The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – September 2024

The September edition showcases Negative Outcome. There’s also a link to a superb live rendition of The Ecstasy of Gold by The Bands of His Majesty’s Royal Marines.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/good-bad-and-113039247

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – September 2024

The Good

Retired Army colonel shoots robber [who] shot him 3 times, Cullman sheriff says

If you have a malfunction, don’t throw your pistol away; that’s a Serious Mistake. A better title for the article would have been ‘Army Colonel Shot 3 Times by Robber He Shot After Throwing His Pistol Away.’

The Bad

Two articles this month are worthy inclusions for the Second Edition of Serious Mistakes Gunowners Make. One relates to Improper Storage and the other  to Chasing and Shooting

Important Safety Tip: Don’t Store Firearms In Your Oven

We would think this goes without saying but apparently not.

Man arrested after allegedly chasing and shooting man who siphoned gas from his car

When the criminal breaks contact, we need to do the same thing; break contact. In terms of mindset, frustration and guns should not occur in the same sentence.

The Ugly

3 women killed, gunman dead in Hawaii after dispute between neighbors leads to gunfire

People are unpredictable. Just because your cause is righteous doesn’t mean a Negative Outcome won’t occur. Having a wacko drive a front end loader into your home and then starting shooting people is definitely a Negative Outcome.

Enjoy!

If you like my work, join me on Patreon where I post more in-depth articles about shooting, marksmanship, and incident analysis.

https://www.patreon.com/TacticalProfessor

The GBU isn’t drawn from The Armed Citizen column of the official NRA Journals but the September edition of The Armed Citizen is attached. Rather than an obsessive interest in ‘the worst case scenario,’ it shows what the vast majority of Defensive Gun Uses really look like.

Shootist’s Challenge Target

#Fridayfundamentals

“Do you have a link or PDF for the “Shootist’s Challenge” target?”

I enjoy the Shootist’s Challenge more every time I shoot it. For any gun, that’s a worthwhile wrapup to a range session. It really makes me focus on the four fundamentals I developed at the elite Rogers Shooting School. https://rogersshootingschool.com/

  • Grip the pistol firmly.
  • See the sights.
  • Press the trigger smoothly.
  • Follow through.

The target is available in a previous post, Gunfighter Challenge.

https://thetacticalprofessor.net/2024/08/02/gunfighter-challenge/

If you like my work, join me on Patreon where I post more in-depth articles about shooting, marksmanship, and incident analysis.

https://www.patreon.com/TacticalProfessor

Pushing The Limits of Smaller Guns

#LCPproject

Pushing The Limits of Smaller Guns is my October 2024 article in Shooting Illustrated.

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/pushing-the-limits-of-smaller-guns/

I shot the entire program with my Ruger LCP Max, which I bought with my own money. The gun is stock out of the box.

The results contradict the myth that smaller guns as being suitable for only “arm’s length” encounters. Pictures tell the story of the results of the three courses that were shot.

Kansas Concealed Carry License Qualification

Twenty-five hits out of 25 shots. Pass.

Shootist’s Challenge

All hits inside the square, two hits on the stamp. ‘Good’ by Wild Bill and fellow Shootists’ standard.

Bakersfield Police Qualification

Bakersfield Stage Times

  1. 2.01
  2. 2.27
  3. 6.96
  4. 2.78

Bakersfield Scores

  • 10 point (A) zone – 7       70 points
  • 9 point (C) zone – 2         18 points
  • 6 point (D) zone – 1         6 points

                                                  94 points total – Pass

It’s only an “arm’s length gun” if you’re don’t know how to shoot it.

If you like my work, join me on Patreon where I post more in-depth articles about shooting, marksmanship, and incident analysis.

https://www.patreon.com/TacticalProfessor

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – August 2024

The August edition showcases mindset and tactics. This month, I’m including some supplemental incidents that came to light after the initial post.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/good-bad-and-111172309

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – August 2024

The Good

Robbery suspect pepper-sprayed Norwalk store owner, who shot him

Just because you start out behind the Power Curve, that doesn’t mean you can’t regain the initiative. Keep your wits about you and fight through it.

The Bad

DC man who said he shot 13-year-old boy in self-defense convicted of manslaughter

In military terminology, if you go outside, you have turned a Defense, in which you have a 3 to 1 advantage, into a Movement to Contact, in which the odds are, at best, even and possibly against you. In legal concept, the odds definitely turn against you. Maintain your advantage, don’t squander it.

The Ugly

Suspect shot by Bystander during Attempted Carjacking

The original incident is a candidate for the Good. But the comments on the Yahoo article are Ugly.

Enjoy!

If you like my work, join me on Patreon where I post more in-depth articles about shooting, marksmanship, and incident analysis.

https://www.patreon.com/TacticalProfessor

The GBU isn’t drawn from The Armed Citizen column of the official NRA Journals but the August edition of The Armed Citizen is attached. Rather than an obsessive interest in ‘the worst case scenario,’ it shows what the vast majority of Defensive Gun Uses really look like.

