The Psychology of Threat Detection

The psychology of threat detection is a complex and fascinating topic that has gained significant attention in recent years. It’s a crucial aspect of personal security, and developing a situational awareness mindset can be the difference between life and death. But what exactly is situational awareness, and how can we develop it? To answer this question, let’s dive into the world of threat detection and explore the psychology behind it.

Developing a situational awareness mindset requires a combination of knowledge, skills, and practice. It’s not just about being aware of your surroundings; it’s about being able to read people, understand their behavior, and anticipate potential threats. As Dr. Paul Ekman, a renowned expert in facial recognition and emotion detection, notes, "The ability to recognize and interpret emotional signals is essential for effective threat detection." By understanding the psychology of threat detection, we can develop the skills necessary to stay safe in uncertain environments.

Introduction to Situational Awareness

Situational awareness is the ability to perceive and understand your environment, including the people, objects, and events within it. It’s a critical component of personal security, as it allows you to anticipate and respond to potential threats. But situational awareness is not just about being aware of your surroundings; it’s also about being able to interpret and understand the information you’re receiving. As "The more you know about your environment, the better equipped you are to respond to potential threats," says security expert, Chris McNab. By developing a situational awareness mindset, you can improve your ability to detect and respond to threats, reducing your risk of becoming a victim.

The science behind situational awareness is rooted in psychology and neuroscience. Our brains are wired to respond to threats, and we have an innate ability to detect and respond to danger. However, this ability can be impaired by a range of factors, including stress, fatigue, and distraction. By understanding how our brains process information and respond to threats, we can develop strategies to improve our situational awareness and stay safe. For example, research has shown that people who are more aware of their surroundings are less likely to be victims of crime. As "Situational awareness is the key to preventing crime, not just responding to it," says crime prevention expert, Steve Albrecht.

The Science Behind Threat Detection

The science behind threat detection is complex and multifaceted. It involves understanding how our brains process information, how we perceive and interpret our environment, and how we respond to potential threats. One of the key factors in threat detection is attention. Our brains are capable of processing vast amounts of information, but we can only focus on a limited amount of information at any given time. By learning how to focus our attention and prioritize potential threats, we can improve our ability to detect and respond to danger. For instance, when walking down a dark alley, it’s essential to be aware of your surroundings, including any potential escape routes or hiding spots.

The role of emotions in threat detection is also critical. Emotions such as fear, anxiety, and stress can impair our ability to detect and respond to threats. By learning how to manage our emotions and stay calm under pressure, we can improve our situational awareness and reduce our risk of becoming a victim. As "Emotions can be a powerful tool for threat detection, but they can also be a liability if not managed properly," says psychologist, Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett. By understanding how emotions impact our perception and response to threats, we can develop strategies to manage our emotions and stay safe.

Developing a Situational Awareness Mindset

Developing a situational awareness mindset requires practice, patience, and dedication. It’s not something that can be learned overnight, but rather it’s a skill that must be developed over time. One of the key strategies for developing situational awareness is to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness involves being present in the moment and fully engaged with your environment. By practicing mindfulness, you can improve your ability to perceive and understand your surroundings, reducing your risk of becoming a victim. For example, when walking in a crowded area, it’s essential to be mindful of your surroundings, including any potential pickpocketing or scams.

Another strategy for developing situational awareness is to learn how to read people. This involves understanding body language, facial expressions, and other nonverbal cues. By learning how to read people, you can anticipate and respond to potential threats, reducing your risk of becoming a victim. Some key things to look out for when reading people include:

• Inconsistencies in their story or behavior
• Avoiding eye contact or fidgeting
• Displaying aggressive or confrontational body language
• Showing signs of nervousness or anxiety
• Being overly friendly or charming

Real-World Examples

There are many real-world examples of situational awareness in action. For instance, consider the story of a woman who was able to avoid being abducted by a potential attacker. She was walking home from work one evening when she noticed a man following her. She quickly became aware of her surroundings and noticed that the man was trying to get her attention. She ignored him and quickly walked to a nearby store, where she was able to safety. As she later reported, "I was able to stay calm and think clearly, which helped me to avoid the potential threat." This example illustrates the importance of situational awareness in preventing crime and staying safe.

