“PRO versus NO on GUN CONTROL” by Chris Dixon

PRO versus NO on GUN CONTROL

by Chris Dixon

We live in a country that has an ongoing ideological battle going on over gun control.    Fundamentally this argument breaks down to either LESS GUNs on the street or MORE GUNs in the hands of legal citizens….Which idea do you think will make you safer?   We also have to factor in EMOTION to this debate as your Pro Control activists will sight high-profile national tragedies as proof that more gun control is needed.   What makes this worse is the emotional families of the victims are seen in front of the media proclaiming that this nation needs more gun control.    They claim that we need more laws to reduce the guns on the street and this action will in turn save more lives.  You hear them insulting everyone that does not agree with them and calling them every name you can imagine.
If we follow the Pro Gun Control group and we make all guns illegal do you think this will make America safer?    Do you think criminals will still have guns?  
I think this picture says it best!
 
The Pro 2^nd Amendment groups are pushing back with LOGIC and our Constitution.    There is very little anyone can do to stop a crazed person that is willing to die in order to kill other people.   The only thing you can do is stop them before they can continue.    If we have more legally carrying citizens on the street then these crazed killer might get stopped sooner.   This group understands that criminals by nature do not care about laws and they will always have guns.  You will have a hard time finding anyone that is Pro-Firearms that is eager to shoot anyone.   What you will find is upstanding citizens that want to be able to defend themselves and the ones they love.
If we follow the 2^nd Amendment supporting group and we place more guns in the hand of legal citizens that have undergone a background check do you think America will be safer?   Do you think criminals want more citizens to have gun?
This is something we must all decide for ourselves.   I for one would rather live in a country that allowed me to defend myself and the ones I love from those intent on hurting us.   If you would prefer to not have a gun I will not get mad.   I just want you to keep you hands off of my guns and not try to make me a potential victim like you choose to be.

Women and Guns by Zack Phillips

Women and Guns

by Zack Phillips

The number of women buying, shooting and owning guns has been on a steady rise for the past few years and I see no sign of it slowing down. But who are these women, and why are they choosing to arm themselves? When I ask this question to women that come in our shop looking at guns, their response is normally for "home protection" or "self defense". But that is not the only reason, more and more women are getting involved in the sport of hunting and the sport of competition shooting.

The average woman is not as strong as the average man.  In a hand-to-hand struggle, even if she goes to the gym five times a week, the average woman is likely going to lose. Although I would hate to be thrown in the cage with "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey of the UFC. And before I start getting death threats and invites to go behind the bleachers, I am by no means saying it is a waste of time to train at the gym, I encourage you 100% to keep your body fit and take some self defense classes (same goes for men). I am merely stating this is the case for the average woman.... unless she has a gun, and knows how to use it!
There’s a famous quote, ‘God made men, but Sam Colt made them equal.’ I am very glad to hear more and more stories of women who have turned the tables on these would-be robbers / rapists / kidnappers. One story that comes to mind is a 12 year old girl from Oklahoma who was home alone when someone broke into there house. She used her Mother's Glock .40 to shoot the robber in the shoulder scaring him away and was found and arrested a short time thereafter. The bottom line is, a gun is without a doubt the best way for a woman to defend herself in a worst-case scenario.” Guns give women a sense of equality, a sense of safety and a sense of being in control of themselves.  
But why now?  It makes sense that more and more women seek to be individually armed as they become increasingly independent, but the number of female shooters has sky-rocketed within just the past decade.
There isn’t recent comprehensive polling data on the motivations behind the spike, but a number of experts believe current events are also a factor.  The foundering economy and proposed gun control legislation are referenced, in particular. In the past, it would be a lot of wives with their husbands, but now a lot of single women are buying guns and taking training. Like many things, this uptick occurred as the economy soured over the last few years.
Bottom line?  More and more women of all demographics are arming themselves in America, and there are three often-cited reasons: the need to independently defend oneself, current events, and the fact that it has never been easier for women to get involved in guns. 
Or perhaps you are a woman who just happened upon this article in your search for answers to your questions, such as, "do I really need a gun?" I will try to briefly shed some light on this question and hopefully help in your decision.
 
