Planning Your Holidays- Are YOU Safe?

That time of year is once again upon us! Excitement fills the air, as we plan our Thanksgiving feast and Christmas surprises. We can't wait to get away to see relatives and distant family and friends, and criminals can't wait for the easy crimes of opportunity. Take a look at today's tips and hints, and be sure you make plans to stay safe and secure during this wonderful season!

Most of what we need to do to stay secure any time of the year is based in common sense. However, it is all too easy to become complacent (and you all know what we say about complacency,) and allow things to slip. Take an extra moment or two, and just be aware. 
 

1) Don't leave items in your vehicle. This is one of the most basic and often repeated bits of advice out there. Police encourage people every year to remove items from their vehicles, and yet vehicular break ins are on the rise. As you shop, plan extra time to take things home or to a secure location for safe storage. It might aggravate you, but it will potentially save stress, heartbreak, damage and dealing with police and insurance companies.

2) Don't get separated from your kids! It is too easy for someone to target a small child and vanish with them. Keep the little ones close at all times. It amazes me how there are some folks who allow their toddlers to roam freely in crowded public places. It scares me to think of that innocent little one being swept away, and just how easy it would be for someone to walk off with a tot.

3) Keep your head on a swivel! Actively look around and look AT people. This does not mean you have to shoot everyone the Evil Eye. It means you need to take note of those around you. Pay attention to details. Put down your electronic gadget. Whatever you are doing can wait until later, I promise.

4) Listen to your gut! If, during your looking around, something *feels* wrong, it probably IS wrong. Listen to that inner voice, and make a change. Change direction, change destination, move closer to an exit- but LISTEN.

5) Watch for people who are moving into you. That slight bump, the seemingly innocent point of contact, those are liable to be not-so-innocent and result in you coming up short in the wallet or package department.

6) Know multiple exit points. As you enter a building, take a moment to look and identify exits. Being able to slip out a side door might come in handy, should someone in the crowd around you slip into madness.

7) Stop "checking in" on social media! Why would you do this? Why give someone extra information that they could potentially use against you? Don't argue about the alleged "security" of these social media sites, because there is none. If you don't want information known, then simply don't share it. Living in a delusional bubble, thinking no one will ever use information against you is downright foolish. No, not everyone is out to get you. But there are some who sure won't hesitate to make you an easy mark. Don't give them the upper hand.

8) Don't advertise your travel plans! Again, why would you advertise your plans to the entire world? By stating travel plans on the interwebz, you are essentially hanging a sign over your home, saying, "It's empty! Come get what you want!" Refer to number 7 as well, please.

9) Have a trust worthy neighbor collect your mail. A full mailbox is also an indicator of an empty abode. By having someone you trust collect your mail daily, or by having it held at the post office, you reduce the advertisement of an empty residence.

10) Get timers for lights. Having your lights go on and off at random times, as they would when you are home, can also help deter a break in. Having a neighbor park a car in your driveway, and move it around is also worth considering. Or, have someone actually house sit. Again- do yourself (and your potential house sitter) a favor, and don't advertise that you won't be home.

I get that posting pictures of your cool stuff, selfies of where you are, and sharing every thought that goes through people's heads is considered the norm now. Just because everyone else does it, does not mean it's a great idea. Like my Great Grandfather used to say, "If all your pals jumped off a cliff, does that mean you need to do it as well?" 

Think about it y'all. Stay aware, keep tabs on your kids, and don't over-share your plans. Know how to get out if something does happen as you are shopping. 

Stay safe out there, folks. 
Shannon

Four Rules Of Gun Safety

We have all heard the saying, "Rules Were Made To Be BROKEN!" That may be true if you are eating dessert first, but when it comes to firearms, breaking the rules has deadly consequences. Today we are going to review the four universal rules. I can hear you now, "Why review? I already know them and I'm a safe shooter!"  

Maybe you are, maybe you aren't.  A little review never hurt anyone, just like it really does not hurt to eat dinner first before dessert.

Before we discuss The Rules, here is a little story for you to consider, that happened to yours truly about a year ago:


I was behind the counter one stormy afternoon, when a young couple ventured in for some gunpowder therapy. They rented one of our Daniel Defense AR-15s. They shot the last of their rounds and exited the range, happy smiles plastered all over their faces. While it was great to see satisfied customers, imagine if you will how it felt for me, with the muzzle pointed at my chest, the persons finger on the trigger, bolt closed and magazine still in the rifle? If you're thinking, "Not too good!" you would be correct. (And that is putting it mildly.) As I quickly redirected the muzzle and briefed the customers on the proper etiquette, also noting that the safety was in the FIRE position and not the SAFE position, I dropped the magazine and pulled the charging handle.

