Let’s quickly review the types of holsters: Inside the waistband. Paddle. Slide. Pancake. Crossdraw. Appendix. Small of the back.  Shoulder (vertical and horizontal). Retention. Thumb-break. Leather. Kydex. Hybrid. Belt clip.  I could go on, but my head is starting to hurt.

My guess is that most people who carry a gun regularly have a holster box. That is because holsters are intensely personal and they are also a solid “impulse buy.” Something catches your eye and you drop some cash. Before you know it, you have a holster box.

No matter what you use to carry your gun, at the end of a long day, you will likely notice you have a gun. The best way to test a holster is to put it on wear it till you notice it, then decide if you can live with it. After a while you will start wondering if another holster wouldn't be better and you will go through the sequence again. Soon you will find something that is just right for you.

So, what makes a good holster into your favorite holster? Comfort is the most important element. If the holster is not comfortable right from the start you won’t wear it long and then you will get to the point where you don’t put it on every time you leave the house. That’s no good.

Next up is concealment. It should be hidden. Concealment is the goal, no one needs to knows you have a gun and that's way it should be. 

Security should be next. You want you gun to stay in place.  If you're an active person, you don’t need a gun flopping around or worse yet, falling out when out or helping a neighbor move.

There are a lot of product out there, they all work. Some are better than others.  You can ask around, however, it's really for you to decide– and that’s half the fun of starting a holster box.

Stay safe.

As a firearms instructor, I’m accustomed to seeing dangerous behavior at shooting ranges. But an increasing number of those violating safety rules are members of the carry community. Not good.

It’s clear that “muzzle discipline” is the rule most frequently violated. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen shooters rack the slide on an auto-pistol by turning the gun 90 degrees to one side or the other, instead of keeping the gun properly pointed downrange.

Keeping fingers off triggers is another rule I see broken time and again, often when the shooter reaches for the gun, and their index finger goes immediately into the trigger guard. The other time this happens is after firing, instead of returning to the “finger on the frame” position they leave their finger on the trigger. When combined with a lack of muzzle discipline, the results could be disastrous.

Ironically, experienced shooters are the worst offenders. The reason is simple: being familiar with guns for many years breeds a kind of comfort with them. New shooters, many in awe of firearms, are often more observant of the rules than “old hands” are.

Firearm safety is paramount. For the carry community, it is vital. Because beyond the obvious importance of preventing injury, or even death, any incident can and will be eagerly exploited by the anti-gun press. And that we cannot afford.

Stay safe. Always.

The information contained in the blog is not a legal advice, please check with your attorney before you implement any of these items.
  
When it comes to armed self defense, it's usually not the shooting itself that trips you up legally. More often than not, it's what you do afterward that gets you in hot water.

Here are 10 things you should avoid after using your gun in self defense. Never ...

Call 911 in a panic. No matter how tough you are, your body and brain will be a mess after you pull the trigger and see a body lying on your living room floor. Take a moment to breath deeply, calm down, and get your thoughts in order before you call authorities. Consider learning 4-square breathing to relax.

Leave the scene. Unless you're in danger, stay put. You may feel an overwhelming need to seek out friends or family or run away, but don't. That could be misinterpreted as fleeing the scene which could give the appearance of guilt.

Move or tamper with evidence. It's natural to want to "tidy up," especially if you're in your home. This is unwise. Touch nothing. If there are others nearby, make sure they do the same. 

Have your gun in your hand when the police arrive. Police will be responding to a "man with a gun" or "shots fired" call and won't know who's the good guy and who's the bad guy. They will view anyone holding a gun as a threat and will deal with you as such. In short, reholster your gun or set it down if you don't want to get shot.

Make a statement to police before you talk to your lawyer. Police have a job to do and you need to be cooperative, but you don't want to say too much because anything you say will be used against you. What should you say? There are many opinions on this, but here is one formulation: 

My gun is laying over there, and that is the gun that I used to shoot my attacker in self defense because I feared for my life. I do not want to say anything else until I have had time to talk to my attorney. I want to cooperate with the investigation completely, but I'm very upset right now and I need to talk to my attorney first. I hope you understand.

