We find the best way to learn something new is to jump in and put all fear aside.
Ok. This might not be the best solution for everyone or every situation, but with the USCCA Online Community Forum, we all have the ability to read and learn at our own pace. Whether you’re new to the self-defense realm, professional gunsmith or a self-defense lawyer, there are many topics to dive into.
The neat thing with this community, it’s open to everyone. Non-members can join the conversation and get real world knowledge and feedback from Firearm enthusiasts, Professionals and even corporate USCCA moderators to get answers quick. Take the time to create a profile today and join the conversation.
Not going to lie, we’re fairly new to the community forum, but it’s an awesome way to connect, learn, and build relationships.
The USCCA Community Forum has (4) four main categories: Training, Guns & Gear, Legal & Political and Miscellaneous. From there, find hundreds of different topics per category. The best way to find a certain topic is to use the search bar. Trust us, scrolling sucks, BUT one can find some interesting content/topics. If a topic cannot be found, create one.
Going back to basics, regardless of industry, is a great way to support a foundation for further growth. This is no different for firearms. For this specific post, we are going to take a deeper dive into the firearm safety rules, explain the WHY and provide detailed scenarios of each.
Take a second to read the rules below and understand that they all promote safety. They also support one another and remember that no one rule is more important than another.
Treat Every Firearm As If It Were Loaded
Is a water gun, dart gun or toy gun considered a “firearm”? This debate can go back and forth for days and can get very heated for parents on all spectrums. Especially when we consider children and firearms, we want to build muscle memory for safety. These toys can be fun (and they are), but they can also create an arena for complacency.
Muscle memory can take up to 2 to 4 weeks to establish, but on-going refresher is needed to maintain memory. Firearms training is physically and mentally challenging. What happens to human muscle mass if conditioned at the gym for 4 weeks straight and then stopped for 1 month? According to healthline.com, we can see diminished performance just after 4 weeks of not working out.
All of these safety rules require motor skills and motor skills are perishable, meaning that to maintain or improve firearm skills takes continued, on-going practice.
A simple maneuver, such as properly retrieving a firearm laid on the nightstand in the dark can create many safety concerns or complications. Is it pointed in a safe direction? Is the safety on or not? Are there items blocking it? Is the firearm in a locked safe? Can the firearm even be identified in the dark? Is the firearm equipped with night sights and/or light? Regardless, there are many questions to consider beyond the basic safety rules. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s cover the 4 basic firearm safety rules.
Never Point the Firearm at Anything You Are Not Willing to Destroy
As mentioned above, treating all firearms as if they were loaded. This safety rule is compounded by focusing on muzzle control. The muzzle is the front part of the barrel and for on-going practice, think of a high-intensity laser coming out the front of the firearm. It would ultimately destroy anything in its path. Especially for beginners, having a laser or light on the front of the firearm as a constant reminder during practice may help amplify that muscle memory.
This is especially important when holstering, presenting, firing, maneuvering, SUL/Temple Index stances, etc. The more motion we incorporate, the higher probability of complacency in muzzle control.
Keep Your Finger Off the Trigger Until Ready to Fire
This rule can be a bit misleading and for safety reasons, we need to add “Off the Trigger Guard” as well. During many maneuvers, the Trigger Finger should be above the guard and touching the slide.
During movement, our grip shouldn’t be compromised, but in real life situations, things will never be perfect and that “perfect grip” will get lost. Reassessing grip position with the Trigger Finger on the slide won’t compromise safety. This safety rule is also imperative during the holstering process. Physically look and slow down. We have all the time in the world to holster the firearm.
Be Sure of Your Target and What is Behind It
Last, but not least we need to focus on the target and what is behind it. All these rules apply to Dry and Live Fire and when setting up targets for in-home, Dry Fire we always make sure the chamber, magazine well and magazines are clear, as well as removing all live ammunition from the room. What’s even as critical is setting the targets up in a safe direction.
What’s in front of the target? What’s on the backside of the wall? Are neighbors living close or on the other side of the wall? Are there other potential safety hazards, for instance: propane tanks or other flammable/explosive materials?
Have questions about any of these concepts? Contact us HERE and would love to help.
There is a reason why minimalists tend to survive the harsh realities of life when sh*t hits the fan. Bare essentials, when needed for survival, matter. Having access to these items, knowing where they’re located and how to properly use them, can determine life or death in a given situation.
1) Concealed Carry Firearm
This should be a given, but not surprisingly, most law-abiding citizens don’t carry a firearm. In Minnesota, as of March 1st, 2022, 387,013 active permits were registered out of 3,414,300 residents over the age of 21. This is less than 9% of all legal adults able to acquire a firearm. Not great, but it’s the highest number of active permits in the history of Minnesota. We love that more people are taking personal responsibility in protecting themselves.