Lo and behold, out popped a live round.

To say I was not pleased is an understatement. 

Image from Google.

RULE ONE:
Treat Every Gun As If It Was Loaded!
What does this mean? 
Well, look at it from our point of view. (That POV being range staff, behind the rental counter.) When you are done shooting and exit the range, and you come towards us with the magazine in the gun, the muzzle pointed directly at us with the chamber closed, we have no way of knowing if that gun is empty or not. (Please do not break your arm patting your back on this one, congratulating yourself for not being like the couple in the above story. They were, in their words, "...both experienced shooters," and "..had been shooting for years." They were also COMPLACENT.)

We get a little twitchy here.

YOU may *know* that gun is empty. But then again.... if we staffers had a dollar for every allegedly empty gun we have cleared, we'd be dining on steak dinners and driving much nicer vehicles.

To sum this up- EVERY Gun Is Loaded, At All Times. When you hand over a firearm to another person, magazine is out and slide locked to the rear. In the case of revolvers, cylinder is open, and stays that way.

Not a great sight when pointed at YOU. Image from Google

RULE TWO:
Never Point A Gun At Anything You Are Not Willing To Destroy!
In other words, Muzzle In A Safe Direction At All Times!

When brand new customers come in to shoot for the very first time, we staff provide a quick safety briefing before we take the line. One of the first things I point out is where the muzzle is. I will say, "This is the muzzle. This is the business end. Once the projectile leaves the muzzle, there is no calling it back and it is absolutely no body's friend. You will keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times." We then touch on what is a safe direction and what is not. It may seem like common sense. You would be shocked though how often this simple rule is violated and we staff have muzzles pointed at us. 

If we seem a wee bit jumpy at times when you visit, you're starting to get an idea WHY. 

Finger! OFF! The! Trigger! Image from Google

RULE THREE:
Keep Your Finger OFF The Trigger Until You Are Ready To Shoot!

Seems simple enough, doesn't it? Place your trigger finger outside the trigger guard, not touching the trigger at all. Much like being aware of muzzle direction, folks wind up with fingers all over triggers while pointing guns in very unsafe directions. Like at other people on the sales floor and range. Or at range staff members. 

You get the idea why we tend to be a bit twitchy and have no patience a lot of days, right?

Sure that's a nice deer- nice house too. Image from Google.

RULE FOUR:
Always Be Aware Of Your Target And What Is Beyond Your Target!

This also seems simple. However, it is again somewhat shocking just how many people are under the impression that no, THEY did not send a round into the ceiling, because the target (in our facility the targets are of the paper variety,) stopped the round. So wrong, on so many levels. 

You, as a shooter, have to understand that the round fired from the gun in your hand is traveling at an incredibly high rate of speed. No matter what type of round it is, there is NO GUARANTEE that it will STOP on impacting the target. None. If you are in your apartment at night, and a goon breaks in and you shoot, where will that round potentially wind up? Will it hit the bad guy, go through him, through the sheetrock, and into the neighbors? Will it strike a water heater? A child? Your dog or cat? You have got to pay attention to what is beyond the target. You have got to understand that paper will not stop a round. Nor will many other things. 

Let's take a look back at the story of our two happy customers.
How many of the Four Universal Rules did they break?
1) The firearm was not shown to be clear (bolt closed, magazine in, and safety in the FIRE position)
2) Muzzle was pointed in an unsafe direction (at ME.)
3) There was a finger ALL OVER the trigger.
4) There was no comprehension that behind ME were more people.

For the safety of everyone around you, follow these rules. They are simple. They are common sense. They exist for a reason. Be aware, we range staff will not hesitate to loudly point out the error of your ways should that finger be on the trigger while the gun is pointed at us. Save our sanity.

And remember:
COMPLACENCY. KILLS.

Every gun is loaded. Muzzles downrange/ in a safe direction. Fingers OFF the trigger. Don't point the gun at anything you are not willing to destroy. 

Keep it safe out there, please!
Shannon

5 Tips For Safe Daily Carry

You've got your chosen defensive daily carry gun. You've obtained your carry permit. You've invested in proper training. Now, you're ready to go, right? Ready to carry everywhere, every day. (Where legally permissible, of course!!)