Fall for good cop bad cop. You think you're too smart to fall for this routine, but you're not. You'll be upset and you'll want to talk, especially to anyone who appears sympathetic. Law enforcement officers are not necessarily your enemy, but they're not your friend either. Shut up. Talk to your lawyer before you make any statement to police.

Try your case on the spot. Police have more than one way to get you to talk. Aside from good cop bad cop, they might challenge your use of lethal force. You'll want to argue your case, but don't. Again, shut up. You're not a lawyer and you're not in a courtroom, not yet anyway.

Lecture police on the law or your rights. One of the worst things you can do is get belligerent or act superior. Police are human beings and will react like anyone else if you challenge their authority, belittle their intelligence, or talk down to them. No matter what police say, even if they say or do something you believe to be incorrect, this isn't the time to get into a debate.

Fail to use the word "sir." Most police are good, decent people who have a difficult job. Treat them with respect. Phrases such as "yes sir" and "no sir" will go a long way toward showing responding officers that you are the respectable, upstanding citizen you know yourself to be.

Be surprised if you're treated like a criminal. It's best to assume that you will be handcuffed, placed prone on the ground, locked in the back of a cruiser, or even jailed. It takes time to sort out the truth of any shooting, and police are likely to do any or all of these things. Don't take it personally. Don't resist or argue. Cooperate fully and just let it all happen. Take it all in stride.

Selecting a handgun for home defense or concealed carry can be a daunting task for many people.

Revolver or semi-auto? Which caliber? Which make and model? What ammo capacity? There are many considerations. It can easily become overwhelming and result in "analysis paralysis."

It's possible that you'll go through several guns before you settle on your perfect sidearm. But if you're the type of person who just wants to make one simple selection that will serve you forever, and you don't plan to become a gun nerd or collector, just buy a small to medium size revolver in .38 caliber.

This configuration is easy to shoot, highly reliable, and requires little to no maintenance. It doesn't give you the high ammo capacity of more modern handguns, such as the tiny Glocks, but it also doesn't pose a risk of malfunctions during a high-stress moment. All things being equal, simple is better when your life is on the line.

And as an additional benefit, some experts believe that older style firearms are considered less "threatening" and more "normal" to a jury who may consist of community members with little or no firearm experience. They can generally see themselves owning a simple revolver when they can't see themselves owning a super-duper high-tech black tactical pistol with a laser sight and customized grips.

Those of you who regularly carry firearms for self-defense are generally well aware of the need to avoid confrontations. Whether using inappropriately provocative speech, or being foolish enough to become involved in something as dangerous as a road rage incident, we know only too well that any misstep by us will more than likely be exploited by some future prosecutor.

But in the quest to stay out of trouble, there is more to consider than our own behavior. The kinds of places we choose to frequent, and more importantly, the kind of people we hang out with, can have a dramatic impact on our lives.

Every one could probably name some neighborhood, perhaps even some specific bar near where you live that has a reputation for trouble, including violence. Why then would any sensible permit holder go there?

Younger people in their twenties and thirties, both men and women, are especially prone to frequenting the kinds of places where altercations often occur. If you are in this group, you may want to rethink the potential risks, and ask yourself if you would feel safe leaving your gun at home.

Because if you wouldn’t be comfortable going somewhere without your gun, then you probably shouldn’t be going there at all. As I tell my carry permit students, “Never go anywhere with your gun that you wouldn’t go without it.”

Now, obviously I’m not talking about situations relating to our employment that require us to be in places we wouldn’t normally go on our own time. More than a few of my students are real estate agents, insurance adjusters, and others whose jobs involve visiting customers and businesses that are in “high-risk” neighborhoods. Should an incident occur in the course of doing our job, it is far more defensible in court. We had to go there.

