RECCE ROOM

  It's like cracking open a cold beverage at the end of a hard day. 

Rifleman.  noun - "a person skilled at the use of a rifle" The pistol is a tool for daily carry - to prevent others from imposing their will on you. A shotgun is a hunting tool and a home defense tool - and in home defense, it dominates the handgun distance fight. A rifle, however, is different. It is a tool that can be used to impose your will on others. History is filled with examples of force used without moral governance. Therefore, if you are going to be a Rifleman, you must strive to act with righteousness!  A warrior and a Rifleman are not interchangeable terms, though they are often spoken as if they are. The key difference is that a warrior may or may not act in righteousness, depending on to whom he is conscripted. A Rifleman must must strive to act with righteousness . At the center of this distinction stand three commitments that define the Rifleman’s place in the world: Life, Liberty, and Responsibility. These are not slogans or borrowed phrases, but guiding ...

This list of observations about gun fights was written by John Correia in 2016. He reposted to social media recently. Here are the lessons learned. All credit to John Correia.  I've watched about 5,000 gunfights at this point, and the patterns that emerge are pretty clear. Some thoughts you might want to consider that I don't think that the training community really wants to hear: 1. Most gunfights aren't entangled gunfights. Empty-handed skills are important, but very rare once the gun comes out. They're necessary for LE more than CCW, by a long shot. For CCW, empty-handed skills are critical for the 80% of assaults that don't rise to the level of deadly force response. So go to your martial arts training. 2. Reloads are almost vanishingly insignificant factors in gunfights. I have seen precisely 2 reloads in a real gunfight that weren't on-duty LEO. And neither of those affected the outcome of the fight. I have seen about 7 or 8 where a higher capacity firearm...

This author recently came across a review of Valor Ridge . For the record, this author has taken two classes at Valor Ridge, and it is a highly recommended resource for great training!  The purpose of this post, however, is to point out a flaw. NOT a flaw in Valor Ridge, Reid Henrichs, or the material being taught in the class. A flaw in the logic behind the instruction. There are a great many people that believe any ol' rifle and any bulk ammo can stack shots at 100 yards. This simply is not the case.  What is the reality? A great many guns, when paired with off the shelf ammo, are around 4 Minute of Angle performers. That means a 4" group at 100 yards. Naturally, some are better, and some are not that precise. For a class like the one linked above, the AR-15 rifle, shooting 55-grain ammo, would be the standard. And that is a 4 MOA setup. Worthy of note, there was also an AK shooter mentioned in the review. An AK with standard ammo is usually about a 6 MOA setup.  It is...

There is a popular meme of late: "if not friend, why friend shaped?" Well, this one is not even friend shaped.  More on the person known as Marc Victor, from Attorneys on Retainer.  This author has said some very pointed things about Victor  and AoR in the past. The video linked above confirms some of these things.  What say you? 

The Big Beautiful Bill has some really good Pro-2A stuff in it, and that has the democrats angry!  A Suppressor Revolution, Finally Within Reach The Big Beautiful Bill that recently passed through Congress is now in the hands of the Senate, and it's getting even better. One of the most exciting provisions in the original House version was the removal of suppressors—often mischaracterized as “silencers”—from the National Firearms Act (NFA). If passed, this would mean no more $200 tax stamps, no more waiting months for approval, no more fingerprints or forms just to protect your hearing. It would restore a little sanity to the firearm accessory market—something that's been missing for decades. Short-Barreled Freedom Is Coming Now the Senate is upping the ante. Their version of the bill doesn’t just target suppressors—it also includes removing short barreled rifles and shotguns from the NFA’s overreaching grip. That’s right: no more kludged-together “AR pistols” with stabilizing...

The gun community—like any group of passionate people—is no stranger to a little drama. Honestly, put two or more people together, and you're bound to have disagreements. That’s just human nature. What is surprising sometimes is how completely unaware some folks can be of their own behavior. Then again… maybe that isn’t be so surprising, either. Still, a bit of drama now and then isn’t all bad. It can actually be useful: it gives us a chance to take a step back, reflect, and maybe grow from it, if we are smart about it. What you’ll see below is a conversation between someone who either used to work for—or was hoping to work for—a firearms trainer. From what I understand, the trainer is fairly successful in the industry. As for the Assistant Instructor hopeful… well, I’m not sure exactly why they were upset, but I am pretty sure why they’re not on the team anymore. I had to clean the conversation up quite a bit—not for profanity, but because the grammar and sentence structure we...

