Last year Texas changed the law to allow concealed carry on Public University campuses. Now Congressman Randy Weber of Texas would like to take it the next step to remove the restriction for all school zones.
This new law, if passed would allow school faculty and parents to carry concealed while in schools, creating one more level of respondents for an active shooter situation.
Texas wouldn’t be the first state to introduce legislation that permits concealed handguns in elementary, middle, junior, and high schools.
We applaud Randy Weber and recommend you contact your House representatives and share your feelings about HR 4550.
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The 2015 numbers are in and once again Texas has two airports in the top five on the list of airports where the highest number of firearms were confiscated from carry on luggage last year.
153 firearms were confiscated at Dallas/Fort Worth International.
100 firearms were confiscated at George Bush Intercontinental.
Other airports in the top 5 included Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Intl, Denver International, and Phoenix Sky Harbour Intl. According to TSA representatives the vast majority of these circumstances occur when gun owners just forget they have the firearm in their bag or backpack.
As a reminder you can legally check firearms in your checked luggage. Watch this helpful video: How to Check Guns on Planes
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In 2016 private universities have to decide if they are going to allow or not allow concealed carry firearms on campus in the hands of concealed handgun license holders. They have until August 1st to decide and we wanted to let you know where this stands thus far. We have included below all the Universities that have made a decision. If you don’t see a private University below it is because they haven’t decided yet or we just don’t know about it. Please share additional information in the comments below.
- Abilene Christian University – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- Austin College – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- Baylor University – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- Huston-Tillotson University – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- Jarvis Christian College – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- McMurry University – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- Our Lady of the Lake University – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- Paul Quinn College – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- Rice University – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- South Texas College of Law – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- Southern Methodist University – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- Southwestern Christian College – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- Southwestern University – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- St. Edward’s University – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- St. Mary’s University – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- Texas Christian University – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- Texas College – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- Texas Lutheran University – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- Texas Wesleyan University – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- Trinity University – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- University of St. Thomas – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- University of the Incarnate Word – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- Wayland Baptist Univeristy – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
- Wiley College – Will Not Allow Campus Carry
Do you see the trend? Hopefully after a few years go by and the hysteria and paranoia of this new legislation dies down we can hope that some of these institutions may reconsider their decision.
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U.S. Law Shield, the country’s largest firearm legal defense group has announced that moving forward their member legal coverage will extend not just to firearm related incidents but to any weapon related incidents. This greatly increases the value of the membership since we never know what might have to be used in the course of self-defense. The below email sent to members in late October 2015 reads:
Dear Members,
Great, incredible, and spectacular news! You will now be covered for not only the use of a firearm, but for any legal weapon you use in self-defense! We are asked all the time about whether we would consider extending members’ coverage to more than just guns for self-defense. Now, the answer is absolutely YES!
Am I now covered if I use a taser or pepper spray? Yes.
Am I now covered if I defend myself with an edged weapon? Yes.
Am I now covered if I have to defend myself with my hands or body? Yes.Members, today we’re pleased to announce that the best coverage just got better—and at NO COST TO YOU! Watch this video with U.S. Law Shield President Kirk Evans as he explains the new benefits your base coverage includes starting today.
What weapons are covered:
What is “any legal weapon?” Any legal weapon means any weapon that, under your state’s law, is legal to possess in the area where you possess it. In other words, if you’re attacked and you defend yourself with your legally carried firearm, a nearby coffee mug, a folding chair, or even a strong right punch, you are using a legal weapon! Keep in mind that your state’s law may make some weapons legal at home but not in public, or only legal in public in certain circumstances. Make sure you know your state’s laws on your weapons and take advantage of your membership by contacting us and speaking with a program attorney today.
US Law Shield while the largest program in the country if measured by number of members is still only open to residents of Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Those interested in learning more can click here.
]]>Police referred the case to the Cook County state’s attorney’s office to “determine if there’s any reason to charge” the 44-year-old customer, who had a concealed carry permit and a firearm owner’s identification card, Guglielmi said. Police also reviewed video surveillance.
The robber’s firearm turned out not to be a real firearm but despite this law enforcement sees this for what it most likely was. A man trying to defend himself from a known criminal.
A quick disclaimer here… not all breeds of dog are created equal and even with the perfect dog often their ability to assist or be a deterrent to someone depends on their level of training. For the purpose of this article we are going to just pretend that you have a perfect dog… combining the various traits of different breeds and trained to do anything you need.
