storm.  But if you're still missing the peace that all that prepper stuff should be giving you, then take that final step and abide in Christ.    Prepare the best you can, but rest in the peace that passes all understanding..... stay focused on your relationship with Him and hold on to the protection and stability He provides.  All else pales in comparison.

Psalm 62:5-6       "Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.  Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken."

 

Product Recommendation: The Honeycomb!

     How often have you thought, Now, why didn't I think of that?  Well, that's exactly what my brain is screaming today!  A couple of days ago, PLW and I had lunch with J, one of our favorite gun training instructors, and he let it be known that he had a gift for me.  For the life of me, I couldn't imagine what it could be.  As we greeted each other, he asked me if I used a hairbrush.  And I'm thinking, That's an odd question, coming from a man who has taught me how to view a deadly weapon as my friend.  But I answered, "No, I don't have one with me."  And he responded, "Well, now you do", and handed me what appeared to be your normal, run-of-the-mill, black nylon hairbrush.

     "Gee, thanks", I responded, taking the hairbrush out of its plastic bag.  I held it in my hand, and it felt lightweight and sturdy --- just like the nylon hairbrush that it was.  Then J reached for it and with a simple pull, separated the bristles from the handle and ....... I'm sure I had the most stunned look on my face!  This innocent, harmless hairbrush instantly turned into a most potent self-defense weapon; one that any woman could carry and handle effectively.

      You see, when the handle is separated from the nylon bristles, you are left with a stiletto dagger!  The 3 1/2 inch dagger is precision injection molded from Zy-Ex, a tough, stiff nylon and fiberglass composite that contains no metal and is not subject to rust or wear and tear.  The bristles act as a sheath, so when assembled, it really is a hairbrush!  But the needle-like point is perfect for applying to a myriad of soft-tissue areas, and thus disabling an attacker.  The handle of the dagger can be gripped in a variety of ways, and there are virtually no drawbacks to this product.
     And just what is the name of this useful little self-defense weapon?  It is called the Honeycomb, and is distributed by Cold Steel, a company known for being a leader in the manufacture of knives.  They have expanded into specialty self-defense items and the Honeycomb is just one of their innovative products.
     What I like about this nifty little item is that, first of all, it is a real brush, and it weighs next to nothing, so I won't be weighing down my purse with unnecessary clutter.  It is also easy to pull apart and reassemble, and won't be picked up by metal detectors.  You can store it in your luggage, go-bag, or gym bag, and virtually take it anywhere you go.  It is very safe to carry, and at the same time, it is very effective; easily stabbing through several layers of cardboard --- imagine what it would feel like if it is applied to your attacker's shoulder or collar bone area?   What's more, the price is right; it is currently on sale for $9.99!  So it really is a nice addition to your self-defense stockpile.
     So I don't know what manly designer at Cold Steel developed this product, but he was definitely tapping in to his feminine side.   Thanks guys, for thinking of us ladies!

Hebrews 4:12-13     "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

Sisters In Arms

     There is nothing more satisfying to me than seeing the enthusiasm with which my female friends embrace gun training.  Although I may have a year or more of instructor-based training on them, we all start out at the same place:  unfamiliar with gun handling, afraid of the recoil, and no confidence in our abilities.  But in no time, we will all be on the same level and advancing and sharpening our skills.
     The transformation is startling.  In Debbie's case, one 8-hour Ladies-Only gun class, taught by certified instructors who specialize in training women, saw her go from a fearful, nervous beginner to a woman who can't stop talking about what she learned, how she "loves" her gun now, and is excited to take the next step in training.  For Carol, who had more experience in gun handling, the class gave her confidence that she was learning all the proper procedures and could now practice on her own and perfect her skills.  And all three of us can now train together, and provide real back up and support for our husbands, should the need ever arise.
     And the real surprise has been the commitment my friends now have for getting their Concealed Carry permits.  Now that they are developing the skills, they can see the real benefit of carrying to defend themselves.  Terri was thrilled to get her permit in the mail, and has been an ardent student in training for different scenarios, including learning to defend against multiple aggressors.  It's amazing how proper training can make that permit have so much more significance.
     Like me, these women are "sensing" a new reality and a real need to take advantage of our Second Amendment right.  Until recently, the gun culture in this country has been "a man's world."  But training courses and shooting ranges are seeing a brisk business, and women are the driving force.  And in households where there has been no previous gun owner, the woman is very often the initiator.  As a home-schooling mom, my friend Bindi, is taking control.  Her husband is following her lead, and agreed to get training, although he is not as motivated as she is.  But Bindi points out that she is at home all day (alone) with their three boys, and she knows she only has herself to count on when it comes to protecting their family.  She is calm and composed as she explains that a gun is the extra layer of protection she needs to defend her children.
     Of course, the anti-gun advocates will point out that having a gun in the home is risky; the potential for harm to a child or an innocent victim makes gun ownership a liability.  But if you ask any of my friends if they worry about safety when a gun is present in their home, they will tell you that with the proper training, those concerns disappear.  Parents must ultimately be responsible for securing that weapon and keeping it out of the reach of curious minors, but there are more than enough ways to accomplish that.
     And it's almost laughable, the way the media just can't admit that women are becoming gun owners in increasing numbers.  They will cite poll after poll --- Gallup, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), and independent retailers --- that back up the rising statistics, and then provide some lame excuse why these numbers should be ignored .... because there is no "corroborating sales information", or because the polls are stacked in favor of the gun rights gang.  After all, they snicker, the NSSF has a "dog in the fight."  
     I invite any one of them to come spend a Saturday in any gun retail store, or walk a gun show (where they are still allowed) and see just how many women -- of all ages, sizes, and demographics -- are in attendance.  I guarantee you they have better ways to spend their weekend, and are not just following their husbands around out of boredom.  They have seized the opportunity to become self-reliant and in command of their own safety.  We no longer have to sit on the sidelines and rely on a man to come to our rescue.  Now we are an equal partner in the protection of our homes and families.
   