But we should avoid voluntarily choosing to go into any situation that those “reasonable” people on a jury might consider to be “dangerous.” Even worse, if it appears to them that we might have been “looking for trouble,” then we are seriously endangering any potential claim of being an “innocent victim” should we become involved in an armed self-defense confrontation.

Avoiding places where there is a potential for violence is a good rule. But those of us who carry firearms must also reevaluate our activities when it comes to our friends. Every one of us knows “that guy” in our circle of associates who is simply a “trouble magnet.” We may like him (or her). We may even enjoy their oddball antics. But we would never let them drive our car, ride our motorcycle, or trust them with anything more complicated than a hammer. Maybe not even that.

So, what to do? First, it is a good idea never to be a passenger in someone else’s vehicle when we are armed, for the simple reason that once you are not the driver, you are “captive” in the car, and vulnerable to being dragged into something you yourself would never do. As mentioned, most permit holders know to avoid “road rage” like it was radioactive.

But what happens when you’re sitting in the passenger seat, and your “hot head” buddy leans on his horn (even worse, gives “the finger”) . You can become involved in something not your fault. Or is it? If you knew this guy (or gal) was “like that” why would you choose to put yourself in such a situation? Once again, imagine a jury asking themselves the same question.

Sure, it’s unfair that we who carry have to be doubly careful about everything we do, but neither life, nor the American criminal legal system, is fair. And if we have the ability to make good decisions well in advance to avoid a potentially violent encounter, it is simply good sense to do so.

With summer quickly approaching, we will find ourselves spending a lot more time outdoors, working around the house or just enjoying the good weather.  However you spend time outdoors, remember that exposed to the high heat can take it's toll on the body, so remember these tips:

Who is affected? Anyone exposed to hot and humid conditions are at risk of heat illness, especially those doing heavy work tasks or using bulky protective clothing and equipment. Some people might be at greater risk than others if they have not built up a tolerance to hot conditions.

What is heat illness? The body normally cools itself by sweating. During hot weather, especially with high humidity, sweating isn't enough. Body temperature can rise to dangerous levels if precautions are not taken. Heat illnesses range from heat rash and heat cramps to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat stroke can result in death and requires immediate medical attention.

How can heat illness be prevented? Remember three simple words: water, rest, shade. Drinking water often, taking breaks, and limiting time in the heat can help prevent heat illness.  Gradually build up to heavy work in hot conditions. This helps you build tolerance to the heat - or become acclimated. Gradually increase workloads and allow more frequent breaks during the first week of being outdoors. Also, it's important to know and look out for the symptoms of heat illness in yourself and others during hot weather. Plan for an emergency and know what to do - acting quickly can save lives!

I am continually amazed at the number of permit holders who have been carrying for years, yet still don’t have a lawyer. How anyone could walk out of the house with a gun on their hip and not have an attorney’s number already programmed into their cell phone is simply beyond my comprehension. It’s like heading out for a cross-country road trip without a spare tire in the trunk.

The primary reason that we carry firearms is to defend ourselves from physical threats. Yet we also need to defend ourselves from legal threats. Because if, we do have to employ our firearm, even without firing a shot, there will always be the potential for legal difficulties. Once shots are fired, especially when there is a fatal outcome, legal issues are a virtual certainty.

The time to select an attorney is long before you need one. To help drive this home, imagine yourself sitting in a jail cell, flipping through an old copy of the “Yellow Pages” scouring hundreds of names, hoping to find the one who might help. You could also put your life in the hands of some 27 year old Public Defender who carries 60 cases a week. But neither of those options is very appealing. Better to find a lawyer ahead of time.

When you start looking, remember that just any lawyer won’t do. Like doctors, lawyers come in a variety of flavors. If you were severely injured in a traffic accident, you’d certainly want a trauma specialist rather than a dermatologist. You want a criminal defense attorney, not a divorce lawyer or corporate liability specialist.

