Internet instructor rant...

When Ken Hackathorn penned his piece about modern firearms instructors on Wednesday (you can read it here), I at first thought he was being a little old and crotchety.  Not that I don't respect Mr. Hackathorn - he's probably forgotten more about shooting than I'll ever know - but it seemed like he was just being grumpy.  Then I ran into three videos on the internet in two days that caused me to think that he might just be on to something.  It's pretty easy to spot gross stupidity in a firearm instructor, but it's much harder to spot little issues that can cause training scars.  Two of these videos I'll discuss fall into the little issues, while one falls into borderline stupidity.

The first video featured an individual standing in front of multiple plaques that seemed to indicate he was a former SEAL.  Please don't take this as bashing SEALs, but if he really had that background, he should have known better than to publish what he did, in my opinion.  His video concerned which method of putting the slide forward from a slide lock reload was better: utilizing the slide catch/slide release, or sling-shotting the slide.  His premise, which he backed up with side by side slow motion video, was the the slide release method was faster, and therefore better, because "seconds count."  While it is true that seconds count when you have an empty gun, just because one method is sometimes faster doesn't mean that it is necessarily better or the only way to do things.  There are times when the slingshot method might work better than the slide release method.  First, there are times when the slide lock is hard to hit - you might be wearing gloves in the winter, you might be dead tired coming off a 12-hour shift, you might be amped up in a stressful situation, you might have small hands, or you might be a lefty without ambidextrous controls on your handgun.  Any of those situations might make the slide lock hard to hit, and if you miss the slide lock (especially multiple times), exactly how is it faster and better than sling-shotting the slide?  In any of the above situations, sling-shotting the slide would more than likely be better than using the slide lock.  Second, you might actually be shooting a gun that has a slide lock that wasn't designed to function as a slide release.  I was surprised to learn in my Glock armorer's class that the Glock slide lock was designed to be a lock only. The Glock was actually designed to utilize the slingshot method, which is why their stock slide lock is so small, as opposed to, say, a Sig or Beretta, which both have very easy to hit slide releases.  Keep in mind that I'm not saying not to utilize the slide release, I'm merely saying that both methods are valid, and to tell people to disregard one just because you can do the other one faster is awfully narrow minded.

The second video was supposed to be a tutorial (by a former sniper) on properly executing a tactical versus a slide-lock/emergency reload.  Both of these types of reloads are very important tools, as one allows you to top off during a lull so that you can face the next threat with a full magazine, and the other is an emergency drill to get your empty gun back up and running.  I had (once again) two issues with the instructor's presentation, however.  First, he stated that the main difference is that in one you are keeping your empty magazine, but the other, you are dropping your empty magazine.  Um, no.  Yes, you are keeping your magazine, but you are keeping it because it still has rounds in it.  If your magazine is empty, drop the stupid thing and get a fresh one in there.  You can pick it up later during a lull and still have a useful firearm in the meantime instead of taking your sweet time reloading just in case you need that empty mag later.  Second, he conducted his reload at about waist level instead of at eye level.  You can see his eyes looking towards the ground as he reloads.  If you just ran your gun empty and you need to reload, then there is more than likely a threat in front of you, which may or may not be fully neutralized, and you should probably keep your eyes on it.

I almost wish I had recorded my reaction to the third video.  It would have made a great Mystery Firearms Theater 3000.  I will admit that there may have been some Crown involved in the reaction, but even today I find what was being taught borderline ridiculous.  First was what I can only describe as the High-Ready Hokey Pokey.  After engaging the target, all the students went to high ready and turned completely around, allegedly to scan for threats.  Newsflash - there is a threat right in front of you and you just felt the need to shoot it.  You aren't a doctor, and turning your back on a confirmed threat just because there might be another threat around isn't the best idea.  You can easily bring the firearm to a low or compressed ready while keeping it pointed toward the known threat and still scan with head and eyes.  Even SWAT teams check downed threats with one officer covering and one officer going hands on for one simple reason - just because the threat is lying down doesn't mean it has ceased to be a threat.  I'm not saying that there won't be times when you may have to turn your back on a lower priority threat because a higher priority one has arisen, I'm just saying that making a practice of turning your back on a threat, even a supposedly neutralized one, isn't a great idea.  Immediately after the students completed the Hokey Pokey, the instructor called "Top off," and all of the students unceremoniously dumped the magazines in their guns, with ammo still in them, on the ground and inserted fresh ones.  How do I know they still had ammo in them?  Because if they didn't still have ammo in them, there should have been a slide-lock reload before the Hokey Pokey.  Just as I believe that keeping an empty mag is normally pointless, dumping a mag with rounds is equally ridiculous.  It is far more likely that you will need those rounds than that empty magazine.  The video went on to include such gems as extended periods of shooting while walking backwards (sometimes necessary to create space, but usually not recommended for long distance due to tripping hazards), a student that muzzled multiple people without getting corrected, a cameraman well in front of the firing line, extreme angles of shooting that barely kept it in the berm, and much, much more...

