Cruel Hand Luke

Not ALL instances of defensive use of a pistol are inside 3 yards. And under TN law you ABSOLUTELY CAN use lethal force in defense of a third party (someone else).    I know of 2 cases of defensive use of a pistol IN TENNESSEE that were 37 yards and 20 yards respectively. Also you have the Fairchild AFB shooting where Andy Brown shot the AK wielding gunman with his Beretta 92 from 70 yards away. Remember the Aurora theater shooting?  How long a shot might that it have been if someone in one of the back rows had been armed and decided to try to stop James Holmes?     A bigger gun simply gives you more options. That does not mean small guns are useless...it simply means that a bigger gun gives you more options. If I ever found myself in a situation where a 25 yard shot might stop a mass shooting I'd MUCH rather have a Glock 17 (or even a 19) than just a J frame. On the other hand what are the odds of us ever being present when a mass shooting event kicks off? Who knows?   If you need to carry a tiny gun then carry a tiny gun. That is much better than having NO gun.  If you can make it work for you to carry a bigger gun then you simply have more bases covered. 

ONE WEEK TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Hope to see some TGO members there!

Mav, it all comes down to what you can articulate in court. If you had a reasonable fear of crippling bodily injury or death and they had the intent, means and opprtunity of delivering that grave bodily injury or death then you can certainlly respond with equal force. Police get training too. Yet it does not hurt them in court if they have to use htat training. In fact if you can argue why through your training that you KNEW just how little time you had to do something and how you recognized the signs of impending criminal assault then you are far ahead of the guy who's defense is "I shot him because I was scared".  "WHy were you scared?" ...Um...I don't know...I just was" ....good luck with that defense.   As to avoiding fights...that is ALWAYS plan A. If we can't avoid them then we try to run them off (either verbally deescalate - if possible- or make it obvious that you are a HARD target). Then if that does not work then plan C is to do what you have to do to survive. If I get taken to the ground I can make a logical legal argument as to why that would justify me choking someone out, breaking a bone , dislocating a joint, or depending on circumstances employing a weapon. The difference between the trained and untrained is panic. If you go to the ground and panic you may end up doing something that 12 jurors might see as excessive. If you go to the ground and do ONLY what you need to to get back up and get away then things just look better for you. But on the other hand if your last resort is to use lethal force then you'd be far better off being able to point to some training that had given you the wisdom to know why you should have been in fear of crippling injury or death in that particular moment and why lethal force was justified and prudent as opposed to "I was losing the fight so I pulled my gun" those are two COMPLETELY different things.   Lets keep things in perspective. As a private citizen you have NO legal duty to do ANYTHING to help anyone or to do anything at all. You have no duty to retreat either. You are pretty much going to be judged by the standard of what a reasonable man in your stuation would do based on the knowledge he possessed at the time. Sometimes the right answer is to use lethal force. More often though the answer is to not do dumb stuff out in public and don't go looking for fights and avoid a fight if you can do so without endangering yourself. I'm about as well trained in dealing with criminal assault as anyone and I will still go out of my way to avoid questionable situations that might even possible result in a fight if I can reasonably do so. Why? Because my training has taught me just how easy it is to get crippled or killed in violent physical confrontation and as such I'd rather not be the victim of the bad guys getting lucky. My only duty is to my family...and that is to get home safe. If I can do it without fighting all the better....but if I HAVE to fight then we simply do what must be done as quickly as possible ...depending on the situation...and the training is what helps us better read the situations and know the appropriate response. That does not just happen by osmosis.  

Welcome from Ooltewah! 

