Shooting Aftermath Article on Guns dot com

Shooting Aftermath Article on Guns.com

Shooting Aftermath Article
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I have a new article on Guns dot com concerning the aftermath of a shooting, its the premier of my new shooting acronym ReCASA  (for I want to get back to the house….)

I have enjoyed writing this article on guns for guns.com.  Additionally, I am looking forward to sharing my thoughts on what do do after a shooting.

Based upon my experience as a firearm instructor, I feel that most people that carry guns are not competent in their use for self defense.  Those that are tend to spend more time on how to shoot with little attention on the “when” to shoot, or what to do after.

The article on guns dot com that I listed above is based completely on thoughts about how to interact with the police after a shooting.

I have no tolerance for criminals, and people that use guns improperly are criminals, but I also want to ensure that honest citizens that use weapons for their own self defense are able to go back to their lives without having to fight the criminal justice system.

I have discussed this system with multiple law enforcement officers as well as a lawyer – not to get legal advice, but to see how realistic my plan is.

Some officers said it was a little overkill, others said it would work well – none said it was an unworkable system.

 

Using an ATM Safely

Using an ATM Safely

ATM Security
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ATM Security and using an ATM safely requires awareness and a little planning. Just because an ATM machine is open and available 24- hours a day doesn’t mean it is safe to use it. Most ATM robberies occur at night between 8:00 PM and midnight.

Makeup of the Typical Suspect

The typical ATM robber are usually males under 25 years of age and most work alone. ATM robbers usually position themselves nearby waiting for a victim to approach and withdraw cash.  Most ATM robbers used a gun or claimed to have a concealed weapon when confronting the victim and demanding their cash.

Typical Victim of a ATM Robbery

Additionally, most ATM robbery victims are women and were alone when robbed. Generally, these women state that they never saw the robber coming.  This is another good reason to review the awareness information in Cooper’s color codes.

Here are some tips that can make Using an ATM safer:

  • Use only ATM machines in well-lighted, high-traffic areas. Don’t use ATM machines that are remote or hidden such as being located behind buildings, behind pillars, walls, or away from public view. Beware of obvious hiding places like shrubbery or overgrown trees.  ATM robbers like to have the element of surprise and no witnesses. Robbers like good escape routes like nearby freeway on-ramps or high-speed thoroughfares.
  • Choose an ATM that looks and ‘feels’ safer, even if it is a couple of miles out of the way.  Try and limit your use to daylight hours. Take someone with you after hours, if you can. When you drive up to an ATM location, scan the area for any suspicious persons. If you see anyone suspicious standing nearby, or sitting in a car, drive away. When you approach an ATM on foot be prepared and have your access card ready. Memorize your personal PIN number to prevent loss and speed the transaction. After inserting your card and your PIN number keep an eye out behind you. Never accept an offer to help or request for help from a suspicious male ahead of you at the machine. If anyone suspicious or seemingly dangerous approaches terminate your transaction and leave immediately, even if it means running away and leaving your ATM card in the machine. First, tell the suspicious male in a loud, firm voice to “back-off” and leave you alone. This is designed to startle the person and give you time to flee, if appropriate. When you receive cash from the machine put it away immediately, extract your card, and walk away.
  • If you use your car at a drive-thru ATM machine the same rules apply. Keep the car in gear, with your foot firmly on the brake, while using the ATM machine. Keep a close eye on your rear and side view mirrors during the transaction. Robbers almost always approach from the rear on the driver’s side. If you see anyone approaching, drive off even if it means leaving your ATM card behind. If an armed robber confronts you, just give up your money without argument. The cash is not worth serious injury or death. Get to a safe place and call the police immediately.
  • If lights around the ATM are not working, don’t use that machine
  • Avoid ATM machines adjacent to obvious hiding places
  • Have your card ready and leave quickly, not counting your cash in public
  • Beware of offers for help from strangers during an ATM transaction
  • Don’t fight with or attempt to follow the robber
Homemade Cream of Wheat

How to Make Homemade Cream of Wheat

 

Homemade Cream of Wheat
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Like all good preppers, I have a substantial store of wheat berries dutifully packed away in Mylar bags and nitrogen packed buckets.  However, its a lot easier to buy and pack wheat than it is to cook with it.

Because of this I have been purchasing wheat cookbooks and messing around trying to find recipes that work well with my lifestyle.  On of the very first workable recipes I found was this simple recipe for homemade cream of wheat.

This recipe uses a blender instead of a grinder so its easy.  Of course when SHTF I could set my grinder to course or use a mortar and pestle.

