Newsletter • Paladin Training, Inc.

Edition 30

This issue contains the first installment of an AAR on the UBC class conducted 18 – 20 NOV.

Training opportunities this month include a Basic Defensive Handgun class this coming weekend and a CWP class the week after Christmas.

If you’re interested in attending an Introduction to Handguns class in JAN 2012, please let me know. Also, I’ve been getting requests to run a Defensive Shotgun class. If that interests you, I’d like to know that as well. BDS is one of those classes we run only as demand is indicated. Let me know.

Christmas will be here before you know it! Consider giving some Good person in your life the opportunity to learn skills necessary to defeat a Bad person. A gift certificate to one of our CWP or defensive firearm classes can truly be the gift of Life for someone you love.

Gift certificates are good for one year.

Speaking of the end of the year, don’t forget that Paladin Training is now a tax exempt public charity under IRS code 501(c)(3). All donations are tax-deductible.

Help us fulfill our mission of providing low / no-cost training to individual law enforcement officers and small departments in SC by making a tax deductible gift to Paladin Training, Inc.

We have more requests for training assistance than we can afford to fill at this time.

Remember…

Stay sharp!

Steve

DVC/I H S

Openings in December

We have room in the Basic Defensive Handgun class this weekend!

We’re also going to put out there a weekday CWP class the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day for those who haven’t been able to get off for one of our regular week-end classes. Plenty of openings in that class.

Contact me ASAP if you wish to reserve a spot in any of these classes.

You can also send a deposit via PayPal using the button to the left.

First UBC class

We had nine students for our first Urban Break-contact, Carbine (UBC) class held last month; seven private citizens and two LEO’s from DCSO.

Instructors were Jason Dore (FCSO), Chris Watkins (USAF), Scott Tubbs (USA-ret) and myself.

I’ll skim lightly over Friday morning’s instruction: We start every class with student and instructor introductions, followed by a chance for the students to share with us their expectations for the class… why they’re there, what they hope to get from it, etc. Also, prior to hitting the range we had the usual safety briefing, a discussion of the most common problems we see in AR15’s (almost all operator induced) and a quick review of the fundamentals of marksmanship and carbine administrative skills. Since this was an advanced class with training prerequisites, the assumption was that students already had a basic understanding of how to operate the controls, apply the fundamentals, and had zeroed weapons.

Still, it’s not wise to stray too far from the fundamentals, so much of Friday was devoted to reviewing and reinforcing them. The administrative load, tactical, emergency, and combat speed reloads were reviewed. Magazines were purposefully downloaded to force students to make frequent reloads.

We started our live fire session Friday afternoon shooting some ‘dot’ drills using 3″ dots at 10 yards. A few iterations of these static ‘technical’ drills helped us diagnose problems and spot some areas that needed immediate work, primarily in the area of trigger control. Trigger control is a perishable skill and most of us just don’t get enough trigger time to maintain it as we should. We are very particular about technique here and teach a five step process to each shot.

Something to remember: Every shot is fired as if a follow-up shot will be necessary. Don’t forget follow-thru!

After a few trigger control drills to knock the rust off, and a little remediation work, we put up zeroing targets and either confirmed or obtained zero from the prone at 25 yards. Students are encouraged to use either a 50 yard or 100 yard zero on a 5.56 carbine used in a LE or civilian mission. Both are discussed and students are allowed use whichever best suits their situation.

Next we reviewed the basics of engaging Threats to the rear and either side. Unlike many schools where a simple face to the rear is taught, Paladin stresses the importance of getting off your opponent’s line of power. If the terrain permits, turns are made with dynamic lateral or diagonal movement off the starting point, the ‘X’.

The Zig-zag Drill and an ‘X-Box’ Drill were also fired to practice engaging Threats while moving, first on the oblique, then to either side and finally while aggressing and backing. This is where problems with slings and sling technique started showing up. Sling issues also were a factor in engaging Threats from the secondary side, or ‘off’ shoulder. I’ll discuss this a little more when I post some of the lessons learned.

We then reviewed the fundamentals of the use of cover and worked on alternative fighting positions.

Muzzle awareness and trigger finger discipline, the two primary safety skills, were closely monitored. Due to the nature of the drills coming up, it was imperative the students had this down to a subconscious level. There was no room for failure.

From last issue:

Video and a brief review is available here: www.gunn-fighter.com

Another video of gun-camera footage is here:

UBC Test Run

Lastly, still pics are on my Facebook page.

The JAN 2012 UBC class is FULL. I will take (fully refundable) deposits for standby slots. Another UBC is tentatively scheduled for MAR 2012. The exact dates are yet to be determined.Beginning in MAR 2012 there will be a price increase for the UBC class. It’s an instructor heavy curriculum. But, if you want realistic training, here it is!Reminder: Successful completion of our BDC or equivalent is a pre-requisite to attend UBC.