Take a look at these five tips and pointers as you begin the next stage in your daily carry adventure. 


1) Ask Yourself:
    *Are you competent with your chosen defensive carry gun? This is not the time to be PC, and pat yourself on your back just because you know how to pull the trigger and can mostly get rounds on the paper target. Brutal self honesty is required here. 
When was your last training session? What were the results? Did you improve in shot placement? Were your magazine changes smoother? How did you test yourself? Your competency level with your gun is critical. Being competent increases your confidence. Higher confidence increases your desire to learn more and your ability as you train. 

Dot Torture Shooting Drill- Image from Google

2) Complacency. Kills. I can not stress this enough. The idea that just because you now own a gun, does not make you Annie Oakley. I fear for the safety of those people who honestly feel this way. Not only are their lives in danger should they ever have to use their firearm in a defensive manner, but lives of innocent bystanders are in danger as well. Competency requires discipline, discipline builds skill. Much like piloting a vehicle, your firearms training requires dedication to learning and hours of practice.

3) Examine your wardrobe. Hopefully, you have picked up two or three different holsters to test, with the understanding that a sturdy belt is a critical point for proper, safe carry and weapons retention. A flopping gun is an unsecure gun in many cases, and not something you want to have happening. Make sure your holster covers the trigger guard, fits your gun snugly, and has no pieces or parts poking out that come in contact with the trigger on reholstering. 
**For those who prefer to purse carry, and enjoy the argument, "I can shoot through my purse." Fine. What does that say about the security of your gun in there? Is it safe? In My Opinion (that and $5 might get you a cup of coffee and a cookie,) NO. Your gun is NOT safe. Why? Because if you can put your hand in the purse and NOT have to unholster your weapon, it means your trigger guard and trigger are exposed. Is an exposed trigger safe in a purse? Again- In My Opinion- NO. It is too easy for something- such as a pen, lipstick, etc- to be accidentally dropped in with your gun. Why take the chance on a negligent discharge?

4) Practice at home. While you are folding laundry, doing dishes, cooking dinner, mowing the lawn- carry your gun. The only way to determine what holster and carry position is going to work perfectly for you is to carry them. Plus you have the added benefit of being prepared for Decepticons. Don't let your peers poking fun at you deter you. This is YOUR life and safety- not theirs. If they wish to be complacent in the knowledge that their home is "safe" and home invasions only happen to the Other Guy, that's fine. Just remember what we say about COMPLACENCY. It kills. 

5) Carry with an air of comfort and confidence. The next time you go to the store, or out for an evening stroll, take a close look at the people moving around you. Observe what they are doing, where they are looking, and if they are honestly paying any attention to their surroundings. Chances are, they are looking down at their phones or some electronic gizmo, have no clue you are there, and are only aware enough to have a basic understanding of getting from point A to point B. People see what they WANT to see- not what is in plain sight. Projecting an air of confidence as you carry in your chosen (legal) method prevents people from noticing whether or not you may or may not be armed. Should someone ask, if they do notice, smile. Be polite. Be confident. Be willing to talk. Also be willing to walk away if the person attempts to engage in a discussion on your decision to protect yourself. They are not worth your time and are generally just looking for a fight, so they might further convince themselves of their superiority. (The reverse of which is you, for carrying a gun, are inferior.) 

From a personal standpoint, as a woman who has carried over five years now. I often open carry. (It is legal in GA and I have my Georgia Weapons Carry License.) That is just me, and what I am comfortable with. There is no law saying YOU have to carry like that. In that time frame, I have had mostly positive interaction with strangers. I have been asked if I was a police officer (no, I'm not.) I've been asked what I'm afraid of (to which I smile wickedly and say, "Absolutely Nothing" and then I walk away.) I've been asked most about training and obtaining a permit to carry. (Wonderful discussions have ensued from this.)

There are those who attempt to argue with me over my chosen carry method. Fine- they are entitled to their opinion. The "criminals will target you first" argument is old and tired, and I tell them a brief story of my own, about a sick child, a late night run to a local big box store, my openly carried 1911, and a thug on the phone to his homies telling them to scatter because, and I quote, "... F@!k that - B!tch got a gun!" The thugs ran off like roaches when a light comes on, and I made it home unmolested with the meds for my son. 

Moral of the story? Train. Carry. Observe. Have Plan A, B, C and D in place. Behave in a professional, confident manner. Above all else, carry safely and intelligently, in a manner which suits your situation.