Ecclesiastes 4:12     "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
   

What Christian Faith Looks Like In The Rest Of The World

     In keeping with Monday's post on the "Normalcy Bias", today I want you to broaden your understanding of how our Christian faith is being experienced in other areas of the world.   And if you are not a Christian, I still think you will find this post educational.  You see, the Body of Believers in America have been facing mounting opposition to the public expression of our faith and religious practices.  It's a resistance and hostility that we don't really know how to defend against.  While it has been growing over the last few decades, we have largely sat back and adopted a "turn the other cheek" approach.  And while there are those who contend that we are not a Christian nation, they ignore and malign the very basis of our founding.  But we Christians, in America, have not served our faith well.  We have not safeguarded and shielded it from abuse.  We have taken our religious liberties for granted and can't quite comprehend a day when it might be dangerous to be a Christian.  Maybe we American Christians need to pay a little more attention to what is going on in the rest of the world.

     Take for instance, our fellow Believers in Egypt and Syria.  The Coptic Christians of Egypt were once the dominant religious group in the country, but are now an oppressed minority; denied religious freedom and equal status in Egyptian society.  They have a long history in this ancient land, and it is not  only interesting, but prophetic.  Here is a short synopsis:  The Copts are the indigenous inhabitants of Egypt, before the Arab/Muslim invasion around 641 A.D.  Tradition teaches that the Apostle Mark converted the pagan Egyptians of the 1st century; by approximately the 3rd century, Christianity was the dominant religion; and by the 7th century when Islam burst into Egypt, Christianity was THE religion.
     Muslim persecution of the Copts began with the Islamic invasion.  At first, and because the Copts were the majority people of Egypt, they were merely deemed a subject race, to be heavily taxed and kept in line by their Muslim overlords. (See Jizya.) Over the years, however, their subject status came to be organized under what is seen as Islam’s divine and immutable law, or Sharia.
     So how are modern-day Coptic Christians treated in Egypt?  There are approximately 10 million Copts in Egypt, which is roughly 12% of the population.  This is not an insignificant number.  In fact, in the entire Middle East, Copts make for the largest Christian minority.  In recent history, the "persecution" of Coptic Christians meant that the best jobs went to Muslim citizens.  But today, persecution is more likely to look like it did in past centuries, with the burning of Christian churches; and with Islamic extremists, now holding positions in Parliament, expanding the country's strict Islamic laws.  During the recent uprising in Egypt, many Coptic Christians paid with their lives.  And the Egyptian Christians are very aware of the long-suppressed Muslim Brotherhood, who have now been freed from former President Mubarak’s tight leash on those advocating for Sharia and a Muslim Caliphate, and have recently risen to the forefront of Egypt’s political and religious life.

     Now let's take a look at Syria, which as far as the Christian faith is concerned, is a conundrum, for lack of a better word.  Even under the tyrannical rule of President Bashar al-Assad, (in which over 17,000 people have died since the uprising began in March, 2011),  many Christians believe his regime is the only true guarantor of secularism in Syria and, with it, the acceptance of the Christians as equals to their Muslim neighbors. Further, many Christians firmly believe that what will replace the regime, (if it is toppled), is a fundamentalist Muslim theocracy that will strip Christians and other minorities of their political and civil rights, including their right to practice their religion in peace.  Starting to see a pattern here?  You have Christians caught between political correctness and Sharia law.
     From my humble perspective, there seems to be a false sense of security placed on the Assad government ---- kind of like getting into bed with an Egyptian cobra.  Take, for instance, this account by Hind Aboud Kabawat, a Syrian attorney, who reported the case of a young woman from Damascus, named Caroline, who said she was arrested earlier this year and imprisoned for 25 days in a two-square meter cell. Her crime? Giving children Easter eggs wrapped in paper containing verses from both the Koran and the Bible.  I'm not sure I'd want to put my trust in this 40-year-old regime that has been more than willing to use brutal violence to silence its critics.  Hint:  17,000 deaths and climbing.

     And then there is the plight of Nigeria.  Boko Haram, a radicalized Islamic sect, has left over 700 Christians dead, this year alone.  They warn Christians to either convert to Islam or die.  Sharia Law is their stated objective.  The Christian majority in the south has tried to negotiate with Boko Haram, calling for peace and religious tolerance. But in the north, Boko Haram is encouraging and carrying out more attacks on Christians.   Suicide bombers, tribal (and religious) warfare, and civil war have become the norm.
     And the list of nations goes on and on:  Sudan, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Ethiopia.  In the Middle East and Asia, Christian communities face increasing violence and opposition from strict Islamic governments.  Tolerance seems to be a one-way street, and governments that once offered protection to minority religions, and professed freedom from racial, ethnic and religious prejudice, have been hijacked by radical and extremist leaders.   We Christians in the West have thought we were sheltered from such perils.  Which brings me back to that reference to "normalcy bias."  Think it can't happen in America?  Think that we are immune to such oppression and discrimination?  Just look around you.  Could you have imagined not being allowed to hold a bible study in your home?  Or at a local McDonald's?  It happened!  And it's coming to a governing body near you; and it's coming soon.

Romans 8:35      "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?"

What Do Tanks In The Streets of St. Louis and the Insurrection Act of 1807 Have in Common?

     When I first saw the article announcing that U.S. Army troops from Maryland were conducting "urban training exercises" on the streets of St. Louis, Missouri, I was shocked!  All kinds of scenarios popped into my head:  Is it setting up a false flag for the November elections?  Is it to slowly desensitize us to seeing troops in the streets?  Since when are our military bases not suited to conduct training? Does the Government fear riots come election time, and this is a pre-warning?
     As I looked into this incident further, I gained some more insight.  The area in St. Louis where the "exercises" were being conducted is a high crime area, and St. Louis has a history of being a hotbed for civil unrest.  I grew up in the St. Louis area, and as a child, I can remember when Martin Luther King was assassinated, there was real fear that the city would burn.  Perhaps this is a show of power for any other city who might experience forms of social upheaval?  Or a signal to the nation that dissent will not be tolerated?
     But then that led me to Posse Comitatus, a term that is at the forefront of every freedom-lover's vocabulary.  The Posse Comitatus Act was passed in 1876 and its purpose was to act in concert with the Insurrection Act of 1807 to limit the powers of local governments and law enforcement agencies in using federal military personnel to enforce the laws of the land.  The Insurrection Act of 1807 is the set of laws that govern the US President's ability to deploy troops within the United States to put down lawlessness, insurrection and rebellion.  The general aim is to limit Presidential power as much as possible, relying on state and local governments for initial response in the event of insurrection.  Therefore, when the Insurrection Act of 1807 is coupled with the Posse Comitatus Act, Presidential powers for law enforcement are limited and delayed.
     Since I am not a legal scholar and don't pretend to know all the legal ramifications of these Acts of Congress, my understanding is on a much simpler level.  It's my humble opinion that what these Acts attempt to do is limit the power of the President or the Federal Government to use military power against the citizens.
     What further investigation revealed was actually quite astounding.  I don't want to bore you with a lot of tedious facts, but this condensed explanation should broaden your understanding.
     In 2006 Congress modified the Insurrection Act as part of the 2007 Defense Authorization Bill.  Section 1076 of the law changed the Insurrection Act and widened the President's ability to deploy troops within the United States to enforce the laws.  This flow-chart shows how these changes gave considerably more discretion to the President.