Now the disclaimer: everything you have read (if you made it this far) is my opinion.  I happen to believe it is an informed opinion, but you are free to make your own decision on that.  The bottom line is that there are a lot of people calling themselves instructors out there.  Some are very knowledgeable big names, some are very knowledgeable no-names, and some are not very knowledgeable at all but make slick videos featuring large volumes of gunfire that look really cool.  Please do your research when selecting an instructor.  Most instructors will vary on their techniques, but a lot of the good ones will adhere to a basic set of principles, and will be the first to admit that their principle-driven techniques won't fit every situation, but are to be practiced and adapted to the student's particular needs.

Stay safe and have fun training.  Rant out...


X Echo 1 is a 10 year veteran of the US Coast Guard, where he has served at various units including the International Training Division and Maritime Security Response Team.  He has held qualifications including Deployable Team Leader/Instructor, Direct Action Section Team Leader, and Precision Marksman – Observer.  He has deployed/instructed on five continents and served in quick reaction force roles for multiple National Special Security Events in the US.

Samson Manufacturing 3.5x Magnifier and RAM mount review

The 3.5x magnifier in its case

Magnifiers for red dot sights are like smart phones - you really don't know what you are missing until you get one.  I'm a big fan of magnifiers coupled with red dot optics for a couple of reasons: they help you put shots on target more accurately at medium distances and they provide an increased level of threat identification that is critical when making decisions in a defensive situations.  For law enforcement, military members, or even armed citizens at distances from 75 yds to 300 yds, a 3x or higher magnification behind your red dot could easily be the difference between properly engaging a threat or a case of tragic mistaken identity.

Given that belief, you can imagine my excitement when the very first Samson product I got to test as part of Operation X was their 3.5x magnifier with Rotary Actuated Mount (RAM) base and quick flip mount.  A few key features of the magnifier:

• 35mm objective lens, bigger than the Aimpoint or EOTech magnifiers.
• 3.5x magnification, higher than the Aimpoint or EOTech magnifiers.
• Adjustable for windage and elevation.
• RAM mount can be adjusted to ensure the tightest fit to your particular rail system, which is great if you have a slightly out of spec rail or you mount it on a Weaver rail.
• RAM mount features a large, easy to use paddle with catch allowing you to take it on and off your rail easily one-handed.
• Adjustable diopter to customize the focus to your particular needs.
• Flip to side feature to easily go from medium range engagement (100-300 yds) to CQB.

A great view of the RAM lever, cutout, and flip to side lever

The first thing I noticed when I received the magnifier was how well it was packaged.  It came in a plastic hard case with a fitted foam interior.  My Aimpoint PRO didn't even come packed that nicely.  Once I got it out and inventoried the parts, I set it up, first without the 7mm spacer, then with.  I tried both configurations, and while they both proved adequate, I preferred the look and feel of the mount + spacer.   I utilized the included screws and blue threadlocker to set it up, then mounted it on my rifle.  The RAM mount locked up nice and tight, and needed no adjustment, even though I personally feel that my top rail is a bit large compared to mil-spec.  The RAM base has two key parts, a steel lever with wide paddle and retention clip (both easily operated with one hand), and an adjustment dial on the opposite side.  The adjustment dial is the piece that allows you to set your base width for your specific rail, and it's very simple.  Just press in a detent and turn the wheel in or out depending on your need. 

