tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35255030603887274262024-02-06T22:38:57.836-07:00Practical CarryTwistedWireTacticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14906174699875843048noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525503060388727426.post-89616508607516505202016-01-23T10:43:00.000-07:002016-01-23T10:43:17.728-07:00To Be a Rifleman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">I want to be a Rifleman. </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></div>
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The very mention of the title Rifleman conjures up names like Daniel Morgan, Tim Murphy, Carlos Hathcock, Jeff Cooper, and Chris Kyle. These were men of great skill, great conviction and discipline, and were committed wholly to their country. In short, they were more than just shooters, they were Col. Dave Grossman’s sheepdogs (On Combat, Grossman). They were dangerous men. They were men’s men! Are you a dangerous man?</div>
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The American Rifleman is dedicated to the craft of marksmanship, but his endeavors and skills are not limited simply to punching small holes in paper that is far away. He may be a renascence man of sorts, well versed in literature, music, statesmanship (not politics), family and friends. He is a patriot, dedicated to freedom, and willing to lay his life down to preserve it, even if for those who would not do the same (maybe especially for them).</div>
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So what is my objective in writing this? My plan is to take you along with me through my journey to becoming a Rifleman. There will be detours of random skills, news of the day, rambling thoughts, and probably a story or two from who knows where. However, the primary focus will be on rifles, optics, ammunition, marksmanship and mindset. As we start this journey together I look forward to us all learning something new, and sharing with each other. </div>
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So sling your shooting stick, and lets take a walk to the range.</div>
TwistedWireTacticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14906174699875843048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525503060388727426.post-38104285359454971082012-04-30T00:31:00.005-06:002012-04-30T00:31:43.881-06:00Occupy Your Life<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As May 1st works its way to us the Occupy movement is gearing up for the start to what could be a dynamic summer here in the States. For those of you not paying attention to the news, the idea is for everyone who actually works for a living, not the ones who own business like me, to not show up for work, not go to school, not do housework, etc. By doing this the “1%” will see what it’s like without the other “99%” for a day. Now, I don’t plan to do any housework that day anyway so that’s not an issue to me. I imagine most punk kids following the movement are probably pretty familiar with skipping class anyway, so nothing new there. That just leaves work, which I don’t have time to call off of. I guess that means I’m part of the evil “1%” that they keep complaining about. The only problem is that my wife and I collectively don’t come anywhere close to making the money that would have us actually be in the top 1% of wage earners in this country. I’m just confused now.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So what’s this have to do with guns you ask? It goes back to one of my favorite trainer’s famous lines: Don’t do stupid stuff, with stupid people, in stupid places. When there are major demonstrations this summer, stay away. Keep a low profile. Be boring. As the political climate heats up this year, so will the violence and crazy events in our cities and towns. Here in the Foothills it’s everywhere. Back in the little factory town I grew up in they even have a few protestors. These people have no jobs, nothing to do but stand on the streets, and want to draw attention to themselves. To do that they’ll disrupt your life in some way. They’ll hold up your bus, block traffic, picket outside your place of employment. All the while they’ll be holding up signs with sill slogans or singing catchy chants that don’t mean anything. But you’re just trying to get to work and they’ll be stopping you. Even worse is if they try to become violent with you to draw attention to their stupid cause. Don’t get involved.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The best thing to do when you see a large gathering is turn the other way. If you think you can’t avoid it you’re wrong. So what that they’re blocking the front entrance to your work, there’s probably a back door. If your drive to work is disrupted turn down a different street and let your GPS find a new path. If you’re on the train get off at the next stop and catch another. You can always call the boss and explain that some lazy hippies who don’t like work tried to stop you from getting to the job you love so much and you fought them off and hiked ten miles out of your way to get to work and you’ll be five minutes late. He’ll probably be alright with it.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">If you should happen to be surprised by a flash mob of crazies then, once again, get out. Get your bag in front of you where you can control it and get out. If rocks start flying and glass is breaking don’t stand around to take pictures; let some other hapless fool get caught up in those shenanigans. Your primary goal is to get out safely and be able to go to your family that night. Someone else’s political nonsense is none of your concern.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">To prepare yourself for these possible encounters I suggest the following (as I do for everyday life anyway).</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">-Remove all political stickers from your vehicle. This includes endorsements for such groups as the NRA, Marine Corps, TEA Party, etc. No gadsden flags or anything that might make you a target to these leftist violence baiters. Basically, remove all of the stickers.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">-Don’t wear shirts or hats with gun brands, political slogans, “‘O’bummer,” etc. Just like the stickers, don’t make yourself a target with your cute t-shirt.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">-Stay away from the capitol. Political centers are the magnets for these freaks. If you can stay away from the state capitol, county courthouse or wherever they are gathering then do it.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">-ALWAYS carry. Be ready to defend yourself from lethal threats at all times.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">-Be ready to get out of there fast. If you’re stuck in traffic and bricks are flying then get running. You wont care about your car if you’re dead. Leave it and go if you must.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">-Keep your eyes on the news. Know what’s going on in your area. Forewarned is forearmed. The more you know about the political climate of your AO the less likely you are to be caught off guard and the more prepared you’ll be if you do get caught in a bad position.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Overall, OCCUPY YOUR LIFE. Pay attention to your own business and stay out of the affairs of others. Be ready to protect yourself should the need arise, and the best way to do that is to avoid trouble whenever possible. This applies all the time, but especially as the election comes closer and closer.</span></div>TwistedWireTacticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14906174699875843048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525503060388727426.post-37728427227286578212012-01-06T22:29:00.003-07:002012-01-06T22:37:06.184-07:00Combat Weaselcraft<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 394px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqklHUzz0WygspTLE6y7hPty096k2GhegABtVmPxTdw_sD_Ac-DnOk2zoh2OPt7fpNIpFyaeC4MgnHwLwiyHPirJHM6p5xbh5RcXhmXVpDvlYS6zH7gCNcZtrsp_9Qf8kG_t4k60cxaJg/s400/Combat+Weasel.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694759315021375298" /> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-size:16.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family:Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-"> I first heard the term Combat Weaselcraft from the great trainer of them all, Massad Ayoob. It is the art of using all the dirty tricks in your repertoire to save your butt in a bad situation. Be sneaky, hit below the belt, and no holds barred. You see, in a fight for your life, the scum bag of the day will most likely not care that you’re wearing glasses or have your Sunday best on. In fact, he’ll probably see these disadvantages for you as advantages for him and may be part of the reason he picked you on this lovely day. So if the bad guys don’t care about a ‘fair fight’ then why should you?</span><span style="font-family:Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-"> Should that fateful day ever find you, be prepared to fight dirty to the bitter end. In a fight for your life nothing is off limits. Gouging out eyes, kicks to the groin and bullets through the lower pelvic region are not only acceptable but possibly preferable. If the bad guys are willing to hurt you in any way possible, to rape you, stab you, leave you lying in a ditch naked bloody and half dead, why should you be afraid to accurately place a knee into a strategic place in the groin? If you find yourself in a hand-to-hand struggle with your pistol out you may not be able to obtain a two handed grip in an isosceles stance, but rather have your pistol in one hand unable to level the sights to your eye. If, in this moment, you find your pistol in line with the perpetrator’s pelvis then take the shot. You will most likely cause the bad guy to drop to the ground and effectively be out of the fight, unable to pursue you further. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-">A gentleman whom I respect very much for his writings, teaching and experience, Sgt. Rory Miller laid out on his blog <a href="http://chirontraining.blogspot.com/2011/12/assumptions-and-biases.html">Chiron Training</a> his biases and assumptions. Therein he states, among other things, that he expects the threat to have the advantage in size and strength or to be crazy. Advantages in size and strength create a disparity of force. If the person does not have the size or strength advantage then they must be crazy to attack someone bigger and stronger than themselves, thus creating another disparity of force. Funny how that works out. Miller also explains that it is stupid to go into a fight without a weapon, and that unarmed resistance exists purely for emergencies when you didn’t see it coming. After all, if you had seen an attack coming you would have surely armed yourself. Either way, one might say you are fighting dirty. Exactly! Unarmed countermeasures are a result of surprise attacks and should be treated accordingly with any means of survival employed as necessary. Armed responses result from anticipated but unavoidable encounters. Knowing you have a fight coming, trying to avoid it and still having to fight anyway shows a level of commitment on the part of the attacker. This ill intent is your green light to defend yourself as needed.</span><span style="font-family:Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-">Where does the red light come? The signal to stop your counter attack comes in two ways; ending of the threat and a shift in your intentions. The shifting of your intentions is a subject to be discussed at length on its own, but suffice it to say that if you no longer act out of fear for your life but in a mind of vengeance, then you are receiving the signal to stop your attack. On the other hand, if your attacker ceases to be a threat to you then you must stop defending yourself. This change of dynamic can come about in several ways too. Perhaps your attacker has secured your purse and is running away. That would be a good time to stop trying to shoot him. Say your attacker is down on the ground with several new perforations in his body. He may or may not be a threat to your livelihood. Keep an eye on this suspect, scan the area for accomplices, and prepare to defend yourself further if needed. Your daughter’s date tried to get a little fresh in the theater and she slapped him across the face. When you arrive to pick them up you see your smiling daughter and a very embarrassed young man with a hand print across his left cheek. That threat has not only been neutralized but possibly cured from further recidivism. Drop him off at home and take your daughter out for ice-cream.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-size:100%;" >No matter the situation that arises, we must train to be ready to defend our lives and the lives of our family and loved ones. Remember the Heinlein quote at the top of this site: <i>The price of freedom is the willingness to do sudden battle anywhere, any time and with utter recklessness.</i></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->TwistedWireTacticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14906174699875843048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525503060388727426.post-73416800031548270212012-01-05T04:50:00.001-07:002012-01-05T04:53:26.198-07:00A Tale of Two Fools<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3rObtl9zJUtREmMALA8vSzeWpYQt2QxOBibvmJ7tQWdXgjj-F2v9FU-myJtSFnGT9GjD16L1z42XIJgGjbPZ042Vqm_1qHx8DPholLe-UEAoaLDM0nwiRSmBYjNbGB3YP1iqjZuXc4c/s1600/john-adams-declaration%255B1%255D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694114336080260674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 272px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3rObtl9zJUtREmMALA8vSzeWpYQt2QxOBibvmJ7tQWdXgjj-F2v9FU-myJtSFnGT9GjD16L1z42XIJgGjbPZ042Vqm_1qHx8DPholLe-UEAoaLDM0nwiRSmBYjNbGB3YP1iqjZuXc4c/s400/john-adams-declaration%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>I have recently read of two different incidents where armed citizens, both in New York City, have voluntarily turned themselves in to law enforcement to secure their firearms only to be arrested for carrying said firearm. In both cases, the citizens were carrying their firearms when they saw signage stating that the carry of firearms was prohibited. Reading these signs, they both confronted security guards to find out how they could properly enter the facility in accordance with the sign. The security personnel then passed the issue along to law enforcement and our citizens were promptly arrested for the horrendous crime of simultaneously trying to protect them-selves and trying to follow the ‘rules.’ Let us take a few moments and examine the merits of the above two cases.<br /><br />Why We Carry<br />Most of us have not chosen to carry because we want to prove ourselves to be macho men or better people. We haven’t taken on the grave burden and awesome responsibility of concealing a firearm for the protection of our lives and the lives of our family members so that we can look cool to our friends. We don’t have a desire to end the life of ANYONE. And we certainly don’t carry guns because we like the discussions we have with police about it.<br /><br />Over the years I’ve read a lot of reasons why people carry guns. Some say a cop is too heavy; as if they would let someone else risk life and limb where they would not for themselves. Some say that they only carry into a bad neighborhood; which begs one to question why they would go there anyway. Some say they carry because it is their God given Constitutional right to do so; not a bad answer. I carry because my life, and the life of my family, is worth fighting for. I carry because I know that there is no such thing as a safe neighborhood. I carry because bad things happen to good people every day and it is my responsibility to protect the life I have been given. Regardless of your reason for carrying, know your reason so that you can remain focused when dealing with the other issues that concealed carry brings.<br /><br />Concealed Means Concealed<br />It’s pretty simple when you think about it. Carrying a concealed firearm means nobody knows it’s there and no one can see it. Period! If no one knows you’re carrying and the gun cannot be seen then you have no need to tell anyone you have it. Barring magnetometers or full body pat-downs, zip your lips and carry on. Let the lemmings go about their day not knowing that a scary gun is in their presence and remain protected. By giving away the fact that you are carrying you have given up your element of surprise, your tactical advantage, and in many places you have given up your ability to protect your family. Additionally, you may well have confessed to having committed a crime (as in the above mentioned cases) that will land you in jail for a minimum of three and one half years. Be it the choosing of appropriate cover garments or being sure to keep your big mouth shut, remember: Concealed Means Concealed.<br /><br />Signs<br />In some jurisdictions signs carry legal bearing as is the case for Texas’s 30.06 signs. This means that the posting of a sign on property makes it illegal to carry there, for you have been fore warned, legally speaking. However, in most areas a sign is just that, a sign. In my current Rocky Mountain AO a sign on the door saying no guns allowed is usually ignored by those who know better. However, if one were to carry on to private property and be discovered, asked to leave and then refuse to leave, the person would be trespassing. That’s a crime I understand. Signs are much like the Pirate’s Code; it’s more of a suggestion. Signs are a way for sniveling pansies to think they’re doing something when in fact they are simply wasting their own time and money. I would be much more impressed by a sign that says “Concealed Carry Welcome Here” as I would be sure to frequent such an establishment as often as possible.<br /><br />The Law<br />Just because something is the law does not mean it is right. We, in this country, seem to think that once something is codified into law that it MUST be followed. Little do we often realize that turning something into law does not automatically make it into some great commandment from on High. If some Senator from the left coast were to introduce a bill making murder legal across the country, and it were signed into law, would that make it right to murder? Of course it would not. Similarly, passing a law making it illegal to protect yourself with the best tool available to man doesn’t make it right to do so either. I have great respect for the law when it is law that respects the rights of man. Law passed that denies the freedom of man and does not protect individual liberty is not good law and should NOT be followed!<br /><br />Da Capo<br />Let us bring the story back to our original two hapless travelers in the Big Apple. Both citizens seemed to have thought it was within the law for them to carry in the city, and it wasn’t. They respected bad law and flapped their jaws to give themselves up. By doing so they were no longer concealing their firearm, if only verbally. They forgot why they carried and now they no longer have their freedom or their gun. If nothing else they are guilty of felony stupid.<br /><br />Coda<br />My final thoughts are simple. Educate yourself. Learn the laws around you so that you know what pot holes to avoid. Don’t give yourself up. Don’t talk to police if you don’t have to and don’t tell them any more than they ask (and think about that twice). Keeping your gun on you and concealed is a top priority for you, don’t forget it. And lastly, know your own reasons for carry, morals and values. If your feet are firmly planted in righteous soil then you will never be in the wrong no matter what some bureaucrat says.</div>TwistedWireTacticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14906174699875843048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525503060388727426.post-57248076553651310642011-06-22T09:10:00.004-06:002011-06-22T09:48:00.136-06:00Bad Guys Don't Care!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JkKMtJ-ZzTX9J6QAxC1OqUP8Ck5Nkq8zHfbcdbbl06ov5GFgDYjcYzYansu_etuNhvZYGr4KaUVYwS-j_qsKcxVwNCVPmKn6YL-72fVQ2NBf_uCbsh2KVdwD4HsqROAr9v1nbS3eCjo/s1600/No+Excuses+1.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JkKMtJ-ZzTX9J6QAxC1OqUP8Ck5Nkq8zHfbcdbbl06ov5GFgDYjcYzYansu_etuNhvZYGr4KaUVYwS-j_qsKcxVwNCVPmKn6YL-72fVQ2NBf_uCbsh2KVdwD4HsqROAr9v1nbS3eCjo/s400/No+Excuses+1.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621070622244084578" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;">John Farnam uses the motto “Nemo Curat” for Defensive Training International (DTI), which literally translated means “Nobody Cares.” Here at the Twistedwire ranch we’ve altered this slightly to the more palatable “Bad Guys Don’t Care.” It’s a motto taken seriously and brought up regularly in conversation. Allow me to demonstrate the use of the phrase and hopefully influence you to accept it into your lexicon and make it part of your day-to-day mindset.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;">We all love a good trip to the range right? Of course, but most of us look out the window before we head out to see if the weatherman’s coin toss was right today. If we see rain, cold, or other inclement weather out the window we might change our minds and decide to stay in. Then comes the proverbial dark and stormy night when you’re rushing out to your car to head home from work. Suddenly you’re confronted with a soaking wet attacker holding a gun on you demanding your wallet. Your hands are cold and numb, your overcoat is covering your gun with an extra layer, your glasses are dotted with blurring raindrops, and you realize then and there what you’ve done. You scheduled a time to practice for just this even last week but canceled because it was cold and rainy. Now your life is in danger because you didn’t want a little discomfort or extra gun cleaning last week. Guess what, BAD GUYS DON’T CARE!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;">You’re visiting your friends in Dallas and they meet you at a local eatery. Bad thing is that the restaurant makes more than 51% of their profits from alcohol so it’s illegal for you to carry inside. Instead of suggesting to your friends that a trip to another restaurant would be better you discretely slip off your gun and go in with them. While you’re inside some hooligan who’s had about nine too many decides he doesn’t like you or someone at your table and pulls a gun threatening to shoot. You reach for your trusty firearm on your hip and find nothing! The bad guy ignored the law but you kept from insulting your friend’s choice in restaurants. Once again, BAD GUYS DON’T CARE!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;">You find yourself in a self defense situation but you’re carrying your trusty Smith & Wesson 642 (J frame, five shot, 38 spl) instead of the Glock that you normally train with because it’s got a high round count, is cheap and easy to shoot, and looks cooler with your training buddies. Now you pause for half a second because your hand doesn’t know where to go, the trigger pull is foreign to you, and you’re looking right over the much smaller sights. And let’s not forget that you only have five rounds to work with instead of 16. So you left your well trained gun at home and have the one you never shoot on you when you need a gun the most; BAD GUYS DON’T CARE!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;">You left your daughter at home while you and your wife took a trip out for the weekend. She’s old enough to spend the night by herself, she’s very responsible, and she’s a good kid all around. Sure you worry, like any good parent would, but it’ll be ok and it’ll be good for her anyway. Just to be sure though, you leave a list of emergency numbers by the phone, you go over how to call 911, review the rules of the house (like no boys or alcohol) and remind her that there’s a shotgun behind the bedroom door. You leave and she settles in for a night of movies, popcorn and chatting on the phone with her boyfriend. A few minutes after midnight she hears a knock at the front door but she doesn’t answer, just like you taught her. The man at the door wants in and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; ">starts pounding and kicking at the door so she calls the police, just like you taught her. After the 911 call she is in fear that he’ll make it through the door so she goes to the safe room, the master bedroom, just like you taught her. She hears the front door give way in a terrible crash of broken glass, splintering wood and collision with the tile floor. Your beautiful teenage daughter reaches for the shotgun you leave behind the door in a cruiser safe configuration (empty chamber, loaded magazine, safety on, slide locked forward). She tucks the stock under her elbow because it’s to big for her to shoulder and points it at the door where the bad guy is about to come through. She goes to rack the slide and chamber a round but it wont budge. She turns off the safety and still nothing. She sees the bad guy coming at her and squeezes the trigger with only a click of the hammer falling. It’s to late. She didn’t know to unlock the slide to chamber a round because you never taught her that. You failed your daughter, and BAD GUYS DON’T CARE!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;">We could go on and on with these kinds of stories and hypotheticals. The fact of the matter is that you can make excuses all day long for why you do or don’t do this, why you do or don’t know that, and why you have or haven’t got something. The fact remains that they’re just excuses and BAD GUYS DON’T CARE! If you know you need to do something and you don’t then you’re negligent at best, and dead at worst. You know you should carry a gun all the time and yet you leave it at home when it’s not comfortable or it’s to too hot out. You know you need to take a shooting class but it’s expensive and you’d rather spend that weekend on the golf course. You know that your windows and doors need to be locked but you’re only going to be gone for an hour or two. You know you should have kept a training file and kept telling yourself you’ll do it next week. I implore you; take care of business now, don’t wait for tomorrow. Prepare yourself today for what might happen tonight. Be prepared because BAD GUYS DON’T CARE!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:.5in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Garamond;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;">Personal Note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This post was inspired by a very spirited conversation I had with my best friend after his home was broken into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Fortunately no one was home and only ‘stuff’ was taken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>However, the emotional impact is still very present and will be hard to get over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>While the points mentioned above will not always keep crime from happening to you or your property, they will help keep you safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Create an island of security around you at all times, stay aware, and learn from the mistakes of yourself and others.</span><span style="font-family:Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:.5in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Garamond;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:.5in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Garamond;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 380px; height: 80px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghE7bUCgS_pduKrNSHlNx2XkPPjmtGsq3ReHTquTP7Cv_M2HfySA6hRHUCJtXS1_SdCOl9a7mmEbQF1awIs03LCDYv_QdtQzFG6rqYELsS7Yk9fo4rn33LYDqElajzcsu2hmB1qhJIofg/s400/Have-A-Plan.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621070832127913698" /></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->TwistedWireTacticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14906174699875843048noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525503060388727426.post-37339543097579910332011-02-21T14:09:00.003-07:002011-02-21T14:22:57.408-07:00Constitutional Carry!!<div>If you're interested in keeping ALL of your natural rights then I highly encourage all of you in the fine state of Colorado to follow the link below and sign RMGO's online petition to support constitutional carry in the state of Colorado. Dudley is doing a great job with this bill and needs your support to help push it through. </div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.rmgo.org/petitions/colorado-constitutional-carry">http://www.rmgo.org/petitions/colorado-constitutional-carry</a><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, FreeSans, sans-serif; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">This week the Constitutional Carry bill faces it's first hurdle in the Colorado Legislature when it is heard in the House Judiciary Committee.