Conceled Carry: Part II

At this point, aim and fire

Carrying a concealed handgun is an enormous responsibility.  You have in your possession an instrument that can cause death.  In the concealed carry class I took it was drummed into us repeatedly that you should use your gun as a last resort.  Let me repeat that, use of a concealed weapon MUST be a last resort.  In Ohio it is permissible to use deadly force only if you have a real belief that you are in immediate danger of death or great bodily harm and that deadly force was the only way to escape that danger.

When you carry a concealed weapon it should be primarily to protect yourself and your loved ones.  You are permitted by law to use your gun to protect strangers if you believe that they are in danger of death or great bodily harm.  However, my instructor, a 20 year veteran of the Cincinnati Police, advised that in practical terms, should it come to it, it is much easier to convince a jury that you feared for your life than to convince them that you were able to determine that another person was in danger of dying.

When carrying concealed you must also be aware that not everything is as it appears.  The best example of this was a story my instructor told about a small businessman in Brooklyn, NY.  After closing his store for the night, he was on his way to his car when he passed an alley.  About 20 ft. down the alley he saw a well groomed woman in a nice business suit being held up against the wall by a man in jeans, a hooded sweatshirt and a knit cap.  The man had a gun pointed at the woman's head.  The store owner drew his concealed gun and as the man turned toward him he put two rounds in him center mass.  The man died instantly.  The man was an undercover cop and the woman an armed drug dealer.  The store owner will be in prison for a long time.  The moral is that it is probably best not to intervene in a situation unless you know all the facts.  In most all situations it is best to call the police and let them do their job.

It was also impressed upon us that when carrying concealed your first duty is to remove yourself and any family or friends from harm's way.  Even in your own home it is best to retreat and call the police.  Lock yourself and your family in a room.  Call 911 and explain the situation.  Leave the line open so your actions are recorded.  Loudly tell the intruders that you are armed, the police have been called and if they breach the door to the room you are in, you will shoot them.  In a public place, be aware of your situation before something may happen.  Know where the exits are and if possible sit near them.  If something does happen see if escape is possible.  If not, do not try to be a hero.  If you draw your weapon and try to stop a robbery for instance, it is more likely that you or other innocent people will be hurt than it is that you will thwart the robbery.

Carrying concealed also requires you to change your mind set about things.  If a driver cuts you off in traffic, let it go.  No yelling, no obscene gestures, do nothing that could provoke someone into a confrontation.  When someone says something derogatory about your favorite team, your wife, your dog or your mama, walk away.  Even if confronted by someone with a weapon try to retreat, yell at them to startle them, back away continuously, keep yelling to attract attention, keep backing away.  If they continue to advance, then you must determine if you are in immediate danger of death or great bodily harm.  Remember, a person 7 yds. away (21 ft.) can close that distance on you in under 2 seconds.

If you determine you are, remember your training.  Proper grip, sight the target, squeeze the trigger.  Repeat for good measure.

The Creepiest Thing

By The Big Guy

Senior Contributor

So the other morning I’m watching The Dan Patrick Show or Rachel Ray or something on TV and the phone rings. When the phone rings late morning it is invariably a nuisance call of some kind. Frequently it’s a charity: The local PBS station needs cash from me RIGHT NOW or they’re going to kill Caillou. Kill him. Or the caller I.D. reads “toll free call.” Not for me. For me it is undoubtedly a sales call which will probably offer me the opportunity to extend the subscription period of every magazine I get, used to get, or am thinking of getting into the next century with one simple approval. Uh, no thanks but is there any way you could cancel my gift subscription to Shotgun News that some joker sent me?

What threw me about this call was that the caller I.D. read “The Big Guy” and underneath it was my home phone number. I was startled. The very first thing that flashed into my head was a trailer for some old slasher movie. Two girls on a phone, a policeman on the other end of the line telling them, “We traced the phone call. It’s coming from inside your house.” The girls scream. Mayhem ensues. So I figured that the call was coming from inside my house. It took me a few seconds to realize that in the real world this was impossible. I considered other possibilities.