     Fortunately for us, On February 7, 2007, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO) introduced legislation that would revert the Insurrection Act to its previous state.   Sen. Leahy argued that the modifications to the law make it "unnecessarily easy" to assert federal authority over national guard elements without the consent of governors, and that the changes removed a "useful friction" that existed between the Insurrection Act and the Posse Comitatus Act.
     In perhaps a prophetic statement, Senator Leahy remarked on September 19, 2006, "we certainly do not need to make it easier for Presidents to declare martial law. Invoking the Insurrection Act and using the military for law enforcement activities goes against some of the central tenets of our democracy. It creates needless tension among the various levels of government – one can easily envision governors and mayors in charge of an emergency having to constantly look over their shoulders while someone who has never visited their communities gives the orders."
     The amended changes to the Insurrection Act were repealed in 2008.  Yet that doesn't seem to have dampened the efforts to introduce the possibility of military forces in our urban streets.  Did the Governor of Missouri invite the Federal Government to conduct these exercises?  And if so, under what auspices?  And if the State did not ask for assistance, why is the Federal Government exerting a show of force that is un-Constitutional?
     I am far from being able to predict what all this means, but I'm perceptive enough to know this is unprecedented and unwarranted.  It means something!  I just pray that it's not what I think.

1 Peter 5:8       "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

Blend Into The Crowd

     The idea behind today's post has been written about extensively, and is more commonly known among the survivalist camp as "The Gray Man Concept."  You can find excellent articles on the subject at Survival Think Tank, and Surviving in Argentina.
     I just wanted to revisit the idea in a little more straight-forward and logical mode.  You know what "Gray Man" means, right?  Simply put, it is looking like the "average joe" in a crowd; not calling attention to yourself by your clothes, your actions or your demeanor.  You want to appear "gray", instead of flashy and colorful.  Like my title implies, you want to blend into the crowd.

     So that's why I want to address all of you out there who make the mistake of thinking it is cool to post pictures of yourself on Facebook holding your brand new battle rifle.  And quit posting all the videos and dates and places of your training locations.  What purpose does that serve, other than alerting the officials exactly where to go to round up all your self-defense weapons?  When TEOTWAWKI happens, do you really want all those "friends" having that information on you?  Where do you think they're coming first?
     And Facebook is a nice place to vent, but if you think it goes unnoticed who posts political rants and bold opinions, then think otherwise.  As far as I am concerned, Facebook is a great clearinghouse for all kinds of private information.  If you wouldn't want "the enemy" to know it, then don't post it!
     The same thing goes for what you wear.  Vests and 5-11 gear are just fine for the shooting range, but as society begins to deteriorate, it screams "I'm carrying a weapon."  Same goes for all the "Don't Tread On Me" and "I Don't Dial 9-1-1" T-Shirts --- cut the lawn in them or wear them to the range.  Don't wear them out in public.
     You also might want to think about the political stickers you place on your back bumper, too.  Think they go unnoticed, and people don't size you up based on their message?  Think again!  You don't want to bring unwanted attention to yourself.
     And the next time you walk into a room, be subtle about your OPSEC.  Don't be obvious.  You can smile and scan the room while opening the door for your spouse or children, and not stare down every person in the place.  You can be aware without being conspicuous.
     Leave your trendy Maxpedition bag in the car and wear hiking boots or tennis shoes; the tan military boots are a dead giveaway.  So are the buttons and badges worn on your ball cap.  They're great for the range --- not so good for the mall.
     So, the next time you're out in a public crowd; at a concert, the grocery store, a ballgame ..... watch and observe.  See how much you can pick up about people by the way they are dressed, or how they act.  See which ones call attention to themselves and why.  Those are the ones you don't want to replicate.  You want to be the guy, or gal, that no one remembers.
     I admit that as times get more serious and chaotic, we are all aligning ourselves with different groups of people and causes.  It is natural.  And there are even some of us who write blogs about how we feel!  But I promise you that when I am out in public, no one knows anything about me but close friends and family.
     I stay under the radar as much as possible, and look like I belong, wherever I might be.  I don't cower in a corner (which would also call attention to yourself), but I also don't shout to be seen.  I'm just there, like everyone else.  In these days and time, it is no longer desirable to be the one that stands out.  It really is best to just be average, typical and ordinary.

Psalm 31:20        "In the shelter of your presence you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues."

The Clock Is Ticking.....

     This post was difficult to write; because I know it is going to be difficult for you to read.  But I feel the time for being subtle has passed.  I don't want to sugar-coat my message, and in the process hinder some of you from coming to grips with what you need to do.  In fact, when I let my husband, Peace-Loving Warrior read it, I asked him, "Pretty dark, huh?"  PLW responded, "The truth is dark, now."  So without further delay, I want to share a conversation that I had the other day with some very close friends who, like me and PLW, feel the Spirit is preparing us for something serious ... and we feel it's coming soon.  We are not prophets, or clairvoyants; just Believers first, and citizens of this world second.  We don't know what is coming, but as a consequence of belonging to both groups, we are receiving strong clues as to what it could be.

