Medical Preparedness for the Outdoorsman

      It has happened many times. People go into the great outdoors and get badly hurt through no fault of their own or pure negligence. How Many People are Killed or Injured in Hunting Accidents? According to the International Hunter Education Association, approximately 1,000 over a period of time. Now hiking and other outdoor activities numbers are not quite so high. But, how many times on the nightly news you see someone in the national forest becoming a casualty? Could they have saved themselves or helped someone that was hurt in their group? It comes down to a matter of training and keeping their wits about them. 

     You may have seen such techniques and skills used on survival reality shows. You may have known someone saved overseas by their military medical training. What if you could take a course that will give you the basics of how to deal with an injury to yourself or someone you know till you can get to help? What would you be willing to pay for that kind of lifesaving information?

Iraqi newborn checkup 2004

     In 2014 Appropriate Action will be offering a Medical Preparedness for the Outdoors-man course taught by Caleb Martin. Caleb is one of our local Fire Captain EMT-IVs who currently serves in the TN Army National Guard as a 68W Trauma Specialist in a reserve status. Mr. Martin has spent 12 years as a Medic in the United States Army. During this time Mr. Martin has completed multiple tours of duty inside the Middle East for combat operations as well as CONUS for Humanitarian and Border Protection assignments. During combat operations Mr. Martin served as a line medic and foreign training advisor for host nation forces in austere conditions. Currently Mr. Martin’s role in the Military is training soldiers in Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) and medical readiness. During everyday life Mr. Martin responds to a variety medical emergency as a member of his fire and local Emergency Medical Service provider.

     To see when this class is coming or see details in video form check out Appropriate Action's website listed below.

____________________________________________________________________________________
     Tim Davis, Jr. is a full time law Enforcement Professional, martial arts, and a part time firearms instructor. He has firearms experience spanning over 15 years ranging from several schools in advanced tactical response to time spent in Afghanistan working with their law enforcement program. Tim is the co-owner of Appropriate Action in Englewood TN. 

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Appropriate Action's Basic Carbine Class

     Another class that Appropriate Action teaches is the basic carbine. This class is open to anyone who owns a semi-automatic, magazine fed rifle or carbine in caliber 223 or above. Examples would be the AR-15, AK-47 (74), M1A (M14), M1 Carbine, FN FAL, Mini-14 (30), or any generic type family of weapons. If  you don't know if your firearm fits in this criteria, email me and I will let  you know. This class teaches you the technical aspect of long gun manipulation. Very little tactical is done. That is saved for our Progressive Carbine class. Very little stress is introduced at the beginning. We are not here to fry your brain.....at least at the start.......

     The day starts at 0800 with an equipment check and a safety brief. Once that is done a short lecture begins on the basic weapons systems that are brought to the class. Some weapons work different to others. Not all weapons lifestyles are the same. Each student may utilize it differently. Some will use it for sport and self defense. Others may throw it in their vehicle and take it with them on outdoor excursions. I take a small survey and find out what we need to focus on. Most civilians don't need to utilize a rifle like the military or law enforcement. Issues such as nomenclature,  administrative loading / unloading, use of support, targeting, sighting, stance, grip, and trigger squeeze will be covered before the zero procedures begin

     One of the things discussed will be point of aim and point of impact. I will demonstration the concepts of height over bore and how the bullet impacts at distance based upon what sighting distance used.  Students will line up on their target for a 25 or 36 yard zero with confirmation at 100 on steel. This is will be their first taste of  getting behind the sights in this environment. First volleys will be shot and bullet impacts will be adjusted until they are where they need to be.

      Weapons manipulation comes next. We start with how to keep the gun running through a fight. The tactical reload is followed by the emergency (speed) reload. When the gun completely shuts down we work on malfunctions. It always happen in the class no matter how well the students have cleaned their guns or maintained their magazines. Might as well cover it before it happens. This is usually when the students really start getting started with drills and seeing what happens when their weapons systems fail them. I don't want to see how you act when everything is going right. I want to see how well they pay attention when things start falling apart in front of them. When the student pulls the trigger and all they hear is a very loud "click" things start to get entertaining.