Next issue: The scenario and conduct of the drill.

Edition 29

Gift certificates are good for one year.

Speaking of the end of the year, don’t forget that Paladin Training is now a tax exempt public charity under IRS code 501(c)(3). All donations are tax-deductible.

Help us fulfill our mission of providing low / no-cost training to individual law enforcement officers and small departments in SC by making a tax deductible gift to Paladin Training, Inc.

We have more requests for training assistance than we can afford to fill at this time.

Libby and I wish you all a safe and blessed Thanksgiving!

Just remember…

Stay sharp!

Steve

DVC/I H S

Openings in December

We have room in both the Concealable Weapon Permit class being conducted the weekend of 2 – 3 DEC 2011 and the Basic Defensive Handgun class the following weekend.

Contact me ASAP if you wish to reserve a spot in any of these classes.

You can also send a deposit via PayPal using the button to the left.

First UBC class

Last weekend we conducted the first Urban Break-contact, Carbine class for 9 students. I’ll give a more detailed review of the class in a special edition next week. For now, video and a brief review is available here: www.gunn-fighter.com

Another video of gun-camera footage is here: UBC Test Run

Lastly, still pics are on my Facebook page.

The JAN 2012 UBC class is FULL. I will take (fully refundable) deposits for standby slots.

Another UBC is tentatively scheduled for MAR 2012. The exact dates are yet to be determined.

Beginning in MAR 2012 there will be a price increase for the UBC class. It’s an instructor heavy curriculum. But, if you want realistic training, here it is!

Reminder: Successful completion of our BDC or equivalent is a pre-requisite to attend UBC.

Edition 28

BIG news! Last week we learned that two years of hard work (primarily on the part of my wife, Libby) had finally paid off: We received word from the IRS that Paladin’s application for tax exempt status had been granted.

Paladin Training is now a tax exempt public charity under IRS code 501(c)(3).

Now we can effectively solicit grant and donor funding in order to facilitate our mission of providing free or low cost training to smaller, primarily rural, law enforce-ment agencies in South Carolina.

I’ll keep you posted.

And, to that group that has been in prayer over the application, a sincere thank you from the board and from me.

Onward!

Steve

DVC/I H S

CWP class this Saturday and Sunday

We have room in the Concealable Weapon Permit class being conducted this weekend.

Note that this class does NOT follow our normal Friday evening / Saturday format. This class will run from 9am to 5pm Saturday at the Marriott Residence Inn in Florence and from 2pm to 6pm Sunday at Lake Darpo, Society Hill, SC.

Weather forecast for Sunday: Partly cloudy and 67F.

We’ll return to the Friday / Saturday format for the 2 – 3 DEC class.

Big Shipment of Steel Targets In

Last week we took delivery of 9 static rifle-rated steel targets that are going to make a huge difference in the quality and pace of all our upper level defensive firearm classes.

The targets are made by Salute Products out of Oregon.

Eight of the targets are ’10-8/EAG’ static plates and one is Salute’s ‘Spartan’. The Spartan has three windows for precision shots.

You can check them out here: SALUTE

Urban Break-Contact, Carbine class update

Interest in the 3 Day UBC has been so high we’ve decided to schedule another for 13 – 15 JAN 2012.

Also, we’ve had three students request to transfer their deposits to the JAN class which means we now have three openings in the NOV class. If you want to attend the 18 – 20 NOV class, contact me ASAP.

Reminder: Successful completion of our BDC or equivalent is a pre-requisite to attend UBC.

Edition 27

We had a great Basic Defensive Carbine class last weekend. The skill level of attendees ranged from a first time carbine operator to an active duty soldier who has seen multiple combat tours. Everyone learned (including me!), everyone worked hard, everyone had a great time. More of the Lessons Learned in the next newsletter.

If you’d like to see a few of the pictures from the class, visit Paladin Training, Inc.’s Facebook page.

Hope you enjoy the newsletter.

Stay sharp and train hard!

Steve

DVC/I H S

Introduction to Handguns tomorrow evening

This Introduction to Handgun class will be held at Fludd’s Gun and Pawn, 2049 West Evans Street in Florence. If you have any questions, you can reach Derrick or Daniel at 843-669-7363.

IH-1 is designed for the new or prospective first-time handgun buyer (or someone who just wants to become more knowledgeable). We’ll handle different types of revolvers and pistols. We’ll discuss how they work, practice loading and unloading (with dummy ammunition), learn what the various parts are called, etc.

A quality handgun is an investment in more ways than one. Don’t get the wrong gun when it can so easily be avoided. A little knowledge can go a long way toward keeping you safe and not wasting money.

If you already have a handgun and want to learn more about, by all means bring it!

This is a non-firing class and no live ammunition is allowed in the classroom.