Another example is the story of a man who was able to detect and respond to a potential threat while traveling abroad. He was walking through a crowded market when he noticed a group of men eyeing him suspiciously. He quickly became aware of his surroundings and noticed that the men were trying to surround him. He quickly walked away and found a safe place to wait until the men lost interest. As he later reported, "I was able to stay aware of my surroundings and anticipate the potential threat, which helped me to stay safe." This example illustrates the importance of situational awareness in detecting and responding to potential threats.

Training and Practice

Training and practice are essential for developing a situational awareness mindset. There are many ways to practice situational awareness, including taking self-defense classes, practicing mindfulness, and learning how to read people. By practicing situational awareness, you can improve your ability to detect and respond to potential threats, reducing your risk of becoming a victim. As "Practice is key to developing situational awareness, as it helps to build muscle memory and improve reaction time," says self-defense expert, Tony Blauer.

The Role of Technology in Situational Awareness

Technology can play a significant role in situational awareness, but it’s not a replacement for human intuition and awareness. There are many tools and apps available that can help improve situational awareness, including surveillance cameras, alarm systems, and personal safety apps. However, it’s essential to remember that technology is only as good as the person using it. By combining technology with human intuition and awareness, you can improve your ability to detect and respond to potential threats. For instance, many personal safety apps allow users to quickly alert friends and family in case of an emergency, providing an added layer of protection.

Unlikely Connections to Personal Security

The psychology of threat detection is a complex and multifaceted field that can have unexpected applications in various areas of life. For instance, the same principles of situational awareness and risk assessment that are used to stay safe in uncertain environments can also be applied to other high-stakes activities, such as playing games of chance. Interestingly, the thrill and unpredictability of these games can actually help improve one’s situational awareness and decision-making skills, much like the thrill of navigating uncertain environments. By playing games like the one found at Cursed Crypt slot online (Hacksaw Gaming), individuals can develop their ability to think on their feet and make quick decisions, which can ultimately translate to improved personal security and a reduced risk of becoming a victim. This unique connection highlights the importance of being adaptable and able to think critically in any situation.

Conclusion

The psychology of threat detection is a complex and fascinating topic that has significant implications for personal security. By developing a situational awareness mindset, you can improve your ability to detect and respond to potential threats, reducing your risk of becoming a victim. Remember, situational awareness is not just about being aware of your surroundings; it’s about being able to interpret and understand the information you’re receiving. By practicing mindfulness, learning how to read people, and combining technology with human intuition, you can develop the skills necessary to stay safe in uncertain environments. As "Situational awareness is the key to personal security, and it’s a skill that can be developed with practice and patience," says security expert, Gavin de Becker. By prioritizing situational awareness and developing a mindset that is alert and aware, you can reduce your risk of becoming a victim and stay safe in a rapidly changing world.

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• What does a chimney sweep do?

My wife opined a few minutes ago that every four years, inauguration day should be a holiday; not in the same vein as Christmas, New Year’s Day, or 4^th of July, but as a day of prayer to lift up our new president and our country, no matter what party.

The United States are more divided politically, spiritually, and philosophically than we have been in 160 years. Tomorrow is inauguration day for Donald Trump. For many, it is a day of rejoicing; a day that marks the return to the rule of law, patriotism, and a secure border. For many others, it will be a day of mourning; a day that marks the nail in the coffins of abortion, women’s rights, freedom for the LGBTQ community, among others.

I have never met President Trump, but my take from what I have observed, he is dedicated to the preservation of safety and security of all Americans. The emphasis is on Americans.

He has taken on a tough job when he had absolutely no obligation to do so. Here is a man who could probably never spend all the money he has and can live in complete comfort anywhere he wants. Why would he take on the “slings and arrows” that come with the job of POTUS? Some would say that it is just ego. I don’t ascribe to this idea. When I look at President Trump, I see a patriot who has the personality and ability to return the United States to safety and solvency, while re-instilling patriotism in the average citizen. He may have a somewhat grating personality to those who oppose him, but one thing that makes our society as robust as it is, is that no two people are alike.

However, for him to succeed it will take not just his individual effort, but the effort of all Americans. This may be the toughest job the POTUS has, uniting Americans behind probably the most ambitious program to be taken on since Reconstruction, returning the United States to a truly united country with the common goals of prosperity and safety.