  The Ten Commandments of the Marksman Thou shalt treat every firearm as though it be loaded, yea, even if thou knowest it not to be so. For the way of the careless is destruction, and the end thereof bringeth sorrow. Thou shalt ever keep the muzzle pointed in a direction that is safe, wherein no harm may come to thy brother, nor thy beast, nor thy dwelling. Lest thy hand bring forth an unintended wounding. Thou shalt not place thy finger upon the trigger, save when thine heart is fixed and thy aim made ready to fire. For the idle finger causeth mischief, but the wise waiteth for the appointed time. Thou shalt know thy target, and consider well what lieth beyond; for the bullet goeth not where thou desirest, but where thou sendest it. Therefore, be thou diligent, that innocent blood be not spilt. Thou shalt take hold of thy firearm with a sure and proper grip, firm yet not strained, that it move not at the moment of truth. For as the craftsman holdeth his tool, so ...

  Seen recently making the rounds on social media: Some words to the wise. Shooting Advice from various Concealed Carry Instructors. If you own a gun, you will appreciate this. If not, you should get one and learn how to use it: ●Guns have only two enemies: rust and politicians. ●It's always better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6. ●Cops carry guns to protect themselves, not you. ●Never let someone or something that threatens you get inside arms length. ●Never say "I've got a gun." If you need to use deadly force, the first sound they hear should be the safety clicking off. (I prefer the sound of a round being chambered when you load a shotgun) ●The average response time of a 911 call is 23 minutes, the response time of a .357 is 1400 feet per second. ●The most important rule in a gunfight is: Always win - cheat if necessary. ●Make your attacker advance through a wall of bullets . . . You may get killed with your own gun, but he'll have to beat you to death wi...

From the picture, help Shaun and Christine change Tennessee state laws. Shaun and Christine are Patriot Training Alums.  On Tuesday, the Tennessee Senate defeated a bill allowing an open carry permit for all shotguns and rifles . From the article, "two Republicans crossed over to vote with the Democrats." The Committee essentially killed the bill, all but ensuring it will stay in committee until 2026.  To be fair, Tennessee would be better served by removing from our state laws the prohibition of wearing arms for the purpose of "going armed."  Nevertheless, let's talk about why it is important to have open carry.  Caveat Of note, the 1st Amendment does not protect nice and polite speech. There is no need to protect polite and nice speech. The 1st Amendment protects offensive speech.  The Idea "A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed" The key word h...

On Facebook, there is an ad from the TWRA for their Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit class. The cost of the class is $8. Yes, you read that correctly - $8. Less than ten bucks.  Most commercial schools are offering the class for around $75 or so. This author intentionally markets the class at twice that - $149, as there is a LOT more value.  Sure, there are plenty of uninitiated individuals who will go for the TWRA option as it is cheaper. The faulty assumption is that all the EHCP classes are the same. While the material may be state mandated and the same, the instructor's depth of knowledge and ability to answer questions will be the determining factor. Plus, how many of these instructors can actually shoot well and teach you to do the same??? John Harris, President of the TFA, asks another pertinent question on social media: "Why is TWRA in competition with the privately owned and operated state certified schools that are required to have state inspected classrooms, ranges an...

In yesterday's article, questions were raised about the YouTube channels that ditched USCCA in favor of presumably the money from "Attorneys on Retainer." Today, we focus on the error of that choice.  First , the founder of AOR is Marc Victor. Here is a video that details a few of the troubles with him. This website has most , if not all the same quotes used in the video. From the website: Victor believes in gun restriction laws, even if temporary (sounds a lot like red flag laws) - "As a criminal defense attorney for over twenty-five years, I’ve personally witnessed prohibited possessor laws indeed keep guns out of the hands of some such people (those that "violate" or "might violate" Victor's "Live and Let Live philosophy). That fact alone makes the effort worthwhile." Victor believes in requiring "competency" to own firearms - "However, reasonable people could also argue a gun safety class ought to be required to e...

Last week, this blog had two articles on some disturbing advertisements put out against the USCCA and in favor of Attorneys on Retainer. Why does this blog characterize them as disturbing? Because although speech is free, part of what is protected by free speech is false speech. And it is this author's opinion that AOR was attacking USCCA with false allegations, disguised as "making an argument," in order to take market share by way of selling their "protection packages."  Some have said that the questions raised by this author suggested a possible relationship between the gun channel YouTubers. More than one comment on YouTube, and more than one email sent to this author accused that possible relationship. Well, let's clear the air.  The gun channel YouTubers who were observed to fall into the pattern of saying the same thing at about the same time (except Heavy Duty Country, who started almost a year prior to the others) were: Heavy Duty Country (exception...

"It is easier to fool people, than to convince them that they have been fooled." - Mark Twain From yesterday's article ... Many people have left comments on my YouTube video on the topic. You can tell that many bought into the fabrications being told, hook, line, and sinker. Among the funnier replies, and corrections to same in italics : "Insurance companies don't make money paying out on claims. That's all I need to know." (Author's note: there were many comments that were substantially similar to this one) And you think lawyers selling prepaid legal make money by going to trial on these agreements???  "The bottom line is this: It is insurance, and exclusions apply. If there is any sniff or question about whether it was a good shoot, USCCA will not cover it." And lawyers will make good on it??? "So channels that are now with AOR are not to be believed because they all made statements against USCCA but you being with USCCA are credib...

