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SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

Hornady congratulates sponsored shooters Bennie Cooley and Josh Cluff for their performance at the NRL Hunter 2023 Grand Slam Championship, August 25-27, 2023, in Laramie, Wyoming.
The Second Amendment Foundation has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against Boston, Massachusetts Police Commissioner Michael Cox, in his official capacity, over "substantial and untenable" delays in the police department’s processing of firearms license applications.
If you’re in Alabama and searching for entertaining activities during the fall months, the Civilian Marksmanship Program has plenty of options to explore. With two locations within 25 miles of each other – the Talladega Marksmanship Park and the Judith Legerski CMP Competition Center – there are several opportunities for indoor and outdoor marksmanship learning and fun.

X-Vision Optics and its line-up of thermal optics and infrared products will be on display at the USCCA Concealed Carry and Home Defense Expo which will be on September 8-10, 2023 at the Baird Center, formerly known as The Wisconsin Center, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Langdon Tactical Technology is proud to announce this year’s 92 Day Social Media Challenge encouraging customers to hit the range and earn a chance at an incredible Grand Prize. No purchase is necessary to enter, and anyone can download the 92 Day Challenge targets.
The folks at Nomad understand the importance of staying comfortable and beating the heat when it comes to warm-weather hunting; their lineup of warm-weather camo shirts will have you covered this fall and pull double duty next spring.

TBA Outdoors, an outdoor industry marketing agency, in answering a client question, discusses what it takes to build strong brand loyalty.
The ATF has published the 35th Edition of State Laws and Published Ordinances - Firearms (ATF P 5300.5). These publications will help you comply with federal and state firearm laws and, specifically, remain in compliance with the Gun Control Act of 1968.
Sports South announces availability of the Model 2020 Redline by Springfield Armory, a cutting-edge hunting rifle that seamlessly blends classic and modern elements into one design. It’s available in both .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor calibers.

Trijicon, Inc. is now shipping the Trijicon MGRS (Machine Gun Reflex Sight) to the U.S. Army for the M2/M2A1 .50 caliber weapon system under the Mounted Machine Gun Optic program. Manufacturing is being performed in Wixom, Michigan, and is expected to be completed by 2024.
Sports South now offers META Tactical APEX-Series Carbine Conversion Kits. The META Tactical APEX-Series Carbine Conversion Kit is a pistol-to-rifle bullpup-style conversion kit.
Sports South announces availability of the FN 502 MRD pistol. With optics mount capability, bilateral controls, a manual safety and 4” barrel, it’s a rimfire pistol with a target-quality trigger.

Legacy Sports International, a leading distributor/importer in the shooting sports industry is seeking a COO [Chief Operating Officer] with in-depth knowledge of the shooting sports industry.
Buck Knives, Inc. announces the release of the new Model 663 Alpha Guide fixed-blade knife. The Alpha Guide is 9-inches long overall and tips the scale at only 5 ounces.
Cold Steel announces the launch of its Republic fixed-blade knife. The Republic comes complete with a premium leather sheath that allows for safe, convenient stowing on a belt or gear bag, as well as an integrated lanyard hole.

Radian Weapons unveiled their latest pistol product, the GUARDIAN Optic Guard & Mount, and the SIX back-up sights. The GUARDIAN + SIX is made from 7075 aluminum and 17-4 stainless steel, and employs o-rings to maintain a watertight seal between the plate and the slide. The integration of the SIX back-up sights features an 'Irons Forward' design.
Springfield Armory® is proud to announce the launch of a new 17-round magazine for the Hellcat® Pro family of 9mm pistols. The result is a full 17+1 capacity with a minimally increased overall height.
SOG redefines the fixed-blade with the all-new Ether FX, an extremely versatile tool. The Ether FX was constructed with removable handle scales while also offering a solid hold through the most aggressive cutting jobs. For users that prefer a more slender grip or reduced weight, the Ether FX features a unitized design with full-body tang and removable scales that simplify cleanup after each use.