Do I Need A Gun?
Only you can answer the question if you need a gun and it's not an easy question to answer. For a woman, this is a tough question to ask themselves because it means facing their vulnerabilities. For our own peace of mind we tend to assure ourselves that; "people are good" or "my neighborhood is safe" or "I am always aware, I can prevent something from happening." Of course we know that none of these things are completely true, and if you are a single woman your risks go up dramatically.
Home Defense
Because of the confusing nature of the different state laws and crimes, verifiable statistics are hard to come by for home invasions in the United States. Some resources placed the statistics as high as 1 in 5 homes in the U.S. that will be broken into or experience some sort of home invasion. The majority of states do not categorize "home invasions" as a unique crime, but instead specify the actual crime committed once the criminals are inside the residence, such as homicide, assault, rape, kidnapping, or robbery. Even with hard to find numbers I don't believe any of us could or should assume that our home or apartment is not a candidate for a home invasion.
Could You Use a Gun to Protect Yourself?

Your choice to carry and own a gun for self-protection says that you are willing to take the life of someone if necessary in order to save your life or the lives of those you love. This is a very significant statement that has very serious ramifications. We of course don't own a gun to "kill", we own a gun to "defend". Should that moment ever arise, could you use your gun on an attacker? You will have to answer this question for yourself.
Before you purchase a gun for your self-protection you MUST fully consider the following questions:

• Do I believe that there are circumstances that make it acceptable to kill another human?
• Could I really aim my gun at another human being and pull the trigger?
• Would I be able to live with the emotional scars that may follow and perhaps even the social and legal ramifications?
• Can I spiritually reconcile this question with my faith?

In all honesty, if you are not willing to explore these questions and cannot answer yes to them, you may not be ready to own a gun for self defense at this time. This would put you and others at great risk. Perhaps you should consider some other less-lethal form of self defense. 
Will You Be a Responsible Gun Owner?
Becoming a gun owner carries with it a great responsibility. Safe storage must be considered and prepared for. Keeping your gun locked in a safe to prevent children or others from unauthorized access is necessary. You as the owner must take into consideration how you will safely store and carry your gun and be committed to eliminating the possibility of unauthorized access to it. 
You Have a Right to Protect Yourself
I personally believe that everyone has a right to defend themselves and should do so by whatever means necessary. I am not saying that you should shoot every 6 foot 6 inch 250 pound crackhead in the groin just because he ask's you on a date, I am merely saying that you DO have options of protecting yourself and because you are the smaller, weaker person does not mean that you have to just give up. As a Christian I like to reference the story of David and Goliath. Goliath was part of the  Philistine Army and was over 8 feet tall and always wore full body armor. For 40 days he would come out each day mocking and challenging the Israelites to fight. The King of Israel and his entire Army were terrified of Goliath. 
One day David, the youngest son of Jesse, was sent to the battle lines by his father to bring back news of his brothers. David was probably just a young teenager at the time. While there, David heard Goliath shouting his daily defiance and he saw the great fear stirred within the men of Israel. David responded, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of God?" 
So David volunteered to fight Goliath. Dressed in his simple tunic, carrying his shepherd's staff, sling and a pouch full of stones, David approached Goliath. The giant cursed at him, hurling threats and insults.
David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied ... today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air ... and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel ... it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands."
As Goliath moved in for the kill, David reached into his bag and slung one of his stones at Goliath's head. Finding a hole in the armor, the stone sank deep into the giant's forehead and he fell face down on the ground.
Big or small, weak or strong, male or female, we ALL have a right to defend ourselves against evil beings. What you choose to defend yourself with is up to you. As for me and my family, we choose the gun. I encourage every woman to choose some type of protection, whether it be a gun, pepper spray, taser or self defense classes.

Hopefully you never have to but if the time ever comes... be prepared to defend yourself! I'm not saying that as a woman you should be paranoid, dressed in full camo with a Colt M4 slung over your shoulder, a Beretta 9mm in your purse, a Glock .45 strapped to your ankle and a Keltec P3AT stuffed in your bra. Just always be aware of your surroundings and always be prepared to defend yourself with whatever means you feel comfortable with. My personal recommendation would be to get a gun and learn how to use it. Very few things make a bolder statement than the Armed Female. 
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have questions.

Zack Phillips
Website: www.shootersplus.com
Twitter: @ShootersPlus
FaceBook: SH00TERSPLUS

Concealed Carry Tips: How to Stop Worrying About "Printing" by Chris Baker

Concealed Carry Tips: How to Stop Worrying About "Printing"

by Chris Baker

If you hang around the concealed carry crowd for long, you’re likely to hear about the issue of “printing”. That’s the informal term that describes when the the outline of a gun is visible through a garment even though the gun is technically covered. This is generally considered a bad thing, and many people will go to great lengths to ensure that their carry gun isn’t printing before they venture out into public.