Cost: $50

Time: 6pm to 10pm

Situational Awareness Tip

Situational awareness is not just a crime prevention technique. Being aware of your surroundings can help make the world – life – more interesting. It can also help you avoid the results of someone else’s carelessness:

Watch as the driver of the vehicle approaching from the left side of the screen moves to avoid getting caught up in the impending semi crash. Now, imagine that’s you stuck at the crossing fiddling with the radio in your car. Or, making a call on your phone.

Would you have noticed what was coming in time?

We all do that kind of stuff. The key to living through it is to not get so fixated on some Tier 2 task we forget our first priority when around strangers: To know who is around us and what they are doing.

Tier 1 tasks:

1. Know who is around you and what they are doing;

2. Maximize your ability to see and move;

3. Know where you would go and what you would do (have a contingency plan);

4. Honor your instincts.

At Paladin Training we call those four items the Fundamentals of Situational Awareness.

Tier 2 tasks:

Anything that is not necessary for your immediate survival that distracts you from a Tier 1 task.

The point: We train ourselves to constantly maintain situational awareness. When that becomes a habit – a lifestyle – we’ll feel so uncomfortable while doing those other, less important, tasks that we’ll continually break away from them to scan our surroundings.

Napoleon is credited with saying, ‘A commander may be forgiven for being defeated, but never for being surprised.’

A strange thing happened to me today: I saw someone Paying Attention. I was walking across the post office parking lot toward my truck and I passed a man who was staring intently at something or someone off to the side.

I make eye contact with everyone I come near. Most people are either doing the Zombie stare straight ahead or looking down at the ground. To see someone actually looking around at their surroundings is odd.

I never did see what caught his intention. Yes, I looked.

And don’t let a stranger’s apparent focus on something out of your range of vision prevent you from keeping one eye on him!

Urban Break-Contact, Carbine class update

The 3 Day UBC class scheduled for 18 – 20 NOV 2011 is full. I’ve had to turn away so many that I’m seriously considering adding a second class right away. If you’d like to participate in this training but didn’t get in to the inaugural class, contact me ASAP and tell me your preference:

UBC in DEC 2011 or JAN 2012?

Successful completion of our BDC or equivalent is a pre-requisite to attend UBC.

Let me know!

Edition 26

We have slots available in the Basic Defensive Carbine class this weekend. Contact me if you’d like to take this class.

Successful completion of BDC (or equivalent) is a pre-requisite for the 3-day Urban Break Contact class in NOV.

Speaking of the 18 – 20 NOV UBC: It’s full! Demand to undergo this training was quick and strong and we’ve had to turn so many away that I’m considering scheduling another as soon as JAN 2012. If you’re interested, contact me ASAP so I can put you on the list to notify when we get the dates locked in. We’ll begin taking deposits at that time.

If you want to take the next UBC class but don’t meet the prerequisite training requirements noted above, then please make every effort to get into the BDC this weekend. I don’t plan to schedule another before JAN.

Hope you enjoy the newsletter.

Stay sharp and train hard!

Steve

DVC/I H S

Update: Calling Christian Warriors

Last newsletter I asked if anyone would be interested in attending a weekly Bible study on self-defense issues. Overall, the response has been very favorable so we’re moving ahead on that. The first meeting will be Thursday, 3 NOV from 7 pm to 8:30 pm.

Two requests:

1. Does anyone have a meeting room we can use that will hold about twenty people? A dry erase board would be a definite plus.

2. Many of you spoke to me in person about this at the gunshow and I have no e-mail record (or any other kind, for that matter) of your interest. Please give me a call or drop me an e-mail to remind me you’re interested in attending so I can keep you in the loop.

If you’re new to the newsletter and want to know more about this, drop me an e-mail so I can bring you up to speed. Be sure to put ‘Christian Warrior Training’ in the subject line.

BlackHawk CQC / Serpa decision

A little background: ‘Serpa’ refers to a locking device invented by Michael Serpa. BlackHawk installs his latch on their CQC line of injection molded holsters making them Blackhawk CQC Serpa holsters.

The latch, just a tab located on one end of a spring-loaded lever, automatically snaps into the trigger guard of the pistol as it’s seated into the holster. To draw the pistol, the operator should use the PAD of his STRAIGHT trigger finger to press in on the lever, overcoming the spring so the gun can be lifted. The lever must be held in against spring tension until the trigger guard bow clears the latch.

As a safety feature, the lever is roughly where the finger should be indexed and not over the trigger guard opening. Safe practice requires that you keep the finger straight while pressing the lever. Use the pad of the first joint and not the tip.

This is critical.

Keeping the finger aligned with the register position (indexed) and straight are both easy to do on the square range when you’re under no duress. However, add the pressure of time (as in lack of) or the inevitable something gone wrong and it can be a different story.

The first time I saw a Serpa I thought to myself, ‘This is an accident waiting to happen’.