Since this is a quick-flip mount, I spent some time toying with the mechanism as well.  Out of the box, it had a great feel - very fast in transition, but tight enough that there was no perceptible wobble when it was flipped out of the way.  The rubber coating on the magnifier has a cut out to allow easier access to the flip to side

Another good view of the RAM, flip lever, lever cutout, spacer, and attachment screws

paddle when mounted in the low position for a right handed individual.  The spring was powerful enough to propel the magnifier out of the way quickly, but not too strong to prevent a quick flip back when needed.


I spent several hours at the range testing out the magnifier on my Faxon Firearms ARAK.  I run an Aimpoint PRO in a Larue mount set up for a lower 1/3 co-witness.  I prefer the 1/3 co-witness because I like having my sights easily accessible, but not interfering with my red dot.  The downside is that mounts from different manufacturers don't always match up perfectly, even when they both claim to be lower 1/3.  Just as an example, a Larue mount for the PRO coupled with a ADM mount for a magnifier may or may not line up exactly right.  This is where the 35mm objective lens shines for me.  As I mentioned earlier, that extra 5mm allowed the magnifier to line up and function even without using the included 7mm spacer, and if it will function with that big of a height difference (absolute versus lower 1/3), it should have no issues dealing with the slight differences between supposedly identical sight heights or between different models of sights. It also allows more light to enter the magnifier and helps eliminate edge distortion.  Also as mentioned, I did end up using the 7mm spacer.  I didn't need it, but it did help the optic and magnifier line up better and it was more aesthetically pleasing.

Shooting my ARAK with the magnifier and my PRO

 
The windage and elevation adjustment came in handy, as my red dot was sitting to the far right in the magnifier when I originally mounted it.  A few quick turns took care of that.  The magnifier adjustments function just like the Aimpoint adjustments - if the red dot is too far right, turn the windage knob the opposite direction of the arrow marked "R" and you will find your dot centered in short order.  I noticed no shift in the dot as I shot.  The magnifier was crisp and clear, and I really feel that it improved my grouping by allowing me a more precise point of aim.  I shot at both 50 and 100 yards and the target stayed sharp even without messing around with the adjustable diopter.

I have a few critiques, but absolutely nothing that I would consider a deal-breaker.  There are no instructions included with the mount, so you're on your own to figure out how to put it together, and I'm not a huge fan of the included standard screws.  I would like to see them switch to hex screws, but that's a personal preference.  I didn't experience any issues with the included screws when mounting.  The rubber cutout for the flip to side lever only works when it's mounted for a righty (the paddle gets a little snug up to the magnifier if mounted the other way), but you could easily trim it back.  I would also love to see the windage and elevation either adjustable with turrets, or some sort of cover to keep water/dirt/etc out of the adjustment screws.  Once again, none of these are deal-breakers, just enhancements that I think would really make the product shine even more.

The windage screw

As I continue to test the magnifier and mount, my focus will be on two main things that only time will tell: will the flip to side mount loosen up and wobble as it is used, and will the magnifier continue to hold its "zero" through recoil and constant flipping?  My guess is perhaps a little, and yes, it will hold, but only time will tell. I do have to say, this product is off to a great start.

Overall, I think this is a great buy.  While the price is still $389 on Samson's website, that is over $100 cheaper than the EOTech magnifier with mount, and over $200 cheaper than the Aimpoint with no mount, and I think the Samson has more features and is simply more shooter friendly.  If you are looking for a quality, shooter-friendly magnifier to help you whether in defensive or target shooting scenarios, take a hard look at Samson.  You can find the 3.5x magnifier on their website.




 X Echo 1 is a 10 year veteran of the US Coast Guard, where he has served at various units including the International Training Division and Maritime Security Response Team.  He has held qualifications including Deployable Team Leader/Instructor, Direct Action Section Team Leader, and Precision Marksman – Observer.  He has deployed/instructed on five continents and served in quick reaction force roles for multiple National Special Security Events in the US.

Woman killed by two-year-old: a cautionary tale

By now most of you have probably seen the story of the Idaho nuclear scientist, Veronica Rutledge, who was killed on December 30, 2014 when her two-year-old son reached into her purse and gained control of her pistol, discharging a single round into his mother.  A lot of people have different takes on this particular tragedy, such as the usual grandstanding about guns being unsafe and a lot of pro-gun individuals clucking loudly about the dangers of carrying off-body.  Details are still sketchy, at least from what I can find on the internet, but it appears to have been a semi-automatic, 9mm or smaller, and carried in a dedicated concealed carry purse that was left unattended in a shopping cart.