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">On Thursday, Feb. 24th at 1:30pm the House Judiciary Committee will hear HB1205 by Rep. Chris Holbert (R-Parker) and Sen. Greg Brophy (R-Wray).</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">This bill already has a huge number of co-sponsors, but to reach the House floor it needs to first pass through this committee.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><a href="http://paracom.paramountcommunication.com/ct/5390224:8053020549:m:1:231328908:1019172DBF8C72589FB7306CCCC3D35D" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: initial; outline-style: none; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(180, 30, 19); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">If you have not already done so, please click here to sign our petition for Constitutional Carry</a>.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">And then take the time to <a href="http://paracom.paramountcommunication.com/ct/5390225:8053020549:m:1:231328908:1019172DBF8C72589FB7306CCCC3D35D" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: initial; outline-style: none; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(180, 30, 19); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">join Rocky Mountain Gun Owners</a> and help us pass Constitutional Carry in Colorado.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">This bill is designed to do one thing: allow citizens who are legally eligible to possess handguns to carry that handgun concealed, <span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: underline; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">without</span> obtaining a costly, burdensome and bureaucratic permit.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">This bill doesn't get rid of the existing permits. It just gives citizens another option for self defense.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">That's what I call real freedom.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">One of the chief advantages this bill presents is that citizens are not put on any government tracking list merely for carrying the tools for self defense, nor do they have to pay fees for a permit.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">I've heard a lot of people say "The Constitution is my permit", but this actually gives teeth to that thought.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Citizens in Vermont, Alaska and Arizona currently enjoy that right, and Wyoming could be joining that list in the next few weeks.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Just as important as what HB1205 does are what it does not do:</p><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; list-style-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Does <span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: underline; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">not</span> repeal or otherwise change Colorado’s existing concealed carry permit law (CRS 18-12-201).</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Does <span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: underline; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">not</span> authorize the carrying of a concealed handgun by felons, the mentally ill, juveniles or anyone otherwise prohibited from possessing a handgun under state and federal law.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Does <span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: underline; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">not</span> change where concealed handguns are allowed as defined by CRS 18-12-214.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Does <span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: underline; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">not</span> affect reciprocity agreements with other states in any manner.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Does <span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: underline; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">not</span> affect the ability of prosecutors to pursue charges for other crimes.</li></ul><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">This bill is a major step for freedom, and is something every gun owner in Colorado should get behind.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Even if you already have a concealed carry permit, this bill is still a major advance for freedom, since it wouldn't affect your permit.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Today, I need you to contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee to politely urge them to support this important legislation.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Note:</strong> Rep. Bob Gardner, the Committee Chairman, is the only Republican on this committee who has not yet co-sponsored this bill.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">You can e-mail these State Representatives at the following addresses:</p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 380px; "><tbody><tr><td width="59"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Bob</p></td><td width="86"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Gardner</p></td><td width="28"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">R</p></td><td width="199"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><a href="mailto:bob.gardner.house@state.co.us" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: initial; outline-style: none; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(180, 30, 19); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">bob.gardner.house@state.co.us</a></p></td></tr><tr><td width="59"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Mark</p></td><td width="86"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Barker</p></td><td width="28"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">R</p></td><td width="199"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><a href="mailto:mark.barker.house@state.co.us" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: initial; outline-style: none; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(180, 30, 19); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">mark.barker.house@state.co.us</a></p></td></tr><tr><td width="59"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Brian</p></td><td width="86"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">DelGrosso</p></td><td width="28"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">R</p></td><td width="199"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><a href="mailto:brian@briandelgrosso.com" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: initial; outline-style: none; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(180, 30, 19); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">brian@briandelgrosso.com</a></p></td></tr><tr><td width="59"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Crisanta</p></td><td width="86"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Duran</p></td><td width="28"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">D</p></td><td width="199"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><a href="mailto:crisanta.duran.house@state.co.us" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: initial; outline-style: none; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(180, 30, 19); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">crisanta.duran.house@state.co.us</a></p></td></tr><tr><td width="59"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Daniel</p></td><td width="86"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Kagan</p></td><td width="28"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">D</p></td><td width="199"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><a href="mailto:repkagan@gmail.com" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: initial; outline-style: none; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(180, 30, 19); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">repkagan@gmail.com</a></p></td></tr><tr><td width="59"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Pete</p></td><td width="86"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Lee</p></td><td width="28"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">D</p></td><td width="199"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><a href="mailto:pete.lee.house@state.co.us" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: initial; outline-style: none; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(180, 30, 19); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">pete.lee.house@state.co.us</a></p></td></tr><tr><td width="59"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Claire</p></td><td width="86"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Levy</p></td><td width="28"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">D</p></td><td width="199"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><a href="mailto:claire.levy.house@state.co.us" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: initial; outline-style: none; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(180, 30, 19); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">claire.levy.house@state.co.us</a></p></td></tr><tr><td width="59"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">B.J.</p></td><td width="86"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Nikkel</p></td><td width="28"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">R</p></td><td width="199"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><a href="mailto:rep.nikkel@gmail.com" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: initial; outline-style: none; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(180, 30, 19); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">rep.nikkel@gmail.com</a></p></td></tr><tr><td width="59"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Su</p></td><td width="86"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Ryden</p></td><td width="28"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">D</p></td><td width="199"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><a href="mailto:su.ryden.house@state.co.us" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: initial; outline-style: none; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(180, 30, 19); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">su.ryden.house@state.co.us</a></p></td></tr><tr><td width="59"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Jerry</p></td><td width="86"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Sonnenberg</p></td><td width="28"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">R</p></td><td width="199"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><a href="mailto:jerry@repsonnenberg.com" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: initial; outline-style: none; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(180, 30, 19); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">jerry@repsonnenberg.com</a></p></td></tr><tr><td width="59"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Mark</p></td><td width="86"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Waller</p></td><td width="28"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">R</p></td><td width="199"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><a href="mailto:mark.waller.house@state.co.us" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: initial; outline-style: none; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(180, 30, 19); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">mark.waller.house@state.co.us</a></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">For Freedom,</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><img src="http://www.nationalgunrights.org/images/DWBsigBlue.jpg" border="0" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; " /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Dudley Brown<br />Executive Director</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">P.S. Please contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee today to urge them to support House Bill 1205.</p></span></div>TwistedWireTacticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14906174699875843048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525503060388727426.post-19283734205282358102011-02-16T03:16:00.004-07:002011-02-16T03:49:58.037-07:00Taser Shotgun!?!<a href="http://www.taser.com/products/law/Pages/TASERX12.aspx"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574229448768403682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtdcnvOLFVIpa4jG9j2iSgH63XGqVIsE_dVNKaXBKdnpu3FriFN0Im89-DhDgwHoWXERnxhUx8bw3LXXAw38wXKJ2LjKgwwGFyCHT_B9S77BECNrd02gjPByYL2QvoHbH58jHVRo_1Jc/s320/taser-x12-001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Practical? Not for me. Super cool? Oh yeah. I don't know what I'd use it for, other than some misguided filming of the next Jackass movie, but I still want one. I'm just glad none of my gradeschool teachers had this thing.</div>TwistedWireTacticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14906174699875843048noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525503060388727426.post-46393592642603646742011-02-15T15:48:00.001-07:002011-02-15T15:50:43.823-07:00A Tale of Home Defense<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Make My Day Shooter: ‘I Did The Right Thing’</span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">DENVER (CBS4)-</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> A 17-year-old who was shot and killed after breaking into a northeast Denver home last May was under the influence of alcohol, marijuana and opiates according to a CBS4 Investigation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I didn’t know that,” responded his mother, Cynthia Gonzales, when CBS4 showed her the toxicology report for her son, Marcus Duran.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It shows the teen tested positive for alcohol, opiates and THC- the active ingredient in marijuana- on May 24, 2010.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In the early morning hours, Duran and two other teens broke into a woman’s home setting off her burglar alarm. In a terrifying call to 911, the woman told a police dispatcher she is home alone because her husband is out of town.