      I teach using a stair step method. Each drill will build on the last and add something new. I try to keep the round count low. Generally runs about 500 rounds for the whole day depending on how zealous the student gets. Most of the day is spent on the student's feet.  The pace is slow and methodical to make sure everyone hits what they are aiming at. Speed is not what I'm after. That will come later with repetition. You can't miss fast enough to win.

     One thing that the Gear Geeks get wrapped around the axle about is what super tactical stuff to bring. I show up in jeans and whatever weather appropriate clothing I need. I have been known to put spare magazines in my back pockets and roll with it. This particular class is not about gear. It is all about the technique. You can have all the tacticool stuff on the market and it will do no good if you can't hit the broad side of a barn or clear a malfunction. I don't frown if someone shows up with a chest rig or battle belt. But I won't teach off of it. One of these days I'll do a class in flip flops or sandals. Maybe even my Virbram Five Fingers. I always get looks.

     For about half an hour is game time. That is when I pull out the shot clock and let the students have at each other. Times seem to shave themselves down when your manhood is on the line. More than one person has been fired up by the end. I stole the last contest but it seems to be the funnest. At 50ish yards each student gets a dollar bill and staples it to their target backer. You only get one shot. The closest ones to George Washington's nose takes all.

    
     The end of class is us together in a semi circle. Before they can leave I have to have one Pro, one Con, and one suggestion for the class. That way I am always getting feedback on how I should change things up. I have never taught the class the same way ever. I'm always looking for the next best way to teach. I can say one thing for the agents that taught me during FBI Instructor development school. They told me to never ever be teaching the same way one year to the next. Something should always be different if it needs to be changed. Keep what works and discard the rest.

     If you want to see what I have up for teaching you can go to the website at soulreave9.wix.com/appropriateaction or www.facebook.com/appropriateaction


___________________________________________________________________________________
     Tim Davis, Jr. is a full time law Enforcement Professional, martial arts, and a part time firearms instructor. He has firearms experience spanning over 15 years ranging from several schools in advanced tactical response to time spent in Afghanistan working with their law enforcement program. Tim is the co-owner of Appropriate Action in Englewood TN. 

You can Contact him at appropriateactionllc@gmail.com
     

Appropriate Action's Pistol usage in darkness Class

     I wrote not to long ago about EDC lights and my opinions on them. Now I want to talk just a little about a class I am going to offer to utilize them when there is darkness in your world and why you should take it.

     The majority of shootings according to the FBI occur in low light and in distance less than 11 feet. I can personally tell you I remember most of the times I had my pistol in my hand at work was in the middle of the dark morning in a single wide trailer or really close to a stopped vehicle shouting commands.
  
     Now darkness does not just mean between the hours of 2100 and 0700 in the day. It could mean your basement, a movie theater without power, your home when you hear a sound at the door, an abandoned building or warehouse, or any other area where the sunshine pump doesn't work. And then combine the fact that you have to go looking for whatever the problem and and it is dark. FML right?

     Appropriate Action's Pistol usage in darkness class is around an 8 hour on the range instruction that deals with the little problems that come about having to use a pistol in a dark environment. Only people who have completed a state mandated handgun carry permit class, completed a pistol class from a reputable organization, current or former law enforcement and military, or an alumni of Appropriate Action will be able to attend.

     The first hours of the class will start in the late afternoon. First off will be a small safety brief and lecture about how the human eye works in reduced light explained in plain language. Next will be several different flashlights will be shown and explain their different brightness levels and modes of operation. After that, several different flashlight positions will be explained and what situations they are used in.

     After the lecture part is over for the day the students will move to the range and practice one handed manipulation of the pistol with the light in the non-dominant hand.  We will practice all of the hand held light positions covered while it is still light outside. That way in a safer environment we can see what the student is doing and correct any issues before the lights go out. Once that is done the students will live fire the positions under static and movement conditions. After that there will be a brief "dinner" break.

     Once everyone has came back a safety brief will start again and by that time it should be dark enough to use the their lights.Starting off with smaller skill building drills we will move up to using full scale silhouette targets at confrontational distance. Movement will yet again be covered as well as scanning and assessing any other threats. For those who have not dealt with it we will cover moving around corners

     The day will end with a final exercise that should be challenging and fun for everyone. I hate working folks hard and they not leave without a sense of accomplishing something and a smile. A final few minute debrief and they go home hopefully the wiser.