First off, please don't take anything I say as a condemnation of the mother.  Everyone makes mistakes and some mistakes have far more significant consequences.  Probably every one of us has made a mistake at some point that could have turned out like this, whether with a firearm or in some other part of our lives.  What I will say is that this story does illustrate two very important truths: off-body carry requires an even greater level of attention than on-body carry in regards to retention, and even a second of complacency or inattention with a loaded firearm can turn tragic.

To my first point: when you carry off-body, for whatever reason, you are automatically giving up an amount of security in regards to your gun.  Whether or not that compromise is worth it is something only you can decide.  What this means for you is that you must be even more vigilant in regards to the location of your off-body carry.  If you carry in a purse (for a woman), or a man-bag/gym bag/briefcase (for a man), there will be the temptation - or possibly the requirement - to put that bag down at some point.  Once that bag is put down, you have given up even more control.  What can you do?  Stay observant.  If you must put down the bag, think: "Am I placing my firearm into someone else's grab area?" "Is there an alternate way to secure this bag (locked in an office, a trunk, etc)?" "Am I making this bag a tempting target for a snatcher?"  If you have children, this is even more important.  I have two kids, and they get into everything.  Children are naturally curious, and most of the time they have absolutely no idea what is dangerous for them.  As much as possible, secure the firearm within the bag.  If your bag has a purpose-built holster or section, use it.  The biggest downside to some of these carry bags, especially the "tactical" bags, is that they section designated for the firearm cannot be physically secured.  They are usually Velcro closed and are designed for rapid access, not security.  Some of the women's purses have locks, but if you use the lock while you are actively carrying, it essentially negates having the firearm with you because you cannot access it in a timely manner.  If you use a bag that is not purpose built, use a holster within the bag, such as the Raven Vanguard holster to cover the trigger and provide a small guard against prying fingers.  Please keep in mind though, that even a holster will only provide a modest amount of protection once a child or other individual has gotten into the bag.  You and the bag's exterior are the only real security, once someone has defeated those they essentially have control of the firearm.

My second point should go without saying, but even the most experienced shooter is complacent at times.  Even our nation's special operations forces have lost guys due to complacency.  From what I can gather about this story, this lady was raised around guns from a young age, and had a definite comfort level with them.  She was also shopping, something she had done hundreds if not thousands of times before.  This time, however, her complacency resulted in her death.  Once again, I'm not attempting to condemn or vilify her.  My only goal is to look back at what possibly occurred to prevent someone else from making the same mistake.  I can't give you a magic formula to combat complacency.  Vigilance is a mindset, one that you have to practice every day.  You can raise or lower your level of vigilance based on your surroundings, but you can never shut it off if you want to remain safe.  No matter how overwhelming things are around you, you must be able to prioritize risks and needs to ensure not only your safety, but the safety of those around you who may be unaware (whether adult or child).  It's always something seemingly small that you let slip that will come back to bite you.

In summary, this is a tragedy for the woman's family.  Instead of ringing in a joyous new year, they are prepping a funeral.  It could have been avoided.  Hopefully, we as gun owners can learn from her mistakes, and prevent a recurrence.


X Echo 1 is a 10 year veteran of the US Coast Guard, where he has served at various units including the International Training Division and Maritime Security Response Team.  He has held qualifications including Deployable Team Leader/Instructor, Direct Action Section Team Leader, and Precision Marksman – Observer.  He has deployed/instructed on five continents and served in quick reaction force roles for multiple National Special Security Events in the US.

Glock Upgrades

So I thought I'd say a few words about the upgrades I do to my Glocks on a regular basis.  I've got a few that I consider my go-tos, and I wanted to throw those out there.  First though, I need to push out one over-arching thought: upgrades are to enhance a gun that already works for you.  If you have a gun that doesn't function for you without upgrades, you may have the wrong gun to start with.  That's not to say that there aren't special cases that may need things like a better mag release or slide release, but ideally you should be able to perform the basic functions (loading, unloading, firing) without any upgrades.