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I’m in my room and the door is locked,” the woman said, as the burglar alarm blared in the background. “It sounded like someone got in through my window,” she sobbed. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Please hurry- my husband’s out of town.”</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Duran and his two teenage friends fled, but didn’t go far. They decided to break into another nearby home and rob the homeowner. They chose Darrell Kutchin’s two story home. It would be a fatal mistake for Duran.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kutchin is a professional masseuse. He was asleep in his basement, but he kept a loaded gun nearby, tucked inside a sock.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I heard this crash. It sounded like a freight train. I thought it was a car accident,” Kutchin said of the sound of the three teens breaking down his front door and moving through his house. “It sounded like a herd of elephants, a lot of things above me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kutchin grabbed his loaded handgun- a Taurus Judge- so named because judges carry this type of weapon in their courtrooms for self- defense. The gun shoots .410 buckshot or .45 caliber bullets.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Gun at his side, Kutchin walked upstairs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I’m yelling ‘Who’s in my house? Who’s in my house?’ I was scared,” said Kutchin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Suddenly, the three teens came running down from the second floor. Marcus Duran was carrying a loaded pistol. As he neared the front door, about five feet away from Kutchin, Duran brandished the loaded gun and aimed it at the homeowner. Duran was still inside Kutchin’s home.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“And I just reacted in a defensive stance and took a shot,” said Kutchin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The round missed its target. Kutchin said he could see Duran’s pistol.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I saw a gun pointed at me and I shot,” said Kutchin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The second round found its mark, hitting Duran in the head. The two other teens fled. Kutchin, who has first aid training, tried to administer medical assistance to Duran who had fallen on Kutchin’s front stoop. But the teen was dead.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“There were some errors in judgment made on that night when the individuals entered my house. I’m not a vigilante,” says Kutchin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I’m a law abiding homeowner that happens to be armed,” said Kutchin, in his first interview about the shooting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Asked if he would do the same thing again, Kutchin says he would.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Denver District Attorney’s office cleared Kutchin of any criminal wrongdoing, ruling his actions were justified under Colorado law.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But across town, Marcus Duran’s mother, Cynthia Gonzales, is still questioning what happened that night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I don’t understand why he (Kutchin) couldn’t have done a warning shot or shot him in his leg. They didn’t fire shots. They were scared and running out when it happened,” said Gonzales.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Darrell Kutchin said there was no time for warning shots or shooting to wound.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I saw a gun pointed at me and I shot, no time to think about shooting him in the leg. And if you fire a warning shot, you are putting your neighbors in harm’s way,” said Kutchin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Besides said Kutchin, in the time it would take to fire a warning shot, he believes Duran could have shot and killed him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“My Godson did wrong, but he didn’t deserve to die,” said Phyllis Chavez, Duran’s godmother.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I don’t think it was fair the way he(Kutchin) shot freely. Do it in the air. Why was he aiming at them if they are running away? That’s the part I don’t understand,” said Chavez.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“It happened so quickly it was reactive, instinct,” said Kutchin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He said there was no time to ponder options or deliberate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“My life was in harm’s way. There’s no doubt in my mind if I wasn’t in the presence of mind to defend myself I wouldn’t be here today,” said Kutchin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Since his death, Duran’s mother and godmother have both received tattoos as reminders of the teenager they loved. His mother wears a heart shaped pendant around her neck. Inside are some of Marcus Duran’s ashes. Kutchin said he is slowly healing from what happened.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“The fact that someone chose to lose their life in my house, in my surroundings with actions that I reacted to, that’s hard, mentally. Someone tried to make me a victim of something but I choose to be a victor. And by choosing to be a victor, I’m going to get healthy,” said Kutchin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kutchin said beyond the anguish over what happened, he has spent $5,000 on attorneys fees, another $1,000 on his insurance deductible and countless hours dealing with police, prosecutors and court personnel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As part of the healing, he gave one of the teenage offenders several self-help books in an attempt to help the young man choose the correct path. One of the books was ‘”How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. The other was Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Both of the teens who escaped that night are behind bars, in connection with the two break ins last May.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kutchin said his heart goes out to the family of Marcus Duran. But he says he owes no apologies.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I did the right thing. He was an individual who made an error in judgment that was very costly. It was an error in judgment that he chose to end his life,” said Kutchin.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; "> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">My Thoughts:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">-First of all, I want to know who this guy’s lawyer was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He said exactly the right things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Take note he never says he’s sorry or that he’d do things differently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He shows himself to be the victim turned victor and the young punk for the thug he is.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">-The Taurus Judge, while for some reason a very popular gun, is NOT known as the Judge because judges carry it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This gun is an interesting combination of shotgun and pistol, and doesn’t do either very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Most judges I know carry some form of major caliber semi-auto with few exceptions.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">-As an armchair quarterback I’ll say the one major thing this guy did wrong:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>DON’T go looking for trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This gentleman was in a relatively secured position within his basement which most likely had only one narrow access point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He would have been much better off to have stayed behind cover in the basement and guarded the stairwell to ensure no one came down to greet him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Yelling something to the effect of “Don’t come in the basement, I have a gun!” would have been rather effective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He might also have avoided being forced to remove the offending trespasser had he done so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>With Denver’s progressive prosecutors it is somewhat surprising that this tactic didn’t come up when deciding to file charges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It could be said that he went looking for a fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>While this isn’t true, the argument could be made.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">-The law-abiding homeowner did exactly the right thing by not intentionally firing a warning shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If you fire a gun in self-defense it should only be because you fear for your life and need to stop a threat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That’s exactly what this gentleman did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>While the first shot effectively did become a warning shot due to a miss, he quickly regrouped and followed up with an effective life saving round placed.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">-To continue the last point, don’t alternate your ammo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Alternating buckshot and slugs is a BAD idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This man needed to stop a threat on the first shot and didn’t need nor want his gun to scare the offender.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Having missed with the first, that second shot became his lifesaver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Any attempt to alternate types of ammunition loaded in your gun will only prove to cause trouble for you when the flag flies.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; "> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">-Lastly, be prepared and have a plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No exceptions.</span></p> <!--EndFragment-->TwistedWireTacticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14906174699875843048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525503060388727426.post-57950931200039866872011-02-12T10:56:00.002-07:002011-02-12T10:59:00.676-07:00Police Shooting<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwtbs38yPI8BGAIf9ojtGX9GgXdpPr08SKcWCM92ZehAMH_UdrCi5fXeuz2_jBgD0muS4zQJdXKDa3-v8DzAA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Watch the other hand. Then watch who it is that's doing the shooting. You'll probably have to view the vid several times to catch everything. Let me know your thoughts in the comment section.</div>TwistedWireTacticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14906174699875843048noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525503060388727426.post-26230720846382533952011-02-12T09:09:00.004-07:002011-02-12T10:53:56.524-07:00Home Invasion Gone Bad<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 32px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:medium;">Hotshot forwarded this article to me and I have posted it in its (almost) entirety. My comments follow.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div><br /></div><h1 class="article_headline entry-title" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 1.75em; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1em; color: rgb(230, 230, 230); "><a href="http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/feb/09/vickie-graves-shoot-intruder-testify-bill/?partner=popular">Vickie Graves says she tried to shoot intruder, gun wouldn't go off</a></h1></span><p></p><p size="inherit" color="initial" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline- vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">When the gunfire erupted inside her Washington Pike home, Vickie Graves was ready to kill.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">"I'd done everything I could to get that gun to work," she said of the weapon she grabbed after shots rang out during an invasion of the home she shared with husband, Bill Graves. "I would have shot (the attacker she faced) - definitely."</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">When she realized her husband might be dead, however, she was ready to die.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">"When I couldn't get an answer from Bill, I didn't care," she said. "I was wanting him to kill me."</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">Graves described for jurors in Knox County Criminal Court on Tuesday the night in May 2009 when she and her husband settled in for a movie and instead faced off with masked intruders. The encounter left the 52-year-old Bill Graves mortally wounded.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">Her testimony came in the second day of trial for Gary Scott Holman, 28, who is accused along with Josh Lee Bowman of carrying out a fatal home invasion allegedly cooked up by a relative via marriage to Vickie Graves. The three are being tried separately.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">Graves told jurors she and her husband were watching a movie in the living room when a buzzer sounded, alerting them to movement in the driveway. Bill Graves went to the front door.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">"Just as he got to the door, this guy (identified by authorities as Bowman) just leaps in and grabs Bill in a bear hug," she testified.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">Holman followed, pointing what Vickie Graves said she believed was a gun at her head. As her husband broke free and ran toward his gun case, two shots rang out, she said. Knox County Sheriff's Office detectives say it was Bowman who fired those shots.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">"I started screaming, 'Bill, Bill, answer me,' " she said.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">Graves has hated guns ever since her father died from an accidental shooting, but with Holman distracted by the gunfire, she said she pushed him and grabbed a gun her husband kept stashed beside his chair.