___________________________________________________________________________________
     Tim Davis, Jr. is a full time law Enforcement Professional, martial arts, and a part time firearms instructor. He has firearms experience spanning over 15 years ranging from several schools in advanced tactical response to time spent in Afghanistan working with their law enforcement program. Tim is the co-owner of Appropriate Action in Englewood TN. 

You can Contact him at soulreaver604@hotmail.com

EDC lights

     In the month of June I will be teaching my first 'Nighttime Pistol Usage' class to the public. This is something in a person's training that should not be neglected at all. The FBI statistics state that the majority of lethal force encounters happen inside 11 feet and during low light conditions. A MAJORITY.

     One tool that is a must have besides a firearm is some type of directed beam illumination gizmo. 

We call them flashlights for short.They come in all shapes and sizes, as well as beam colors and intensity. Many take common battery types, while others take specialized power sources. You have to pick the combination that works best for you. 

     First thing to look for is what you can afford. Wal-Mart and Ebay has about the most inexpensive lights out there. If you buy from the two most popular tactical brands such as Surefire and Streamlight then you will be paying a lot more. The internet is where it's at if you want to bargain shop around. If I covered EVERY brand of light out there to use then this blog would never end. I am just going to cover some of the most common out there.

     You can't talk about hand held fighting lights without mentioning SureFire. They produce some of the most powerful lights used by law enforcement, military, contractors, and civilians alike. They are known for a very robust (I have literally beaten some of my lights from them against glass) and hard to break. Not too long ago before the advent of the higher intensity LED you had to use Surefire lights with incandescent bulbs that could blow out at the wrong time. Don't get me wrong I had Surefire Z2 I was issued in Afghanistan 2007 that I had loaned to my business partner. It was returned to me last October with the original bulb in it still working. I have since blown that bulb (don't ask) and upgraded it to a CREE 300 Lumen LED bulb. Surefire makes smaller lights with a single battery (Backup) and super large lights called 'Torches' they are so bright. On average their hand held lights utilize the CR123A lithium battery which you can find at most Wal-Marts in two packs. However there are several online retailers that offer larger boxes of the batteries at severely discounted prices.

     Another popular brand of light that is almost impossible not to find on every duty belt of any police officer in this country is the Streamlight. The most common model being the Stinger, PolyStinger, HP, and DS. The joy I have had with these lights is that they are rechargeable with a battery life of several years. It always had a place on my duty belt and on long trips it was in my car with the family. In the old days my pet peeve with them was that the incandescent bulbs could not take a drop on a hard surface.  Bulbs were cheap to replace. Now, like Surefire they have gone to LED's. You can buy most of their lights in either aluminum or polymer.

     Off name brands can still be just as good as the last two I listed. I have a Rayovac 3 Watt LED hand held light that I have had in my personal vehicle for years. It takes AA batteries and works every time I turn it on. As much as I use it I have only changed the batteries about four or five times. Autozone sells several different brands of LED's that last forever on the batteries they come with. And they are very very cheap indeed. I bought three small single AA battery lights and put one in each of my trauma kits. They are not very bright. However, they are cheap and they will get the job done in a pinch.

    Next you need to pick your configuration. First lets talk about how its powered. If you don't want to buy CR123A's then I suggest a common battery type like AA, C, or D. Or you can go with a rechargeable light. However all batteries eventually wear out and will need to be replaced. If you are using a LED instead of an incandescent bulb the batteries will last much much longer. I like the Streamlight because I can charge it with an outlet mount or a car mount. I have a huge searchlight version kept in my truck. Yet again these power choices may be dictated by your budget or availability.

     Without getting folks wrapped around the axle on this one lets talk about brightness. There are lights that are dimmer than a candle and there are some that will literally make you see spots for several minutes and blind you if you are not careful. I generally like 200 to 500 lumen for a light that is not attached to a weapon. Over 300 or better for a pistol mounted light. Most LED handheld lights will have a center bright focus area in the center of the light projected and a lighter halo effect around it to help with angled vision. The larger the head of the light the better the focus and halo effect generally.