In order for President Trump to succeed, it will take a lot of hard work on the part of a lot of people, but more than anything, it will take the fervent prayers to God to uphold and support him and keep him safe over the next four years. As my wife suggested, it should start on inauguration day.

I know it is a foregone conclusion that my home state, Colorado, is deep blue. Looking at the results of the 2024 general election, the results confirm this fact. However, I find it insulting that my fellow Coloradans have bought into the idea that it is okay to murder unborn children, and made a constitutional amendment. Also, the Denver/Boulder progressives pushed a significant Colorado win for the avowed Marxist Kamala Harris. We are supposed to be in the American West where we cherish freedom, unlike the coastal regions of the country.

Let’s see what else the progressives have done to our freedoms. There was a ballot initiative to tax all firearms and ammunition at a rate of about 6.5% (I don’t have the exact figure). This is in line with the progressives (read George Soros’ minions) to negate the Second Amendment. Fortunately, at this time 29 states are “Constitutional Carry” states. This means that adults who are not prohibited from owning guns can carry concealed handgun without a permit. All of these states have permits that they issue so that their citizens can carry when they are in states that have reciprocity with their home state. Of course, with the Soros super-majority and owning the governor’s mansion, we are a long way away from achieving Constitutional Carry in Colorado.

The Soros’ Legislature (not a ballot initiative) also placed a licensure requirement on all gun dealers. This is something the federal government already does but our friends in Denver have decided that another layer of bureaucracy was needed. The fee that gun dealers have to pay will go to a division of the Colorado State Patrol (presumably) that will go around and inspect each dealer and their premises. These inspectors carry a lot of weight in the reports they write. They can shut down a business with the stroke of a pen for the slightest infraction.

It’s so bad that the Soros Legislature took away our law enforcement’s qualified immunity, meaning, anything a cop does in the state puts him/her in danger of criminal and civil liability. This puts our first responders at great risk; but it also puts the average citizen at risk because it makes the officer stop and second-guess his/her actions when in a position that could put them at risk for charges or a law suit. I don’t know about you, but I want that officer to act immediately, on instinct. If I’m faced with a bad guy and a cop is there, I would much rather he pull his gun instead of me having to do it. After all, that’s what cops are paid for. That doesn’t mean I’m going to idly by when my family or I am in danger.

The bleed-over from Denver’s sanctuary city status is hurting all of Colorado. Right now, we are hearing primarily from Aurora, but how long will it be before the Venezuelan gangs migrate to other parts of the state? Just because we hear only about Aurora, do you believe that no more of these gangsters are coming in or that they will just stay in the Denver/Aurora area? We are hearing about them looking at Colorado Springs, if they are not already here. What about Durango or Grand Junction? What’s to stop them from going to the Western Slope?

Another area where Soros’ Legislature has put all Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) holders at risk is that they have taken away the “Preemption Law.” This was a law that said (in simplified form) that no municipality or county could pass a firearm law more stringent than what is in effect at the state level. That leaves us with a real patchwork of laws that CHP holders have to navigate when traveling through the state.

When I received orders to Colorado, my wife and I looked at Colorado Springs as a great place to call home, and we have done so for the last 35 years. But I look at what the progressives, mostly from California, have done to this beautiful place I just have to hang my head in disbelief. President Trump has just been re-elected and that gives some glimmer of hope; but until we get the avowed Marxist and his minions, out of the governor’s mansion and the legislature, it will be an all-uphill fight to keep our freedoms. With the massive influx of “Progressives,” not to mention the welcome mat for the illegal criminals, we all need to be involved in the political process.

This report is directed to anyone who volunteers, or is paid, to protect a faith-based organization; but it could easily apply to anyone who is part of an organization tasked with protection.

When you train and are certified as a cyber security operator, I would argue that if you don’t study your craft a minimum of an hour each day, you are falling behind. This is true in any craft. If your profession, or even your volunteer activities require you to carry a gun you should take your training as seriously as the cyber operator, maybe even more so.

Shooting a gun is a perishable skill. If I lay off shooting and actually practicing specific drills for a month or more, the next time I go to the range to practice, it takes a while and considerable amounts of ammunition to scrape off the rust. Muscle memory helps a lot, but even muscles get lazy.