With that said, here are a few of my favorite upgrades:

Vicker's Extended Mag Release: I use a Glock Gen 4, and even though I think the larger ambidextrous mag release is a massive improvement over the Gen 3 and earlier models, for me, having the extended release makes it that much easier to conduct mag changes.  It's simple to change out, and I have had no problems with accidental releases.  It's also rounded, which makes it a little easier on the fingers for repeated mag changes.

Ghost, Inc 3.5lb Rocket Connector: Even though it's advertised at 3.5lbs, I'm pretty sure that was measured on a Gen 3.  Due to the changed geometry of the Gen 4 trigger, I feel that this connector produces more of a 4-4.5lb pull, although I don't have a way to measure it (for more info on the changed geometry and its effects, read up on the Glock "dot" connector).  I personally don't like a carry gun with less than 4lbs, but that's me.  The thing I like most about the Rocket is the overtravel stop.  It takes hand fitting, but it's not terribly time consuming and really makes a difference on my follow up shots thanks to a faster trigger reset.  Also, on two of my guns I've polished the internals, but when last I spoke to Ghost, they advised not to polish when using their connectors, so I'm going to forgo the polish job for the time being.

Ghost, Inc Complete Spring Kit: I only use this kit in specific scenarios, such as an IDPA match.  While it definitely reduces trigger pull and makes my follow up shots faster, the lighter weight springs actually interfere with some of the safety functions of the Glock, at least in my experience.  I never use these springs for carry.  They do have a heavy-weight striker spring for "more reliable ignition," but I've never had an issue with the stock spring, so I don't use that particular spring.

Grip Force Adapter: Having seen the effects of Glock slide bite, I like having a beavertail on my Glock.  My first two Gen 4s didn't come with the beavertails that the new Gen 4s do, so I bought these.  Not only do they provide the protection of the beavertail, but they also change the backstrap geometry just enough to help with the weird Glock "high front sight" syndrome.  On my newest Gen 4, I'm going to try the factory beavertail first, and then switch to the Grip Force if I don't like the stock one.

Ameriglo Hackathorn Sights: Let's face it, while the Glock sights are functional, most people I've talked to hate them, some quite passionately.  My personal preference in sights runs to plain black rear with some sort of Tritium front.  I like the Hackathorns because the front Tritium vial is surrounded by a bright orange painted ring, which immediately draws your eye to the front sight, day or night.  Also, they have a nice ledge on the front of the rear sight for one-handed manipulation.

So hopefully I've thrown out some products that may interest you for your Glock.  I'm quite happy with all of these products, with the occasional exception noted.  I do want to re-emphasize the fact that these are upgrades.  My Glock will run quite handily without any of them, but they do enhance its operation for me.  You'll have to be the judge of what enhancements (if any) you want on your gun.


X Echo 1 is a 10 year veteran of the US Coast Guard, where he has served at various units including the International Training Division and Maritime Security Response Team.  He has held qualifications including Deployable Team Leader/Instructor, Direct Action Section Team Leader, and Precision Marksman – Observer.  He has deployed/instructed on five continents and served in quick reaction force roles for multiple National Special Security Events in the US.

Concealed Carry Responsibilities

In my last post I spoke briefly about what I view as a gun owner's responsibilities. In this post I'd like to throw out some of my views on the responsibilities of a concealed carrier. Just as gun owners have the responsibility to know the safety rules, store their guns properly, and know the legal and technical aspects of operating their gun, we as concealed carriers have additional responsibilities that we should be mindful of.

1. We have the responsibility to be life-long learners. Just as it is important for the average gun owner to be competent with their firearm, it is far more important for a concealed carrier to train. In general, the concealed carrier is going to find themselves in far more confusing and dynamic scenarios than someone who hunts or target shoots. There is a plethora of training available from individuals and schools throughout the country, and there is always something to be learned. Just as a carpenter, plumber, metalworker, or other tradesman needs to stay on top of their trade, so does a concealed carrier. In between classes, read.  Read scenarios, news reports, and trade magazines, anything you can find and assimilate those tools and lessons learned into your toolbox.

2. We have the responsibility to ensure our mindset is correct. I've seen way to many people on gun boards posturing as if carrying a concealed firearm suddenly makes them a hero or makes them invincible. A firearm is a tool, nothing more, nothing less. It endows no special powers, and is a last line of defense against death or serious bodily injury. It does not allow you to suddenly travel in areas you would normally avoid, nor does it supersede the need to use good personal safety or home security practices. It is a tool for a specific need - defense of life - whether yours or someone else’s.