Then, in early 2007, we had a near miss negligent discharge (ND) during a Basic Defensive Handgun class. The student’s pistol discharged into the Serpa holster during a presentation. The bullet struck the ground behind him, almost hitting one of the instructors in the foot.

It was a miserably cold and wet day and everyone was wearing extra cold weather clothing and rain gear. When the student attempted to draw his pistol during a drill, it got caught in some bunched up clothing and refused to lift clear the holster. The student thought the gun was still being retained by the Serpa latch and stabbed harder against the latch with the bent tip of his trigger finger. This was done automatically and without thought. But, the gun was clear the latch and the trigger guard was exposed above the lip of the holster. The trigger finger went into the trigger guard and discharged the pistol.

Our solution at the time was to rely on more training in keeping the finger straight and using only the pad of the flat first joint.

Apparently the list of Serpa related ND’s continues to grow.

FrontSight in Nevada has banned Serpas after a series of ND’s:

http://www.frontsight.com/pdf/courseletter.pdf

Several IDPA chapters are banning them:

http://idpaforum.yuku.com/topic/7803

Here’s a thoughtful and thorough review:

http://militarytimes.com/blogs/gearscout/2011/09/24/we-have-our-own-look-at-the-serpa/

Todd Green has banned them:

http://pistol-training.com/archives/5361

I haven’t confirmed via their websites, but in the links above I read that Larry Vickers, Gabe Suarez and now James Yeager of Tactical Response, one who has no problem pushing the safety envelope, have all banned them.

I’ve heard enough.

Try an experiment: Lay your trigger finger on a flat surface and press in with the pad of the first joint using only moderate pressure. Now, press in as hard as you can. When I try it, the first joint of the finger automatically bends so that I’m now using the tip to press in. I think this is instinctive. It’s hard to train out instinctive.

On a calm day, on a square range, when everything is working as it should, moderate pressure against the Serpa latch will release the pistol from the holster. But, one dark and stormy night when you’ve got to get that gun out of the holster or die, I bet you’re going to press that button in as hard as you possibly can with the tip of your trigger finger. And, apparently, odds are pretty good you’re going to shoot yourself.

Not a good way to start a fight.

If you’ve got to have another level of retention, seriously consider Safariland’s ALS system.

Last word: If you ditch your Serpa, you’ve still got a training scar to contend with. Get another type holster and start working now to retrain that trigger finger.

Edition 25

We have seats available in the Basic Defensive Handgun class this weekend. Contact me if you’d like to take this class. You can send the deposit by using PayPal.

Don’t forget that we’ll fire the SC CWP course of fire on Day 2 of the BDH for record (if applicable). If you shoot a passing score and come back to one of our SC CWP classes within 3 years, you’ll be able to deduct $30 from the CWP class tuition and be exempt from the range portion of the class.

We’ll have low-light and night-fire training this class as well.

If this interests you, get in touch with me ASAP.

Hope you enjoy the newsletter.

Stay sharp and train hard!

Steve

DVC/I H S

Calling Christian Warriors

Since our beginning back in 2000, Paladin Training has conducted situational awareness seminars with Biblical support for churches and small groups on an as-requested basis. Now, I’m considering leading an on-going, regularly scheduled study that will dig much deeper into the Christian principles of personal defense and readiness.

We spend a lot of time in our armed self defense classes dealing with legal issues, and for good reason. Acting within the bounds of the law is right (and not normally a hindrance to honest self defense). But, whether or not you’re willing to defend your life or that of another innocent is, at its heart, a spiritual issue.

I believe the republic stands on the edge of a precipice. Hard choices are in our future. Not ‘hard’ as in difficult, necessarily, but hard as in ‘ruthless’. If the worst comes, people are going to be hurt and, if you expect to defend yourself and your family, you’ve got to be ready and willing to do what’s necessary… and what’s right. And, that’s what this study will be about: If X seems necessary, is it also, according to the Bible, right?

I cannot over-emphasize the importance of dealing with these issues now while we have the luxury of time… time to study and think and seek wisdom. There won’t be time later.

This will not be a seminar. There will be a teaching time followed by discussion.

Where, when and how long each session lasts will depend on input from those of you who want to be a part of this. I think it would be extremely difficult to accomplish much during a lunch hour, so I’m leaning toward a 90 minute to 2 hour study one weeknight a week. Doesn’t have to be in Florence, either.

If this sounds like something you’d be interested in participating in, please send me an e-mail with ‘Christian Warrior Training’ in the subject line.

Want a Florida non-resident CWP? No problem

Our CWP training qualifies you to apply for a Florida non-resident CWP. If you’re interested in pursuing this, first vist FloridaCWP and check out their regs.

They will require a copy of your SC CWP certificate as proof of training. If you need another, send $5 to the address below and I’ll mail you one.