I quickly realized that what I had here was some slime ball with a device that can generate whatever caller I.D. information he wants, thus preventing me from turning him in to the National Do Not Call Registry, one more big government idea that has pretty much turned out to be worthless. In this case it was just sending back the information of the number it was calling. However, knowing what I was dealing with, I was intrigued and decided to answer the phone.

It turned out to be a recorded message. It was a friendly woman’s voice with overtones of concern. “Hello. This call has urgent information for you, so please listen carefully. Due to a technical problem, it has become necessary to cancel your debit card from the First National Bank of Bob. Your debit card can be reissued at once. To have your debit card reissued please press one now.” It was at this point that I decided the fun was over and I hung up the phone, mostly because I did not have a debit card from the First National Bank of Bob. So, what do I do now? Call the police? Call the Attorney General’s office? Call the First National Bank of Bob and see if there’s a minimum balance required to get a debit card?

I did nothing. I thought about it a whole bunch. Nothing the police can do. Attorney General’s office? They’ll probably want to tap my line for a while to see if the party calls back. That’s what I need: a government tap on my phone, not that there isn’t one there already. Here was an incredibly sharp scam that I am sure has defrauded plenty of people and will defraud plenty more, some because they use the Bank of Bob, some because they’re not paying attention, some just because they do what they’re told. In today’s brave new world we are frequently on our own. I guess I’m doing something after all by sharing the experience here. Pay attention, okay?  

Hero Of The Week

Army Sgt. Carl J. Morgain
Age:  40
1st Battalion
112th Infantry Regiment
Pennsylvania Army National Guard
Died 22 May, 2005
Balad, Iraq

Cocked, Locked And Ready To Rock

I took the Basic Handgun Safety class.  I spent a year researching and shooting various handguns.  I chose and bought a handgun.  Between rental guns and my own I've shot approximately 2,000 rounds on the range.  I took the Ohio Concealed Carry class.  I applied for an Ohio Concealed Carry Permit.  Last Friday I picked up the permit.  Only one thing left to do:  actually leave the house with a concealed handgun.

Last Saturday was the day.  I left the house Saturday morning wearing a pair of cargo shorts and a t-shirt.  Carrying a concealed handgun on my hip.  Using an Inside the Waistband (IWB) holster, I couldn't detect any sign of the gun in the mirror.  I was still paranoid that everyone would know.

First stop, Kroger's.  All the way from my car to the door I'm tugging on the hem of my shirt, even though I know that with this holster there is nothing visible if my shirt does ride up.  At the deli counter I take a number a wait my turn.  Why is that lady looking at me?  She knows I have a gun and she's about to call 911.  I'm sure of it.  And that man over there.  Why does he keep looking over his shoulder directly at me?  Is it the bulge on my hip that I'm sure is about the size of a cannon?  I can feel the sweat forming on my brow.

I get my deli order and head for the salad bar; I need fruits and veggies for the bird.  I'm carrying one of those small baskets since I'm only getting a few items.  I need to put it down to pick from the salad bar, but I know if I bend from the waist the butt of the gun pressing against my shirt is going to be visible to anyone within 100 feet.  So I place the basket on the floor like a woman would, bending at the knees.  Pick it back up the same way.

I get out of there undetected and go home to pick up Mrs. Grumpy.  I don't tell her I'm carrying; I want to see if she notices.  We go to Walgreen's because she needs a new passport picture.  I stand at the entrance frantically searching for the sign prohibiting firearms.  I don't see one, but my behavior makes her suspicious.  So far she hasn't noticed a thing.  As I'm standing at the Photo Center waiting for her to get her picture taken and processed I see a managerial type heading up the aisle from the back straight toward me.  His stride seems quick and purposeful.  He's made me, I'm sure.  Did I miss the sign on the door?  I'm already formulating my apology and getting ready to exit the store.  As he gets within 8-10 feet of me he says "Hi, finding everything you need?"  You betcha.