3. We have a responsibility to be the most courteous people around. I cannot emphasize this enough. This applies to everyone around us, whether our fellow citizens or the authorities. If you've spent any time on YouTube, you've seen videos of concealed carriers deciding to be royal jerks to law enforcement. Laws governing notification of law enforcement vary from state to state, but giving a cop a heads up is usually a good idea. Most (not all, but most) street level police officers in my area are supportive of concealed carriers, but just as you expect them to treat you with courtesy, they deserve courtesy as well. Just because you don't have to notify them, doesn't mean it's not a good idea to give them a heads up. When it comes to our fellow citizens, we also have a responsibility to be courteous and avoid provoking a confrontation. Sometimes there is a guy who's going to start a fight no matter what, but usually, we have a chance to avoid a fight through one technique or another. Driving, sports events, even a visit to the mall has the possibility that there will be a confrontation, but many times simply apologizing or walking away is a valid tactic. Even if you are in the right, it doesn't mean you have to win every argument when the cost of winning the argument is possible escalation. In Virginia, whether or not you were at least partially at fault in "provoking the difficulty" changes the requirements for when you can and cannot use deadly force in self-defense. If you are not at fault, you have no duty to retreat, for example. If you were at least partially at fault in the provocation, you are required to retreat as far as safely possible.

I've found that by and large, concealed carriers are a good bunch of people to be around. But we are all human. We have our good days and our bad days, and sometimes we get a little cranky or complacent. This is intended primarily for the new concealed carriers, but hopefully it rings true for those who have been carrying for a while as well.

X Echo 1 is a 10 year veteran of the US Coast Guard, where he has served at various units including the International Training Division and Maritime Security Response Team.  He has held qualifications including Deployable Team Leader/Instructor, Direct Action Section Team Leader, and Precision Marksman – Observer.  He has deployed/instructed on five continents and served in quick reaction force roles for multiple National Special Security Events in the US.

Rifle versus Pistol

I love stalking gun owners on Facebook and Instagram.  While I'm sure that sounds plenty creepy, I love to see pics of people out enjoying the right to keep and bear arms, and I love that people are taking time out to do some serious practice.  More and more, though, I notice that a lot of pictures are full tactical gear with a carbine.  This isn't necessarily a bad thing (carbines are an important part of your tool kit, as is your tactical gear if you choose to own it), but I sometimes wonder if the emphasis in recent years on the "combat carbine" has skewed our collective perception of practical training/practice needs.

The vast majority of my practice time is devoted to the pistol.  There are two main reasons behind this: 1) pistol skills are harder to maintain than rifle, and 2) probably greater than 75% of the time I may need a firearm, I'll have a pistol on me, not a rifle.  I base reason (1) on my own personal observations as well as discussions with professional trainers (both the NRA kind and the funny green beanie kind).  I went almost a year and a half with no rifle practice other than zeroing two carbines.  After only two days of dedicated practice, I had my rifle up to about 80% of where it had been at the MSRT, and I think I could have gotten it back up the rest of the way with another day or two.  I contrast that with my pistol skills, which noticeably degrade after about a month off the gun.  Also, if you've ever been through specialized firearm training that involves both pistol and rifle, they usually start with pistol and once you have a good foundation, they move you on to rifle.  The pistol is simply less forgiving and harder to run effectively (for most people) than a rifle.  Reason (2) should be fairly obvious for most people in the continental US.  Very few locales allow you to carry your carbine when you go out for lunch.  More and more allow you to carry a pistol though.  Unless I am somewhere that prohibits concealed carry, I have a pistol on me.  The only time I pick up a carbine is to go to the range.  It therefore stands to reason that we should devote the majority of our training time to the firearm that we will be the most likely to use.

Now, most of my concern regarding the focus on carbines is anecdotal, I'll admit.  My Instagram stalking is hardly scientific.  It could be that full kit and carbine just makes for a sexier pic (which it does, I'll agree).  And I'm certainly not going to argue with people that choose a carbine for home defense and want to stay proficient, or people who just want to blow off some steam and have a good time with friends at the range.  I just wanted to throw it out there: in my opinion, it is far more important to train with the firearm you are most likely to use (including immediate action, reloads, and flashlight work) than it is to spend a lot of time training for a zombie full kit and carbine apocalypse that is far less likely.