Coming to Knoxville Tn in April, Suarez International instructor Randy Harris will be offering two one day classes. On Saturday April 26 we will be offering our 1 day Defensive Shotgun class and on Sunday April 27 we will be offering our 1 day Defensive Pistol Marksmanship class. Each one is $200 per day OR $350 if you sign up for BOTH days. These are the perfect opportunity for those who are looking to gain some skills with their pistol and shotgun and since they are single day classes they are great for those who may not be able to do a 2 day class. You can do either day or both days. Classes will be held at a private range in Knoxville.         April 26, 2014 DEFENSIVE SHOTGUN Price: $200 Knoxville, Tennessee Instructor: Randy Harris   The shotgun is the top choice among Americans for limited role home defense. In its niche it is a devastating weapon. This one day class will teach you everything you need to know to employ this iconic American fighting tool to its best utility. DURATION: 1 Days TIME: 9:00am to 5:00pm AMMUNITION: Approximately 100 rounds of Birdshot, 50 rounds of Buckshot, 15 Slugs and 50 rounds of pistol ammunition. YOU NEED TO BRING: Clothing appropriate to the weather. Lunch, snacks and water (minimum of 1 gallon per person) for the entire day. Baseball or other style hat, sunscreen, bug repellent, allergy medication (if needed), folding chair, note taking paper/pen/pencil and a boo boo kit (band aids, gauze pads, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment and tape). REQUIREMENTS: Shotgun (any caliber pump or semi-auto). All shotguns must be equipped with a sling and a stock. Pistol with at least two magazines, suitable belt, holster, and magazine pouches. A method of carrying extra shotgun ammo (for example: shoulder bag, ammo pouches, side saddle, or butt cuff). Ear & eye protection.   Range information, directions, local hotels, and contact information will be Emailed after purchase, contact the office if you haven't received information for your class.   To register......http://www.suarezinternationalstore.com/140426-defensive-shotgun-knoxville-tn.aspx#.UvqvNfldUas     And then on Sunday April 27...............     April 27, 2014 DEFENSIVE PISTOL MARKSMANSHIP Price : $ 200 Knoxville, Tennessee Instructor: Randy Harris In this class you will learn how to fire an accurate shot with your carry handgun, from concealment, in situations replicating what may be necessary to prevail in a proactive street gunfight. This course is perfect for the novice or new CCW licensee (although no licenses are necessary to attend).   DURATION: 1 day  TIME: 9:00AM to 5:00PM AMMUNITION: Approximately 150 rounds (Minimum) YOU NEED TO BRING: Spare clothing appropriate to the weather, lunch/snacks and water (minimum of 1 gallon per person) for the entire day, baseball or other style hat, sun screen, bug repellent, allergy medication (if needed), chair (if you have a problem with sitting on the ground, note taking paper/pen/pencil and a boo boo kit (band aids, gauze pads, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment and tape) REQUIREMENTS: Modern Defensive Pistol, Holster specifically made for that pistol and designed to be worn on the belt at the "strong side", 3 Magazines and One Magazine Pouch, A Belt of the same width as the belt loops for the holster and magazine pouches, Range Safety Gear (Eye protection and ear protection) Range information, directions, local hotels, and contact information will be Emailed after purchase, contact the office if you haven't received information for your class.   To register.....http://www.suarezinternationalstore.com/140427-defensive-pistol-marksmanship-knoxville-tn.aspx#.UvqvifldUas     Or you can sign up for BOTH for $350- a $50 discount!    http://www.suarezinternationalstore.com/combo-140426-both-classes-knoxville-tn.aspx#.Uvqvx_ldUas

You can sign up any time between now and Feb 21.   To get your certificate at the class you will need to sign up by Thursday Feb 13. The class packet including the certificates and class roster is mailed to me the Friday the week before class from Arizona.    You can still sign up for class all the way up to Feb 21 but your certificate will not be there by the class. They will mail it to me after the class and I'll then sign it and mail it to you. 

Just a quick reminder this one is coming up in 3 weeks!

This class is getting closer every day! This one covers everything from solid stress proof gunhandling,  position shooting and use of cover to reloads and malfunction clearance, CQB distance shooting, transition to secondary weapon an intro to team tactics and much more. Hope to see you there!