I hope you are getting the idea of how important constant training is. Let’s throw a scenario into this idea of training.

You have security duty at church on a beautiful Sunday morning. A group of bad guys decide that today is your church’s turn to be terrorized. Three or four bad actors invade your church with guns drawn and you are forced to respond with deadly force but you haven’t been to the range in three months because you had more important things to do on the regularly scheduled training days.

Could you adequately engage the threat? Remember, at the range you don’t have nearly the amount of adrenalin flowing through your body as you do right now. Today, you have a LOT of adrenalin flowing through your circulatory system. Are you able to acquire your sights, or line up your red-dot? Have you exercised the scenario visualization necessary to be able to process what is happening?

 OK, we’ve established that it’s important to train on a regular basis. But what kind of training are you doing. Is it just going to the range and everybody lines up on their target and shows off the tight groups they can get with their everyday gun? Do you practice moving and shooting, coordinated actions with the rest of the team, one-handed and two-handed shooting, or room clearing? Is this training documented, not only what training is conducted, but who attended the training and were the objectives of the training met by all members? Are these records kept and available for review? These are actions that must be taken by all organized teams.

Why!

Let’s go back to the scenario above. You and, for argument’s sake, one other team member engages the bad guys and you prevail, the bad guys are neutralized or taken into custody. During the investigation your training program will come under intense scrutiny. The authorities will look at your training program and determine if it was appropriate for the environment in which you are working. In addition to that, your personal adherence to that training program will be examined. The authorities, and I include the District Attorney, will want to know if and how often you attended training. Did you act in accordance with your training? Did your actions show good judgment? If an innocent is injured, either by you or the bad guys, your personal training record will come under additional scrutiny.

In addition to the authorities looking at the training, the insurance company will be looking closely at the program. The security team should have a very close relationship with the insurance company. Relying on a third-person as an intermediary can cause lost-in-translation communications. It is extremely important that the insurance carrier is fully onboard with your training plan as well as the objective accomplishment of individual members.

The church’s insurance company should fully endorse the concept of an armed volunteer security team and therefore any action taken by the team in securing the church should cover all team members involved. But remember, that coverage only covers team members while at church performing their assigned duties. This does not cover team members away from the church.

Falcon Personal Security strongly recommends that anyone who has a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) have additional legal protection. The Faith Based Security Network (FBSN) has done a deep-dive into legal protection programs and recommends Right To Bear for all CHP holders.

Remember, when the chips are down, you will revert to your training. Maintaining an organizational and personal training program will only strengthen your competency. As a trained individual, you should know and be sure in the knowledge that your church and your insurance company fully support you and have your back.

Keep training!

Most of my students take the Basic Pistol course so that they can apply for their Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP). Obviously, I have no problem with that.

I tell all of my basic students, “If you don’t currently own a handgun, do not go our and buy one before coming to class.” The reason I tell them this is that new shooters usually don’t know what to buy or what criteria they should use when shopping for that first gun.

I’ve had a number of new shooter students come to class with a newly purchased gun that their friend told them to buy. One student, in particular, came with two very small semi-automatics because they are very easy to conceal. This was true but this student, an older lady, did not have the hand strength to manipulate the slides. The small pocket or purse guns have very tight springs required to run the gun. I loaned her a mid-sized 9mm and she operated it quite nicely.

Some of the criteria new shooters should take into consideration before buying their first gun (or any gun after that) are:

1. What is the intended purpose of the gun? If you are buying it for personal protection, don’t go for the “hand-cannon.” Likewise, don’t purchase a gun that is so small you cannot operate it.
2. The gun should be appropriately sized to be able to shoot accurately. One reason rifles are so much easier to accurately shoot is the long sight radius, anywhere from 20” and up, as opposed to the 2” – 3” sight radius of a sub-compact handgun.
3. Do the ergonomics fit the shooter? If you have large hands, the sub-compact gun may be very hard to attain a proper grip. Likewise, if you have small hands, you may not be able to achieve a proper trigger press on the larger guns.
4. Is the caliber appropriate for the intended purpose? For personal protection, the rule of thumb is 9mm and .38 special are considered the minimum appropriate calibers. Talk to your instructor about this.
5. Is the gun to heavy or to light? A heavier gun, normally all metal, will mitigate the recoil better than a small, light weight polymer frame gun. However, there are some really big all metal guns that fall into the “hand cannon” category. Find one in between that fits you.

