Gun Nuts Media

How to not get killed.  I forget which comedian said “no one ever took $400 out of an ATM at 3 am to do something legal”, but the point is the same – if you avoid situations and people that are statistical “high risks” for violence, you will ameliorate the odds of getting into a violent encounter.

Tiger McKee on training, from the Tactical Wire.  He’s looking at the concept of firearms training being a martial art.

Finally you get to the point where you realize that to fight effectively, regardless of the weapon, you must be fluid, reacting to the situation as it unfolds, using whatever is necessary to defeat your opponent. As Bruce Lee said, you must become like water. Water is soft and flowing, or it can come crashing down on you. Pour water into a cup and it becomes the cup. Fill a bucket with water and it becomes the bucket. This is the “Way” of any martial art.

The ultimate application of martial arts is to defeat your opponent without having to use your skills. The interesting thing about studying the martial art of firearms is that the more you learn the less chance there is that you’ll have to use it. This is a good thing.

The entire column is worth reading, of course – Tiger is an accomplished instructor, trainer, and competitive shooter.  The concept of firearms as a martial art is something that’s often debated, and while opinions may differ, the value of training in the “martial arts” mindset of firearms training is extremely valuable for defensive and competitive shooters.

If you follow my twitter feed (and why don’t you?) then you would have known that last night I was the (mis)fortune of attended a concert by former American Idol champ David Cook.  (hey, the tickets were free, sue me)  My previous concert going experiences have all been at “serious rock shows” like X-fest, Warped Tour, Green Day concerts, etc so I’m used to a specific sort of clientele that attend these shows.  In addition, I’m accustom to a specific type of security, namely the sort of searches that make airport security look non-intrusive and polite. So it was with memories of Warped Tour 2003 fresh in my mind that I prepared for the David Cook concert by leaving my pistol, spare ammo, and pocket knife locked in the glove box of my car.

I got to the door of the theatre where he was playing, and the young security guard asked me “do you have anything in your pockets?” I said yes, showed him my iPhone and car keys, and they let me in – no pat downs, no frisking, no nothing. I could have been carrying my 625 in an IWB holster and gotten through that security.

While it’s a mildly amusing anecdote on the surface, it also serves to illustrate a common dilemma faced by people who carry but also wish to participate in “group social activities” like concerts, football games, etc. While some things are easy to figure out such as sporting events (no guns, not now, not ever) other events like concerts are a little more difficult, especially when the venue doesn’t have an explicitly written “no weapons” policy.

Ultimately, the burden is on us – the people with carry permits – to determine whether or not a location or venue is going to be CCW friendly or not. In the event that it’s not a “friendly” venue, we’re then left with the decision on how to proceed. Do you carry anyway and hope security is lax, do you disarm yourself and adhere strictly to the rules, or do you simply choose to “not go”, because they bar firearms? Depending on the circumstances, I’ve used all three approaches, although the first one is generally a poor idea and can land you in trouble with the law, as such it’s not advisable. The 2nd and 3rd and both weak options, because one involves not carrying any sort of defensive tools, and the other involves missing out on what could be a fun event.

In the end it’s a situational decision – what is best and fitting for you may not be best and fitting for me. I advise compliance with the law and wishes of the property owner however – it’s the best way to keep out of trouble, and keep your carry permit.