Some relevant incidents from August surfaced later.

Good

SELF-DEFENSE: Boy who killed Cape Coral mother’s boyfriend will not be charged

https://www.fox4now.com/cape-coral/self-defense-boy-who-killed-cape-coral-mothers-boyfriend-will-not-be-charged

“Police say when the brother got to the home, Mess Jr. was standing outside with a solid wooden rod and brass knuckles.

Detectives say Mess Jr. started beating up the brother in front of the young boy.

According to police, the boy got a gun and pointed it at Mess Jr. as a warning. However, police say the man kept beating the boy’s uncle.

‘At that point, the son was in fear for his uncle’s life,’ police said.

The young boy fired multiple shots, killing Mess Jr.”

Sad that the boy had to kill the man but Good that the facts of the case vindicated him.

Bad

Cincinnati area smoke shop manager sentenced for role in fatal shooting during break-in

“CINCINNATI (WKRC) – The manager of a Delhi Township smoke shop was sentenced to eight to nine years in prison for firing on a group of burglars during a break-in.

Thacker opened fire immediately and kept firing while the burglars were running and driving away.”

https://local12.com/news/local/cincinnati-area-smoke-shop-manager-sentenced-role-fatal-shooting-during-break-in-delhi-township-tony-thacker-vip-travis-johnson-amontae-carter-crime-accomplice-prison

Chasing criminals and shooting at them after they have broken contact places a righteous defender in a very precarious legal situation. Once they remember they’re late for their root canal, let them go, lock the door if you can, call the POlice, and get your gun out of sight. Preplan and mentally rehearse your post-confrontation actions just as much as your actions during the confrontation.

A 2-year-old accidentally shot and wounded his mother’s boyfriend, police say

“According to a preliminary investigation, the man was getting ready to leave the house Monday morning and had put the gun on a nearby chair when the toddler accidentally fired the gun”

Firearms are relentlessly unforgiving of even the smallest lapse of attention, such as putting a gun down on a nearby chair.

https://apnews.com/article/toddler-shooting-mothers-boyfriend-virginia-8194d90b2e4af54932b5c1c9e0aa8559

‘Smart and loving’: Colerain family mourns teen killed by friend in apparent accident

“My friend has a .2 long rifle. [sic] There was a bullet in, right, and you need to shoot it to prime it, and I didn’t know it was primed, and I had it, and I accidentally pulled the trigger.”

https://local12.com/news/local/smart-loving-colerain-family-mourns-teen-allegedly-killed-friend-accident-gunshot-guns-weapons-rifle-childrens-hospital-reckless-homicide-dispatchers-911-emergency-ems-trigger-northwest-local-school-district-student-cincinnati-ohio

Rule #1 – All guns are always loaded

Ugly

Detective: Liberty Township grandmother said ‘sorry not sorry’ after shooting 6-month-old granddaughter

“I asked her, ‘Why her grandbaby?’ And she said, ‘That was not my grandbaby.’ And at one point she said, ‘Sorry, not sorry,'” [the detective] said.

https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/butler-county/liberty-township/detective-liberty-township-grandmother-said-sorry-not-sorry-after-shooting-6-month-old-granddaughter

She pleaded guilty to felonious assault last month.

https://www.fox19.com/2024/09/17/grandma-pleads-guilty-after-shooting-5-month-old-grandchild-2023/

I have no words.

Practicing With Small Handguns

My latest article for Shooting Illustrated is up. This one has a good 50 round practice session for small guns such as the LCP and J frames.

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/practicing-with-small-handguns/

If you like my work, join me on Patreon where I post more in-depth articles about shooting, marksmanship, and incident analysis.

https://www.patreon.com/TacticalProfessor

Evolution Security Podcast 169

We had a very interesting conversation this week on the Evolution Security Podcast https://evosec.libsyn.com/ep-169-claude-werner-the-tactical-professor .

Things we talked about.

If you like my work, join me on Patreon where I post more in-depth articles about shooting, marksmanship, and incident analysis.

https://www.patreon.com/TacticalProfessor

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – July 2024

No incidents from Chicargo in The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly this month. There is one in The Armed Citizen column though, a bicycle robbery.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/good-bad-and-109150993

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – July 2024

The Good

Prosecutor says deadly shooting in downtown Anderson appears to be self-defense

Many, perhaps most, shootings take place in Social Space. This appears to be one of them.

The Bad

[Unintentional] shooting at Kentucky gun store under investigation

Another story emphasizing the importance of safe gunhandling by observing Fundamental Rules at all times. A combination of Rule Two (Point in a safe direction) and Rule Three (Keep finger outside trigger guard) violations caused the death of an innocent bystander. Rule One (All guns are always loaded) applies no matter where you are, even when examining a gun taken out of a display case.