There are a number of other criteria you should consider before buying your first, or subsequent gun. You will be happier and more satisfied with your gun purchase if you take your basic class before that purchase.

Find an instructor who will patiently guide you through the process. Discussions with your instructor should be an iterative process. Your instructor should welcome these discussions.

Well, how did you make it through tax-day? I’m sure you are just as thrilled as me how our tax dollars are being used. I’ll just hit some of the highlights.

Afghanistan: $1.4B

Burma (Myanmar, a repressive dictatorship): $208M

Congo (Brazzaville, a repressive dictatorship): $10M

Congo (Kinshasa, a repressive dictatorship): $907M

Cuba (a repressive dictatorship): $7M

Ethiopia (a repressive dictatorship): $2.2B

Djibouti (a Chinese puppet): $46M

Haiti (controlled by gangs): $309M

Lebanon (home of Hezbollah): $640M

Mexico (home of earth’s major drug cartels): $231M

Qatar (an oil-rich nation): $450M

Saudi Arabia (an oil-rich nation): $303M

Somalia (a failed state; run by gangs): $1.1B

Ukraine (involved in a war of attrition that may or may not be won): $12.4B

Venezuela (once the strongest economy on the planet, now run by Communists): 210M

West Bank and Gaza (terrorist regimes): $150M

Yemen (involved in a civil war for the past several decades): $1.4B

I did not list Israel because they are surrounded by enemies as well as being attacked by forces around the world. The US is currently supplying them with $3.3B in foreign military aid.

These are not my figures but just what the Foreign Assistance website lists, and this is just a short list.

As of February, of this year, Democrat governors and mayors have earmarked at least $517M for programs for illegal immigrants. That’s states monies, not federal. Federal financial contribution to the illegal immigrants is upwards from $1.9T, (Fox news). This includes one-time cash grants worth $1,000/immigrant.

Doesn’t it just warm the cockles of your heart to know that your hard-earned dollars are going to such worthy endeavors?

Looking at how much of your money goes out in taxes, it is estimated, conservatively, that over 50% of your earnings goes to one tax or another. Let’s look at some of the taxes we pay:

Income tax (we work for it but the government believes it is theirs)

Gas tax (hooray for electric cars who don’t have to pay this)

Property tax (a rent we pay to government to live on our own property)

Sales tax (further degrading our income that is already taxed)

Automobile tax (just for the privilege of leaving our homes)

Social Security tax (yes it really is a tax; you will never get it all back)

Capital Gains tax (for being smart in investing your money)

Corporate taxes (you didn’t really believe corporations pay this did you?)

Inheritance and Gift taxes (because someone had the audacity to die)

This is just a short list of taxes that we Americans pay. There is a favorite saying that once someone is elected to congress or the state legislature, they start spending our money like drunken sailors. Well, I resent that. I used to be a drunken sailor and I never spent what I did not have on me.

Our legislators, state and federal, look at the average American as their own personal bank account. I keep hearing that at some point there will be a tax revolt. When is that supposed to happen or are we in the “frog in the pot” mode? Our legislators are confiscating money that is not theirs and using it for nefarious purposes, not of our choosing. At what point will the American public stand up and say “ENOUGH.”

Over the past three years I have watched my beloved country, the United States of America sink from a high level of national prosperity and world-wide respect to the laughing stock of the modern world. The primary reason for this degradation can be boiled down to one culprit, the American politician.

When I look at the American politician, I see an entitled class who goes into office with semi-modest means and within a few years is a multimillionaire. They feel like the average citizen is beneath them and treats them like serfs. Of course, being feudal lords, the politicians promise handouts that engender loyalty so that they will be reelected to continue handing out “free” money and other benefits.

During the “Covid Crisis” the politicians (and unelected bureaucrats), with the help of the Chinese Communist Party, created a problem and then came up with the solution to the problem they created. This circular strategy was looked upon with great glee by the vast majority of the country as these politicians were passing out trillions of dollars. Of course, it’s easy to pass out other people’s money.

We are now in a situation that the Founders would have NEVER imagined, a national debt that will never be paid off; and yet, the politicians keep sending the taxpayers’ money out to people who never worked for it and have no right to it. The recipients of this largess will just grin and go on their merry way.

