Jon Low had a new post a few days ago. Lots of good articles, so be sure to check it out. He also linked to the firearm safety public service announcement that you can find at the top of the page.
Jon likes to remind readers that vehicles are not holsters ... or gun cabinets or safes ... so don't store your firearms in them. Why? Well, he relates:
This past Tuesday evening, a Nashville Police Captain and the Director of the Tennessee Handgun Permitting agency came to the Tennessee Firearms Association meeting and told us that 4818 pistols were stolen out of cars and about 5000 pistols were stolen out of homes since the beginning of this year, 2022 A.D. Last year about 10,000 pistols were stolen out of cars and homes. These pistols end up being used in crimes.
It isn't just you average John Doe either. I was researching the topic of police losing firearms a couple years ago (it was for a post that I wound up never writing), using news accounts I could find, and was frankly surprised at how often law enforcement officers lose firearms from police vehicles and their own private vehicles.
But Docent, you say, what if I'm carrying and I have to run into a post office or (shudder) am in a jurisdiction where it is a crime to carry a firearm into businesses that have posted that firearms are not allowed? Good question. While I certainly cannot advise you to do so, there are those that will carry into such locations anyway--just make sure that your firearm is well concealed. If you don't fall into that group, the options are: (i) make a special trip--unarmed, of course--to that location; or (ii) leave your firearm in your vehicle. In the latter case, you again are left with two choices: (a) install a lockbox in the vehicle that is securely bolted down in which to store the firearm, or (b) conceal the firearm inside the vehicle or cargo area (trunk) where it cannot be spotted. Option (a) is the acceptable answer. And even then, you should make sure that neither you nor your vehicle advertises that you own or carry firearms: e.g., that the vehicle and your clothing are devoid of any decals or patches related to hunting or firearms or the NRA--which you should be doing anyway--and your vehicle doors are locked and the car alarm is set. Ditto with option (b) but you will also need to take additional precautions to make your vehicle less of a target such as not parking on street, parking in a busy location or where you can keep an eye on your vehicle, making sure the vehicle is locked and alarm is set, keeping your errand short, etc. But you really should go home, drop off your firearm, and make a special trip.
But back to Jon's post, I found his comments and advice concerning low shooting positions and cover interesting and useful:
Lower positions entail less mobility and more stability, hence better accuracy. Lower positions allow you to change the trajectory of your bullet to avoid hitting innocent persons. Going to a lower position reduces the probability of you being seen, because you are below eye level. No, really it's true. Remember the context we are operating in; fast moving chaotic situation. And if the enemy doesn't see you, he won't shoot at you.
Squatting (This is the fastest position to get in and out of, but requires flexibility). From your bladed standing position, bend your knees to drop straight down. (Don’t move your feet.) Keep your feet flat on the ground. (Don’t let your heels come off the ground.) Rest the back of your support side upper arm against the front of your knee cap, just as in the kneeling position. The upper body and arms are in the same Weaver position as in standing. Pivot around the ball of your firing side foot to adjust your natural point of aim.
Using a curb as cover. Present your pistol to the target first. Lie flat on your back on the street using the curb as cover. Turn your feet to get your toes down, so they are behind the curb. Shoot over the curb to your right using a left handed Weaver position. Shoot over the curb to your left using a right handed Weaver position. Pull your head up as necessary to get your aiming eye behind the sights. You'll expose less of your head if you use your left eye when shooting left handed and your right eye when shooting right handed.
Some curbs are concrete, some are basaltic rock (as in Hawaii), etc. In Tennessee, there is often a drainage ditch running parallel to the road (even better cover). Depending on the standard in the area, the curbs may be 8 inches above the road. Anything that hits in front of you is going to ricochet over you.
I've had students who refused to get into lower positions because they felt it was undignified or they didn't want to get their clothes dirty. "But, that's okay. Because in a life or death situation, I'll be able to do it."
Really?
The body cannot go where the mind has never been. And the body will not go there quickly, unless the body has been there many times before.
Consider moving behind the cover of parked cars. Can you high crawl? (on your hands and knees) You don't know, if you haven't tried recently. Maybe your knees or wrists won't tolerate the pain.
Consider moving on a road using the curb as cover. Can you low crawl? (sliding your belly on the ground, using your elbows, knees, and feet to push you along) If you've never done it before, how do you know? Maybe you can't get your elbows over your head?
"I seem to have range of motion limitations."
Well, that's a terrible thing to discover in combat.
Indeed.
Jon also warns to not talk to the police after a shooting. He writes:
"I can talk to the responding officers. Explain what happened to prevent them from arresting me."
No, you can't. And if you believe you can, you're a damn fool.
Just ask for your attorney and shut up. Don't talk to the police. Don't answer their questions. Don't listen to their lies. Oh, yes, they will lie to you. Several U.S. Supreme Court rulings say that it is perfectly fine for the police to lie to you. On the other hand, if you lie to the police, that's a felony crime. They will lie to you to elicit a response from you, which will be used against you.
"The police would never do that."
If you believe that, you're a damn fool.
And don't talk to anyone else, either. Police will and do place microphones in waiting areas, holding cells, and so on. People blab and not very accurately either (try a round or two of the telephone game and you will get the idea). See also the link to "The Self-Defense Acquittal of Rondale King" video that Jon mentions and his comments on that situation.
Like I said above, there is a lot more links and commentary, so be sure to read the whole thing.
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