Returning again to Tunica in 2014 for ADVANCED RIFLE GUNFIGHTING!  For those who were there last year for Rifle Gunfighting this is the next step up and the logical progression of the skills we learned there. Don't miss this rare opportunity in the midsouth to get some of the most advanced rifle training you can get anywhere.   Suarez International RGF-3: ADVANCED RIFLE GUNFIGHTING March 8-9, 2014 Tunica, Mississippi Instructor: Randy Harris Advanced Rifle Gunfighting is the most advanced level rifle training available outside of Special Operations schools. This class will consist of all new material and take your rifle fighting skills, both as a firearm and as an alternative force tool, far beyond what you would think possible. Not for beginners. Students must own the basic combat rifle skill-set and be in reasonable physical condition for this class. If in doubt, attend the introductory class scheduled immediately before. This class will leave you gasping for air with a red-hot smoking rifle barrel. DURATION: 2 Days TIME: 9:00AM to 5:00PM AMMUNITION: RIFLE: Approx. 500 rounds (Minimum) PISTOL: Approx. 100 rounds (Minimum) YOU NEED TO BRING: Spare clothing appropriate to the weather. Lunch, snacks and water (minimum of 1 gallon per person) for the entire day. Baseball or other style hat, sun screen, bug repellent, allergy medication (if needed), chair (if you have a problem with sitting on the ground, note taking paper/pen/pencil and a boo boo kit (band aids, gauze pads, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment and tape). REQUIREMENTS: A military pattern rifle, (3) magazines and any ancillary rifle gear. Pistol, holster, pistol magazines, eye and ear protection. Note: Chest Rig/Tactical Vests are not allowed with CCW Holsters. If you wish to use a Chest Rig or a Tactical Vest, use a vest mounted holster or a thigh holster. For more info and to sign up........http://www.suarezinternationalstore....x#.UoTZg_mkrks

Just some general advice.....   Krav can be good....or it can be the equivalent of israeli Tai Bo...depending on the instructor. Some places focus so much on the "getting in shape" aspect that they cover little in the truly combat effective realm. BUt the same can be said with most any martial art.   Keep in mind that the Krav that they teach the 2 year 18 yearr old conscripts is not the same thing they teach 30 year old SF guys. At 18 the males are still jockying for hierarchy and do not really have the filter to amp it down. By the time they are in an SF unit they are ostensibly matured enough to know how to be a good training partner and not destroy their team mates in training. At 18 that is normally not the case. And that is why not all Krav (or anything for that matter) is equal. If you teach all the joint destructions to 18 year olds you will have a bunch of injuries...   On the BJJ front, like with Judo,  you work against a live resisting opponent and that is good...but you are still working within the rules and constructs of the sport. And real street fights rarely have agreed upon rules. If you grab my gi and I hit you with a full power chin jab and a knee to the groin and follow it up with an axe hand to the back of your neck as you lurch forward you are probably going to the hospital....or worse.....and as such that cannot really be allowed in the dojo.SO you grab mine, I grab yours and we manuever for position...not strike each other.... So while BJJ does allow you to work with a resisting opponent it is still not a 1 for 1 approximation of what you are likely to encounter in a bar or an alley.   About the only thing that allows full power striking is boxing but even in boxing there are a lot of "foul blows" that are not allowed for good reason...because delivered at full speed they can maim and kill people....and the big gloves are there to protect the other guy more than there to protect your fists.    My suggestion...give the Krav place a try and if that does not work out try the Bjj place. Just remember that NONE of them are an answer for EVERY problem and a mix of techniques is probably going to cover more bases. 

 