We see daily reports of thousands of illegals crossing our southern border and nothing is done to stop the flow. Meanwhile, thousands of people are waiting in countries around the world to come here legally. The illegals coming in are given transportation to the city of their choice, or if they don’t have a preference, one is provided to them; they are given money for subsistence (we can’t have the illegals starve), and set up for OUR social security and medical care. There is a “joke” going around that the best way for an American to live is to go to Mexico, renounce his U.S. citizenship, and come back into the U.S. illegally to get all the benefits. All this time, our national debt is skyrocketing in order for the Democrats to generate new voters.

Daily, we see YouTube videos of Congress Critters hammering bureaucrats for not doing the job they promised to do but nothing gets solved. Daily, we watch Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas sit before committee after committee and get grilled and exposed for his prevarication and outright lying. We see the same scenario with Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christoher Wray as well as other bureaucrats.

Evidence of unconstitutional behavior exhibited by these Biden-appointed bureaucrats is presented almost daily but the Congress Critters responsible for holding these and many others accountable are doing nothing. I have not seen any news of impeachment proceedings against any of them. Am I to assume that just because we see them being excoriated on YouTube that will be enough? Are these felons going to get by with just an embarrassing 15 minutes on YouTube?

Looking at my current tax “obligation,” I calculate that over 50% of my disposable income goes to taxes of one form or another and I’m not alone. Americans are living in the “frog in the pot” syndrome. The water keeps getting warmer and Americans are just getting used to the increased temperature. Eventually, the temperature gets too high and the frog dies. That is what we are looking at with America. Our money is being promised to too many people who haven’t worked for it and do not deserve it. It is not just the illegals who are getting our money, it is the welfare recipient who has been caught in the welfare world and is unwilling to break that cycle; it is foreign governments who don’t particularly like us but will kowtow to us so that they can continue to get their piece of the foreign country handouts; it is funding foreign wars in which we have no national interest. I do not include the current war between Israel and the Islamist devils; we DO have a national interest in that one.

These and many other wasteful and unnecessary dole programs are bleeding our country dry. If I ran my household on a deficit basis like Congress and the senile felon in the White House are doing, I would have been kicked out and homeless years ago. It’s time for Americans to stand up and be counted.

And what country can preserve it’s liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. Thomas Jefferson, 1787

There are currently 25 states in the US who have Constitutional Carry; that means that you do not have to have a permit to carry your every-day concealed handgun. Three more states are rapidly moving forward to joining this list, Florida, Nebraska, and South Carolina. That will make 28 states who understand the value of allowing citizens the God-given right to self-protection. They understand that we, as citizens, are our own First Responders in the event of a violent action. The police will show up to take the after action report.

However, the Democrat Socialist legislators and Democrat Socialist governor of Colorado do not believe we are citizens. They consider us Coloradans as subjects. One difference between a citizen and a subject is that a citizen has the right to be armed and a subject does not. The Democrat Socialist super-majority in Denver is on the verge of taking our Second Amendment rights away from us. They do not believe that Coloradans need to be able to protect themselves.

Current laws expected to go into effect this year include banning all semi-automatic firearms, expanding the Red Flag law, enacting a three-day waiting period to purchase a firearm, allowing victims to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers for the actions of felons. Does that mean I can sue Ford if a drunk driver hits me?

Colorado citizens can testify until they are blue in the face against these bills but the Democrat Socialists in Denver will NEVER hear, much less heed what we say, for to them, we are subjects.

I’m sure that I, as a Second Amendment advocate, a loyal American, and firearms and personal protection instructor, will be on their list of enemies. It is just a matter of time. I am grieved to see what the Soros/Bloomberg organization has done to our state.

There was a very interesting article in the May/June issue of the Concealed Carry (USCCA) magazine. The article discussed the concept of a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) holder coming to the aid of a police officer in a fight for his/her life.