PayPal is also okay: steve@paladintraining.com

Check out the list of states that have reciprocity agreements with FL (35, by my count): FLCWPreciprocity

Pay particular attention to states footnoted with a (4). Those states honor FL’s permit only if you’re a resident of FL.

Familiarize yourself with Florida’s laws, especially where they differ from SC’s. When in Florida, do as the Floridians do, etc. The two sites linked above are very helpful. The reciprocity page also includes links to the other state’s sites.

Blackhawk SERPA holsters banned in our classes

I’ve been expressing caution about these holsters since they were introduced and have been considering banning them from our training since early in 2007. Evidence continues to mount that the SERPA holster is dangerous. I’ll say more in a separate training bulletin.

For now, unless you are required to use a Blackhawk SERPA by your employer, they are no longer allowed in Paladin Training classes.

Mike Kent Gunshow this month

We’ll be at the Florence Civic Center 24 – 25 SEP for the gunshow, setup in our usual place. Come by and visit. I’ll have decals for anyone needing one.

On the subject of decals, I’ve recently gotten several reports from students who had a positive interaction with law enforcement, at least partially due to the presence of the Paladin decal on their car. This is good! It means the decal means something positive to the officer who sees it.

At least for some LEO’s, the decal has become an IFF (identify friend or foe) indicator.

What a benefit!

What a responsibility!

We have to do our part to ensure the wrong people aren’t displaying one. Please, before you sell or dispose of a car, be sure to remove the decal!

Edition 24

I hope you had a great Independence Day! Libby and I spent part of it at the range with an M1 Carbine and a Homeland Defense Rifle (aka ‘evil assault rifle’) working on some of those skills our fathers (and mothers, too, sometimes) considered basic. Later in the evening most everyone on our street came together for a cook-out and fireworks.

It was a good, pleasant, EASY day, thanks to God and the work of hard men.

One blog I check frequently is at:

http://westernrifleshooters.wordpress.com/

Their ‘Quote for the Day’ on Independence Day was this:

On the Fourth, we celebrate open rebellion, high treason, and disobedience.We celebrate men who killed their countrymen for their principles.

Men who risked being demonized and executed by their government, for their principles.

Don’t you ever, ever forget that.

Ever.

It’s not about apple pie, baseball, fireworks, and the Declaration of Independence.

The Fourth is about men holding to their principles strongly enough to lead to killing, rebellion, and treason.

Such actions led them to freedom.

Expensive, horrible, priceless freedom.

Something to think about.

Train hard, time’s short!

Steve

DVC/ I H S

Church Security Survey Coming Soon

With the recently released story (shouldn’t be ‘news’) that Islamists are calling on American Muslims to attack churches and synogogues, the issue of church security is getting more attention. Finally. Paladin has been involved in training church security teams and we foresee more of this in the future.

If this is an issue which concerns you, whether you’re already involved or not, I’d like to hear from you. Please contact me.

What you say will be kept confidential!

Reloading Component Sale at Southland Guns

Mike has a good selection of bullets and used dies at deeply discounted prices. The items are part of an estate so you might run into partial boxes, etc. Still, the price is right!

Give them a call at 843-393-6291 for more details.

July SWP This Weekend

We’ll start Friday evening, 6:30 pm, at Fludd’s Gun and Pawn, 2049 West Evans Street in Florence.

We still have a couple of slots left in the CWP class this weekend. Contact me ASAP if you want to attend. Hey, it’s not going to be any cooler in August!

Three ways to reserve a seat:

1. Send in a personal check / MO for $25 to:

Paladin Training, Inc.

POB 12752

Florence, SC 29504

2. Drop your deposit off at Fludd’s Gun and Pawn

3. Use the PayPal button – You don’t need a PayPal account to use this feature.

Contact me at 843-618-1381 if you have questions.

New Classes!

Introduction to Handguns 2 (IH2)

Building on our Introduction to Handguns 1 (IH1), which is all classroom and no live fire, is IH2 – a four hour class that puts to practice the dry skills learned in IH1. This class is also four hours in length. Cost is $60.

You will fire 100 rounds working on administrative skills such as loading and unloading, drawing and reholstering, and basic marksmanship skills.

At the end of the class we will fire the SC CWP course of fire for record. Students who fire a passing score, should they decide to attend one of our CWP classes within the next three years, will be given a $30 tuition discount AND be exempted from the range portion of the CWP class.

IH1 is a safe, non-threatening way to learn about handguns and ammunition, including safe gun handling, loading and unloading and storage, etc. IH2 puts those skills to practice with live fire, all in a low stress, safe and supervised environment.

Change in the BDH curriculum

At the end of Day 2 we will fire the SC CWP COF for record (if applicable). The same offer listed above for IH2 applies to our BDH students: Come back to a SC CWP class within 3 years and deduct $30 from the tuition and be exempt from the range portion of class.