I suggest we stop for lunch on the way home.  We decide on a restaurant in our neighborhood that we both like.  Again, I quickly sweep the entrance for signage.  None.  I make sure to grab the side of the booth that places my right hip against the wall.  Facing the door, just like the instructor told us.  Lunch is uneventful until we head for the door.  A family with a couple kids is headed in and in passing the little girl brushes my hip with her shoulder.  I'm certain she is going to yell "Gun, Gun", but she just continues on her way.

After arriving home I ask Mrs. Grumpy if she was aware I was armed all day.  She had no idea.  I tell her in the future I will always keep her informed of my carry status.

**  Tune in Friday for Part II

When Did It Start To Rain And When Did The President Know It?

Why Do They Care So Much?

"Hang the bitch"

The other day I was browsing news channels during the day when I stopped on CNN because whatever story they were doing caught my attention.  Suddenly, in the middle of that story, everything ground to a halt because of breaking news.  There was a verdict in the Jody Arias trial.

Now I knew that Jody Arias was accused of killing her boyfriend, but I hadn't really followed the case or her trial.  Just didn't care.  Not the attitude of a lot of people in Arizona.  As I continued to watch they showed a crowd 10 deep on the street outside the courthouse, all eagerly awaiting the verdict.  The reporter, doing some of the back story, showed how people had lined up early each morning of the trial to try and get one of the limited seats in the courtroom.  When the verdict was read it provoked the reaction you see above.  A crowd consisting of mostly women, delirious with joy at the conviction of Ms. Arias.

It led me to wonder why people with no real personal stake in a trial like this become so emotionally invested.  It happened with Casey Anthony and with Michael Jackson.  Is it because the media picks certain crimes and trials to hype?  Why would people give up most of every day for months to gather outside a courthouse and follow every minute detail of the trial of a woman they don't know who killed a man they didn't know?

My first recollection of this type of behavior was the O.J. Simpson murder trial in the 90's, which was preceded by the much watched infamous Bronco chase.  Is that where it started?  Anybody remember an earlier instance?  After all, there are murder trials every day all over the country.  It seems we let the media pick which ones are important and then become fascinated with all the gory details.

I don't see why all of this is necessary.  Nancy Grace declares everybody guilty on day one; why don't we just let her decide?

It's Our Own Fault

By The Big Guy

Senior Contributor

It’s that time of year again. It’s time to talk about television so turn off the television and pay attention. Last year at this time or maybe two years ago at this time (after a while it’s all a blur) we talked about the end of the regular television season and all the cliff hangers that are written into season ending episodes, as though that’s going to get you to come back in the fall, as though you’re going to remember there even was a cliff hanger. If you’re coming back, you’re coming back and if you’re not, you’re not.

Turns out there’s something even more important going on at this very same time of the year in the Tee Vee biz. It took place this very week. All of the major television networks and all of the minor ones for that matter announced their new fall schedules. Yep they are rip, roaring, ready to go with all their new shows for the fall, not to mention all the big hits that are coming back. Oh, and over there kicked to the curb you will find the unmentioned. That would be the shows that were just a week ago a part of last year’s better than ever new fall lineup that weren’t good enough after all and they have been cancelled. It used to be you had to make an effort to find out the names of these shows but with all of the media shows about the media, Entertainment Tonight and their clones, it’s pretty easy to find out who’s out of a job and/or what you’re going to do with your Friday nights now that Vegas and CSI: New York have both been cancelled.

A few things I need to mention in the interest of perhaps accidentally educating readers. The major networks, which consist of ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox still account for the vast majority of eyes across America that sit down to watch something on television each day. If you take all the viewers of all the other channels on your cable or satellite system, they don’t usually add up to anything close to those watching the big four. The networks have these meetings at this time of year, which are referred to as “Upfronts,” to peddle their wares to advertisers. Pssst. Hey, buddy. Buy now and I can get you a hell of a deal on thirty-second spots in Modern Family. No? How about Revenge? It’s a regular TV bazaar where the buyer is king.