The Ugly

Two women involved in custody battle shot dead

People sometimes get insane over child custody. Every unpleasant custody battle story I read makes me glad my parents weren’t like that.

“A 65-year-old retired probation officer from Chicago fatally shot her grandchild’s mother on an Upper East Side street Friday just yards from Gracie Mansion, then turned the gun on herself, NYPD detectives said.”

Enjoy!

If you like my work, join me on Patreon where I post more in-depth articles about shooting, marksmanship, and incident analysis.

https://www.patreon.com/TacticalProfessor

The GBU isn’t drawn from The Armed Citizen column of the official NRA Journals but the July edition of The Armed Citizen is attached. Rather than an obsessive interest in ‘the worst case scenario,’ it shows what the vast majority of Defensive Gun Uses really look like.

Surveillance Detection – It’s a Real Thing

Surveillance Detection is a lifestyle not something you pull out of your pocket on occasion. It’s better to avoid trouble than to get out of trouble.

“[A couple] had just returned home from Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with $3,300 in winnings when they were ambushed[, shot, and robbed]. Now two men are facing charges in the attack.”

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/08/16/hard-rock-casino-robbery/74830644007/

Doorbell video on NY Post

https://nypost.com/2024/08/15/us-news/florida-couple-ambushed-shot-and-robbed-after-winning-casino-jackpot-video/

More Doorbell video

Robbers – Tristin Wright, 36, and Marcus Jenkins, 34

“Sheriff Judd said Jenkins has 53 previous felony charges and 18 previous misdemeanor charges and has been to state prison five times.”

https://www.fox13news.com/news/hard-rock-jackpot-tampa-casino-shooting-arrest-polk-county-grady-judd-crime

There are a lot of low lifes out there and they won’t cut you one bit of slack. Notice that this attack escalated to ‘gun violence’ almost immediately.

Riverview couple urges vigilance after being ambushed

“Delacruz owns his own security company and says situational awareness is always top of mind, but he got lost in the moment enjoying a great date night.”

https://www.fox13news.com/news/riverview-couple-urges-vigilance-after-being-ambushed-following-jackpot-win-hard-rock-casino

Here is a previous post about the principles of Surveillance Detection.

https://thetacticalprofessor.net/2024/01/03/surveillance-detection-principles/

Stupidity in the Gun Community

Seen on a Facebook forum I’m a member of.

Original Post

Wife carry’s [is] an LC380ca. She has an issue with the mag release due to long finger nails. Gun shop says they don’t make an extended one. Other than trimming nails does anyone have any ideas. Thanks

Various stupid responses from Common Tater ‘gun experts’ aka Mr. Potato Heads.

Common Tater One

Divorce. Wtf

Possibly Reasonable comment

Bodyguard

Common Tater Two

Every guy remembers the day he said,” she’d be better with talons on her hands”, NOT

Common Tater Three

Trade in for girl with dirt under her nails.

Common Tater Four

a different gun if she does not want to cut her fingernails

A sensible comment

Are LC380 parts shared with any other Ruger models? Maybe a different model with larger aftermarket support is compatible

Common Tater Five

She has a choice: long fingernails or personal safety.  🤷

Common Tater Six

Buy a bigger gun…🌴👮‍♂️🌴🤣

Common Tater Seven

Revolver if she cant do mag releases due to nails

Claude Werner

It may not be her nails. My LC9S is the hardest gun I own to get the magazine to drop out consistently. It’s a good gun in every other respect but the mag drop is always a problem.

Gunfighter Challenge

#fridayfundamentals

James Butler Hickok, better known as ‘Wild Bill’ Hickok, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Bill_Hickok# was murdered on August 2, 1876. https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-jackmccall/ He was one of the best known of the Old West gunfighters and his shooting prowess was well recognized. But what did being a ‘good shot’ exactly mean in those days?

The American Mercury, a now defunct magazine, published an article in October 1937 titled “The Myth of the Two-Gun Man.” In it was a first hand account of what the Old West gunfighters actually considered ‘good’ shooting. The account came from Luther North, a contemporary of Wild Bill’s, and it is a far cry from hip shooting and unsighted fire.

Frank was Luther’s brother Major Frank North, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_North another contemporary of Wild Bill’s. So the gunfighters’ test was six shots at 10 yards using the Primary Hand Only, untimed. To be considered ‘good,’ the gunman had to hit all six shots in a 5 inch square target. At least one of the six had to hit an unseen one inch square dead center of the target. That’s an interesting contrast to the mythology of the Wild West gunfight.

Put on a sheet of paper, it would look like this.

A PDF of the target is attached. This short challenge is easily shot at almost any indoor range. Try it out and see how your marksmanship compares to an Old West gunfighter like Wild Bill.

If you like my work, please join me on Patreon where I post more in-depth articles about shooting, marksmanship, and incident analysis.

https://www.patreon.com/TacticalProfessor