     Our citizenship in the world tells us that, given the state of the global economy, our future holds lots of financial turmoil.  What is happening in Italy, Spain, France, and Greece will eventually affect us.  Face it, folks, the global financial system is ailing and failing.  We are teetering on the edge of a cliff, and all it will take is the collapse of one piece of the puzzle, and the dominoes start falling.  And I have to tell you, that those much smarter than me are predicting that it is coming quicker than we can imagine.
     Then we discussed another huge concern, which is a failure of our North American power grid.  This is the vital component of our technologically-driven society.  The infrastructure is old, terrorists threaten it, and the costs keep escalating --- take your pick; any one of these scenarios means no more heat in the winter; no phones; no computers (whatever will Generation Y do without their iPhones and ability to text?)
     And then our conversation drifted to the real dilemma.  In 2005, PLW and I were blessed to have bought a small piece of property in the country and finished building a home in 2008, just two months before the October collapse.  And believe me, it is not lost on us, that God had all that planned beforehand.  But our friends have a very different scenario, and a very difficult choice to make.
     Our mutual relationship with God and the Holy Spirit has given us great discernment and we all feel that when things collapse, it is going to deteriorate rapidly.  They instinctively know that life in big cities will be chaos and the chances of living a sustainable life decrease tremendously.  We have encouraged them to consider coming to us because we want them to be safe; knowing that they will be valuable assets in so many areas, and our chances of mutual survival increase by combining our skills and our manpower.  They have done all the right things.... stored food, prepared to defend themselves, diversified their assets, and most importantly, relied on the Lord's guidance.
     But like so many others, they cannot afford to stock two locations, should they be unable to leave the city in time.  And who wants to really leave their home and belongings, not knowing when, or if, they will be able to return?  And if they develop a plan for stocking up extra items in the country, plus being able to bring ample supplies with them, will they time their departure correctly?  Like a majority of Americans, they must keep working at their current jobs for as long as possible.  So all this leaves them in a very unsettled state of mind.  What about other family members?  Parents?  We all feel a responsibility to take care of and provide for all those we love.
     Those of us who already live in the country have a decided advantage over those who live in the suburbs.  And I share this conversation with you, first, because I know it is being repeated across our land.  And secondly, because I happened on an interview with my favorite Survivalist, James Wesley Rawles, on one of my favorite blog sites, the SHTF Plan.  I urge you to read the blog post and listen to the audio of the interview.  You will get the best overview of what we're facing in a short concise presentation.
     Mr. Rawles discusses many facets of the coming trouble, all of which you will find informative and useful.  But it was his opening suggestion that struck me as simple and obvious.  And it was right in line with the conversation we had with our friends.  It is his belief that it is going to take more than one family, by itself,  to survive "the Crunch" as he calls it in his best-selling novels Patriots and Survivors.  He said the most important thing we can do is team up with like-minded folks and arrange to pre-position storage of food and supplies.  He warns suburbanites that it is not as simple as buying solar panels and generators to augment their stored food and water.  He states that the biggest danger for those living in the cities will be human nature.  All those buckets of rice and beans, and yes, even your defense arsenal, will be no match for the dark elements of humankind if you are defending your home by yourself.  He advises us to geographically isolate ourselves from the neighbors that will be pounding on our doors because they're starving.  And that means getting to the country.
     He also warned that you will only have "one trip out of Dodge".  After that, roads may be blocked and the possibilities for going back for more supplies are virtually nil.  That's why your plans for pre-positioning are so important.  And that's why this difficult conversation must occur and even more difficult decisions made.  The time for determining your strategy and taking action is now.  The clock is ticking ......
 
Luke 21:36      "Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."

Saturday Morning Commentary: Is Anybody Paying Attention?

     As I contemplated today's post, I hesitated about bringing it to you.  My desire is always to enlighten and to encourage.  But I'm afraid that what I have to say today is frightening.  Yet it must be brought to light.  And considering my rant yesterday, I just want to ask all the socialists who consider themselves Sooo compassionate ..... why aren't you speaking out about the death and the violence at our southern border?  How can you, or for that matter, anyone ignore the 49 mutilated, decapitated bodies that were recently dumped on a highway connecting the northern Mexican town of Monterrey to the U.S. border?  Where is the media?  Where is the Administration?
     And this isn't the first occurrence.  Since 2006, nearly 50,000 people have been killed south of our border.  We are all aware that the drug cartels are upping the ante in their attempt to control and grow drug traffic between Mexico and the U.S.  It is a billion-dollar business and innocent lives are an expendable commodity.  But what alarms me is that it's not just the drug cartels we are dealing with here.

     Earlier this year, at a House Foreign Affair's Committee hearing, former Chief of Operations of the DEA, Michael Braun, reported that the Iranian-supported terrorist group Hezbollah has spread its influence all the way to the U.S. border with Mexico.  Braun said Hezbollah and other terrorist groups understand that the Mexican cartels are already operating successfully inside the United States.  And they wish to exploit that vulnerability.
     “If anyone thinks for one moment that these terrorist organizations do not understand that the Mexican drug trafficking cartels now dominate drug trafficking in our country – reportedly in more than 250 cities – than they are very stupid or very naive,” he said.
     “Hezbollah are absolute masters at forming close relationships with existing organized crime groups around the world that helps them facilitate what they need to do to move their agendas forward,” Braun stated. “And if anyone thinks for a moment that they don’t have their eye on the southwest border and ALL of our country, then they couldn’t be more wrong.”
     Remember the plot, recently uncovered by the DEA, involving an Iranian operative who was planning to allegedly assassinate the Saudi ambassador during a trip to Washington, D.C?  There was no need to try to avoid detection coming into U.S. airports.  Our porous southern border makes it easy for these operatives to sneak into the country.   Indeed, government investigators uncovered the connection between Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force and the Zeta drug cartel in the foiled assassination attempt on U.S. soil.
     Braun said Quds Force and Hezbollah work “very, very hard” to develop relationships with criminal groups that already have in place systems for illegal activities, including drug and human trafficking, money laundering and forged document operations.
     “And by developing those relations it provides them with the ability to operate far from home in our neighborhood and – as I said earlier – on our doorstep,” he asserted.
     So does any of this concern anyone else besides me?  Why is this not being reported from every news outlet in the nation?  Should we really be more concerned about Roger Clemens' steroid use? Is this what our Congress finds more important than U.S. Security?  After all, national security is the ONE area the Government is SUPPOSED to undertake on our behalf!
     Is anyone else just a little bit troubled that an increasing number of the nearly 50,000 Mexican dead have been decapitated?  And their hands have been cut off?  I don't want to sound morbid, but this is barbaric and extremely upsetting.
     The combination of ruthless drug cartels and radical terrorists is not a good thing, no matter where it occurs.  But when it is just across our southern border, and we are not receiving any information from our government officials --- no warnings; and no apparent plan to stop it or defend against it --- then I can't help but wonder, what's next?
     When does the violence spill over into the U.S.?  In what other ways have these terrorist groups infiltrated our country?  What is their agenda?  How many more innocent victims have to die before this situation is addressed --- openly and transparently by the media and the Government?
     We can no longer ignore the facts.  We ARE vulnerable, and without any semblance of a Border fence, what's to stop these terrorists (and the killings) from continuing?  How long before American citizens become the next victims?  The final words of Michael Braun haunt me .... "I think there’s going to be hell to pay in the not too distant future,” he said.   May God protect us!