In the meantime, get in some range time and challenge your skills. You never know when you'll need them to save your life!

~Shannon

Safe Gun Storage In Your Home

There are all manner of rules involved in gun ownership, including rules for keeping it secure in your home. For a quick review, we are going to revisit the four universal rules of gun safety, and then take a look at a few rules for safe home storage.

To begin:
Rule 1: Treat EVERY Gun As If It Was Loaded, All The Time! 
Rule 2: NEVER Point Your Gun At Anything You Are Not Willing To Destroy
Rule 3: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER Until Your Sights Are On Target
Rule 4: Know Your Target And What Is Beyond The Target

These are all common sense, right? You'd think so, but day in and day out at the range we see them violated, by customer after customer. (Yes, range staff does get a bit tired of being swept by muzzles and having guns pointed at us and others.)

Not only do those four common sense rules apply when you are out shooting, please keep them in mind as you devise a plan for safe home storage as well. 

While you are debating the best course of action, here are a few additional things to consider:
First, KEEP QUIET! Don't broadcast what you have, or where you keep it, in your home! Why provide potential bad guys with any additional information? Teach your children to not discuss family business outside the home as well. 

Secondly, examine your personal situation. Are you single? Or do you have children? Do you entertain and host guests frequently? What is the area you live in known for (high crime, low crime)? Don't allow yourself a false sense of security- crime can happen in the deepest of ghettos to the most elite. The only safe place is one you secure by being careful, cautious, and alert. Given your situation at the moment, your plan will vary. Plans are fluid and need to be adjusted accordingly. If it is normally you alone in your home, you need to adjust your plan should you agree to watch your nieces and nephews for an extended stay while Mom and Dad are on a 3 day get-away. 

Thirdly, can you be sneaky? Can you think outside the box? Being able to think creatively and on the sneaky side is going to be a great benefit in how you secure your firearm. Again- have several plans in place for various situations. A bedside placement isn't going to do you much good when a potential home invader rings your doorbell to see if anyone is home. 

Fourth, understand that having your firearm locked in a lock box or small safe is not necessarily going to keep you safe. The benefit of a locking container of sorts is keeping small children from being able to access it. It won't deter a thief from walking away with it, as they will simply pick it up and carry it out. 

The single best place to secure your firearm while you are in your home?
That is an easy answer: on your person. Carrying your gun on you has multiple benefits, from increasing your comfort level as you carry, to being secure in the knowledge that no one else (such as your kids) can access the gun. 

There are times when having your gun on you won't be an option- such as when you are bathing or sleeping. By examining your home and surroundings, you can come up with several different locations to place a firearm. Remember: securing your gun does not always have to mean locking it up behind a biometric safe bolted to your floor deep in your closet. Secure in this instance means out of sight and away from small hands.

If you are willing to invest in a storage option, but are not overly enamored with the large, heavy not overly attractive gun safes on the market, consider gun storage furnishings. Tactical Walls is a veteran owned company, using all American materials, that produces hand crafted items to secure your firearms. No one would ever expect that lovely wallnut shelf holding your service medal shadow box is also securing a short barrel rifle and handguns. Added benefit? Your children won't be able to get into it either. 

Just like every other aspect of owning a firearm, there is no one answer. Be flexible. Have multiple plans, for multiple situations. Be creative and think outside the box. Examine your situation often, and adjust your plan accordingly. Avoid that false sense of security like the plague- don't allow yourself to slip into complacency (ie: "I have a gun now, locked up in the closet, so we're safe. I can get to it in time and remember the combination of the lock before that intruder gets to me, no problem!") Complacency. Kills. 

Stay alert, think outside the box, and stay safe!

Until next time-
~Shannon

She's Packin' MORE Heat!

It's been pointed out that I need to include a bit more information and clarification on choosing the right gun, and also on holsters. Today, we are going to address these questions. 

While you are shopping for the right gun for the job, you need to determine what that job is, and how you anticipate utilizing your particular gun of choice. 
*Are you looking for something to carry with you every day, in a concealed manner? 
*Are you interested in daily carry, but also a higher round count than a smaller pistol may offer? 
*Or are you looking for something strictly for home defense? 

First, some ladies prefer to keep the larger sized, higher round count gun for use in home defense situations. This is not to say you can't carry this gun as well, but not everyone is going to be comfortable toting a full size M&P, or a Glock 17. 