Reality Based Training

We’ll start offering four hour classes this summer, once or twice a month on weeknights.

Reality based training (RBT) has the student take part in a scenario against a live adversary, generally one of the instructors. We’ll be using AirSoft guns and other training aids.

Not all RBT involves firearms. We’ve conducted training for staff at a few local businesses that used scenarios designed to teach situational awareness and avoidance / deterrence skills.

One of the goals behind RBT is ‘stress inoculation’. Studies show departments that put their officers thru RBT perform significantly better in real life shootings than those that don’t. For example, prior to RBT, it’s not unusual for a department to post qualification scores averaging 90%, but have only a 20% hit rate on the street. After RBT, real life hit percentages more closely mimic qualification scores. In most instances, departments that utilize RBT see hits go up and number of rounds fired per incident go down.

Once you’ve gotten the basics of marksmanship and gun handling down, RBT is the next step in warrior training.

We’re looking forward to this!

Edition 23

I hope you had a Memorial Day worthy of the name, and were able to spend it enjoying the freedoms remaining to us, always remembering those who sacrificed to make the day possible.

Apparently, certain urban areas had memorable Memorial Days, with informal or ad hoc gangs attacking citizens and generally engaging in mayhem. Using holidays and other anniversaries as excuses or opportunities to engage in violent criminal group behavior seems to be the trend. Google ‘Memorial Day 2011 Riots’. Myrtle Beach is mentioned.
Perhaps we should keep this in mind as we make travel plans for the Independence Day weekend.

By the way, if anyone calls that holiday ‘the Fourth of July’ in your presence, please remind them of this: The 4th of July is a date on a calendar; the name of the holiday is ‘Independence Day’.

The 4th of July has become all about cooking out and a trip to the beach. On the other hand, Independence Day is supposed to be the day we commemorate a demand and subsequent war for freedom.

I think we (myself included!) need to spend less time eating hotdogs and planning vacations and more recovering our freedom.

July CWP Class Filling Up Quickly

We had to turn people away from our JUNE CWP class. The next CWP class (8 – 9 JULY) is already about half full. You should probably get your deposit in right away if you want to attend this class.

Three ways to reserve a seat:

1. Send in a personal check / MO for $25 to:

Paladin Training, Inc.

POB 12752

Florence, SC 29504

2. Drop your deposit off at Fludd’s Gun and Pawn, 2049 West Evans Street in Florence

3. Use the PayPal button – You don’t need a PayPal account to use this feature.

Contact me at 843-618-1381 if you have questions.

What About Other States?

If you have questions about the laws of self-defense or regulations regarding carry in other states, here are the websites I’m aware of that deal with those issues:

1. www.nraila.org

2. www.handgunlaw.us

3. www.carryconcealed.net

If you know of any others, please let me know and I’ll include them in a future newsletter.

I’ll probably add this section to the other ‘regular features’ found at the bottom of the newsletter.

Battery Caution

As we come to depend more and more on tactical or other emergency equipment that is battery powered, our need for technical knowledge regarding these devices and their power sources becomes critical. It’s one thing to forego reading the directions that come with an alarm clock or electric toothbrush, another thing altogether when we’re talking about life saving emergency equipment like high intensity flashlights and red dot sights. I think now we’re dealing with stuff where a little bit of knowledge can be dangerous.

For instance…

“It’s just an AED, how complicated can it be?” Probably not a good idea to wing it on this one.

Okay, more relevant…

I’ve always heard it’s a bad idea to mix new and old batteries, but never understood (or cared, frankly) why. Good friend and fellow GunSite grad Mike Baker sends this explanation, in language even I can understand:

In the case of a flashlight or other multi-cell device, when one cell completely discharges ahead of the rest, the load current is still flowing through all of the cells. Under load, the voltage of the weak cell drops lower and lower, eventually reaching zero. At this point, the still flowing load current from the “good” cells forces the voltage of the now fully depleted cell to go into reversal and the weak cell is now being “charged” in reverse.

Interestingly, the chemistry of most cells will permit a “weak” cell to actually store a *small* amount of this reversed charge.

Polarity reversal of weak cells is why it is important to never mix used (lower remaining capacity) cells in with new. If the cells in question are of the rechargeable type, subjecting them to a reversed current flow will seriously damage their ability to ever accept a proper charge. The higher the discharge rate of the battery device is, thebetter matched the cells should be, both in type of cell and state of charge. Never put mismatched batteries (cells) in a device.

Now, not only do I have a better understanding of the why behind the what, but he gave me another reason to care: If I mix batteries the device won’t work properly (knew that), AND I’ll ruin those expensive rechargeable batteries that are part of my long term plan. Got it.

Thanks, Mike!