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">"I kept pulling the trigger," she said. "I was trying to get that gun to go off, and I just couldn't."</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">The gun, as it turned out, had three separate safety mechanisms. She said Holman grabbed the barrel, and the two became locked in a struggle over the weapon. But as seconds passed with no sounds from her husband, she gave up.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">"I was just so tired of wrestling with him," she said.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">When the two intruders ran out with one grabbing a safe on the way out, Graves found her husband collapsed and bleeding heavily. He died a day later, a gunshot having severed his femoral artery.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">The safe that cost Bill Graves his life contained a handful of silver dollars and three collections of state quarters.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">COMMENTS: </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">-Everyone who as access to your firearms should have the knowledge to use them for BASIC self defense. This woman had an irrational fear of a mechanical device that prevented her from being able to use it when it was most needed. If she didn't want to learn how to use it then she shouldn't have been able to easily access it.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">-<a href="http://practicalcarry.blogspot.com/2011/01/always-carry.html">ALWAYS Carry!!</a> The departed was headed in the right direction for home protection. A buzzer for motion detection in the drive is a great idea. A gun in the house loaded and ready for protection is another good move for some people. Answering the door to someone you don't know was the second bad move Mr. Graves made. His first was leaving his gun on the other side of the room when confronting strangers. Mr. Graves should have had his gun attached to his hip when he went to the door to see who was there and shouldn't have opened it to a stranger. NO EXCEPTIONS!!</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">-Bad Guys Don't Care! Mrs. Graves said, "I'd done everything I could to get that gun to work." No, she didn't. She didn't have a plan, didn't prepare, and the bad guys didn't care one bit. Have a plan, then have a backup. The lives you save could be your spouse or children. Bad guys don't care if you forgot to prepare.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUaHJJcdk2SsaCxbPTl07I1fG-zOhedZ3cyCSY5gZv1pVDQnJg0FPDl26vDSh-_EdXbP-2jQP6kw0gFHwed_szQEk8HTHlShfBLFLNZUtdlMPjAKm7KIztnKkCI5FrQmBnMhKF7Yh_vs/s320/oleg+spouse_8376web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572841085660277906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 87px; " /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>TwistedWireTacticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14906174699875843048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525503060388727426.post-63145471982694809392011-02-12T08:38:00.004-07:002011-02-12T10:54:56.710-07:0045ACP RECALL!!<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I just found this story this morning on <a href="http://www.survivalblog.com/">SurvivalBlog.com</a>. Below is the link to SurvivalBlog.com as well as Federal's announcement and the SurvivalBlog.com article.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://www.survivalblog.com/2011/02/federal_and_american_eagle_45.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://www.survivalblog.com/2011/02/federal_and_american_eagle_45.html</span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><a href="http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1101537435875-8/45+Auto+warning+_2_%5b1%5d.pdf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1101537435875-8/45+Auto+warning+_2_%5b1%5d.pdf</span></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:13px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">There has been </span><a href="http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7080365#post7080365" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: underline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">a safety recall announced</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> on .45 Automatic ammo with the following brand names and product numbers: American Eagle® (AE45A, AE45N1, or AE45A250), Champion™ (WM5233), GoldMedal® (GM45B), Hi-Shok® (45C, 45D) and Federal® Personal Defense® (C45C, C45D).</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The recall applies only to the following Lots: </span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">38X628 through 38X765 </span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and </span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">38T401 through 38T414.</span></strong></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If you possess ammunition from any of these lots, or have questions concerning this warning, please contact Federal at 1-800-831-0850 or 1-800-322-2342 and ask for Product Service. Federal will provide replacement product and will cover the cost of returning the recalled ammo.</span></p></span></div>TwistedWireTacticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14906174699875843048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525503060388727426.post-24812746604702849922011-01-22T01:38:00.007-07:002011-02-12T10:55:24.325-07:00First Carry Gun, Part IIMy last blog was on picking out a carry gun and when it was all over with I found I was still getting questions on exactly what to buy. In reply to one follow-up I realized that my response was a good foundation for a blog on exactly what I would get if someone were to send me to the gun store to purchase gear for them. While there are obviously myriad choices out there other than what I have listed, these are my personal picks for getting started in the concealed carry world. Please don’t be offended if your favorite pistol or holster or thong manufacturer isn’t listed. In a matter of full disclosure, despite my following recommendations, I carry the following: Colt 1911 Gov. 45ACP, <a href="http://www.usgalco.com/">Galco Summer Comfort </a>or <a href="http://adamsholsters.com/">Adams Leather Avenger </a>style, Comp-Tac Kydex Reinforced Contour Belt.<br /><br />Your mileage may vary on the following items, but I don’t think anyone would ever say they are BAD decisions.<br /><br /><strong>Carry Guns </strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZnX1KYw6GsJZoovHJ9nv_6FoAcIPZs3CTGjuHjBvIgiaVGy2ka8_BMACWVjJC-Jeieosxmw9c1qv7j0JfPEBKj0DSvQ6S9oz7glTlbpw3IuSxuZ9Oz6NubPgEZeMswfgU-_U2B29X0E/s1600/M&P.jpg"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564928421976578498" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZnX1KYw6GsJZoovHJ9nv_6FoAcIPZs3CTGjuHjBvIgiaVGy2ka8_BMACWVjJC-Jeieosxmw9c1qv7j0JfPEBKj0DSvQ6S9oz7glTlbpw3IuSxuZ9Oz6NubPgEZeMswfgU-_U2B29X0E/s320/M%2526P.jpg" border="0" /></strong></a><strong><br /></strong>I would highly suggest one of the striker fired polymer guns that are very popular right now, and very affordable. Glock set the standard years ago. Today I find the Smith & Wesson M&P line and Springfield Armory's XDm series to be the best of them at a reasonable price. HK's HK45C (compact) is possibly the best of the polymer guns out but carries a steep price tag in the area of $1000. Also to be considered are the Kahr MK9, the new S&W SD series, and MAYBE even Ruger's new LC9 (no first hand experience yet). These last three guns will be very tempting due to their small size but may not be the best idea for starting out learning to shoot. I would suggest that 9mm be the caliber of choice. It is very effective, easy to shoot, and more affordable than other major calibers. Don't get too lost in the caliber wars, or what some gun store commando says is the best thing ever.<br /><br />So let's recap guns real quick. Top Picks: S&W M&P, Springfield XDm, Glock (in that order). Very Secondary Picks: Kahr MK9, S&W SD, Ruger LC9 (no order there).<br /><br /><strong>Leather </strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatGHXjJD82RzfMfXvPSCyo_aHw0lvWLe9iECvuFcEuzhLPQ6h30L2UAroXIrG2rCfrvpN4bk0Nk4UUyLF8JwrzR8xihm7Ul7Vm-gzt1qGtefrUc4_ARzXRyqDu1aOl7giRYoBWr8mk04/s1600/summer+comfort.jpg"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564928774982255138" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatGHXjJD82RzfMfXvPSCyo_aHw0lvWLe9iECvuFcEuzhLPQ6h30L2UAroXIrG2rCfrvpN4bk0Nk4UUyLF8JwrzR8xihm7Ul7Vm-gzt1qGtefrUc4_ARzXRyqDu1aOl7giRYoBWr8mk04/s320/summer+comfort.jpg" border="0" /></strong></a><strong><br /></strong>Gotta have a holster if you're going to carry right? I highly suggest the Galco Summer Comfort IWB (Inside the Waist Band) for concealed carry. For OWB (Outside the Waist Band) carry I like the Galco Avenger or Combat Master. These holsters will be a great place to start as they are basic, reliable, and easy to use. There are a lot of other designs out there that you can get to later, so once again, don't get too caught up in the hype of the new wonder holsters. That said, DON'T SKIMP. Buy good quality leather. You'll be tempted to go with a cheaper kydex or nylon holster, but these will fall apart, cost you more in the long run, and discourage you from carrying right from the start. You're going to spend between $70-100 for a holster and that's that. You will also need a belt made for carry. I highly recommend <a href="https://owasec.exempla.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.comp-tac.com/product_info.php?products_id=43" target="_blank">Comp-Tac's kydex reinforced contour belt</a>. My beautiful wife and I both have one and it is by far the best belt I have ever owned, and at a reasonable price too. Galco's belts tend to go for about $120, while the Comp-Tac is $80. A carry specific belt is made to hold the weight of the gun, keep it from moving around, and make for an overall more comfortable experience. A lesser belt will fall apart sooner, be very uncomfortable, and again discourage you from carrying simply because you have cheap gear.<br /><br />Let's recap again. Galco’s Summer Comfort or one of the OWB holsters, or both but in that order. Comp-Tac belt. This is taking my ten years of carry experience and paring it down to what I have now, saving you the time and cost of experimenting like I have had to do.<br /><br />Feel free to keep the questions coming, but if you stick to the basics I think you'll be fine and won’t regret any purchases. Sticking to quality basics will also keep you from buying more gear or guns prematurely. Trying to save a couple of dollars on holsters, belts, magazines, ammo and guns is rarely a deal that pays back.<br />-KPTwistedWireTacticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14906174699875843048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525503060388727426.post-54407806730159576372011-01-09T13:09:00.007-07:002011-01-10T18:56:47.397-07:00First Carry Gun<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">The First Carry Gun</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">There are generally two kinds of guns in this world:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>those one will carry, and those one will not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Among these two categories can be derived several subcategories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When the time comes to pick out our first carry gun we must ask ourselves what guns fit where, and which one we will choose.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Choosing a first carry gun is much like choosing your first car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You’ve probably already got something in mind that you have been lusting after in your dreams for many months now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It might be shiny or black, big or little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Heck it might be pink with purple polka dots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Whatever it is, you want it, and you want it yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But I implore you to treat the purchase of your first carry gun not so much like a 16 year old boy getting your first muscle car, but rather like buying your first family car with the wife and kids in tow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You see, your carry gun isn’t going to be around to show off to your friends, make you feel macho, or pick up girls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Your carry gun is going to be there to quietly stand ready as a vital tool for you to be able to defend the lives of your family and yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Your carry gun will be your constant unseen companion on many walks through the park, trips to the grocery, and dates to the movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Such events do not call for the foolish angst of teenage boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Instead they call for the decisive decisions of a seasoned and worldly man with more stake in this world than just his own self.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So let us now look at those two kinds of guns, and what may be contained in each.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Guns You Won’t Carry<o:p></o:p></b></p><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjT0NVvlwChMQ6h_yDsvj1NXh5NMxAL1qXaCdP8EDDoTFurC3H1cEmK-CrIC4uq3Coig6r7Bil5xgrCpcgGz5M_zE6bdb4sVOpCP9YlvNJI065hcoPzGHj_OoUwYFFxn54765KSWYxi8/s320/large_dirty_harry.