Psalm 140:1     "Rescue me, LORD, from evildoers; protect me from the violent."
   

Understanding What We Face

      It is very rare that I find an article that expresses my concerns so well.  This article, written by retired Lieutenant General William G. Boykin, gives us detailed and accurate information about the threat that Iran poses for this country.  Gen. Boykin has worked in the CIA and was the U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, so I think he knows what he's talking about.  He was a Co-Founder of Delta Force, although a Fort Bragg psychologist wanted to exclude him because he was "too religious."  Seems like just the kind of guy I'd want in our elite military forces; what about you?
     In an effort to be completely honest and bring you full disclosure, Gen. Boykin is not without controversy.  He has openly declared that the War on Terror is a battle between Good and Evil, and often sees it in Biblical terms.  He has been accused of being anti-Muslim, but denies that vehemently.  He believes that we are involved in a spiritual war, as articulated in the Bible, and it is not confined to the war of terrorism.  I'll let his words speak for themselves: 


 "We as believers have been promised that we will spend an eternity with God. Last Saturday, I was doing a men's conference in Fredricksburg, Virginia and I was praying during the worship service and something dawned on me and it was the Holy Spirit speaking to me. And the Holy Spirit said, "this is what I want you to share with My men today", and I'm going to share it with you and this is what it is: One day, we're going to stand before the gates of Heaven. Some of us want to be able to walk up there in a white robe and we want to sing Abba Father and Amazing Grace and we want to say to the Lord, "I worshiped You." But I want you to think about this: Here's the way I want to enter the gates of Heaven. I want to come skidding in there on all fours. I want to be slipping and sliding and I want to hit the gates of heaven with a bang. And when I stand up and I stand before Christ, I want there to be blood on my knees and my elbows. I want to be covered with mud. And I want to be standing there with a ragged breast plate of righteousness. And a spear in my hand. And I want to say, "Look at me, Jesus. I've been in the battle. I've been fighting for you." Ladies and gentlemen, put your armor on and get into battle. God bless you. "   


     Now that you know the character of the man, I hope you will take the time to read his Op-Ed.  This is coming from a man who has served his fellow man by fighting for our liberties and freedoms, and has served his God on the battlefield of faith.  Here is his article:

Iran's Nukes and Homeland Security 

     Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, is clearly a calculating and shrewd man with an apocalyptic theology. As a Shia “Twelver,” Ahmadinejad believes that the Islamic messiah, or Mahdi, will only return when the world is in chaos and when there is global strife and bloodshed. His theology suggests that the returning messiah will establish global Sharia (Islamic Law) and restore peace according to Shia Islamic religious dictates. The other power base in Iran, the Supreme Council, shares that theology. Headed by the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Council consists of Shia clerics who share the theology of the president of Iran.
     A nuclear weapon gives the Iranian President a means of achieving his ultimate goal of ushering in the reign of his Mahdi. Current Iranian missile capabilities possess the range to reach Tel Aviv, which has been the primary target of Ahmadenejiad’s vitriolic rhetoric, consisting of threats of annihilation of the Jewish state. An attack on Israel would create a huge problem for the United States. Whether or not America responded with military, economic, and diplomatic assistance for Israel, the U.S. economy would feel the devastating effect immediately. Any turbulence in the Persian Gulf region will drive crude oil prices up, striking a significant blow to the fragile global economy, including that of the United States.
     But there is also a threat to the American homeland that is even more sinister. Iran considers the U.S. a huge impediment to achieving its goal of a global caliphate (Islamic super-state). Called the “Great Satan” by the Islamic regime, like Israel, America is a target that Iran wants desperately to destroy, or at least to devastate. Current Iranian missile technology does not give Iran the capability to reach the shores of the U.S., although that technology is improving rapidly. That said, it is important to understand that there are other ways to attack America using the current capabilities of Iran that could result in death, destruction, and disruption of the American way of life.
     Iranian sponsored Hezbollah is currently operating in Mexico in cooperation with the drug cartels.  These terrorists are infiltrating the U.S. across the southern border with help from the cartels who move their drugs through large unprotected sectors of the U.S. border. U.S. Border Patrol efforts to stop infiltration into American Border States have been severely impeded, due primarily to environmental regulations. Large corridors through National Forest areas are unpatrolled or are patrolled only on horseback or foot while infiltrators are able to use vehicles to bring contraband into the outskirts of cities like Phoenix. The Border Patrol now estimates that it only stops roughly five to ten percent of the illegal border crossing traffic coming out of Mexico. Given the ease with which the cartels move illegal drugs into the US, it is reasonable to assume that terrorists are doing the same, including moving dangerous materials. That could easily include nuclear waste from the Iranian nuclear program or even a crude nuclear device.
     Nuclear waste is a precursor to what is commonly referred to as a “Dirty Bomb,” meaning a bomb that is detonated with conventional explosives surrounded by nuclear materiel or waste. The effects are not the same as a nuclear detonation but it does produce low-level radiation and contamination. The primary effect of this type of bomb is psychological. Once radiation was detected, pandemonium would result as people assume that they are being dangerously exposed to lethal dosages, regardless of the true level of contamination. Imagine what would happen if these Iranian sponsored terrorists were to bring a dirty bomb into the nation’s capital and detonate it anywhere near the city center. It would shut down the U.S. Government as Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Executive Branch evacuated the city in haste, trying to leave across a series of bridges that would rapidly become bottlenecks. Although the U.S. Government has plans for the continuity of operations of the various branches of government, they are relatively untested and focus primarily on the Executive Branch. There would be a substantial delay in reconstituting the other branches of the government, as the huge civilian workforce would be reluctant to return to a city with residual contamination.
     America must get serious about protecting its borders. These terrorist cells operating in Mexico at the direction of the leadership of Iran pose a huge threat but the administration seems to be oblivious to it. We can no longer consider border security as just a problem of illegal immigration. It is now a matter of protecting America from a severe terrorist attack.