The Greatest Benefits to A Survival Dog
Dogs have amazing senses. They act as a perfect early warning system to many different types of threats including people, animals, and even natural disasters. This could come in really handy in a survival situation both when bugging in or out.
Dogs are good at gathering and protecting livestock. Livestock will become both more rare and far more valuable in a survival situation. Protecting it from predators will become critical.
Dogs can be great deterrents to various types of threats. Recent surveys among law enforcement cite the dog as the greatest deterrent to home invasions. Dogs are also effective at deterring animal threats like bears, mountain lions, and the like.
Dogs are great trackers. If you are trying to retrace your steps or find someone/something that is lost the dog could be your only hope.
Dogs are man’s best friend. In a survival situation experts suggest that people tend to give up emotionally long before they give up physically. Having that furry dog to cuddle with and talk to could be the only thing that keeps you sane.
Dogs are good hunters and foragers. They can readily identify small game and help the hunter corner it or fetch it. Dogs are also good at finding natural sources of food and water like edible plants. Do I dare also mention that in a worst case scenario the dog itself is a source of food?
The Greatest Drawbacks to A Survival Dog
Sadly dogs can sometimes pick the wrong times to make a lot of noise. If stealth is your game you better learn how to keep the dog quiet.
Dogs do have to be fed and you may be limited on food resources. The dog will eventually have to eat from your food storage if you aren’t in an environment where they can forage.
Dogs also have to drink water. If the environment has limited water resources you will be sharing them with the dog.
While dogs are generally fast, have good endurance, and can swim there are some terrains which they cannot handle as well as people. They are not as good as climbing up rock faces for example.
What are your thoughts about the dog? What did I miss? I look forward to hearing your comments below.
]]>Jacob, having only received my permit to carry a few weeks earlier I found myself in a situation that reminded me of your class. I went with some co-workers to a nearby restaurant for happy hour. As soon as I had ordered my drink I remembered that I had my firearm with me. In that moment the excuses came naturally to mind. I told myself it would be embarrassing to call back the waiter and change my order, plus a few drinks don’t really effect me, I can drive after-all… plus my coworkers would know something is up and I would end up having to tell them about my gun which was against safety protocol. That is when I remembered in class that you warned us about self-justification.
Self-Justification is considered by many experts to be among our most natural instincts as humans. It goes hand in hand with complacency and cognitive dissonance as well.
Our minds produce these self-justifying excuses readily and without effort. What requires mental exertion is pushing the excuses aside and reverting back to what we know to be safe and right. Don’t ever let yourself do something that you know is not acceptable but for whatever reason you feel the situation or circumstances allow for it for you.
What are some of the gun safe handling practices that you have observed or found to the most difficult to practice in real life? Please share in the comments below.
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Damon’s Monday Video
Each Monday we publish a video with one of our Senior Instructors, Damon Thueson. Damon has a big personality and a great approach at learning. See other Damon Videos here.
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L.A.S.R doesn’t just make awesome software, they also know how to train correctly with a firearm. You may recall from the interview we published with John, the founder of L.A.S.R. earlier this year that they are the industry leaders in software to assist in and give feedback from at home dry fire or laser simulated training. In part because they are awesome, and no doubt in part to help people understand how they can leverage the LASR product, John built out a series of 18 great training videos that he has compiled into a YouTube playlist.
This turned into a larger project when they realized how much need there is in the industry for tips on how to train. That is why they launched the website, www.dryfiretips.com to host additional content for shooters. I would strongly recommend that you subscribe to the YouTube channel and review the video playlist (embedded below).
Also as a reminder, you can use coupon code USAFIREARM to save 10% on the L.A.S.R. software at lasrapp.com
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In Detroit earlier in October 2015 a man was sitting at a bus stop waiting for his bus when he was approached by three armed criminals who demanded he hold still or die. They proceeded to take his money. Excited by their loot they were distracted. The victim took advantage of the concealed pistol license he had received only weeks earlier and drew his firearm. Not bad for a newbie… he hit two of them.
“They threatened him and told him if he moved they were going to blow him which is a term for I’m going to kill or shoot you if you move,” Tremaine said. “And that’s what ended up happening.”
One of the suspects reached into the victim’s pocket and stole $220. The trio became excited about the money they just nabbed and became distracted – at that moment the CPL holder pulled out his gun and fired.
He hit the16-year-old in the chest and the 17-year-old in the leg. The 19-year-old took off running.
Detroit’s crime rate has been dropping in recent years as the local Police Chief has received national attention as he has applauded locals who have chosen to arm and defend themselves. It would seem those efforts and the reinforcement from the media and law enforcement is paying off.
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