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560281617131895570" /> <p class="MsoNormal">Anyone who has more than a passing fancy for firearms probably has one or two guns in the safe that will never be carried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Such guns are usually either too large in size or caliber, or too small to be effective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Some are flatly unreliable and can’t be depended on in a life threatening situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Take that old Iver Johnson that your grandfather gave you years ago as one example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That old break top 22 is not only a somewhat less than ideal caliber for stopping a lethal threat, it’s so fragile that it may not stand up to the day to day rigors of concealed carry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Leave that old piece in the safe and save it for target practice with your kiddos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Now let’s look at that beautiful piece of craftsmanship that is a Smith & Wesson Model 29 with an 8 3/8” barrel which so wonderfully graces a lone shelf in the big steel box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Dirty Harry may have <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo-_Y4aL1uo">dominated</a> the streets of San Francisco with such a mighty piece but it is an impracticably large firearm for most to carry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In addition to the size of the gun, there is the size of the cartridge to consider as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Many smaller framed (and some larger) can’t very well manage the punishing recoil of these large caliber firearms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Maybe this piece too should be kept secure in the vault until hunting season arrives and some fresh Elk is desired on the table.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Guns You WILL Carry<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">While the lines between what you will and won’t carry can be hard to see sometimes, I’m going to attempt to lay out some guidelines to help you pick out the type of gun you might be willing to carry every waking hour of your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have found over the years that most people, me included, tend to like a daily carry gun to be relatively small, light weight, thin, simple to operate, light in felt recoil, of a powerful cartridge, and 100% reliable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Many of these things are mutually exclusive, and this is where the problems come in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A powerful gun that is light weight and small will usually feature punishing felt recoil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Your hand will sting, your wrist will ache, </p><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgittBZanD1j47IQh5M7MBkNOY2kzIVJ0uPhFPZROCkGkrdsOzJcY-kc1YEp_37EHQgoYad5AFfs5oLy9-sos6RLsN1JVMqy-0cCcHiqxFQmidbAOBsXEW12ApiYJBO5I0-bHXVLnX0aDk/s320/concealed_weapon_class_pembroke_pines_florida.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560281853554629954" /><p class="MsoNormal">and you wont be willing to practice with it enough to be effective, let alone competent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A gun that is powerful, easy to be accurate with and is pleasant to shoot is probably going to be so large that it will fall into our previous category.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A balance must be struck that gives you the most powerful handgun you can shoot accurately and with speed, and still not drag your pants on the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There’s no medal given for the guy with the biggest gun, especially if he left that gun at home.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Many folks like to debate the various merits of revolvers and semi-automatics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Let’s get this right out there; both are just fine, don’t depend on a high round count, it takes training to shoot either, and you can conceal whichever you choose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That said, revolvers tend to be more reliable on the whole, and present a ‘bulk’ that many people find hard to hide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Semi-autos tend to be smoother in the waist line, and somewhat more complicated in their basic operation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The one true advantage I see semi-autos to have over revolvers is that you can still fire the gun during the reloading process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>With a revolver this is not the case because the cylinder is opened and all rounds are effectively out of the gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This assumes that you have not made the mistake of buying a pistol with a magazine disconnect, in which case it’s the same as the revolver.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">My best advice is this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>try a LOT of different guns in a lot of different calibers and see what you like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Try to find a gun that is slim, easy to shoot well, and agrees with your lifestyle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Be sure it is of a reputable brand and can fire through a few hundred rounds without a malfunction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Check to see that you can get a wide variety of holsters as this is something you will most likely end up with a large collection of before it’s all over.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So there it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Be it a Glock, Springfield, S&W, 1911, or any number of other manufacturers, be sure of the purchase you’re making.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The life you save could be your own, and it could be your child’s.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Reputable Brands<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Smith & Wesson</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Colt</p> <p class="MsoNormal">HK</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Ruger</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Springfield</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sig Sauer</p><p class="MsoNormal">Glock</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Common Major Calibers<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">9mm</p> <p class="MsoNormal">40S&W</p> <p class="MsoNormal">45ACP</p> <p class="MsoNormal">38spl</p> <p class="MsoNormal">357 Magnum</p> <p class="MsoNormal">44 Magnum</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Holster Makers</b></p><p class="MsoNormal">Galco</p><p class="MsoNormal">Sidearmor</p><p class="MsoNormal">Milt Sparks</p><p class="MsoNormal">Mitch Rosen</p><p class="MsoNormal">Twistedwire Tactical</p> <!--EndFragment-->TwistedWireTacticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14906174699875843048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525503060388727426.post-9705569991352105622011-01-05T03:05:00.003-07:002011-01-05T03:16:55.956-07:00ALWAYS Carry!!<div><br /><br /><div>ALWAYS Carry!! Even at Home.<br /><br />Today proved a point I’ve been trying to make to people for years now; ALWAYS carry!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp5hzJeks9xMCpTkcqK1y8QU4xNDB7M2RsSUECwzmqaaNCzEzHTpsGAx2jmSmGeKVLiqHGVPh0Ts_5Ho7OVZxpqGfSwgf8mj-FuZLJZTTRl_u0OqPMyrKq1hirWSiElxci_g4P8jJwP8/s1600/HOME_DEFENSE_SYSTEM%255B1%255D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558642577758909298" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 258px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp5hzJeks9xMCpTkcqK1y8QU4xNDB7M2RsSUECwzmqaaNCzEzHTpsGAx2jmSmGeKVLiqHGVPh0Ts_5Ho7OVZxpqGfSwgf8mj-FuZLJZTTRl_u0OqPMyrKq1hirWSiElxci_g4P8jJwP8/s320/HOME_DEFENSE_SYSTEM%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />What It Means<br />It sounds simple right? Always carry. That means all the time right? Well yeah it does, but people (including myself sometimes) seem to love making exceptions to the rule. I commonly hear quips like, “I carry when I go out at night,” or “I carry when I go out to bad neighborhoods,” or “When I get home my gun goes in the safe.” See how easy that was? All you have to do is make a little exception here, and a little exception there, and pretty soon you’ll catch yourself not carrying when something happens. So carry, and do it ALL THE TIME.<br /><br />What Happened<br />My beautiful wife (henceforth known as Hotshot) and I are renters. We’ve recently found ourselves in the midst of a few rather minor plumbing issues that we wish to have fixed before they are no longer minor. So the landlord sent over his ‘handyman’ to take care of our plumbing issues.<br /><br />First impressions are a BIG deal. In Gavin de Becker’s book <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/twistedwire-20/detail/0440508835">The Gift of Fear</a>, de Becker lays out his theory that intuition is everything. We know when something is off, we often just choose to ignore our ‘gut feeling.’ Today was one of those days. When the plumber called for directions, and I was overhearing the phone call, I immediately thought ‘if this guy can’t get directions right in the first THREE tries, I’m not sure I want him working in my house.’ Upon arrival my wife answered the door and he just started walking in. No greeting or verification of identity seemed necessary for this guy. After practically barging in he promptly went to check out the wrong sink. Fast forward past the part where he asked to borrow a rag and flashlight and our not-so-handy-man was on his way to the door. When asked what he did he said he “tightened some stuff”, and didn’t want to deal with the frozen pipe that he said was causing one of our problems. This guy couldn’t get out fast enough for me.<br /><br />In our after action report (yeah, we’re that nerdy) Hotshot and I discussed some things we did wrong, and some things we did right. The first thing she pointed out was letting him get past her without so much as a ‘hello.’ By doing this she pointed out that she not only put herself at risk, but also me. Don’t forget that folks, it’s not just you depending on you making the right decisions for personal safety, you’re family needs you too. And that’s why you must ALWAYS be prepared. This isn’t being paranoid. This guy seriously put off some crazy signals and exhibited some very off behavior. Don’t take these signs lightly.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgh4Y6dINdU5G2VnWUpTkw9pb0XAE9NhUAa79PnNCDMagcCYqA6UBZXN55OyJTs-AzYsb_XQ0jmXJBkrrHZ6hLSa8FnhpKbup3xq_2R63CGRzlF2xFJ34GaD6tm2uVRMdpqHO_kq0cD8/s1600/options6411-450x384%255B1%255D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558642997316703234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 273px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgh4Y6dINdU5G2VnWUpTkw9pb0XAE9NhUAa79PnNCDMagcCYqA6UBZXN55OyJTs-AzYsb_XQ0jmXJBkrrHZ6hLSa8FnhpKbup3xq_2R63CGRzlF2xFJ34GaD6tm2uVRMdpqHO_kq0cD8/s320/options6411-450x384%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" /></a>One question I asked my wife was, were you carrying? She was, but not in a way that allowed for rapid access to her firearm should this guy have been an attacker and not a handyman. Her method of carry was perfect for concealment, but fell short on speed, and ease of deployment. Several lessons then came to be drawn from this one question and its answer. First, have a gun and be able to get it out, FAST. Bad guys don’t care if you forgot, and they don’t wait for you to get the personal protection tools you will need to save the lives of you and your family. Second, trust your gut. You know when you feel something isn’t right, so act on it from the start. Don’t do what we did and sit back and let things happen then kick yourself later. For this turn we ended up disappointed in a lack of work on a plumbing job. It could have easily been something much worse. Third, learn from your mistakes, and the mistakes of others. This story is free to you. You didn’t have to let anyone into your home, or go see a loved one in the hospital. Read the stories of others and ask yourself what you would do, and what they could have done differently to avoid their situations. War-game your personal life. Look around and ask ‘what if’ all the time.<br /><br />In Col Jeff Cooper’s book <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/twistedwire-20/detail/1581604955">Principles of Personal Defense</a>, the Colonial tells us to have a plan. Think through your day to day life and have a plan for as many situations as you can think of. Don’t think of it as paranoid, think if it as a game. It’s like chess only more interesting and with real meaning. And lastly, ALWAYS carry. It’s not just a matter of preparation, but a matter of mindset. Get your brain in the game, and your head out of the sand. Be proactive in your own safety and security, as it’s your responsibility alone.</div></div>TwistedWireTacticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14906174699875843048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525503060388727426.post-24021312219600538652010-04-05T16:50:00.002-06:002010-04-05T16:52:16.122-06:00Redi-Mag, Part Duex<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMPLepUE7brI8vsSbESrx_OjvXgk3ciQhnJjtLsIaPhpjS6TxPM1sOoT6o5Y8JJG0H7lfTJ9OCUJYXzrqCqmTfpKLZtGEJbWoGY53IyiGanfgKZJ1H9oQx5T675Mkz7Fr6Qm1J36j0OY/s1600/P4050015.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMPLepUE7brI8vsSbESrx_OjvXgk3ciQhnJjtLsIaPhpjS6TxPM1sOoT6o5Y8JJG0H7lfTJ9OCUJYXzrqCqmTfpKLZtGEJbWoGY53IyiGanfgKZJ1H9oQx5T675Mkz7Fr6Qm1J36j0OY/s320/P4050015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456789955022929954" /></a><br /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Cambria"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Seems the good people of Boonie Packer Products, makers of the <a href="http://www.redi-mag.com/">Redi-Mag</a>, actually took interest in my little blog here. For that I thank them immensely. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Cambria; min-height: 16.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Cambria"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">After reading my blog Caius, the customer service guru, sent me an email and then mailed off a few new products to see if some of my issues could be resolved. A few days later I received a <a href="http://www.redi-mag.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=5">MkI QA Redi-Mag</a>, the new <a href="http://www.redi-mag.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=12">Bolt Catch Extension II</a> (BCEII), and the very interesting <a href="http://www.redi-mag.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=13">Redi-Catch</a>. Let’s attack these issues in that order.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Cambria; min-height: 16.