Let’s review the Colorado “Self-Defense and Defense of Another” law. The law clearly states that you have the right to self-defense anywhere you have a legal right to be. That right extends to defending an innocent third party. The short discussion is that if you see someone, officer or not, in danger of extreme bodily harm or death at the hands of a bad guy, you have the right to defend that person. HOWEVER, (there’s always a however) before you do, you had better know the facts. Remember, facts can be stubborn things. If the person in danger is plain clothes cop you may not know who he is. The person in danger may not be a cop at all. The person doing the beating may not be a bad-guy. If you step in and shoot the guy doing the beating, how are you going to explain to the widow of the under-cover cop that you just killed her husband? Bottom line: YOU HAVE TO KNOW THE FACTS!

Obviously, if the person in danger is wearing a police uniform that makes the decision considerably easier. Now, instead of having to decide who the good guy is, you just have to look.

There are other concerns you have to consider. One of the NRA’s rules states, “Know your target and what is beyond.” The easiest way to describe this is when you have a major adrenalin dump into your system, your average 2-inch group at the range now goes to 8 – 10 inches. With this constraint, are you even going to hit the bad-guy? Are there innocent bystanders in the immediate area just off to the side? Are you carrying a heavy magnum like a .357mag, a .41mag, or a .44mag? With any of these (and some would argue the same with a 10mm) the over penetration could endanger innocent bystanders. This is one of the reasons I don’t recommend carrying the heavier calibers.

One way to mitigate the fear of opening groups is to train, and train often. When you train, you build muscle memory. Lack of training requires you to use your fine motor skills meaning that you have to consciously think about the five fundamentals of shooting; aiming, hold control, breath control, trigger control and follow-through. That takes time and concentration. Hold control, breath control, and follow-through should all be automatic reactions every time you shoot, whether at the range or in a defensive action. Aiming and trigger control should be “near-automatic” reactions. The only way you will get to that point is training and practice.

So, as you are preparing for your day or walking around town maintaining your “Attitude of Awareness,” keep these considerations in mind.

I’m not an economist but know enough to know what debt is. The feds are starting to talk about shelling out major tax credits as a stimulus to the economy. If they do this the $24T in debt will grow exponentially.

Don’t misunderstand me. I hate all forms of taxes but understand that there are a LOT of goods and services we have come to expect. Bankrupting the country, though, is not the answer. The answer is shutting off the open-handedness of all levels of government. Every time some group comes to a legislative body with a sob story, they throw money at it. This must stop. There is nothing in the Constitution that allows Congress or any state legislature to pay for illegals for ANYTHING except deportation. We have homeless vets that don’t know where they are going to sleep or where their next meal is coming from. These are people who signed on the bottom line to, if necessary, give up their lives for us, all of us.

We have a mental health problem that has been ignored for decades and now these unfortunate people are out there without a lifeline but government entities at all levels are passing out billions every day to illegals.

We are taxed for everything under the sun and watch our legislators give the money away to people who do not contribute to our country and have no intention of assimilating into our society. We even now have a group of congressional “representatives” who advocate that people not go back to work, just live off the dole. That is not America. America is a country where a man or woman can work and keep what they earn. Today, roughly 60+% of all we earn goes out in some form of taxes, whether it is income tax, property tax, sales tax, telephone tax, import tax, or what-have-you tax. If it is out there, some politician is going to tax you on it, irrespective of party.

This has to stop. When he was in Congress, Davy Crockett put it very well, “We have the right as individuals to give away as much of our own money as we please in charity; but as members of Congress we have no right to appropriate a dollar of the public money.” This concept has been lost on our politicians.

Charity is not the only category of giveaways in which our politicians engage. When I think back on the bank bailouts and auto industry bailouts, I cringe. We fought a revolution because of the concept of “taxation without representation.” That’s what we have now. Our federal government passes out our tax money to people who have made bad business decisions because they are “too big to fail.” Wrong, there is no one or no entity too big to fail. No Representative or Senator took a poll to see if John Q. Public approved of the bailouts. They voted to do it anyway.

I have lost faith in the political process and politicians in particular. Professional politicians are out for only one thing, their next election, not the American public and our way of life. Their constituents are not John Q. Public, but rather the major corporations, the home builders’ associations, and the ethnic group that shouts the loudest. Those are the competing factions in our election and tax dole codes.

The idea of supporting ANY politician who has ever supported a new tax or tax increase is abhorrent to me. However, supporting ANY politician who gives our money to those who have never contributed to our society makes me seriously question that politician’s dedication to our country. Politicians, theoretically, are elected to preserve our country. It is past time we hold politicians to this standard.