Of course, TV viewers have no say in the outcome of any of this. While it is still usually true that the shows with the most viewers have the best chance of continuing, there are so many extenuating circumstances, both real and imagined, that kill programs outright or get them moved around the prime time landscape. And that’s our own fault. While the DVR and every other method of “on demand” viewing may have freed us up to watch things when we choose, it has also given networks the latitude of moving shows where they feel they will best be able to combat programming from the competition, which seems sort of silly. Of course, networks have captured the market on silly or even stupid when it comes to deciding what you watch. After all, if they’re so smart, how come there are so many shows cancelled each year? That’s not our fault, although right now some network executive is telling some advertising executive that as a matter of fact, it is.

Hero Of The Week

Air Force Senior Airman Pedro I. Espaillat, Jr.
Age:  20
4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Died 15 May, 2004
Kirkuk, Iraq

It's All About Politics

Every time you read or hear the word "Benghazi" think about this:

While George W. Bush was president there were 13 attacks on U.S. facilities that resulted in 60 deaths, not including numerous and fatal attacks on the embassy in Baghdad, Iraq.  Now find the transcripts from the hearings about those attacks and the resulting dead Americans.

I'll wait.

Bah, Humbug

Yesterday was Mother's Day.  A totally made up holiday.  Created by a cabal of the card, candy, jewelry, restaurant and flower industries.  I guess buying all that shit for your mother pumps money into the economy, but really, don't you feel coerced?  If you don't send flowers, buy jewelry, take mom out to dinner or at least buy a card, you're burdened with guilt, most of it self imposed.

The worst part of the whole thing is now Facebook.  People feel they must post sappy poems, pictures of sunrises overlaid with more sappy odes to motherhood, or personal messages to their mothers.  For Christ's sake, call her and tell her how you feel; do you really need the validation of your "friends" fawning comments on your post?  Is nothing private in this digital age?

I'm not totally heartless; I think about my mother on Mother's Day.  But those are memories that belong to me.  I don't need to tell all of my supposed "friends" on Facebook about the relationship I had with my Mom.  Or post pictures of her holding me when I was 4 years old so all of those "friends" can "like" my picture.

If your mother is still alive, hopefully you don't need Mother's Day to push you to do something nice for her.  If your mother is no longer alive, call a sibling or other relative if you want to reminisce about dear old mom. 

Another reason to give up Facebook.

Go Ahead, Make My Day

“Also when they’re ready to fight tyranny, they’re ready to do it. Also when they’re ready to fight tyranny, they have the wherewithal and the weapons to do it,” Porter added.


Those are the words of the new president of the NRA, Jim Porter.  To give this quote some context, it came as part of a diatribe against President Obama and his efforts to expand background checks for gun buyers.  The rights new mantra is that any form of increased gun control is equivalent to "tyranny" and that the citizenry must be armed to forcibly resist the tyranny that Obama and the feds are trying to impose on us.

This on the heels of a Farleigh Dickinson University poll that showed 44% of Republicans polled believed that armed revolution against our government may be necessary.  Why and how do Americans come to these conclusions?  I think they live in a bubble, only listening to news outlets that mirror their views, only reading web sites that back up their crazy, paranoid theories.  That these news organizations and web sites and blogs are lying and making up stories to fit their and their listeners preconceived notions matters not.  Their minds are made up and they are willing to believe whatever moronic story fits their mindset.

Have these kooks stopped to consider how that revolution against the perceived government tyranny might look?  Do they realize that the government has tanks, jet fighters, stealth bombers, Cruise missiles, drones for Christ's sake?  Even a well organized and trained militia group might last a couple days.

The purveyors of the fear and lies that feeds these views, Fox News, Limbaugh, Beck, Hannity etc. are all laughing all the way to the bank, while these ignorant Bubbas hoard their arms and ammo and dream of overthrowing the black man in the White House. 

Focus on Cleveland

By The Big Guy

Senior Contributor

The city of Cleveland has been minding its own business for a number of years. In fact, if I had to think back I’d say that it’s been about forty-four years since anyone has bothered giving Cleveland more than a passing glance and that was over the fact that the river running through the middle of town caught fire. Not buildings on the river, but the disgustingly polluted river itself caught fire. Time magazine decided this was a problem and brought the attention of the nation to Cleveland over the matter for a short period of time back in 1969.