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Cambria"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The MkI QA Redi-Mag (quick attach) is essentially the same as the standard version with a slight change to the spacer bracket and mounting method. This minor modification to the system makes putting on and taking off the QA to your AR-15 very easy. With an allen wrench and your own two hands it simply goes on and off with a few turns of a pair of fixed screws. A one-piece rubber ring (which resembles a cutout of a bicycle inner tube) replaces the three rubber spacers. With only these minor changes the Redi-Mag remains a wonderful product enhance by now being more user friendly. I highly recommend the QA for any application.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Cambria; min-height: 16.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Cambria"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The Bolt Catch Extension II is essentially a metal version of the old BCE. The one major improvement is that the head of the mounting screw is on the aft side of the unit, making it possible to install and remove the new BCEII with the Redi-Mag already attached. The new design is also a little more stylish than the old plastic piece, and Hotshot thinks that’s very important. While functionally the same, I do find this improved piece to be much better than the old one.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Cambria; min-height: 16.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Cambria"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Now on to the most interesting of the Redi-Mag enhancements: the Redi-Catch. This little gizmo is designed to allow the shooter the ability to manipulate the bolt latch to lock the bolt open while the firing hand never leaves fire control. To do this the Redi-Catch operates off of a plate-type base with two mounting pins that replace the hammer and trigger pins in the lower frame of your AR. Off of the base is a lever that has one end through the trigger guard and the other end resting atop the bottom of the bolt catch. With the index finger outside of the trigger guard the operator can push down on the Redi-Catch lever and operate the charging handle with the left hand (assuming a right handed shooter) and lock the bolt open in this way. To release the bolt one still has to smack the bolt catch by way of the BCEII. This method is a marked improvement over the old plastic BCE alone and allows a much more rapid malfunction clearance. If you are attached to that bolt slap and still want it then this method is for you.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Cambria; min-height: 16.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Cambria"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The lowdown: After a great deal of experimentation with the new Redi-Catch and BCEII I will definitely say that this combo is heads and tails above just using the old BCE alone. That said, I still find the <a href="http://store.magpul.com/product/96/100">BAD</a> lever from <a href="http://www.magpul.com/">Magpul</a> to be superior, simpler to operate and install, and more economical. Don’t get me wrong though, I applaud Boonie Packer for coming up with an innovative solution to a significant issue. Their Redi-Mag is still the fastest reload in town, and is truly a GREAT product. I plan on encouraging every AR shooter I know to put one on their rifle or carbine. Sadly, Magpul just beat them to the punch on a much better bolt lock lever. So go out there, get yourself a QA Redi-Mag, and a BAD lever, and shoot the mountainside up.</span></p>TwistedWireTacticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14906174699875843048noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525503060388727426.post-77838943397657978152010-03-03T10:45:00.001-07:002010-03-03T10:46:15.634-07:00Starbuckshttp://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2010-03-03-starbucks-guns_N.htm<div><br /></div><div>Starbucks supports gun rights Who would have though. Let's make a point to let them know that we support this move, and that we're buying their products where we wouldn't have before.</div>TwistedWireTacticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14906174699875843048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525503060388727426.post-37950037773528631332010-03-01T22:42:00.005-07:002010-03-01T23:21:12.610-07:00B.A.D. Lever!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZd1dEFWNky0AL6gBfeqH8FYcWpxK_BuLfVLbrTq12WVL97Rc9TR_3V70xFClcm-03IHrmfSCSRHFw0aM9w5QPnw8ggYN7SAdfvtdDueG9usGZ9b7bsP-slDSJBxUof3VTCCi3PJI0NCU/s1600-h/BAD_6.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZd1dEFWNky0AL6gBfeqH8FYcWpxK_BuLfVLbrTq12WVL97Rc9TR_3V70xFClcm-03IHrmfSCSRHFw0aM9w5QPnw8ggYN7SAdfvtdDueG9usGZ9b7bsP-slDSJBxUof3VTCCi3PJI0NCU/s320/BAD_6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443917297840625730" /></a><br />It finally happened, I got my <a href="http://store.magpul.com/product/96/100">B.A.D Lever</a> by <a href="http://www.magpul.com/">Magpul</a>.<br /><p class="MsoNormal">As mentioned before, in the <a href="http://www.redi-mag.com/">Redi-Mag</a> post, I felt that one of the great shortcomings of the Redi-Mag system is the silly little bolt catch thingy (that’s a technical term).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>From the moment I saw Magpul’s B.A.D. Lever I figured this was the solution to my problem, so when I saw <a href="http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=29341/Product/AR_15_M16_B_A_D__LEVER_trade_">Brownell’s</a> had them in stock I ordered two (one for Hotshot to have on her soon to be built AR).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I waited in eager anticipation for the arrival of my order, and when it finally arrived I had everything BUT the hoped for levers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Damn, backordered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So wait some more I did.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">As luck would have it, the B.A.D. Levers arrived just in time for Valentine’s Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Yes, that’s right, I gave Hotshot a B.A.D. Lever for V-day and she LOVED it (I’m such a lucky guy).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The next day the AR was on the bench in two pieces with that stupid plastic blob from Redi-Mag sticking out like a sore thumb, and that’s when I saw my problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Redi-Mag is a touch hard to put on, and the bolt catch extension that came with it screws on from the muzzle side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This means the Redi-Mag is in the way of taking the screw out of the bolt catch extension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I did NOT want to be taking that unit off and putting it on again just to put on one little tiny lever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Out came my lovely and faithful Foredom with a thin plastic cutting wheel and the bolt catch extension is lost to the round file.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Problem solved!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The B.A.D. Lever went on super easy with everything provided in the packet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Nothing had to be taken off of the lower receiver, and all went as planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As usual the kind folks at <a href="http://www.magpuldynamics.com/">Magpul Dynamics</a> have developed a simple ingenious gizmo (that I wish I had thought of) and will forever change the way I shoot ARs.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">To use the B.A.D. Lever, once installed, one simply uses the right index finger (assuming a right handed shooter) to manipulate the lever up and down to engage and disengage the bolt catch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This frees up your left hand to operate the charging handle, clear out a jam, and grab a magazine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s the solution to the single biggest problem I’ve ever noticed with the AR platform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Instead of switching hands around and getting your fingers tied in knots, the operation becomes intuitive and down right easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The only short fall would be for southpaw shooters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Don’t worry though, I’ll be glad to modify your lever to make it work for you if you’d like.</p><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwiUKej9BmGG_bvFF1HpC8lNxbx7Fzdbz06itvgjY-Qbz2oUBsLDUY9GLisLd8fuToc4ier45qJzu-P2s5c47sQIpXajHkI0skJfu079bYuM9xHNR8uexcaeFSObI13ajl9e7u-lbfvY/s320/3844968281_6f5cd035e9_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443916872804081490" /> <p class="MsoNormal">Parting Thought:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Magpul Dynamics B.A.D. Lever should be standard equipment on everyone’s AR, whether you’ve a Redi-Mag or not.</p><br /><!--EndFragment-->TwistedWireTacticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14906174699875843048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525503060388727426.post-11027325279349514022009-10-17T01:59:00.005-06:002009-10-24T02:13:16.486-06:00P-Mag<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ24ErHIpsdSLAmjZmzfEouJpzZCKedDZlYcy7WbtynDQJiMz-oDHikMDUgomV_gAIagCi95CIUPhofmgjC_gaNd5gOO1kPOxXXrTyChoJOfZlTKUPsMb2Q3QOAbYwTLnX-1jc-kyBP0/s1600-h/pmag.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ24ErHIpsdSLAmjZmzfEouJpzZCKedDZlYcy7WbtynDQJiMz-oDHikMDUgomV_gAIagCi95CIUPhofmgjC_gaNd5gOO1kPOxXXrTyChoJOfZlTKUPsMb2Q3QOAbYwTLnX-1jc-kyBP0/s320/pmag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395988520573885682" border="0" /></a><!--StartFragment-->I recently had opportunity to try out a few <a href="http://www.magpul.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=80_120&products_id=267">P-Mags</a> from <a href="http://www.magpul.com/">Magpul Industries</a>.<span style=""> </span>These AR magazines are a polymer design, actually hold 30 rounds, and have a convenient viewing window on either side so that the user can see if the magazine is full or not. <p class="MsoNormal">The mags are equipped with no-tilt followers for reliable feeding, and unloading if you choose to do so by any means other than pulling the trigger rapidly (the preferred</p><p class="MsoNormal"> method).<span style=""> </span>This handy little feature of the magazine is one of those small comforts in life that many people don’t seem to think or care about.<span style=""> </span>If you have the ‘standard’ metal mags with the tilting follower, ditch them and put in Magpul’s no-tilt followers, or better yet just buy some P-Mags.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Over the top of the follower and feed lips is a plastic clip on cover that comes attached right out of the package.<span style=""> </span>I found this device to be of little use to me and promptly ditched them.<span style=""> </span>This is something the factory might cringe at, and that’s just to bad.<span style=""> </span>If used I can see where it might protect the feed lips of a falling mag under the pressure of 30 rounds crashing to the hard ground.<span style=""> </span>In practice if I need my mags I probably need them RIGHT NOW.<span style=""> </span>The covers are staying in my parts bin!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The absolute coolest thing on these mags is the window on the side.<span style=""> </span>I have long wondered why makers didn’t come up with a hole drilled in the side, a slot, or ANYTHING to see if a magazine was truly full or not.<span style=""> </span>1911 magazine manufacturers have been doing it since</p><p class="MsoNormal"> John Moses Browning filed out his first venerable pistol.<span style=""> </span>It’s about time someone figured this out.<span style=""> </span>I loaded mine up to capacity and jammed it into my little poodle shooter just to see if it worked.<span style=""> </span>Praise Eugene Stoner it fit, with 30 rounds in and a closed bolt.<span style=""> </span>Again, it’s about time.<span style=""> </span>I then promptly took out the mags, grabbed my trusty Sharpie marker (no review required) and marked the point where the follower is in the window at capacity.<span style=""> </span>Strangely enough, you can’t really fit more rounds in there without forcing it.<span style=""> </span>I also used my Sharpie to put my initials on both sides of the P-Mags.<span style=""> </span>Go to a class and do mag changes and you’ll find out why.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Before I hit the range I felt compelled to rip one of the magazines apart to see what was inside.<span style=""> </span>Hey, it’s what I do!<span style=""> </span>Make sure you’re sitting down for this one kids; it looks like a magazine inside, only brighter (windows you know).<span style=""> </span>The floor plate came off with ease, everything fell out the bottom just fine, and it was smooth as could be.<span style=""> </span>It was almost like </p><p class="MsoNormal">someone was thinking when they made this thing.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So out to the range I went with about 600 rounds in my can, and four P-Mags ready to go.<span style=""> </span>Twenty mag changes later, lots of dropping on the ground, and even more slamming into the well or the Redi-Mag and they still function flawlessly, and look pretty good.<span style=""> </span>The ribbed outside structural elements even made it easier to do tactical reloads as there was a little more for my fingertips to grab onto.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The nutshell opinion:<span style=""> </span>Throw your old metal mags into the spare parts bin and buy a sled load of P-Mags.<span style=""> </span>They work great, look cool, and chicks dig ‘em.<span style=""> </span>At less than $20 on average, they’re easy on the wallet too.</p><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1UmKcUIujjrqSuCF7ksXve6kzyiF30F5hnUyEeTWg9311kvFR947uqbwJB6OEu_OTKJHQfQhf0uuF1MK8Rmdp6LEh_RjuK25W8ihbNE5i7dQ098rmJ8aKOtISTOHjvz1EPYE6ueHLTo/s200/pmagranger.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396076101908164034" /> <p class="MsoNormal">Short comings:<span style=""> </span>That silly top cover thing is no good to me, and your mileage may vary.<span style=""> </span>Mine didn’t come with <a href="http://www.magpul.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=80_96&products_id=281">Ranger floorplates</a>.