 Psalm 91:1-2      "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

"Distance From Disorder" Is Desired State of Being

     A few nights ago, I spent over two hours listening to "Frank", the Criminal Defense Attorney I introduced you to a few posts back.  As promised, he put on a seminar for about 35 Concealed Handgun License holders, and bottom line...... he scared the pants off me!
     Of course the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman case was at the forefront of his presentation and provided quite a bit of material for discussion.  Frank reminded us that our CHL is a privilege, granted by the State --- not a right.  He then spent considerable time explaining the legal ramifications of being involved in a shooting.  Terms like "Reasonable Belief"; "Deadly Force in Defense of Person", "Adequate Cause" and "Sudden Passion" were all foreign expressions that he assured us would become part of our vocabulary should we ever need his services.
     But the concept that rocked my world was the fact it would be my responsibility to explain "the reasonableness" of my actions.  It became very clear to me, and was backed up by Frank's authoritative counsel, that my conduct would be "reviewed" for its "reasonableness under the circumstances."
     And that, my dear readers, is exactly what is happening in the Martin/Zimmerman case.  Regardless of the fact that three major news outlets (NBC, ABC, and CNN) have admitted to doctoring video and audio tapes to present a fictitious version of what happened that night, it will be your responsibility to prove you acted in self-defense.  Did you act intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence?  Your actions will be scrutinized and judged by media with an agenda, social groups who don't have all the facts, and a judicial system that will put you under the microscope.  After discussing these legal issues of the case, we pretty much all agreed that, regardless of Trayvon Martin's innocence or guilt, Zimmerman handled the situation badly.
     So, my first thoughts were, why would I ever try to defend myself with a weapon?  And if I felt threatened, would I hesitate, knowing that I would have to face the aftermath of my actions?  Would that split moment of hesitation cost me my life?

     These questions are addressed in an excellent article by Gabe Suarez, a noted tactical trainer from Arizona.  Mr. Suarez states that the controversy in Florida will divide gun owners into two absolute camps.  One, the ”never get involved in anything” crowd will point to this and say “You see…we are right”.  The other, the Captain America Defender of the Innocent crowd will say Zimmerman was right.  But there are no absolutes in this world, and Suarez offered some sage advice.
     He teaches his students that they should seek “distance from disorder” in their lives, and unless something shocks the consciousness of humanity, to mind their own business.  As an example, he compared two different scenarios:  a) a suspicious-looking kid walking the neighborhood, and b) an active shooter in a restaurant.  The first situation is none of your personal business -- call the cops and let them do their job.  The other, if you happen to be there, is in fact your business, and should you decide to take an active part in that situation, your actions could save a lot of lives.
     In other words, you don't know what that kid is up to, or if he even has a weapon, and the important wording here is you don't know!  And it's not your duty or responsibility to find out.  However, if someone is shooting up your local restaurant, there are bodies everywhere, and blood all around, then it would be "reasonable" to assume you would stop the killing spree if you are able to.
    There's another fact we must all consider:  in a perfect world, the justice system would be ruled by truth and fairness.  Too often it is is controlled by politics and money.  And none of this makes me feel any better.  I take my privilege of having a CHL very seriously.  I spend lots of money and time to get expertly trained, so that I do not make the kinds of mistakes that appear to have been made in this controversial case.  I want to feel confident that my training will give me the proper instincts, without worrying about an unprincipled media and a corrupt judicial system.  I believe in being able to properly defend myself, and I will not let those of the "anti-gun" persuasion convince me that society would be better off without the Second Amendment.
     And in just the last couple of days, there is another fly in the ointment, so to speak.  Racial tensions are at the boiling point, with extremists on both sides of the equation calling for revolution.  This situation makes it even more imperative that we distance ourselves from involvement in violence and bloodshed; while simultaneously knowing when it's time to defend ourselves.
     And no one can tell us when that will be.  Everyone has to make their own decision.  The hard truth is that we live in a decaying society, and I choose to take the serious step of training to defend myself.  I am not interested in becoming a hero, so unless I, or my loved ones, are directly harmed then I will not become involved.  I will keep a safe distance from disorder, and unfortunately that means I probably won't be coming to your rescue.  I urge you to take the steps I did and choose to defend yourself; but get the requisite training and know the law.  It's a complicated issue and incidents like the one in Florida will continue to draw attention to a gun culture with inadequate training.  
   

Isaiah 59:14     "So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter."

Should You Stay or Should You Go?

     As I was thinking about a conversation Peace-Loving Warrior and I had the other night with some new friends, the lyrics of the old Clash song came to mind:

Should I stay or should I go now?

If I go there will be trouble

And if I stay it will be double

So come on and let me know

Should I stay or should I go?

     Our topic of conversation centered around a concern the wife had.  What if she was at work, (which is about a 30-minute drive from her rural home), and an "event" occurred.....anything from an EMP to civil unrest.  What should be her appropriate course of action?  Should she make sure she keeps ample survival supplies on hand at the office (food, flashlights, warm clothes if its winter, firestarter, water, etc.) and just hunker down until the event blows over?

     Or should she have a Go-Bag that she can shoulder and immediately start for home?  Her first inclination was to just stay put in the relative safety of her office.  If she had enough food and a weapon to defend herself, she felt she could hold out until things blew over and then she could just drive home.

     But then we played out a different scenario.  What if it was truly an EMP?  She won't be driving anywhere.  And what if it's major chaos -- rioting, looting, burning?  How long before the uncivil residents of the city run out of food and start going door to door to take everyone else's?  That will happen in either of the aforementioned scenarios.  In which case, her position will be overrun.