3rd QTR 2011 Training Calendar in the Works

Heads up: We anticipate doing a Basic Defensive Handgun class in JULY and a Basic Defensive Carbine in AUGUST. We’ll get confirmation out ASAP.

‘But… it’s going to be HOT!’

No kidding. Now, quit your sniveling, go buy a CamelBak, and come get trained up! It just might be hot when you need those skills.

A change…

Future BDH classes will include firing the SC CWP Course of Fire on Day 2. This will accomplish two things:

1. Students who have yet to take a CWP class will be able to exempt the range portion when they do return to take the class.

2. Students who have already taken a CWP class will hopefully have any training scars inflicted by the conduct of the original CWP COF and its emphasis on safety removed forever.

Hope to see you in a class soon. I’m concerned time is running out.

Until then,

Utrinque Paratus!

Steve

DVC/ I H S

Edition 22

A couple of items in the news prompt this short newsletter. The first deals with Fourth Amendment issues. I hope you’ll appreciate the seriousness of the situation outlined in the commentary by Judge Napolitano I’ve linked below.

The second deals with crime prevention. I’ll follow up on this one in the next newsletter.

We still have space available in the Basic Defensive Carbine class being conducted this weekend.

Times, location and equipment requirements for the BDC are covered to the left.

The CWP class on 3 – 4 JUN is almost full. If you intend to take a CWP class with us before the summer heat, contact me ASAP to reserve a slot.

Hope you enjoy the newsletter.

As always, comments, etc. are welcome.

Headline: Hell Freezes Over

Steve finds himself in agreement with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg!

Have you heard that the Indiana Supreme Court recently ruled that Indianans don’t have the right to resist an unlawful government entry into their home?

Or, that the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) recently ruled 8 to 1 (Ginsberg dissenting) that police my break into and enter a private residence if they detect the odor of marijuana coming from it?

For a much needed history and civics reminder, check out Judge Andrew Napolitano’s commentary here: http://tinyurl.com/4xvspth

What’s this got to do with defensive firearm training? In my opinion, everything. For good or bad, change is coming. Get ready for it.

‘Bump and rob’

Not a new tactic at all, but in the news recently, criminals will sometimes initiate a carjacking or robbery, or worse, by bumping into a car as if by accident. You know the drill – somebody bumps into you, you pull over, get out of your car to check the damage and exchange insurance information and / or call the police if necessary.

What if the bump wasn’t an accident? What if it was just a ruse to get you out of your car? Check out the story here: www.tinyurl.com/bumpnrob

The link is to a news site and I don’t know how long it will remain valid. If it’s gone before you have a chance to check it, google “Drivers in West Palm shot in bump and rob attacks”.

Edition 21

We have space available in the Basic Defensive Carbine class being conducted the weekend of 21 – 22 MAY. While the class is built around the AR platform, AK’s, SKS’, Mini-14’s, M-1 Carbines have all been used by participants in the past with great succcess. We’ve even had a few take the class with Ruger 10-22’s!

Times, location and equipment requirements for the BDC are covered to the left.

An important feature of this class is the amount of low light training you’ll get. Being able to hit the Threat in low light is critical and a skill we don’t spend nearly enough time developing or maintaining.

Below I’ll talk about an event first mentioned a couple of months back – Libby and I came home late one evening to find the back door of our home wide open. Carbine, low-light and and tactical movement skills all became important when I elected to clear the house rather than call 9-1-1. Glad I had them!

Hope you enjoy the newsletter. As always, comments, etc. are welcome.

When My Home Was Invaded

A few issues back I mentioned that Libby and I had come home late one evening (after dark) to find the back door of the house open. Jump to the end: Nobody found; nothing missing; human error.

In this issue I’ll write about our movement techniques, light management and weapon choice. Next issue I’ll devote a lot of time to using a weapon mounted tactical light and laser.

First, house clearing is dangerous and should not be attempted if there are reasonable options. While there are things you can do to make the process safER, there is no such thing as a safe way to clear a house of Bad People. I made the decision to enter the house because…

(a) I have some training and experience in it and…

(b) there were no indicators that the house had been broken into. The door frame and lock appeared to be intact; there were no signs of anyone inside.

Had I arrived to find the door jamb in splinters and seen or heard anything that indicated someone was inside, I would have called 9-1-1 and waited outside (a course of action that has its own problems).

Mindset Issue

‘(b)’ above is dangerous territory. There is a thin line between seeing no evidence someone is inside and assuming there is no one inside. You must keep an open mind about what you may find inside. Assumptions should be conservative.

Back to the house…

Libby was armed with her PDW and, in addition to my own, I took an AR-15 from the truck with me. Why? First, an AR in 5.56mm is a more effective fight stopper than any handgun. Second, bullets from it are less likely to leave a house (or a person) and endanger a neighbor. Third, this one is equipped with a light / laser combo mounted above the bore.