I remember the first time I carried after getting my permit almost a decade ago. I stuffed a S&W snubby into the inside pocket of a heavy wool coat and went to Target to buy a birthday card for a friend. Even though there was no possible way anyone could see even the hint of an outline of the gun through that coat, all I could think the whole time was, “Holy crap. I have a GUN in my pocket! Everybody knows and I will be shunned from society!”

After having taught concealed carry permit classes for a few years, I learned from former students that this sentiment is not uncommon among first-time carriers. Assuming you carry on a regular basis, the paranoid feeling eventually fades and stowing a blaster in your trousers every day becomes as natural as getting dressed in the morning. But for most people, there is still a lingering desire to avoid getting “made” and having someone accidentally discover there’s a holstered pea-shooter underneath your shirt.

Motives for wanting to be armed discreetly will vary from one person to the next and could be for social reasons, legal reasons, or to maintain a perceived tactical advantage. There are a few different ways you could potentially be “outed” as a CCW-holder, printing being just one of them, but its one that a lot of folks tend to be very cautious about. Oftentimes too cautious, in my opinion, because it often leads to them carrying a smaller or less powerful gun than they should, or to not even carrying at all. Chances are, you have little to worry about, and here are a few thoughts to consider to help put your mind at ease:

1. It’s not as obvious as you think

If you’re worried that the slight bulge in your shirt is really obvious when you’re looking down at it, be sure to check in a mirror. From a couple of feet away, it’s probably barely perceptible. So unless you’re trying to carry a six-inch revolver in a spandex tank-top, a slight protrusion from the base of the grip that looks huge to your eyes when looking down at it will most likely blend in from the perspective of the people around you.

2. Nobody’s looking

With belt holsters being the most common method for concealed carry, printing is most likely to occur around the body’s midsection. Fortunately, in our society it’s generally impolite to stare at other people’s “crotchal region” and most people have a sub-concious aversion to letting their eyes drift toward staring at a strangers belt line. Even if your gun is blatantly printing, few people in public will ever notice.

3. Printing rarely looks like a gun

So let’s say you’re printing a little and somebody happens to notice something a bit odd about the way your clothes fit. The average person is not trained to automatically think “gun” when they see a little wrinkle in someone’s shirt. If they even give it a second thought, they’re more likely to assume it’s something mundane like a belt buckle, cell phone, keychain, or a beeper (that is, if your town happens to be perpetually stuck in the year 1997.)

4. Nobody cares

The only people who automatically assume that any object concealed under clothing is a gun are other concealed carry permit holders, and they’re certainly not going to give you a hard time. Okay, maybe some cops will notice too, but unless you’re acting like a complete moron, 99.9% of LEOs out there aren’t going to hassle you for a little printing. It’s unlikely, though possible that a “bad guy” might notice the lump under your shirt, but chances are he’s looking for an easy target and not interested in getting into a wrestling match with you over what may or may not turn out to be a gun.

5. Know the Law

In states where open carry is prohibited, it’s often rumored that any degree of printing is illegal too, even with a concealed carry permit. In reality, this is almost never the case. Since printing is not a technical legal definition, it raises the important question of what exactly qualifies as “concealed”. Laws vary from state to state, but in most places, as long as you’re making a legitimate effort to keep the gun concealed from the average untrained eye, you shouldn’t have to worry about printing. There’s a lot of overblown misinformation out there on this issue, so be sure to get your facts about state and local carry laws from a reliable source before making any assumptions.

6. Stop Touching It

If you’re overly concerned about printing, then you might be prone to constantly checking and adjusting your carry gun. More often than not, this will only serve to draw unwanted attention to your heater, not keep it hidden. As our pal Say Uncle is fond of saying, “stop touching it“. If you behave as if nothing is there, then most other people will too.

As always, a good holster and solid gun belt are key to maximizing the comfort and concealability of your carry gun. The setup should keep the grip of the gun close to your body to avoid excessive printing, and to keep the gun from moving around. Of course, you’ll probably have to “dress around the gun” to some degree, which may require going up one pant size, and avoiding excessively tight clothing. But with decent gear and some common sense, printing shouldn’t be much of a concern for the average legally armed citizen.

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Check out other Articles by Chris Baker of Lucky Gunner