     We quickly came to a consensus:  if it is an EMP situation, you probably have two days, three at the most, before those who have not prepared run out of food; and if it is full-blown civil unrest, you have less time than that.  So we all decided she should be prepared to leave as soon as possible, whether that meant she loaded her truck up and got the hell out of there, taking the back roads.....OR, if the grid is down, she puts on her comfortable, broken-in hiking boots that stay in her truck, shoulders her back-pack, holsters her weapon, and heads off cross country for home.  We decided if she had the GPS coordinates for home, a good compass and a map would allow her to stay off main roads and make a straight line for her destination.  A handy pair of nippers to cut through barbed wire that she can't climb over is a must (this is a moral question that everyone has to answer for themselves, and restitution would be mandatory -- cutting fences is a serious offense in ranching country!)

          In the final analysis, we all agreed that staying put was not an option.  She would be leaving herself open to many more threats than taking her chances on the road.  But I want to commend her for playing out this story line in her head.  She will be at a tremendous advantage if and when that time comes.  She will be way ahead of everyone who will be caught by surprise when the flashpoint happens.  She will be way out in front and she will increase her chances of surviving the event tenfold.  This is a woman with a plan!  

Proverbs 16:9     "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps."

Islamic Marriage Guide Cause For Alarm

     The warning signs are all around us.  The Center for Security Policy's report, titled Shariah Law and American State Courts: An Assessment of State Appellate Court Cases evaluates 50 Appellate Court cases from 23 states that involve conflicts between Shariah (Islamic law) and American state law.

     The report highlights recent cases that show the conflict that is creeping into our culture and our court systems.  Our courts are applying Shariah law, in direct conflict with the Constitution and state public policy.  The Qu'ran commands Muslims to change secular laws to conform to sharia, eventually establishing Islamic law worldwide.  Islamic courts want to supercede the civil and criminal laws of any country in which Muslims reside.

     We, in America, would do well to pay attention to what has been happening in other countries throughout the world.  Facts reveal that in 2008, when the first sharia court was recognized in the U.K., within one year, over 85 recognized sharia courts were established within the U.K.'s Tribunal Court system.  The problem with this rapidly spreading dogma is that several of these courts have issued some fatwas that are completely incompatible with British and European law.

     And then there is the report last week that a Canadian bookstore sold out of an Islamic marriage guide that instructs Muslim men how to beat their wives.  And that's not all.  Apparently there are more books with controversial subjects showing up in other Islamic bookstores.

     These books, written by a deceased Islamic scholar reportedly urges Muslims to turn the Western world into an Islamic state.  Here is a direct quote:  "Islam wishes to destroy all States and Governments anywhere on the face of the earth which are opposed to the ideology and programme of Islam regardless of the country or the Nation that rules it.  Islam requires the earth -- not just a portion -- but the whole planet."

     Unfortunately, we are divided in this country as to the seriousness of this threat.  More than a dozen states are considering outlawing aspects of Shariah law, contending that such measures are needed to protect against homegrown terrorism and safeguard our Judeo-Christian values.  Then there is the New York Times article that boldly claims, "This is exactly wrong.  The crusade against Shariah undermines American democracy, ignores our country's successful history of religious tolerance and assimilation, and creates a dangerous divide between America and its fastest-growing religious minority."

     Maybe the editor of the NY Times needs to read and understand what the aforementioned Islamic scholar purports.  Does it sound like they want to "assimilate" into our culture? Or do they want to take over our culture?  And before I'm accused of throwing all Muslims under the bus, I recognize that there are Muslims who escaped Sharia law to come to America for the freedoms that our Constitution guarantees.  But if we close our eyes to the agenda of Sharia-minded Muslims, who have declared "jihad" on our culture and our courts, then we will follow the path of Europe.  Canada is on the brink .... we don't have much time to make up our minds.  

     Will we protect the rights and freedoms of all Americans that are illuminated in the Constitution; or will we continue to see the encroachment of sharia law as a myth?  God help us if we make the wrong determination.

Nehemiah 4:9    "But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat."

"Mouse" Guns

   
Remember the old cartoon, Tom and Jerry? Tom, the cat, was always in hot pursuit of his mouse nemesis, Jerry.  As Tom closed in, the cartoon mouse would reach into his cartoon pocket and pull an oversize cartoon gun.  This quickly became a game-changer for our friend, Tom.
     Well, a giant mouse gun like that would be awesome, but that's not the real world.  "Mouse gun" is a slang term, fashioned by Gun Culture 1.0 for a derringer-style gun, also known as a pocket gun.  To confuse you even more, all pocket guns aren't "mouse guns", and all derringers aren't "mouse guns".
     I consider "mouse guns" to fall into the size range of a derringer or pocket gun, and the caliber is usually .22, .22mag, .25ACP and .32ACP.  But most quality "mouse guns" (i.e, North American Arms) are .22 or .22mag.

     My husband and I both own mouse guns.  As I said, North American Arms makes a high quality line of single action, 5-shot derringers that we carry when it's not practical to carry our Glock 9mm carry weapons.  I'm almost always able to fit a mouse gun in my purse, and my husband always has his in a front pants pocket.
     But you need to realize that mouse guns are almost always a compromise.  Their short sight radius, small grip, single action, and deep (or inconvenient) carry properties mean that a mouse gun probably isn't your best option, or first option.  But they are one of the most concealable fall-back options available.  But there are other options out there.
     Ruger's LCP and S&W Bodyguard have moved to fill pocket carry niches that the mouse guns (derringers) used to have sole claim on.  And all things being equal, the LCP and Bodyguard in .380 are the better choice, in the knock-down category.  But the mouse gun is much smaller and more concealable than either of these other choices.
     If you choose to carry a mouse gun, for whatever reason, several rules apply.  The first and foremost is Practice, Practice, Practice!  It may sound redundant, but mouse guns require lots of practice --- practice, shooting; practice drawing; and practice reloading.  Having to reload a mouse gun during a fight is not a good idea, so consider your 5 friends in the cylinders the entire party.

     Holding on to the gun requires a modified grip, so practice shooting the gun often in order to compensate for only 2 or 3 fingers on the grip.  And finally, the most important aspect of mouse guns is a term Michael Bane uses often.... "Go to the gun early."
     If you're bringing a mouse gun to the fight, consider yourself already behind the curve.  Gunfights with mouse guns are dangerous business.  To increase your odds with your tiny friend, you must "Go to the gun early!"
     Pocket draws are slow so, if trouble presents itself, discreetly move to the gun and get your grip.  (Did I mention "Go to the gun early?")  Some pockets are tighter than others and require even more time for an effective draw.
     Don't get me wrong --- mouse guns have their place, but they are a compromise from the beginning, so keep the limitations in mind.  But there are times when that little mouse in your pocket might just be your best friend around.