Following last year's release of the T6Xi series of tactical riflescopes, Steiner Optics releases a new lineup of premium optics designed with the modern big game hunter in mind—just in time for the 2023 hunting season.
Burris ups the game with the release of the new Signature HD 15x56 binoculars. The Signature HD 15x56 joins the original 8x42, 10x42, and 12x50 Signature HD models to provide outdoor enthusiasts with a full range of optics to meet every adventure.
Now on NRAWomen.com: When your name is an answer—or question—on “Jeopardy!” you know you’ve made it into the American lexicon. That happened to Marion P. Hammer in the mid-1990s after she became the National Rifle Association’s first woman president. In this video, re-discovered by NRAWomen.com, we are reminded why Marion P. Hammer is still known as one of the most ardent and effective defenders of the Second Amendment.
Taurus International Manufacturing is proud to announce the launch of its latest masterpiece, the TS9. Previously available only to international military and law enforcement customers, the TS9 brings its rugged durability and reliability to the US market in limited quantities.
FieldTorq's 20% Off Labor Day Discount has been extended until 11:59pm Tuesday, September 5th. Hunters still have a chance to upgrade their hunts and save a few bucks.
MidwayUSA announced this year’s Camo Tuesday - the first official shopping day of the fall hunting season. Camo Tuesday offers great deals with huge savings and free shipping on select hunting gear.
SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to announce the first-ever release of a California-compliant P320. The P320-M18 (P320-M18 CA) was recently added to the California roster and is now available at California retailers.
The short form television series Quick Hunts - known for its fast-paced outdoor adventures - has experienced an impressive 74% surge in viewership on Pursuit in July. The show showcases relatable hunting expeditions by leading outdoor producers.
 

A huge majority of potentially negative contacts can be simply avoided by careful, observant practitioners. Strangely, one of the things that seem to drive some people to look out for trouble is the state of being armed. Staying out of the potential conflict is good tactics.

Next to proactive avoidance is evasion / escape. Those concepts should be familiar. As well as looking for potential problems, you should always be seeking a way out. Know where the exits are – even those “closed” to outsiders. Be ready to use them. Always make an escape plan.

The most common contact resolutions (when avoidance, E&E didn’t work) consist of verbal interaction, movement to a position of advantage and nonlethal contact. 

A lot’s made of “less lethal,” something that doesn’t exist in the various force statutes I’ve examined. There’s deadly force and force that’s not considered deadly. I’ll take a look at that marketing jive at another time.

Saps by Boston Leather, the "Midget" on the left and "Denver" on the right, surrounding the ASP Agent A40 steel baton. Each can be used with potentially deadly consequences if justified, but can be used in nonlethal ways as well.
 
As to nonlethal, it’s any force a reasonable person would not consider capable of causing death or grave bodily harm. While that’s a legal standard, it may not match the reality of close-range interpersonal conflict. 

What nonlethal options do you have? In general terms, there are personal weapons (hands, elbows, feet, knees, forehead), other contact weapons and remote-control devices. For personal weapons, I’d recommend you consult someone familiar with jiu-jitsu – for law enforcement practitioners, I strongly recommend the National Law Enforcement Training Center for instructor development. 

As to contact weapons, there are striking devices and the so-called “drive stun” technique of the electronic discharge restraint (“Taser”). A negative aspect of personal weapons and impact weapons is the requirement to close with the offender. If you’re in a position to arrest, contact is obligatory. If you’re seeing to force a break in contact, moving in works contrary to your interests … unless you can’t avoid contact. 

There are all kinds of concealment impact devices. My favorite from my younger days is the leather “sap.” Constructed of heavy leather, containing a flat slug of lead, and usually featuring a strap to go over your hand, these were often used (and nearly always used improperly) to force a cessation of hostilities. Obviously, strikes to the “brain housing group” constitute an act of deadly force. If homicide is not justified, a head strike is problematic.

