Talk the Talk

When we think of personal defense, we usually think it terms of going to the shooting range and practicing our shooting skills. However, the truth is it is not all that difficult, or time consuming, to develop the marksmanship and gun-handling skills necessary to win when a criminal attack comes your way. The most difficult thing, and the thing we spend the least amount of time on, is developing our combat mindset. This may sound radical, but it would be an excellent idea for you to start a discussion group that includes family, friends, gun-club members, and share ideas and techniques relative to personal safety.

Some of your discussion topics might include...

• Ways to make yourself and family a harder target when you are out in public.
• Ways to make your home a harder target for home invasions.
• Ways to avoid a conflict and diffuse an argument.
• How to protect yourself and family at large public gatherings.
• How to select the proper defensive handgun, ammunition, and carry method.
• Bring in a police officer to talk about dealings with law enforcement following a defensive shooting.
• Bring in a criminal defense attorney to talk about your protection under the law.

As you can imagine, the ideas and topics are really endless. And one topic can lead to planning another for your next meeting.

I'll let you in on a little secret...After 30 years as a peace officer and 25 years as a gunwriter, I still get my best story ideas from listening to regular, everyday citizens talk about their concerns and thoughts. You will profit from that, too.

I know that, in this age of the Internet and social media, it is a revolutionary idea to actually hold face-to-face discussions. But we can learn a great deal from listening to others' ideas and concerns. One suggestion will lead to another and from that can come a much better idea of what your own personal defense plan ought to look like. Try it, you'll like it. Fellowship with other gun people is generally always fun, refreshing, and informative.