Over the last few days / weeks, several YouTube gun channels have announced they are parting ways with the USCCA. This made me take notice, because I am a USCCA member, and a USCCA partner. For clarity, I am a USCCA partner, since 2019. I receive a small amount of a finder’s fee when one of their reps is permitted to present at one of my classes. I do not partner with USCCA because I make hundreds of thousands in referral fees…I partner with USCCA because I believe in the product and I believe it is needed.  Also for the record, I am a licensed P&C agent. I have worked in insurance since 2006. I researched policy language for USCCA, US Law Shield, and CCW Safe prior to reaching out to any of them for partnership. And that’s the other thing: they didn’t reach out to me first, offering money. I reached out to them. That said, all three of these companies have improved by leaps and bounds in the past 5-6 years. Competition breeds success. And no, the USCCA is not perfect. There we...

Another year is almost in the books. Planning for 2025 on the business front is virtually complete. My business had the best year it has ever had. Nevertheless, I will not be resting on my laurels. New material and changes coming for 2025. Among them: There will be a shotgun class. Depending on its popularity, there may be more. As of the writing of this post, several ticket purchases had already been made for this one.  There will be a revolver class. Depending on its popularity, there may be more. As of the writing of this post, no ticket purchases, yet. Time will tell.  Bringing back Long Range Patrol. This may be its final year. However, many students in Urban Rifleman state they want to take it. Also, several outside sources have also stated the same. This class has had exactly 4 participants each of the last 3 years. Typically, a class needs six participants for it to be viable. 

This year, the state of Tennessee started issuing Handgun Carry Permits to persons aged 18-20. Previously, a person had to be 21 or older, with a very few exceptions. Here was the timeline: In March, the State Attorney General came to a settlement agreement in a court case with the Firearms Policy Coalition. The settlement made it legal for persons aged 18-20 to carry permit-less, or obtain an Concealed Handgun Carry Permit or Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit.  On March 29, Carry Permit schools were notified from the State that the Computer system would be changed by June.  On June 9, another notification came from the State, indicating the system now allows 18-20 year olds.  Shortly thereafter, I taught my 18 year-old son the carry permit class. He passed with flying colors. He had his permit in hand before the end of June. I gifted him a carry piece.  A couple of weeks later, he attended again, this time as moral support for his friends who now wanted to get their per...

Yesterday, the Tennessee legislature was convened at the behest of Governor Bill Lee. The purpose was to enact Red Flag laws, stemming from the events of the Nashville Shooting . Of course, the shooter in that crime had a manifesto, and it is not being released. There is no doubt that there is a reason the manifesto is not being released. Smart money says the manifesto proves that a red flag law would not have prevented the crime, and would also likely be proof of the problems with the LGBTQ community.  Why would a so-called Republican governor propose red flag laws? Simple - he is not conservative, nor really Republican. He locked down the state of Tennessee, after all, when he got frightened about people getting sick. It wound up that about 35 more people died than in normal flu seasons, and less severe than 2018 deaths.  Naturally, the governor is not even calling the red flag laws by name. That is a tactic of  the  Left® - to rename something to disguise true in...

This morning, Handgun Carry Permit Safety Schools received this email from the administrative staff of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security: Good morning, "As you all are already probably aware, anyone who has reached 18 years of age is now eligible for a handgun carry permit in the state of Tennessee. The state has 90 (ninety) days to implement this update to the current online application system. Until such time as the system has been updated to accept those applications, you will need to do the following for 18-20 year old students: 1) issue a 3-part certificate for them to take to the DMV after June 27th (subject to change to a sooner date if the system updates are completed); 2) complete a paper roster, and 3) submit the completed roster to the handgun unit. If an 18-20 year old student takes their certificate to the DMV before the system upgrades are completed, they will be turned away. The Handgun Unit will notify all schools t...

 So you are going to take a gun class. You want some pro tips from someone who teaches gun classes and has attended many dozens of them. Here are some pro tips.  1. Read the course descriptions, requirements, and pre-requisites.  Read them twice.  Bring the items needed.  Bring your glasses / contacts.  Bring water, food, etc.  Bring sunscreen, bug spray, etc.  Bring spares, if you have them.  Bring more ammo and more magazines than the course description states.  Bring cleaning materials for your gun(s) Bring lubricant! 2. Get good rest the night before.  Don't drink that night before.  Don't take drugs the night before.  Eat well, but not too much.  3. Drink water during the class.  A gallon per day is usually about enough.  4. Take notes.  You have spent $500 to hear what they have to say, write it down! 5. Stick to the course material. Don't talk about what you think you know or who else you've trai...