For daily carry, something with a slimmer line may be more appropriate and easier to carry during a long day. In these instances, you may wish to handle guns such as the M&P Shield, Glock 42 and 43, Khar CW9, Khar CW380, or the Ruger LC9s, and LC380.

Glock 43, 9mm. Image from Glock

Second, we need to touch on grip and fit a bit more. Everyone's hands are sized a bit differently, making fit and placement challenging. When you initially pick the gun up, take note of the following things:
- Can you reach the controls (safety, slide release, magazine release) without breaking your grip? 
- If the model you are looking at has finger grooves built in, do they place your hand properly, or is your hand sitting too low?
- Do you have your middle, ring, and pinky fingers of your trigger hand on the grip securely, or just middle and ring? If the latter, can you control recoil comfortably for a follow up shot? 
- As you grip the gun, are your wrist and forearm in a straight line, or is there a bend in that connection? 
 

Wrist in line. Allows for proper control. Image from Google.

Last but not least, a bit more on holsters. In my last post, we briefly touched on retention and I was asked what that meant. The simple answer is retention is what keeps your gun holstered when not in use. Various holsters and manufactures have different styles and levels of retention. You may opt for a holster with no additional retention (other than what is provided by your belt,) or you may choose a high level of retention. Some levels of retention are set up so that as you draw your gun, your index (or trigger finger) must push a button to release the gun. This works well in two ways- for one it keeps your trigger finger off of the trigger until you are ready to shoot and two it snugly locks the gun in place so that it can not easily be removed by others. Others require the gun to be moved in a certain way to be released. Still other styles are an external screw style, which as the screw is turned, pressure is placed on the gun, giving a very snug fit inside the holster. 
 

Blackhawk holster. Image from Google

At the opposite end of the spectrum and holsters with absolutely no retention at all. These tend to be made from soft materials, in a general size, that do not conform specifically to your guns size or make. These all purpose holsters have their place- in fact, I use one to store my 1911 in when I am not actively carrying it. But I do not carry my gun in one. When you have no retention at all, not only is it too easy for your gun to fall out of the holster as you move, it is also much too easy for someone else to access it.
 

Soft holster- no retention. Image from Google

*Quick side note: as much as we teach and talk about being aware of your surroundings, understand that all the awareness in the world is not always going to protect you from an ambush. Predators will often wait until you turn your head in the other direction to ambush you from the side or from behind. Having a holster with a stronger measure of retention will buy you time to retain your gun and put it to use, rather than the Predator using it against you.

I've mentioned belt twice now, and here is why a good belt is so important. Not only do they help maintain the position of your bottoms, but a proper belt will help you secure your gun in the correct position. In some cases, it will also provide an extra layer of that vital retention, keeping your gun safe and snug against you. 
 

5.11 belt. Snug fit, gun in proper secure position. Image from Google.

Flimsy, pretty, decorative belts are a great fashion statement, but the chances of them securing your gun where it needs to be are quite poor. The goal is to have a sturdy platform for your gun to be secured with. This does not mean you are now limited to only a tactical 5.11 belt in black, flat dark earth, or olive drab. It means you need to examine your wardrobe a bit closer and opt for something a bit wider (about an inch to an inch and a half,) with double layers of construction and a sturdy buckle. Coupled with a good holster, you will avoid your gun drooping and flopping about. Not only is that unsightly, it is unsafe and uncomfortable. 

Until next week, follow these wise words from Yoda:

Shoot straight, stay safe, and keep that finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot!
~Shannon and the Range Crew

Patrick's Indoor Gun Range
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5 Tips That Can Save Your Life

This is Part Two in our series directed towards our Ladies. 

Whether or not you choose to carry a firearm, there are some basic principles that can ensure your safety. These are simple steps, outlined below, that you can implement today and make a huge difference in your life.



1) MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS!

If you take a moment and do some people watching (which is exactly what potential aggressors do, to identify targets,) you might be shocked at what you observe. How many people out there wander around, completely absorbed in whatever little electronic gadget is in their hands? Too many. How many look up and observe what is going on around them? Hardly any of them. How many could offer information to law enforcement *if* a situation happens in front of them? Not many at all. 

Put. The. Gadgets. Down. This is Step One, a critical step. That phone call, text, email or selfie can wait. None of them are worth your life. Wait until you are in a safe setting to communicate. It wasn't all that long ago when people had no cell phones- we survived hours with out a bombardment of communication. I promise you- your survival does not depend on seeing what Susie thought of her Tuna Melt from Tuna Joe's Fish Shack. 