     How to turn it on can be something that can help or hurt you. I prefer a pressure type switch either near the head of the light or in a tail cap. I work a tail cap with my thumb or meat of my thumb depending on the grip. I work a near head button with my pinky finger. If it is a switch that is hard to push can be a bad thing. Another thing to think about is if there is a chance that you turn on the light by accident. Going through a place you want to be stealthy and you light turns on letting everyone know where you are at is a technical definition of a bad thing. Hand held Surefires usually have a turn cap that will render the light inert when twisted so far out. Streamlights not so much. You just have to be more mindful of what you are doing.

     Weapon lights have gotten into vogue lately because several holster companies have made it available to keep the light on the gun while it is on your belt. When I am in plain clothes teaching on my day job I'll wear my Springfield Operator with Surefire X300 light on my belt in a Zero Concealment systems Felon holster. I have only had the light off of my 1911 to clean the gun. Those two are pretty much mated for life.When my Redrup Custom Glock 19 is on my nightstand I have an old school Streamlight M3X mounted. Weapon lights and their usage have a separate set of rules. You have to be mindful that where you point the light while it is mounted is also where that gun is pointed towards. Lets not violate rule #2 of never point the weapon at anything you don't intend to destroy. Try not to manipulate the light with your trigger finger if you can stay away from it. If possible use your support hand in the two handed grip.

     Yet again two brands come to mind when you think of weapons lights. Guess which two. There are others out there but these are the mainstream. They come in many configurations like the hand helds and are usually pretty bright. They can get expensive due to the fact you are getting something that can withstand the recoil of a firearm and still function. However, you are getting something that lasts.

     With these things in mind start researching. Many brands have Youtube videos online advertising their products. Get independent opinions from folks who own these products and have used them. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Ask all you want and never go by just one person's word if you can get away with it.

___________________________________________________________________________________
     Tim Davis, Jr. is a full time law Enforcement Professional, martial arts, and a part time firearms instructor. He has firearms experience spanning over 15 years ranging from several schools in advanced tactical response to time spent in Afghanistan working with their law enforcement program. Tim is the co-owner of Appropriate Action in Englewood TN.


    

EDC Pistols and Accessories

     One of the things I see people get wrapped around the axle about is what pistol is good for Every Day Carry (EDC.)

     I have seen folks carry American Arms 22 magnum revolvers in an elastic band in their hat all the way to a sawed off lever action Marlin 30/30 under a trench coat. They all serve some of the same purposes. One is just more devastating than the other.

    I know if I'm expecting a gun fight I won't be getting a pistol. My AR-15 or Remington 870 will be in my hands. However, I would never be afforded that convenience.

Author's Redrup Custom Glock 19 with Haley Strategic INCOG holster

    The first thing I tell folks when they ask me what they should carry is, "What can you afford?"

     It is said if you buy cheap you are going to buy twice. I'm probably going to get some folks on this one. But, I don't recommend most guns that cost below $250 new from a gun shop. They usually can't take the constant beating of dry practice at home and running on the range. I have seen several inexpensive guns literally fall apart on the range. They are your hands, face, and eyes. You risk what you want with them. I usually won't allow them in my classes. Don't get me wrong. A $45 pistol will kill you just as fast as a S&W 500 Magnum. You got to ask yourself, "How much is my life or my family's worth to protect it?"
I have no answer for that. I want reliability above all else.        

Author's Sig Sauer P238 Scorpion in 380 ACP with Zero Concealment Rig

    The next question is usually what caliber to purchase? That is yet again another loaded question. Do you get as small as a  22 Long Rifle or as large as a 500 S&W Magnum? Yet again, budget is one of the things that come into play. Can you afford to practice with that caliber. Even at these inflated market values it is still cheaper to plink to practice with 22 LR than it is with 45 ACP. Next is lethality. People say that if you shot them with a 22 LR or Magnum all it would do is make them mad. Then some say that 45 ACP is the only caliber to carry on earth cause it will throw their enemy across the room and will kill them with the first shot. Obviously they have not dealt with any one ingesting bath salts or on Methamphetamine. The thing is people have been killed by all of these calibers large and small. I can tell you there is a reason why there has been a growing trend to go back to 45 ACP for a reason. But if you are not willing to carry a heavier, thicker, and lower capacity pistol then it is not for you. What kills a person is either blood loss (shock,) organ failure (heart,) or nervous system failure (brain and spinal column,) or a combination of any of the three.

     The smaller the caliber generally the smaller you can make the gun if conceal ability is the issue. When I am at a place where less clothing is optional (beaches, gyms, and hot weather) I usually carry a smaller pistol like my Sig Sauer P238 Scorpion. It fits in most of my smaller bags or I can wear it in shorts and a tank top without most folks noticing it. When you see me in overalls around the house or outside this gun will be on me. It is probably the smallest caliber gun (380 ACP) I will carry alone on my person. I have had American Arms 22 Magnums in my pocket before. But I always had something bigger with it on me.

Author's Springfield Operator with Surefire X300 light and ZCS Kydex

     Shot placement and what the bullets do when it hits the human body is the next topic for caliber. I really really really do not recommend full metal jacket ammunition for carry if you can get around it. Hollow point ammunition is the better way to go. But which is best? Yet another heated debate. A good bonded or solid copper round with good weight and velocity that functions well in your gun is the way to go. I use Speer Gold Dot in my duty 1911 due to department policy. It is a good round over all. I carry 124gr +P Speer Gold Dot in my Redrup Custom Glock 19. In my Scorpion is Winchester DPX 95 gr. There is also Golden Saber, Extreme shock, Hornaday (Zombie Max, Critical, and Personal Defense,) and Corbon to name a few. But all of the most exotic magic bullets will not do a darn thing if you don't put them where they need to go. I teach three zones to aim for during a fight. The hydraulic area (chest cavity,) the electrical area (brain and spinal column,) and the mechanical area (pelvic girdle.) These three areas do not guarantee the fight will stop. However, it sure will increase the odds. I put a CCI Blazer in 22 LR in your eye socket will have better odds of you ended a lethal threat then a Speer Gold Dot in 50 AE in your big toe. But you don't shoot once. You shoot often enough to make the threat stop. End of story.

     Carry options.  Depends on your state's laws on the books. The great state of Tennessee is a carry state. Some are concealment only and some are anyway they want as long as they are not a felon or been convicted of domestic violence. My department's standard operating procedure dictates concealed carry only. I am also a fan of Kydex. Some of my friends prefer nylon or expensive leather. Yet again is a budget and job issue. There are many on the market you just have to experiment like I have. I have a tote full of all kinds of holster for different guns over the years of doing just that. The holster needs to be somewhat comfortable. You are always going to know the gun is on you no matter what. I have not met a holster maker yet that can make a holster disappear or not be 100% convenient to the wearer. Guns and holsters should be 'comforting' not 'comfortable.' Inside the waistband for concealed carry has been the better of the choices in the warmer months. During colder weather you can get away with a holster that is worn on the outside of the body under a coat, vest, or fleece pullover. The holster needs to also do its job of holding the pistol in place when you are running, sitting, or fighting on the ground. If you go to draw your gun after falling and it isn't there that was an epic failure on your part.

     There are several informative avenues for gathering information. I use YouTube a lot as well as other forums on the internet. However, always be open minded to new things and do not be information incestuous with one source only. And just because Jim Bob Cooter at the local Rod and Gun club carries his pistol tucked in the back of his jeans does not mean you should too.

___________________________________________________________________________________
     Tim Davis, Jr. is a full time law Enforcement Professional, martial arts, and a part time firearms instructor. He has firearms experience spanning over 15 years ranging from several schools in advanced tactical response to time spent in Afghanistan working with their law enforcement program. Tim is the co-owner of Appropriate Action in Englewood TN.



    
                                                                                                       

Every Day Carry (EDC)

     More times than not I get asked what I carry on me from day to day that gets me by. Not just in a tactical sense. But in a practical way.
     I have two EDC's pretty much during the course of my week. When I am working my day job as a Law Enforcement Officer, and when I'm out and about in jeans and a shirt with the kids. Both fill about the same niche but just a little different.
     At work I have a duty belt and at least 14+ pockets I can carry things in. I could list my pens and all but lets just get to the nitty gritty of it.

Author's work EDC

1. Springfield Lightweight Operator 1911 with Surefire X300 in a Safariland 6280 holster. (200gr  Gold Dot) Two spare magazines on the belt. My first pistol shot was a WWII Army 1911 owned by Charles Pedrotti back in the early 90's. I have owned and carried several other types of pistols but, my heart belongs to the 100+ year old design of the 1911.

2. Asp 26" Stainless Baton

3. Two sets of Peerless hinged handcuffs. I keep several pair of 'Flexies' in the car as well.

4. Two main flashlights (seeing a pattern here?) One is a Streamlight HP and the other is an old school Surefire Z2 that I used in Afghanistan. On my person I actually have at least five sources of some kind of light. (Lighter counts)

5. TASER X26 (its at the office)

6. Wallet, lighter, keys (spare cuff key, Streamlight micro, and spare medication,) and Contact wet drops. Car exhaust while working school zone dries out my contacts horribly. As far as keys I actually carry two for my patrol car and four handcuff keys in different spots on my body. (Yes I am paranoid.) People go, "Tim you don't smoke." And they are correct. However there have been times a little fire goes a long way to making the day a little easier. I'm all the time burning loose threads on my uniform with it.

7. Zero Tolerance folding knife, Houdini Rescue tool, and a little everyday cutting knife. I keep the large folder "working sharp" don't use it for opening envelopes, boxes, or containers. That is what the little knife is for. The rescue tool is for wrecks with injuries that someone needs help getting out of.

8. Two multi-tools (One Gerber on the belt and a Swiss Walmart special I keep in my pocket.) There is barely a day that goes by that I don't use either of them for something at the office or in the car.

9. Work and personal cell phones.

     If you notice a theme here is that at work I have almost two of everything on me (some three and four). On a long 12 hour shift away from home odds are something will not go right and you can't go back to the house and go get your spare. A lot of these are job only related. But people can take a lesson in redundancy.

Author's "off duty" EDC

Off duty is a little bit on the lighter side of things. I don't wear a duty belt so I have to prioritize what I can carry on me in my pockets.

1. Redrup Custom Shop Glock 19 (124 gr +P Gold Dot) in a Haley Strategic INCOG holster. Spare magazine (not pictured) carried in an old school Fobus single carrier. 

2. Same Wallet, keys, multi tool, wet drops, lighter, and knives as I have in my pockets at work. Yet again I end up using even my lighter a bunch to either get rid of loose threads, burn the ends of rope or paracord, light a candle when the power is out, etc, and etc. Never know. You might be stranded on a rough patch of road on a cold night and need a fire. I don't know about you but I'm horrible at rubbing two sticks together for that purpose. I carry a camp fire starter in my Bug Out Bag.

3. Badge with identification in the event I have to take action while I'm off. Remember, friendly fire isn't.

4. Personal and work cell phones. How many times have you had your phone go dead or out of signal and the person right next to you has four bars? FML right? Well even a good prepaid phone along with one in your regular service area is a good thing to keep around. Even a battery powered emergency charger would be a good idea to keep around when a car or wall charger is not available.

     I'm sure folks can take away or add what I am showing. I have a few items in both setups that I will not reveal to the public for security reasons. I'm working on getting a Surefire Backup to add to off duty when the funds become available. Just not at the moment. Some people will ask why I don't carry cuffs on me? I just don't have a good place to put them. I keep flexi-cuffs in the door of my truck and you can tie someone up with almost anything sturdy enough.

     Your individual EDC will depend on what you do in your daily lives. I have an oath to defend the constitution of the United States and the State of Tennessee that I must keep 24-7. Whereas a civilian can drop a few items on this list. Now what I carry today may change in time depending on what is going on in my life. I can think of five or six variations I have done already. This list is also seasonal. Holsters change depending on my dress for the day. Hard for me to carry in an appendix holster when I'm wearing a suit for a funeral or formal function. And while I'm out at the gym I carry something a little smaller for a firearm and only what I can fit in my fanny pack.
  
     You can't plan and prepare for EVERY situation you run across. I guarantee there is not enough room in your Dockers or Levi jeans to get the job done. Don't ever get stagnant and only do one thing. You may regret it.

___________________________________________________________________________________
     Tim Davis, Jr. is a full time law Enforcement Professional, martial arts, and a part time firearms instructor. He has firearms experience spanning over 15 years ranging from several schools in advanced tactical response to time spent in Afghanistan working with their law enforcement program. Tim is the co-owner of Appropriate Action in Englewood TN.

You can shoot a gun and you can "RUN" a gun.

     I run across folks who say they "shoot" their gun all the time. And then there are folks who I associate with who actually "RUN" their gun. Now I may tick some folks off with this one. However, this is my opinion from my experiences over the years. Wanna know the difference?

     People who shoot their guns, like their mouths, have kind of a off handed training scar approach to using firearms. You seen them every time you go shooting. They show up to the range, load their firearms any way they want to with no sense of purpose, organization or wanting to be deliberate, have some adherence to safety rules (maybe), and plink at cans or paper bulls eyes with no sense of purpose. And there is no problem with that. If that is all you want to do. That's fine. I will not fault anyone for it. However, it kinda makes makes them think they are able to shoot straight when things turn bad. And most of the time they only have a 17% or less hit rate.

     People who "RUN" their guns do it pretty much with one purpose in mind. To quote a firearms instructor from my past: "To use physics to bend another person to their will." What do I mean by that? I mean that you use Metal alloy projectiles to make them stop doing whatever it is that they are doing.

___________________________________________________________________________________
     Tim Davis, Jr. is a full time law Enforcement Professional, martial arts, and a part time firearms instructor. He has firearms experience spanning over 15 years ranging from several schools in advanced tactical response to time spent in Afghanistan working with their law enforcement program. Tim is the co-owner of Appropriate Action in Englewood TN.

When I travel throught the Valley of the Shadow of Death

     Traveling armed in your day to day activities needs to be a lifestyle choice. You have to decide to take responsibility for your own safety. You can easily be a liability to yourself and the public at large if you do not take it seriously.

___________________________________________________________________________________
     Tim Davis, Jr. is a full time law Enforcement Professional, martial arts, and a part time firearms instructor. He has firearms experience spanning over 15 years ranging from several schools in advanced tactical response to time spent in Afghanistan working with their law enforcement program. Tim is the co-owner of Appropriate Action in Englewood TN.

    

Have gun. Will travel.

     During the course of my 'normal' job I have come across folks in the great state of Tennessee who have had their Tennessee Gun Carry Permit and don't keep their firearm with them when they travel. I always ask them,
"Why not?"

They reply,
"I don't know just never thought about it." is the usual answer.

Firearms are like fire extinguishers and parachutes. If you need any of those items usually you need it right then. If you don't have it you won't ever need it again. Figure it out.

In my 14 years of my current job I have seen several crimes stopped dead cold in their tracks by a responsible person with a firearm. It doesn't always end with a dead body on the ground or at the front door. A good number of times just the pulling out or brandishing the weapon makes folks run away. Works the same way with TASERS. Trust me.

I carry concealed EVERYWHERE I go.  I will not be caught with my pants down and die (or my family) at the hands of some disturbed fuckstick or meth head.

Now Tennessee is a 'Carry' state. You can carry concealed OR Cowboy up (open carry) if you have the permit. I'm not a big fan of Cowboy carry. In my humble opinion (which is like noses) you are opening yourself up to two things. 1. Getting the police called on you a lot. 2. Being the first person shot during a robbery along with the guard. I have had to answer calls where a person had a legally carried firearm but someone freaked out and called the police. FML. Then I have to embarrass a law abiding person by approaching them like an armed suspect and confirm they have a permit. Not how I want to spend my day when they did NOTHING wrong.

As far as concealed carry goes.......... I have been in Walmart on many occasions and can walk down the isles looking a folks going, "Yep they have a pistol. Yep they have a revolver." under clothing that is totally wrong with the method of carry or the method is wrong for the clothing. One of my friends in the profession is maybe 10% body fat. He wears clothing that is form fitting and stylish. He has a devil of a time when we go out carrying his off duty pistol. Now he is using a proper gun and holster for the way he dresses. Not as many issues.

If you have your gun in your truck or car center console and you are in the grocery store what good will that do? "Hold on thar. Let me go get my gun." Last person that said that to me had the business end of my 1911 pointed at them by the time they turned around.

I'll talk about some concealed carry options here in a few days.


From Force Science Institute:
IV. New stats on the growing threat of rapid mass murder
Ron Borsch, who monitors active killing incidents worldwide, has released his latest statistical summary, indicating that the frequency of these bloody events is continuing to escalate and that the interruption of a suspect's murderous rampage is most likely to be initiated by a single citizen or LEO.
Borsch, manager of the Southeast Area Law Enforcement Regional Training Academy in Bedford, OH, tracks what he terms Rapid Mass Murder (RMM): four or more persons slain within 20 minutes in a public place.
He also tallies attempted RMMs: incidents that would likely have reached the four-victim level had they not been aborted. Attempts, he concedes, are a case-by-case judgment call, determined by the number of persons wounded, the weapons and ammunition the offender had, suicide notes, and/or other evidence suggesting apparent intent.
Among Borsch's findings:
• RMMs are at a record high. From 1975 through the Columbine massacre, "successful" and attempted RMMs in the US and abroad averaged one per year. Post-Columbine through 2010, the yearly average was four. Last year there were eight, and the total for 2012 through Thanksgiving was 9.
• Statistically, the most dangerous months are March (23%) and April (16%), with September and December tied at 11%.
• Schools (pre-school through 12th grade) are target 38% of the time; colleges/universities 17%; and churches/religious facilities 10%.
• Intervention occurs to stop the killing in just over half the incidents, Borsch estimates. Of known aborts, two-thirds are accomplished by civilians and one-third by law enforcement.
• Citizens for the most part act unarmed, and eight out of 10 times their intervention is initiated by a single actor. "When law enforcement successfully stops RMM," Borsch reports, "the abort is initiated by a solo officer seven out of 10 times."
• Borsch has found examples of successful two-officer and three-officer intervention on occasion, but he says he has "never been able to objectively document a case where four or more officers acting together in a formation have been able to stop RMM."
The single most important training take-away, in Borsch's opinion: "Agencies need to emphasize single-officer tactics for responding to active-killer threats and de-emphasize or abandon multiple-officer 'posse' exercises, which still persist as a sacred cow in some jurisdictions."

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     Tim Davis, Jr. is a full time law Enforcement Professional, martial arts, and a part time firearms instructor. He has firearms experience spanning over 15 years ranging from several schools in advanced tactical response to time spent in Afghanistan working with their law enforcement program. Tim is the co-owner of Appropriate Action in Englewood TN.

Going for a start

     My father thought I should write a few articles with my experiences on firearms handling and my theories on how they should be used in the world. He has his own website that is popular for Christianity. Another person I know is a budding writer +Mylo Ayjack and has done her own blog. I was inspired. So..... I thought I would give a blog a whirl.

     By no means am I extreme right wing extremest. I don't plan on overthrowing any government either on the federal, state, or local level. Unless........they extend past their constitutional given powers. I am a prepper. However, I'm not like the ones you see on National Geographic. I live in an area that likes to flood and get hit by a good tornado once a year. That is why I do what I do with prepping. Other than that I keep to myself. I am an educator.... By double profession.

     I deal with the public every day I work. Some of urban legends around firearms have been promising at most and scary at its worst. I have seen more than a few people shot by "unloaded" firearms and a few others that have not payed attention to the backstop on their target and have shot through their neighbors home landing a trip to jail for felony reckless endangerment. More than not it is bad decisions and poor training that make firearms owners look ignorant and dangerous. All you gotta to hear on the range is "Hey Tim....check this out." And I know right then I might need to go to my truck and get my trauma kit.

     Moreover, I just want folks to be safe with their firearms. Because in the end it takes just one bad example to give everyone else a bad name.

    

     When I train and teach I follow these rules:

     1. Treat all guns as if they are loaded.
     2. Never point a weapon at anything you don't intend to destroy.
     3. Keep your finger straight, and off the trigger until you are ready to fire.
     4. Be aware of your targets foreground and background

     These rules cover most situations as far as firearms are involved. I use them at work and at home.

___________________________________________________________________________________
     Tim Davis, Jr. is a full time law Enforcement Professional, martial arts, and a part time firearms instructor. He has firearms experience spanning over 15 years ranging from several schools in advanced tactical response to time spent in Afghanistan working with their law enforcement program. Tim is the co-owner of Appropriate Action in Englewood TN.