But be careful. There are plenty of attorneys out there who claim to be “criminal defense attorneys” whose actual criminal experience is limited to defending low-level drug dealers and pleading out DWI cases. You’ll need to do some homework.

Once you have several attorneys to investigate, call them and ask them some key questions. Are they available 24/7? Most are, but it’s a good idea to confirm it, as well as ask them what their backup process is, should they be on vacation for instance (“my partner automatically gets my emergency calls transferred to him/her.”).

Then inquire as to their experience in handling self-defense, specifically those cases involving the use of a firearm. How many cases have they taken? More importantly, how many did they win? Whatever numbers they quote you may not mean much by themselves, but after talking to three or four lawyers, you will get a pretty good idea as to who the “pit-bulls” are. And you definitely want a pit-bull, because if you should one day find yourself in court, the prosecutor in your case will be a Rottweiler.

Most lawyers who specialize in self-defense do not require a big retainer (deposit) in advance. They are used to getting calls from a “friend-of-a-friend” in the middle of the night. But rest assured, there will be a bill. On that subject, note that I did not list the lawyer’s billing rate as a criterion for selection. There’s a reason. As a sage attorney once said, “There’s nothing more expensive than a cheap lawyer.”

Even if you are on a very modest income, if it comes down to paying off $40,000 in legal bills over the next 20 years, or spending 20 years in prison, I’d say most of us would call that a bargain.

Lastly, having the best attorney on the planet will do you no good if, by the time they arrive, you've already destroyed your case by shooting your mouth off to the police. If you are involved in a shooting, call 911, say only that you were attacked and that you need police and an ambulance. Then hang up, lawyer up, and shut up. And let your pit-bull do their job.

It hasn't always been easy for women to break into the world of shooting sports. Whether a woman's interest is personal safety, gun safety, gun knowledge, marksmanship, hunting, or recreational or competitive shooting, Trigger Action, LLC has a variety of programs and activities that all encourage female participation at all skill levels.

Did you know you do not need to be a member of the NRA to shoot the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program.

From a young shooter's first BB gun to sophisticated air rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, pistols, and rifles, the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program offers family fun and enjoyment that can last a lifetime.

Qualification shooting is an informal, year-round recreational shooting activity that provides incentive awards for developing and improving marksmanship skills. It's a drill. We set the standards; you meet the challenge! Progression is self-paced and scores are challenging but attainable. Performance is measured against established par scores and any shooter who meets or exceeds those scores is entitled to the corresponding recognition awards for that rating. It's an honor system!

Shooters acquire the large discipline patch at the onset of the program and as each rating is earned, they are entitled to all of the corresponding awards for the rating. Each rating level has a skill rocker, medal, and certificate award that recognizes and highlights the achievement.

The courses of fire in the qualification program are designed to take shooters from beginning skill levels (Pro-Marksman, Marksman) through intermediate levels (Marksman 1st Class, Sharpshooter, Expert) up to a nationally recognized skill level -- Distinguished Expert -- the pinnacle of the program. By the time a shooter completes the Distinguished Expert rating, he or she has attained a proficiency level paralleling that of a competitively classified Sharpshooter.

Qualification shooting can be conducted anywhere -- on public ranges, at your favorite club range, even on your own home range. BB and pellet gun shooters will find air gun qualification courses especially suited for informal home air gun ranges and family learning environments. Parents can shoot side by side with their children or start a neighborhood air gun shooting sports program for their children and their friends.

Follow this link to order Qualification Awards from the NRA.

The following information applies to the overall qualification program -- all disciplines, all courses of fire.