SUAREZ INTERNATIONAL CRG-1: PISTOL GUNFIGHTING March 22-23, 2014 Chattanooga, TN Instructor: Randy Harris All training must begin with fundamentals. This comprehensive fundamentals class is designed to prep you for the more advanced courses such as Close Range Gunfighting. Through a carefully designed and detailed curriculum we are able to bring you up to a level of skill in a short two day class that previously would take over 4 or 5 days to achieve at other schools. You will learn a complete presentation of the modern combative technique of the pistol which will put you in good standing for any defensive situations you may encounter in the real world. We will also be incorporating fundamental Point Shooting techniques which will prep you for the more advanced courses such as Advanced Reactive Gunfighting. You will learn the components of various point shooting methods and integrate them into your existing skill sets. This knowledge will put you in good standing for any defensive situations you may encounter in the real world. No experience or prior training is needed to attend this class and it is specially suitable for beginners, or as a tune-up for accomplished shooters.   DURATION: 2 days TIME: 9:00AM to 5:00PM AMMUNITION: Approximately 150 rounds (Minimum) YOU NEED TO BRING: Spare clothing appropriate to the weather. Lunch, snacks and water (minimum of 1 gallon per person) for the entire day. Baseball or other style hat, sun screen, bug repellent, allergy medication (if needed), chair (if you have a problem with sitting on the ground, note taking paper/pen/pencil and a boo boo kit (band aids, gauze pads, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment and tape). REQUIREMENTS: Modern defensive pistol with a holster specifically made for that pistol and designed to be worn on the belt at the "strong side". Three (3) magazines and one magazine pouch. A belt of the same width as the belt loops for the holster and magazine pouches, range safety gear (eye protection and ear protection). CLOSEST AIRPORT: Click here for nearest airports   Range is private range 35 minutes SW of CHattanooga....range is on central time.   For more info and to register.....http://www.warriortalk.com/showthread.php?117132-Pistol-Gunfighting-March-22-23-Chattanooga-TN

     

Wow....just....wow.....

Last minute reminder.....This is coming up THIS SUNDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not all training is "fantasy camp"....While there are some "tactical dude ranch experiences" out there that does not mean ALL training is that.   Some folks teach civilian training classes based on the NRA safety class with a sprinkling of legal info (which is essentially what the TN HCP class is) , some teach based on IDPA match prep with some awareness and legal info added, some try to teach from a police or military perspective and try to bend that to fit civilian encounters and then finally there are some who actually know the difference and teach from the perspective of  the criminal assault paradigm. They teach what the typical criminal assaults will most likely look like , teach you to avoid it if possible and then provide concepts and solutions for the likely situations, not just teach you shooting techniques with no clear vision of WHAT you are actually training for and expect you to figure it out in the heat of the moment......    So just like there being good lawyers , doctors or mechanics and there also being  bad lawyers, doctors, or mechanics, there are people in the training industry that can speak with authority on all subjects from human reaction time, to effects of adrenaline on your motor skills to recognizing the cues of an assault about to happen, to how to shoot more efficiently and effectively to how integrate hand to hand skills with use of the gun,  to treat a gunshot wound to how to talk to the police afterward....and then there are those who can do little more than follow a syllabus someone else wrote.....not ALL training is the same. 

Cool. Looking forward to seeing you there.

The next meeting of the TN, GA, Al Suarez International regional training group will be held on Sunday Dec 8. Time will be 9AM (central time) to about 4PM. This will be a final chance this year for my regional crew to get together and work some skills. We will be looking at solutions for dealing with assailants armed with knives or other sharp pointy things. Pre requisite is having had any Suarez pistol class.  And since it is Christmas time I'll also be doing a random drawing for some prizes.... Title : Bringing a Gun to a Knife Fight Date : Dec 8 2013 Price : $75 Time: 9am-4pm CENTRAL TIME Equipment needed: Pistol, at least 100 rounds. Blue gun or airsoft gun (no pellets or gas needed) if you have one. Training knife if you have one. I have a few loaners if you need a knife or a blue gun. Eye Protection/ear protection Weather appropriate clothing.  Location: The usual place about 35 minutes SW of Chattanooga. If you have never been to one of these training group gatherings contact me by PM for directions.

Welcome from Ooltewah.   You mention you are interested in IDPA. The Cleveland IDPA match (Cleveland Hunting Rifle and Pistol Club) is the 3rd weekend every month. So it will be this weekend. There is a match at the Chattanooga Rifle club the 2nd Sunday of each month. And the 4th Saturday of each month they do a match in Dayton at "The Ridge" . Plenty of opportunities to shoot IDPA in the area. 