Since then, Cleveland has pretty much gone back to minding its own business, quietly becoming a proud symbol of the rust belt and taking a population hit that moved it from the fifth largest city in the country to it’s current ranking of forty-seven. Today’s Cleveland is smaller than the booming metropoli of Tulsa and Omaha. It’s barely bigger than Wichita, Kansas. But this week Cleveland once again found itself the center of the country’s attention and once again not for anything good.

Not all that far from the very river that caught fire way back when, three girls who had gone missing as teenagers ten years ago were found alive, having been held captive for that period of time by yet one more demented member of our human race for reasons we do not yet know and probably really don’t want to know, although I would sure like to find out about the perpetrator’s two brothers who apparently have no complicity in the matter but didn’t think it odd that three young girls suddenly decided to take up residence with their sibling. Of course the complete story will be a made-for-TV movie on the Lifetime channel soon enough. The preening faces of the media couldn’t get to Cleveland fast enough to do their on-the-scene diligence and I have this vision of Nancy Grace screeching at news officials at CNN until they chartered her a jet to get her to northeast Ohio before anyone else.

I am compelled to point out something that has gotten absolutely no media attention of which I am aware, not even from TMZ or The Hollywood Reporter. It requires me to make an admission. Here it is: I watch Hawaii 5-0. Scant hours after the Cleveland news broke about the three girls held prisoner for ten years and that Amanda, the first captured, had managed to break loose, run to a neighbor and call the police, CBS ran an episode of Hawaii 5-0 with a story about a girl who had been held captive in a home, shackled in a room for ten years. Her name was Amanda. I am not making this up. Tell me that’s not creepy.  

In fairness to Cleveland I don’t think that most cities find themselves the center of attention for anything good unless it has to do with a sporting event which says a lot about us in this twenty-first century of ours. And just as sure as the media will pack up their satellite dishes and head back to New York or Atlanta and wait for what’s next, Cleveland will go back to laying low and continuing its slide down the list of largest cities in the United States. The days of Andrew Carnegie and Standard Oil and Republic Steel are long, long gone. Everyone there will be a lot more comfortable.

Hero Of The Week

Army Spc. Isela Rubalcava
Age:  25
296th Combat Support Battalion
3rd Brigade
2nd Infantry Division
Died 8 May, 2004
Mosul, Iraq

When Will It Be Enough?

Oakland Park, FL:  A 13 year old boy shoots his 6 year old sister.

Yuma, AZ:  A 3 year old boy finds his grandmother's 9mm handgun in the laundry room and shoots himself in the face.

Salinas, KS:  A 7 year old boy, playing with a gun while his father and brother were shooting on family property, shoots himself.

Talahassee, FL:  Mother shoots her 3 year old daughter near a public golf course and then commits suicide.

There have been at least 3, 835 gun deaths in America since Newton.

The answer from the NRA is more guns and no expansion of background checks.

Listen to this guy's idea presented at the recent NRA Convention in Houston.

Pet Peeve

Many times at public events such as athletic contests, auto races, graduations, political rallies etc. a member of the clergy will be asked to give an invocation before the proceedings begin.  Almost without fail the invited clergy will be from a Christian denomination.  And about 99% of the time they will end their prayer with "In the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ."

I get it that they're Christian and that those are words they use every day.  But contrary to what the Tea Party Taliban would have you believe, Christianity is mentioned nowhere in our constitution.  We are not a Christian nation.  We are a melting pot of people who practice many religions or no religion.  Would it hurt on these occasions to give a non-denominational invocation?  Or just do without a prayer at all?  Why is it necessary to potentially offend anyone?  Why is it necessary in some instances (public school graduations) to stomp on the hallowed principle of separation of church and state?

I'm sure some Christians will argue that since they make up the vast majority of religions practiced in this country that it only makes sense to have a Christian prayer.  They're the same ones who believe there is a War on Christmas.