So where to strike? An example is an offender grabbing your shirt front. Stabilizing his hand with your non-weapon hand and using the edge of the sap on the forearm or elbow often provokes an opening of the grasping hand. A strike at the point of the hip, using the edge on the sternum or on the clavicle can initiate a tactical withdrawal. 

While saps are outstanding impact weapons, they have disadvantages. One is the perception that it’s for headstrikes only. The single time I used one on the street, it was to apply a light pop to another part of the body opposite of the skull.

Another is that they are single use; you only use them for strikes. Finally, they’re often illegal in states where it’s legal to carry concealed handguns. 

That makes sense. It’s as if they want you to shoot every attacker.

Extended, the A40 gives you reach and can be used to reinforce joint locks. It can be opened surreptitiously (a great option) and is closed by pressing the tailcap (below)
I don’t carry the sap now. Even under LEOSA, it appears to be illegal for me. If you’re an active member of service, some poorly written, stupidly considered agency policy likely prohibits your use of them. 

What impact weapon has more uses than just striking? – A club.

It’s fashionable to refer to these as “batons.” If you consider them as only useful for strikes, you’re missing out on their true utility. 

Some years back, we got the ASP Steel A40 Agent baton – a disc lock expandable stick -- from Armament Systems & Procedures.  This expandable stick can be closed by a press on the tail cap. This means they’re locked open and the use of the “jab” as a defense technique is back on the table. It features a “Snap-Loc” clip to facilitate carry in the pocket, on the belt or inside the waist – something that should appeal to detective-types. The club is secured in the extended position via a flick of the baton, though I found that a surreptitious opening behind by back was easily accomplished without the fanfare of snapping it open (while a decent warning, it can be seen as escalation in the era of ‘de-escalation.’)

A press on the tail cap while pressing “in” on the 4140-steel striking tip closes the baton for storage. As one might expect, it’s easily used – when closed – as a “Kubotan” (yawara stick) for strikes, wrist drags, etc. 

The grip has checkered bands between narrow grooves. Measuring at just under eight inches closed and just over 13 ounces in weight, the baton is right at 16” long deployed – extending your reach. 

Like any device with moving parts, it requires maintenance, may need repair and definitely requires lubrication to the factory specification. As our people can’t carry other concealment size impact weapons (e.g., saps), this is certainly a good fit. In function (though not in design) it reminds me of the Monadnock Auto Lock baton I used to carry.

Like any baton, it can be used to reinforce joint locks. The use of clubs for grappling is well covered in training from Monadnock and from the book by “Judo Gene” LaBell, The Grappling Club Master

What remote control weapons are available for nonlethal deployment? The two most commonly carried are aerosol subject restraints and electro-discharge devices. I will only cover the ASRs here.

The most common ASR in police service and for citizens’ defense is oleoresin capsicum – pepper irritant. It’s available in spray, stream and gel formulations. They each have some advantages and disadvantages. 

The one I carry, as a retiree, is from POM. The POM Clip is a compact design that easily clips into any pocket. The clip can be moved for left or right-handed carry. It’s discreet and, more importantly, has a ‘flip-top’ design that is more resistant to accidental activation than the “rotating safety” designs by other makers. The high quality Sabre Red brand also has some flip-top units, like this one

When it comes to pepper spray, I’m a duffer. Seek out competent training. The best I know for law enforcement and security comes from the NLETC, mentioned above. For nonsworn individuals, I’d look to our own Legendary Lawman Marshal Chuck Haggard for his OC class from Agile Training and Consulting

My daily carry includes the ASP Key Defender loaded with 10% Oleoresin Capsicum (HEAT) attached to the ResQMe Keychain Rescue Tool (contains a spring loaded steel point glass breaker and a stainless steel blade for cutting through seatbelts) as well as a pair of small navigation lights (the NANO and the LOGO) from Streamlight. I also carry the POM Clip. 

It’s very seldom a “gun kind of day.” Mostly we get by on staying out of trouble, followed by nonlethal conflict resolution. That’s a good thing, but we need to take advantage of nondeadly problem solving.

— Rich Grassi

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