We entered the house at the open back door. Because our house is a basic two-story box with lots of windows, I made the assumption that anyone inside had seen us drive up.

I chose to enter by the open back door. Why not the front? The front opens into a foyer with a large room on each side and the stairway to the second floor almost directly ahead. That layout would require me to simultaneously clear three separate and widely divergent areas as soon as I came through the front door. On the other hand, coming through the back door I would enter a small laundry room attached to only two rooms; a small bathroom to the right and an open kitchen to the left. To me, it represented a more easily secured beachhead.

How we moved

I told Libby to keep an eye on the kitchen from outside. I pushed the back door open with my left hand while holding the AR at the ready with my right, entered the laundry room and immediately side-stepped so that Libby could have a clear shot into the kitchen if someone appeared from that direction. I quickly moved to the bathroom and pushed the door open hard with my left hand and lit up the room with the weapon light. I pushed the door hard so it would swing all the way to the wall. If it stopped early or softly, that would tell me something or someone was behind it. I moved quickly because my back was to the unsecured kitchen. Seeing no one inside the bathroom, I turned the bathroom light ON and shut the door, closing it off behind me. Now I could turn back toward the kitchen and the rest of the house, secure in the knowledge that the only room behind me was clear of intruders. Libby then came in and got behind me and remained in the laundry room until I cleared the kitchen.

Before moving out I made the conscious decision to lock the door behind us. If I were fine tuning a plan, I’d probably leave a key in the inner cylinder so anyone wanting to escape could. At the time, I was focused more on keeping someone outside from coming in behind us.

That’s the process we used to clear the entire house. I would clear the room ahead while she waited, securing what had already been cleared. Soon as I cleared the next space, she would move up and secure it.

Conceptually, we were using a movement technique known to infantrymen as ‘Bounding Overwatch’ with ‘successive bounds’. In fact, the tight confines of the house would have effectively prevented Libby from being able to deliver fire past me onto a Threat while I maneuvered, so part of her job description became protecting us from Threats to the rear. Knowing she effectively had my back was comforting and allowed me to concentrate on what was to my front.

Light management

I would leave a room dark until I swept it with the weapon light because I wanted to be the one in charge of light and dark. First, I don’t need light to move around in my own house. This is my house and I know it better than any intruder. Second, the longer I can keep him in the dark, the more effective my weapon light will be against him when it finds him. Last, I don’t want to reach into the dark unknown for a light switch when there might be a Threat inside.

As I swept the room with the light, nothing physically entered the room until I had cleared a safe zone. Not my hand, not the muzzle of the AR, nothing until a buffer was established. Literally, LIGHT went in first. The technique is called ‘pieing’ or ‘slicing the pie’ and it can be done very slowly and deliberately or fast and dynamic. Or somewhere in between. The situation will determine which is best.

Once a room was cleared, I would turn on the room lights only if I could shut that room off behind me. If I couldn’t shut it off I left it dark. Reason: I didn’t want to be backlit as I approached the next dark room.

If a room was complicated (blind spots / closets / etc.) and I could shut it off, I performed a hasty clear, turned on the room lights and then shut it off to revisit later.

Once I had performed a hasty clear on the whole house, I returned and did a deliberate clear on any spaces requiring it.

The method for clearing closets and other rooms where I could reach a light switch from the outside was a little different. Once the main room had been cleared I turned the lights in that room back off, turned on the lights in the closet and quickly opened the door. Same as before, I didn’t want to be backlit.

Lessons Learned or Reinforced

1. Conduct an immediate AAR –
There were chores to do, it was late and we were tired. Still, we should have done one. No excuse.

2. Have a plan and rehearse it –
I had practiced clearing my house from the bedroom DOWN plenty of times (in fact, every time I’ve ever come downstairs at night to investigate a noise or check on a barking dog), but I had never practiced making an entry INTO our home and clearing it UP. Sure, the techniques are the same, but there is value in being able to say, especially when under stress, ‘I’ve done this before’.

Believing that the techniques are the same is theory. Knowing they are is experience.

3. More involvement in #2 for my team-mate –
As I headed to the bathroom off the laundry room, I wondered if Libby remembered to stay out of the doorway and was using the door frame for cover. That is NOT the time to be thinking about training issues. Also, I have to confess it never occurred to me to give Libby directions about what to do. She did what she did on her own and I can take no credit for it.

Would she have been safer outside? I don’t know. I didn’t think so. I acted on the assumption any Bad People inside the house had help waiting outside. I didn’t want to leave her alone. Obviously, I felt she was safer with me.

4. Upper body and grip strength are important when controlling a long gun with one hand and performing real world tasks with the other.

5. A weapon mounted light is valuable.

6. A weapon mounted laser is invaluable.

I’ll write much more on tactical light issues and the value of a weapon mounted laser in the next newsletter.

Let me know if you have questions, Contact Me.