2 Timothy 4:7     "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  

Product Recommendation: The Bulletproof Mind

     Last week a close friend lent us an audio series by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, U.S. Army (Ret.).  Lt. Col. Grossman is an internationally recognized scholar, author, soldier and speaker who is one of the world's foremost experts in the field of human aggression and the roots of violence and violent crime.
     Grossman is an Airborne Ranger infantry officer, and a prior-service sergeant and paratrooper, with a total of over 23 years experience in leading U.S. soldiers worldwide.  He retired from the Army in 1998 and has devoted himself to teaching, writing, speaking and research.  Today he is the director of the Killology Research Group, and in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he is on the road almost 300 days a year, training elite military and law enforcement organizations worldwide about the reality of combat.
     I tell you all this because as a private citizen who has accepted the responsibility of carrying a Concealed Carry Weapon, our reaction, if we are ever involved in a shooting, will be much like the reaction of a soldier in combat.  So we have much to learn from Lt. Col. Grossman and his research.

     I highly recommend his audio series, called The Bulleproof Mind.  In this series, you'll learn how the body responds to lethal combat; what happens to your blood flow, your muscles, your judgment, memory, vision and hearing when someone is trying to kill you.  It is the most comprehensive study and presentation on how to adopt the Warrior Mindset and save your lives and the lives of others when faced with a situation and an active shooter.  The series contains the following topics:  The Hidden Truth About Lethal Combat; How the Body Responds to Combat (parts 1 and 2); The Bulletproof Mind; Terrorism and School Violence; Who is Teaching our Kids to Kill.
     Grossman is an effective speaker with an engaging teaching style.  His CDs are full of case studies that emphasize the tenets he is promoting, while giving you a site picture you can easily understand and sympathize with.  We need to know how our minds and bodies react when faced with violence, so that through training we can eliminate the holes in our defense and more effectively stop a lethal attack.
     Here's an example of one of his scenarios:  "As the firefighter knows fire, so you must know violence," Grossman warned.  How does that pertain to shooting victims?  Grossman posed the question of how many kids have been killed by school fires in the past 25 years in all of North American.  The answer?  ZERO!  He then noted that in 1998 alone, school violence had resulted in 35 dead; 250,000 injured.  And lest you think 1998 was an anomaly, Grossman noted 48 died from school violence in 2004, and 32 died at the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007--- that was in only one incident!
     Our society has taken measures in regards to fire by setting up multiple redundant, overlapping layers of protection.  No one calls extravagant fire prevention efforts into question, but when it comes to preventing violence in schools, no such preventative measures are discussed.  If fire exits and fire drills are a part of our educational training, why aren't we instituting two exits, a securable door, and drills to stop violent offenders in our schools?  The big reason, according to Grossman:  DENIAL!
     Anti-gun legislators want to take away the guns, but refuse to regulate violent video games.  Citing research he has conducted himself, Grossman advised that the "the average kid has practiced over 1,000,000 kills in a simulator", i.e., video games, which these days are "total virtual reality simulators."  Our kids are simulating robberies, kills and thefts for hundreds of hours on end.
     It is in this vain, we must inoculate ourselves; expose ourselves to the "disease" in a controlled manner.  Firefighters face fire to train; we must face stress and fear.  We've got to train our hearts and minds to be ready!
     This is just the tip of the iceberg in valuable instruction from Lt. Col. Grossman.  His training goals can be summarized in the following way:  his objective is to help you be better able to deter violence, less likely to panic, and more likely to live.  You can purchase the Audio CD for $60, and it will be money well-spent.  I know we will listening to our set over and over.  

Psalm 55:9      "Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, for I see violence and strife in the city."

Don't Put All Your Eggs In One Basket

     Yesterday, I observed a conversation among a group of Preppers; one person was focused on food storage, another one on communications in a grid-down situation, and still another on firearms and self-protection.  But one voice stood out and offered a scenario that rarely gets mentioned  .....  is it wise to keep all of your stored items in one location?
     Simply put, say that one of the recent tornado victims in the South was a Prepper; they had ample supplies of stored food, camping supplies, fuel and firearms/ammo.  If their stored items were all located at their house, which was wiped off its foundation, then they lost all that they had prepared, for just such an event.  BUT if they had planned ahead and stored a portion, or even half of their supplies offsite, then they still had something to start over with.  At the very least, they would most likely have food, clothing, shelter (tent), a means to hunt, and a way to cook food (camp stove).
     One of the ways you could decrease your liability would be to store part of your larder at a relative's house, or rent a storage unit for a nominal monthly fee.  Then you have lessened your chances of a total loss; it is unlikely that both locations would be completely destroyed.  Of course distance is a primary factor.  You need to make sure your second location is within an easy traveling range.  It wouldn't make sense to store part of your larder so far away that you can't get to it, should the crisis be one where transportation is limited.

     Another possible solution is an underground storm shelter.  Personally, this is on my "wish list".  These small concrete or fiberglass "bunkers" can be purchased and act as a modern day root cellar for storing food, and double as a storm shelter during tornado and hurricane season.  They are not cheap, but offer you the ability to keep your stored items close at hand.  This might not make sense for people who live on small lots in the city, but if you have any kind of acreage, they are something to consider.
     If you live in the city, I might recommend 55-gallon barrels, tightly sealed and insulated.  You will need to check your water table, etc., as spelled out in this thread from a survivalist forum.  I am not an expert on this method, so please do your own research.  But this is really just a variation of the old-fashioned root cellar that our grandparents used, so it makes sense that it could serve as a secondary location for storage.
     And one more thing to consider:  should there be any kind of crisis, whether it be weather-related or due to civil unrest, you would not want to publicize your second location.  Looting and crime are unfortunate by-products of such events, and if you want to secure your prep items for yourself, or family and friends, then keep the fact that it exists to yourself.  You will stand a better chance of having the supplies you need, when you need them.

Isaiah 25:4     "You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.  For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall."