• The Acceptance That Violence Can Touch You: The Beginning of Self-Defense Mindset

    This is not the first time I have written about this issue, but here I seek to give it a full treatment for your consideration. There are essentially two groups of people who may read this: those of you who have indeed accepted that violence can come into your life, and those that have given…

  • The Grey Man Concept and Clothing Choice

    “One who excels as a warrior does not appear formidable” – Lao Tzu There is a concept known as “grey man” that is discussed extensively within self-defense and tactical circles and it generally suggests that blending in with your surroundings and not standing out is beneficial: be the “grey man.” We don’t want to stand…

  • Essential Self-Defense Law Part III: Maintain Innocence

    Read ‘Essential Self-Defense Law Part I: Imminence’ Here Read ‘Essential Self-Defense Law Part II: Appropriate Force’ Here In the first part of this three part article I laid out three essential principles of self-defense law that all armed citizens should be familiar with: understanding of imminence, understanding of appropriate force, and the maintenance of innocence…

  • Low Light Shooting: A Realistic Approach for the Concealed Carrier

    There is an entire industry, both in manufacturing and in training, which caters to “night fighting” and it gets a lot of attention. Many of these products and techniques are relevant to military and law enforcement personnel. However, outside of the home, low light shooting techniques play an incredibly small (virtually non-existent) part in civilian…

  • [HOLSTER REVIEW] Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.0

    Carry gear needs to be constantly tested, evaluated, and changed if necessary. About a month ago I switched holsters and retired the particular holster that I have used almost exclusively for my Glock 19 for almost 5 years. I am not sure if it is simply the nature of some new shirts that I have…

  • Essential Self-Defense Law Part II: Appropriate Force

    Read ‘Essential Self-Defense Law Part I: Imminence’ Here Read ‘Essential Self-Defense Law Part III: Maintain Innocence’ Here In the first installment of this article I laid out three legal principles that I firmly believe all armed citizens should be well aware of as a bare minimum of self-defense law understanding: The ability to recognize an…

  • Essential Self-Defense Law Part I: Imminence

    Read ‘Essential Self-Defense Law Part II: Appropriate Force’ Here Read ‘Essential Self-Defense Law Part III: Maintain Innocence’ Here I am not an attorney, nor do I propose to offer legal advice of any kind. I am, however, a gun writer and trainer that has become propelled to pen this article because I see an incredible…

  • If/Then Visualization:  A Component Of Self-Defense Mindset

    “See first with your mind, then with your eyes, and finally with your body” – Yagyu Munenori If there is a single element of mindset that seems to truly separate those who take self-defense seriously from those who don’t it is the mental visualization of possible defensive scenarios. This mental activity is called by a…

  • Reality Of The Reload: Should You Carry Spare Ammunition?

    I will start off by saying that I always, one hundred percent of the time, carry a reload for my handgun. Usually just a single reload, perhaps a second reload if I am spending time in the woods or some such thing, but always at least one. When carrying my usual double-stack 9mm pistol I…