• Eligibility
  NRA Qualification courses of fire are open to everyone -- men and women, adults and youth.
• Administration
  Qualification shooting can be a self-administered activity on the honor system, or it can be administered by parents, club leaders, coaches, or instructors as part of a family, club, or group program.
• Awards
  All awards, Pro-Marksman through Distinguished Expert, can be ordered directly from the NRA Program Materials Center by the shooter or the program administrator. Awards should be ordered in advance so they are available as soon as the rating is earned -- instant recognition. Ordering in advance also saves additional shipping fees.
• Safety
  When firing for qualification ratings, always follow the NRA gun safety rules.
• Rules
  Discipline-specific standards are listed with each course of fire. If specific exceptions are not made, official NRA Rules apply. Shooters who are not familiar with shooting terms, targets, equipment, positions, scoring procedures, etc., should obtain a copy of the appropriate rule book for a greater understanding of the discipline before firing for qualification. Rule books are available in the NRA Program Materials Center.
• Targets
  Target designations are listed under each discipline. Targets with "TQ" designations are training and qualification targets. TQ targets usually have larger bullseyes and scoring areas than competition targets. Alpha series targets such as "A" (smallbore rifle), "B" (pistol), and "AR" (air rifle) are official competition targets. Alpha series targets are used for most all other formal shooting activities -- postal matches, leagues, and competition. Any number appearing after a "../../../" in any target designation (AR-5/10, TQ-1/1), indicates the number of bullseyes that are contained on the target paper.
• Target Manufacturers
  Targets are available at most sporting goods stores. If you cannot find them locally, contact one of NRA's licensed manufacturers. The following manufacturers sell a fairly full line of targets and offer quantity and/or NRA instructor discounts:
  • Alco Target Company, California
    (888) 258-4814
  • National Target Company, Maryland
    (800) 827-7060
  • U.S. Target Company, Michigan
    (800) 746-6836
• Ratings
  Ratings in the qualification program must be earned in sequence from the beginning. While beginning ratings may be relatively easy for some shooters to obtain, these ratings and the recognition the shooters receive, keep interest high and help sustain shooters when ratings become much more difficult to obtain. NRA does not track earned ratings.
• Scores
  In all cases, scores fired for qualification must be applied to the rating the shooter is currently working on. Scores may not be held and used for higher ratings. The required number of times a score must be obtained do not have to be fired consecutively or in the same session. Scores fired in practice sessions, leagues, or matches may all be applied toward qualification ratings.
• Records
  A record of the date when each rating was achieved and the awards that were acquired should be kept by the shooter or the program administrator.
• Basic Practical Rating
  The Basic Practical rating is recommended for all participants, but is not a required rating in the qualification program. This rating is obtained by completing the practical exercise conducted during an NRA basic course of instruction. The Basic Practical skill rocker is included in all basic course student packets and is awarded by the NRA instructor upon successful completion of the course.
• Basic Courses
  New shooters are encouraged to contact Trigger Action, LLC to enroll in the next available course. Basic firearms training courses are fun, interesting, and provide a good foundation of knowledge that can be applied to all shooting activities.
• Distinguished Expert Rating
  In order to encourage completion of the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program through the highest rating, shooters have the option of qualifying for the Distinguished Expert rating by participating in formal competition using a lower score requirement, or outside of formal competition using a higher score requirement.
• Witness Requirement
  All firing for the Distinguished Expert rating must be witnessed by Trigger Action, LLC. Exception: shooters who fire scores in formal competition use the tournament results bulletins from the required number of matches as validation. Shotgun shooters save their shoot receipt and score record from each shoot required.
• NRA Member Benefit
  NRA members who have completed all the lower ratings and the requirements for Distinguished Expert should contact the National Rifle Association. The NRA provides national recognition for all members who reach this prestigious level of accomplishment provided they:
  • have fired the required scores
  • have acquired the awards for all the lower ratings
  • provide a current ID number
  • request recognition within 60 days of the accomplishment
  Paid membership applications may be submitted with the Distinguished Expert report form. As soon as requirements for the Distinguished Expert rating have been completed, fill out and mail in the Distinguished Expert Report Form.
• Trigger Action Staff
  Certified NRA Instructors are available to answer any questions you may have. Call Trigger Action, LLC at (614) 496-0308 or email [email protected]