Best yet, using whole wheat berries is cheap verses the $5 a box of cream of wheat that lasts all of two bowls in the morning.

The recipe for Homemade Cream of Wheat is simple.

Ingredients

  • Wheat Berries (ration of 1 wheat / 2 water
  • Water
  • Salt to taste
  • Butter to taste

Procedure

  • Pulse the wheat in a blender until cracked and not powdered.
  • Boil twice as much water as you have cracked wheat. (salt and butter to taste)
  • Once it has thickened add milk, sugar, honey, nuts, berries, chocolate or anything else (My lovely bride prefers lots of cheddar cheese).
  • Cook until it has the texture and thickness you desire.
  • Put it in a bowl and enjoy.

Its a little nuttier than processed instant cream of wheat, and a lot darker.  I find it compares with oatmeal.

Its not my favorite breakfast food, but its a lot easier to store and loads cheaper than a sausage egg and cheese croissant sandwich….

 

Two New Articles on Guns.com

Two New Articles on Guns.com

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If you want to read more articles of mine, I just entered into a freelance arrangement with guns.com.  I will have several firearm related articles on their new site in the future.  They are still in beta, but I have two articles online in the tactical and self-defense columns.

Small and Large Noticings on Women’s Self-Defense Training

The Case for Visualization Training

As my favorite author (Louis L’Amour) wrote, “a writer writes”.  I am pleased that guns.com allows me another avenue for people to read more articles that I have written.

I will never get rich writing articles, but I do have a strong sense of accomplishment when people read the scribbling I throw on paper.

My problem is that I tend to write as I think and don’t spend a lot of time editing, so as people read more articles, more people will discover my horrible grammar.

This has been a problem of mine on this site, and does limit my writing skill, but hopefully by working with the editors at guns.com I will improve.  The information however, is based upon experience and education and I hope  you get a lot out of the articles.

I imagine that this site will grow in the future to be a leader in the firearm information industry.

How to Avoid Crime While Parked

How to Avoid Crime While Parked

Avoiding Crimes When Parked
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I want to share a short article on how to go about how to avoid crime while parked.  A parked vehicle, specifically an unattended vehicle is a magnet for theft.

I went to a sponsored a workshop in Memphis.  We were to plan how to respond to a catastrophic earthquake on the New Madrid Fault-line.  The hotel was a fancy downtown establishment with valet parking and a fenced parking lot.

Responders from all over Middle and West TN came in there marked emergency response vehicles.  They were mostly from sheriff departments and state law enforcement.  33 marked police vehicles were broken into during the first hour of the conference.  This happened in broad daylight in a fenced valet parking lot.

Certainly, it was Memphis.  Most importantly, and I did notice a five pointed crown (gang sign) tattoos on the hand of the lady assigned to help us in the conference room.

Theft and Vandalism

  • Wherever possible, provide each dwelling with its own locked garage within the property boundaries. Locked garages outside the boundaries or well-lit and visible common car parks are the next best thing.
  • Where private garages are not feasible, carport or driveway parking is preferable to group parking away from dwellings.
  • As a general rule, underground or multi-story car parks should be avoided.  They are a breeding ground for vandalism and crime.  If they already exist, limiting entry points and providing them with sturdy locked gates could minimize danger.  Each resident could be provided with a lockable garage in their own space, with robust, vandal proof metal doors.  Alternatively, users can be provided with a secure lock or a plastic keycard, which operates electronic doors.
  • Grouped car parks should be avoided in high-crime areas. If they cannot be avoided, they should be within view of some dwellings.  Additionally, garages should be equipped with sturdy gates or tilt doors.  The car park should never be sited near a dark alleyway.
  • Likewise, open car parks should be small and within view of dwellings.  Visitors’ car parks should be clearly identifiable, well lit, and visible from dwellings.

Rape, Assault, Robbery

To make car parks safer, planners should provide direct access from parking areas to the entrance of dwellings.

  • Car parks should be no further than 60 meters from dwellings.
  • Parking areas should be have lights.   They should also free from shrubbery.
  • Electronic entry control devices should limit access to enclosed parking.
  • Similarly, if it is desirable to limit access to dwellings, make sure access via car parks is monitored as well.
  • Additionally, high crime areas may need advanced technological surveillance.  An example of this is an infrared unit which detects the presence of intruders by body heat.  The unit automatically switches on all lights in the car park and turns them off after 15 to 20 minutes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you can’t really stop crime when you are not around, but with proper planning you can surely reduce it.