Paisan....check your PM....

Hey Mav...I actually teach a hand to hand class also....It is NOT sport based and it is not a traditional martial art that takes years to get anything useful from. What I do combines striking, grappling, ground work and in fight weapons access. It is a mix of WWII combatives, wrestling, BJJ, that works in a weapons based environment. The only "problem" is that due to the nature of it you often have a hard time finding people to practice with....

Getting in here late, but someone mentioned earlier that concealed carry and hi capacity do not go together. I adamantly disagree. Now if you are 105 pounds or you dress in spandex then no...it might not be as easy to hide a larger pistol, but for MOST people if they can conceal a glock 26 they can conceal a glock 19. If you are north of 200 lbs and you don't dress in tight clothing you can normally conceal a glock 17 under an untucked polo shirt....along with a spare mag ....and a TDI LE knife...I'm just sayin'....    This is one of the situations (multiple attackers) that brings to light the issues with carrying tiny guns with just a few rounds. If you want to carry just a j frame then just be aware that not all situations are single attackers that are not very motivated. Sometimes the BGs don't run and unfortunately we see more and more multiple assailant situations.  Math does not take the day off and 15 is ALWAYS more than 5 (or 7, 8, 10, or 11). That is why I'm such a big proponent of carrying a pistol with as large a capacity as you can conceal.    As to leaving guns in your car.....that is an issue for each individual to weigh in the context of his real world situation. If you have to park your car in some questionable areas sometimes due to travel during your work day, then the threat of theft might outweigh the value of having the gun stashed in the car. On the other hand if you park in a secured lot all day then the likelihood of theft is pretty small. On the other hand having it ON YOUR PERSON eliminates the issue of it being stolen out of your car. And that goes back to why I'm a big proponent of carrying as large a capacity pistol as you can conceal. 

This one is coming up this weekend. If you are planning to attend  you need to contact either me or Gotthegoods. Looking forward to this! 

Does anyone think that George Zimmerman would have been able to hold off Trayvon Martin long enough to get the slide racked?    The empty chamber on the bedside gun is not nearly so alarming. Ideally inside your home you should have some warning (locked doors for them to have to break down between you and them) before having to employ the pistol. On the street, you often do not have that luxury.   At home , unless you leave all the doors open , you waking up to an intruder standing over you is just not likely (unless you had extremely poor planning).  So the nature of the typical home shooting vs the nature of the street assault makes a difference. Getting sucker punched and taken to the ground is a reality of street assaults....so having it chambered when carrying makes infinitely more sense.    As for me? I have no children in the house whether it is in my holster during the day or on the night stand when I go to bed it stays chambered. It is in a holster during the day AND on the nightstand so I do not have to worry about coming out of a deep sleep and handling a hot gun before I'm awake. But I would not feel significantly handicapped with an empty chamber bedside gun...I however will NOT carry on the street with an empty chamber. 

ONE WEEK TO GO !!!!!!!   If you have been looking for a place to get some skills for dealing with touching distance problems (Think George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin type stuff) this is the class for you. We cover the full spectrum of dealing with empty hand, knife, impact weapon, gun, grounded problems, multiple assailants (multiples armed with knives, guns, impact weapons, and empty handed), how to stay out of "the hole", how to get out of "the hole" and how to survive and win IN "the hole" if you get caught up in a struggle.   This is the stuff that everyone wants to know because just having a gun does not solve all your problems. And we often have to react to a physical assault with empty hands first before we can even get to our gun. And what if the bad guy already has the drop on you? Now what?  Everyone wishes they had these skills but either do not know where to get them, or maybe are hesitant to go learn. I promise you, these skills need to be worked on BEFORE the fight...and mastering them does not just happen by osmosis. So come out and train with us and better prepare yourself to deal with these kind of real world violent attacks.    Still room in class and still have time to sign up....http://www.suarezinternationalstore.com/aug31-2013-zero-five-pistol-gunfighting-chattanooga-tn.aspx#.UhuRRhukrXY