<span style=""> </span>That’s not really Magpul’s fault, but I’ll take some if they want to hand them out.</p><br /><!--EndFragment-->TwistedWireTacticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14906174699875843048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525503060388727426.post-22256198214643720132009-10-15T10:14:00.009-06:002009-10-27T00:07:23.560-06:00The Night RunLast night I took my first ever night trail run. I tried out some new equipment and had a very different running experience.<div><br /></div><div>Right after work I headed off to my friendly neighborhood big box store for recreational equipment. Hotshot (my running and shooting friend) told me running at night was THE best, and I just needed a head lamp. So off I went in search of the perfect light. Now don't get me wrong, I had used a few headlamps before in camping and caving and such, just not for running. My old lights were the ones with a large bezel light in front, batter pack in the back, and a wire connecting the two running down the side of your head. Heck, I even remember one guy I went with still using a fuel lamp! I was told that Petzl was the brand to stick with, and I new them from the olden days. There were a few things I took into account when picking out the lights. All of them were LED, so no decisions there. Next I started looking at the packages where I saw distance of beam, duration of battery life, brightness (in Lumens) and some added features. Oh, and cost, can't forget that. After careful deliberation I decided that the most expensive lights weren't going to be needed, and I had set a max budget of about $50 anyway. I quickly zeroed in on the <a href="http://www.petzl.com/us/outdoor/headlamps/tikka-zipka-series/tikka-xp">Petzl Tikka2 XP</a>. This was one of the larger lights with close to the brightest beam at 60 lumens, shining 60 meters, and lasting on three AAA batteries for 160hr. So off to the counter I went and made my purchase.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAfkbg8z3-ph6MeC8ZAKc_Pwys1Tc25X4IrYOUa7QqlpEXeY5_5V1U8m5eVKsehwIacU_oFr_m7OGqEQJbdiGEOyRsruldRfNVnMB3QbIy43saXvVEDoBTkQM7maTQJWi8yL9IOf2J0E/s1600-h/petzl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAfkbg8z3-ph6MeC8ZAKc_Pwys1Tc25X4IrYOUa7QqlpEXeY5_5V1U8m5eVKsehwIacU_oFr_m7OGqEQJbdiGEOyRsruldRfNVnMB3QbIy43saXvVEDoBTkQM7maTQJWi8yL9IOf2J0E/s320/petzl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395989335448291954" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>By the time I left the store darkness had already overcome the front range and I quickly darted home to change out of work clothes and into some running garb. The drive up to the trailhead is only marginally exciting as there's not real view, but it would be good on a motorcycle with the twists and light climbs. When I got up there I was the only one around and it was dark as coal. I've only been on this trail once before and that was in the middle of the day. This night I got to see what a spectacular view there was from the parking lot. If only someone else was there to enjoy it with me (we'll revisit this idea later). Adding to my new headlamp I decided I should pack an extra just incase. Hotshot had mentioned running with her <a href="http://www.surefire.com/E2D-Executive-Defender">Surefire E2D</a> in hand just to spot extra rocks and expose shadows in the trail. I took this to heart and had my E2D in my left hand (where it normally goes) and my <a href="http://www.surefire.com/G2-Nitrolon">G2</a> in my right. Hey, one is none, two is one, right? I checked in with Hotshot for times to expect further contact, on came the headlamp, and off I went.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was immediately impressed with the light. I quickly decided that the open beam was just to focused for me so I switched to the diffuser, that was built in, with just a flip of a finger. This did the trick. Over the course of the run I decided I liked the diffused beam for the tighter rugged portions of the trail, and the focused beam for the prairie areas. Switching back and forth seemed to do just fine. As the run went on I tried the high and low settings. Low was just a little to low for running, and made me feel a little at risk of tripping or running into something. I've also seen one to many of the "When Animals Attack" videos, so there would have been less warning with lower light. When switching back and forth the button on top was easy to use, but required me to shut the unit off to switch power. This was annoying and still easy to accomplish. While I would prefer either one setting or a power level adjustment I understand the simplicity of the design. So I just kept it in the brightest mode and ran on.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I got about half way through the rugged portion of the trail I noticed two green orbs to my right and down the hill a bit. The broad diffused beam highlighted the eyes of some critter off to the side quite well. This was another time I wished someone else was with me, but for a whole different reason. See, I was running in mountain lion territory, and I already told you about those videos. When I used one of my handheld lights to brighten up the area I was not very pleasantly surprised by what the much brighter 120 lumen Surefire light brought out of the darkness. There beside the trail, about ten feet away was a nice big skunk. And I was out of there! A little while later I started spotting deer. Those guys are just fun to see stuck in the beam of a headlamp. There was still a constant paranoia of running at night, miles from other people, that I couldn't shake. Don't get me wrong, I was more prepared than most (see profile pic) and I still should have had someone else there with me. The worst paranoia episode was approaching the car. See, I'm not so worried about the four legged critters as I am the two legged ones. Call me silly.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, I had a great run, did it a little faster than the last time and felt a LOT better, and got to play with some great lights.</div><div><br /></div><div>EQUIPMENT CRITIQUE</div><div>The Petzl Tikka2 seems to be a great lamp. I didn't have any issues with the function of the light at all while running. The lamps tilt feature stayed put, as did the diffuser screen. Like I said, the button was a bit annoying in that I couldn't switch between features without turning it off. The light just has a single around the head band and not a strap that goes over the top of the head. I had the light on over my ball cap so I don't know if it would stay put as well as without the hat, but I'm guessing not. For wear around camp this wouldn't be an issue, but for running I think it's going to be a problem. I almost always run with a cap though, so it shouldn't be much of an issue with me. The brightness of 60 lumens was just about perfect. When I'd turn on the 120 lumen handheld torches I was nearly blinded by the difference. These brighter lights were perfect for critters and looking much farther ahead, and not so good for general foot travel. I'm now curious to try the <a href="http://www.surefire.com/HS1-A-BKSaint">Surefire Saint headlamp</a> that is adjustable from 0 to 120 lumens.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6k44glvEzO0XA4cb2giguXT75kFK4oM-FIQk4WxxqMfoY_49H5366ECLml8a5TnwqcGOOb6FUmk5AZN_sWuGQzU02_LTKO9CgbrgfA9-wZpbyOa7tUv0deX5oQHvbYtvxThRxJQin0k/s1600-h/surefire.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6k44glvEzO0XA4cb2giguXT75kFK4oM-FIQk4WxxqMfoY_49H5366ECLml8a5TnwqcGOOb6FUmk5AZN_sWuGQzU02_LTKO9CgbrgfA9-wZpbyOa7tUv0deX5oQHvbYtvxThRxJQin0k/s320/surefire.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395995759176903266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />THAT should be an interesting lamp to play with. Anyone got one I can try out?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br />Overall I'm pleased with my purchase. Now I just need to hit the trail a little more and get more pleased with my times.</div><div><br /></div><div>NIGHT RUNNING CRITIQUE</div><div>Holy crap, if you haven't tried this, DO! That was some of the most fun I've ever had running. That said, I don't recommend doing it alone for most people. I'm a crazy man and kind of enjoy the freaky nature of being out alone in the dark, and most don't. It's also kind of dangerous, so unless you're ready to use a more unique skill set I don't advise it. Those issues aside, holy crap what fun. Every twist and turn became more of an adventure. I quickly noticed that I didn't seem to think about each and every rock so much, they just kind of went by. I'm ready to do this again and again. Seems Hotshot is jealous of me running at night though, so I have to take her for the next trip. Scratch that; she has to take me next time. ;)</div>TwistedWireTacticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14906174699875843048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525503060388727426.post-10403286487096574532009-10-08T02:34:00.002-06:002010-03-01T22:40:36.407-07:00Redi-MagI've decided to start my new blog with a review of a product I recently tested out for a friend of mine.<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5l_d-UOCHCzjKLqA-PBygVS2P7vtq2DqDu9R7FdmokRTfXSA3-TBxfmN4nf4Aa2JIJ-tbNhIem3uYhgkC_rWaOfT8qEYMtP56LjUIM67SbPDM_TeC8q6r8AvQnGW3_YDlTLphe5tycc/s1600-h/redimag.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5l_d-UOCHCzjKLqA-PBygVS2P7vtq2DqDu9R7FdmokRTfXSA3-TBxfmN4nf4Aa2JIJ-tbNhIem3uYhgkC_rWaOfT8qEYMtP56LjUIM67SbPDM_TeC8q6r8AvQnGW3_YDlTLphe5tycc/s320/redimag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395994158249812578" border="0" /></a></div><div>When I first saw the Redi-Mag a few years back I thought it was a bit of a gimmick. This looked like something to get broken, weigh the AR down, or just some stupid bolt-on for the techno gear head that read to many comic books (i.e. gun magazines). When my friend ordered one I was skeptical to say the least. So I went over to her house to check out the new gear and it was decided that I would try it out in the three day shooting class that I had just completed the first classroom day of. With two days on the range ahead of me I was bolting parts onto my carbine with no idea of what to expect.<br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Putting the <a href="http://www.redi-mag.com/Shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=1&idcategory=5">Redi-Mag MkI </a>onto the lower receiver of the AR is fairly easy in principal. In practice the front spacer block system is a royal pain in the ass. Getting the unit set up is a breeze. Just push the spring pin in on the front of the trigger guard and swing it out of place. The Redi-Mag is then slid up over the mag well with the rubber pads in place. This part is easy enough that any dork with an ink pen can get it done. Putting that block into the front and inserting the bolts and nuts, on the other hand, takes two men and a small boy to get everything in place, torqued around, lined up, threaded through, and screwed tight. Eventually, with the careful application of some brute force and a slightly fumble fingered friend the thing was on. Oh well, you only have to do it once right?</div><div><br /></div><div>With it on I practiced a few times and felt like I was getting the hang of operating the single lever and my mag release button and all that jazz. The first day on the range everyone was looking at me a little weird (more than normal) for having this parkerized green 'thing' attached to the side of my gun, holding a second P-mag on there. Very quickly I noticed myself to be reloading cleaner and faster than everyone else. I'd like to say this would have been the case anyway, but the Redi-Mag definitely made a standout difference. As the class wore on more people started noticing and asking about it, including all of the instructors. The instructors were the best part as they didn't have a plan for this in their training program.</div><div><br /></div><div>The extra mag I carried on my belt quickly became a topic of discussion. With the Redi-Mag, the belt mounted mag was never used to reload, only to top off the Redi-Mag. This created a glitch in the training method as the finger forward technique method that is standardized in pistol shooting wont work with topping off the Redi-Mag as the fingers get in the way. Instead the 'Beer Can' grip must be used, not just for topping off, but it's needed to reload too. This meant I carried my belt mag with the bullet tip pointed back. I didn't mind this one bit, and the instructors took a little warming up to it. </div><div><br /></div><div>The release method was discussed as well. The head instructor felt that there should be an ability to release the mag in the Redi-Mag by simply depressing the standard mag release button instead of <i>having</i> to hit the lever on the unit. After some considerable thought I decided this wasn't all that desirable and that the current system is probably the way to go. Should I happen to accidentally hit the mag release button on the gun and dump the mag currently loaded, I'd also loose my reload, loosing not 30 but 60 rounds to the dirt. By having to use the Redi-Mag mounted lever to release the reload I take out the possibility of inadvertent discharge. I'll keep it how it is.</div><div><br /></div><div>The only down side I've really found to this system is the bolt catch extension. This is a cheep piece of plastic that gets the job done but little else.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WWYMS6wU44S6oLH-o6_kZHFr2ImDtWbZUveVOyD18SOCnNag1ObwCIhW5BqzmQux8Z9vjXImjSJZwotSS_6Jfu673Pe-Ib0BuGhn8YMRcM7THV4qbruYKVcXkDQIh9UhC3qHdx8a5pQ/s1600-h/BAD.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WWYMS6wU44S6oLH-o6_kZHFr2ImDtWbZUveVOyD18SOCnNag1ObwCIhW5BqzmQux8Z9vjXImjSJZwotSS_6Jfu673Pe-Ib0BuGhn8YMRcM7THV4qbruYKVcXkDQIh9UhC3qHdx8a5pQ/s320/BAD.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395993602035402818" border="0" /></a>Soon I hope to ad the <a href="http://www.magpul.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=81&products_id=362">Magpul B.A.D. lever </a>to take care of this problem child of the Redi-Mag. The sooner gone the better.</div><div><br /></div><div>Over all, the test unit is NOT going back to the owner. I told her this and it became my birthday present. Happy birthday to me! :D</div>TwistedWireTacticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14906174699875843048noreply@blogger.com1