ACTION PLAN: Having a means of communication on you in case of an emergency is great. But it does not require constant attention. Check your gadgets later- I promise the messages will still be there.

2) ACTIVELY OBSERVE!

The world around us is filled with moments of stunning beauty, that pass by in the blink of an eye. It runs on a 360* platform, in bold vivid colors, with sounds, scents and feelings of awe and excitement. It is best observed in Real D- not on a 2" x 2" screen. 

Now that you have put down the gadget d'jour, look around you. Look your fellow humans directly in the eye. You don't have to smile, grimace, growl, or pull a Momma Bear face to chase people away. But just.. look. Take note if something looks odd or out of place. By looking those around you directly in the eye, you are indicating you are not easy pickings, trying to hide amongst the masses. Be nice about it. Smile a bit if you so choose. But keep looking around.

ACTION PLAN: Challenge yourself the next time you're out. Try to identify several different people and take note of what they are wearing, how they walk, and if they are watching the crowd or being watched. What you see might shock you.

3) IDENTIFY EXITS!

As you look around, take note of where exit points are and the best routes to get there. Are there stairs? Elevators? Escalators? Make it a game with your kids, and involve them in learning basic safety rules. You have to give kids credit- they are much more observant than you might suspect. Ask them for their ideas on how to get out of a building creatively- pretend they are Super Spies and see what they come up with. Prepare to be impressed- kids are insanely creative!

ACTION PLAN: See who can come up with the best alternative exit idea, should the main exit be blocked off. Walk through those plans and see if they work, and adjust accordingly. It's one thing to have an idea, and another to actually walk it through and learn how effective it is.


4) TRUST YOUR GUT!

For thousands of years, people have relied on "gut instinct". How many times have you found yourself hesitating a moment and questioning if something felt right? Probably more than you realize. Ask yourself this one question now, and see if you can provide an answer.
- What does a criminal look like? 
**Remember! Everyone said Ted Bundy looked like a "normal guy". 

The answer is simple- you have no way of knowing what a criminal looks like. It can be a man or a woman, young or old, well dressed or in rags, living in a mansion, or in their car. You can not tell if someone is willing to commit a crime against you by looking at them- but often times, your gut will know, and it will send you a signal. A shiver down your spine, cramping in your abdomen, a feeling of uneasiness, something that makes you pause a moment. 

Listen to your gut. If it feels wrong, get out. There is no shame in avoiding a potential situation- you can always go back another time, another way, another day. You aren't going to offend anyone by changing your direction of travel, and if you do, too bad! Your life is worth more than someone being "offended". 

ACTION PLAN: While you are observing the crowd, listen to your inner voice as well. Compare what you are seeing with your eyes, to what your instinct is trying to tell you. Remember- We Hide With Pride. There is no shame in leaving if a situation feels wrong.


5) AVOID ROUTINES!

It's an easy trap to fall into- the daily grind. Get up at a set time, make the coffee, get the kids ready, shuffle off to work/ school/ activities, day in and day out. Travel the same routes all the time. Walk the dog the same time every night, going the same direction. You feel secure in the knowledge that your world is safe, nothing will happen to you- it's always "The Other Guy", or maybe your neighborhood is "safe". If you do set down your gadget, you still don't bother to look much past your own nose and observe your surroundings.

STOP.

This is complacency.

Complacency Kills. 

If you set yourself up in a daily grind routine, you are predictable. Once you have established that predictability, it will be quite easy for the observant criminal element to take advantage of that fact, leaving you once again wide open as a target. (Notice I don't use the word victim here. You aren't a victim- you are a soft target.) 

ACTION PLAN: Make simple changes to your daily routine. Go a different way to work, go to a different grocery store, come home from a different direction, do things at different times. Change your path when walking the dog. Challenge the kids to come up with ideas for a min-adventure for your travel routes. Get them involved in observation and planning. They don't have to know it's in case of an emergency- you can keep it light and fun. 

These simple tips have the potential to save your life, and the lives of your loved ones. I hope you take the time to test them out, and adapt them to your situation. Should anyone ask, this is not paranoia. This is a small step in preparedness and being proactive for your safety.

Until next time, carry safe, shoot straight, and PUT DOWN THE GADGET D'JOUR! 

Shannon

Want to learn more? Give us a call at 912-355-0205 to set up a training appointment, or stop in and see us!