My $.02, feel free to disregard.

X Echo 1 is a 10 year veteran of the US Coast Guard, where he has served at various units including the International Training Division and Maritime Security Response Team.  He has held qualifications including Deployable Team Leader/Instructor, Direct Action Section Team Leader, and Precision Marksman – Observer.  He has deployed/instructed on five continents and served in quick reaction force roles for multiple National Special Security Events in the US.

Gun owner responsibilities

In the national gun debate, the biggest focus is on the rights of the individual to keep and bear arms.  While I certainly appreciate the individuals and organizations who remain constantly on guard and fight for our rights against those who preach "common sense" restrictions and other such blather, I wonder many times if we as gun owners are our own worst enemy.  Have gun owners on the whole become so caught up in the right to own a gun that we forget the responsibilities that come with that right?

1. We have the responsibility to know and apply the safety rules.  I don't really care which version of the safety rules you follow, whether the military's, Cooper's, or the NRA's.  All cover the basics: every gun is loaded, don't point it at anything you are not willing to destroy.  If you have guns in your house and you have kids in your house, your kids need to know the rules by heart as well.  Everyone in a house with a gun needs to know the rules.

2. We have the responsibility to properly secure our guns and ammo when not in use.  This is a good idea for a number of reasons.  First, properly securing a gun reduces the likelihood of a child gaining control of the gun, especially younger children.  Second, properly securing a gun reduces the likelihood of it being stolen and a criminal gaining control of the gun.  Separating ammo from the gun further reduces the chances of an accident.  Having a gun out in the open increases chances of a fatality (whether intentional or mistaken).  If you keep a gun loaded in your home for self-defense, excellent, they make safes and lockboxes that fit your needs as well.  Simply throwing a gun on the top shelf of the closet is not enough, you need a physical means of securing it.

3. We have the responsibility to know how to use our guns.  Owning a gun and knowing how to use a gun are two entirely separate things.  While your particular use for the gun may dictate different training requirements, you need training and constant practice to retain the skills you learn.  If you carry a gun for self-defense, your training needs are far higher than someone who hunts for recreation.  In a worst case scenario, you will be expected to engage a moving target while discriminating between the threat and the non-threats around you while shielding a family member while you are moving while being shot at.  A trip to the range every couple of months isn't going to cut it.

4. We have the responsibility to be aware of any legal restrictions.  I'm not saying you have to agree with the legal restrictions, but you do need to be aware of the legal framework surrounding owning, carrying, and using a gun.  This is especially important if you carry for defense.  Every state has different rules, so just because an internet forum lawyer says you are good to go doesn't mean you actually are.  Consult a lawyer or seek out a class designed in consultation with a lawyer, preferably a pro-gun lawyer.

5. We have the responsibility to be involved in the political process.  I preach this regardless, but if you are a gun owner, you especially need to be involved in the political process.  Contributing to the NRA or other pro-gun organizations is good, but taking the time to actually contact your representatives is better.  Both pro and anti-gun organizations spend a lot of time influencing politicians.  If an anti-gun group is bending your representative's ear, what could be better than a groundswell of calls from their constituents to push back that group's influence?  Will it always work? No, but if you decide to sit out the debate, you might as well be helping the other team.

I realize that I may be preaching to the choir right now.  After all, you probably got to this blog from a pro-gun page or Google group, which means you are already taking ownership of your gun ownership.  For that, I thank you, I truly do.  Nothing makes me more hopeful for the preservation of our rights than when I see ordinary citizens taking their rights seriously.  But there are many others out there that do not take this right seriously.  They buy a gun and some ammo, load it up, maybe take a trip to the range, then put the gun in their nightstand, and there it stays.  In this day and age, that attitude simply won't cut it any longer.


X Echo 1 is a 10 year veteran of the US Coast Guard, where he has served at various units including the International Training Division and Maritime Security Response Team.  He has held qualifications including Deployable Team Leader/Instructor, Direct Action Section Team Leader, and Precision Marksman – Observer.  He has deployed/instructed on five continents and served in quick reaction force roles for multiple National Special Security Events in the US.