Some of the best-selling EDC (Everyday Carry) firearms are:
Springfield XD-S/Hellcat
SIG Sauer P365
Glock 19/43X
S&W M&P Shield Plus/EZ
Ruger LCR/LCP II
What ever make/model is chosen, make sure it’s the right price, fit and caliber. Don’t know what to get? We offer in-person consultations to “zero in” and help find the best firearm option. Call Cory @ 612-875-4454 or send a message to Cory@Nomadlund.com
2) SOF Tactical Tourniquet
A tourniquet is a device that helps apply pressure to a limb to stop hemorrhaging (an escape of blood from a ruptured blood vessel) that cannot be stopped with direct pressure.
When purchasing a tourniquet for an EDC (Everyday Carry) kit, we would suggest Tactical Medical Solutions SOF Tactical Tourniquet, 1.5” Compression Band. It’s honestly the only Tourniquet solution we would suggest and is used by elite military forces, police departments, fire and EMS agencies/services.
3) New Israeli Battle Dressing
Like the Tourniquet, the Israeli Bandage applies pressure to stop hemorrhaging, but is applied directly to the wound. This bleeding control kit includes: Primary Dressing, Pressure Applicator, Secondary Dressing & Closure Apparatus. This New Israeli Battle Dressing has a 6″ wide sterile pad, a 7ft elastic wrap, vacuum packaged and sterilized in a medical grade facility.
4) Spyderco Knife
One of the oldest tools for self-defense is a blade and this Spyderco 3.39″ G-10 is a great option for everyday carry. Not only can a knife be used for self-defense, but can aid in a medical emergency to remove a seat belt, clothes covering a wound or cutting open a backpack with a stuck zipper.
One thing to remember and this isn’t legal advice, but if a knife is carried in conjunction with a Firearm on person, there may be additional legal implications in a self-defense altercation. Please research this topic. Also, would also highly recommend researching and purchasing self-defense legal protection. The last thing needed is to second guess a self-defense situation.
In conclusion, we suggest these items at a minimum, but every scenario is different. If carrying all this isn’t an option, just customize it. For example, someone might not need a flashlight if going for a bike ride during the day. The goal here is to be prepared incase of an emergency and also to consider additional legal protection to safeguard oneself, loved ones, property and to stay out of jail if ANY self-defense claim needs to be made.
Springfield Hellcat OSP – Equipped w/ SeeAll Oversight + Tritium
“SeeAll Sights can be labeled as the 21st Century Open Sight. Traditional iron sights require the user to look at two points, and then the target. SeeAll Sights take those two points, and make them appear as one. This point is also in focus with your down field target keeping everything clear for you.” -SeeAllOpensight.com
The SeeAll sight shipped in a solid, neon green case and safely nestled in gray foam. This kit also includes: two (2) Allen wrenches, two (2) set screws and placard with instructions. The website they provide guides installation and adjustments for zeroing in the delta optic.
Note: SeeAll doesn’t include Blue Threadlocker for the set screws and this is a step that shouldn’t be skipped. This protects the internal “female” threads on the firearm and threads on the set screw from corrosion. It also provides a medium hold on the set screws so they don’t back out due to vibration, slide movement and recoil.
Top View
SeeAll notes that these sights are “zeroed” at the factory and only minor adjustments are required out-of-the-box. From our experience, this was definitely the case, but would still suggest taking the time for proper alignment. This sight also comes in two versions: with or without Tritium. Honestly, would suggest getting the Tritium upgrade. The sight stays illuminated all night and the best part, don’t need batteries. Yes, the front sight on the Hellcat includes tritium, but the SeeAll displays a bright green block with the prominent Delta triangle. Hard to miss this. It especially helps locate the firearm in a pitch black room. With both the SeeAll and front sight illuminated, can quickly determine where and what direction the firearm is facing. Bonus!
Sight View
As stated by SeeAll, “Using the point of a Delta, tight groups become easy. Traditional iron sight, and red dots are commonly sighted in to be covering the area you want to hit. This grows as the distance increases. SeeAll Sights will always have a pin point to aim off of no matter the distance!”
From working in the shop to out on the range, safety measures take all forms. To protecting toes, fingers, limbs, center-of-mass “vital organs” or the cranium (skull), there are things we can do to limit dangerous exposure to the elements.
Hearing is just one of these pieces or “senses” that need protection. Especially for the shooting sports and continued training for defensive purposes. The instant percussion or sound from a round going off in a firearm can cause immediate ringing in the unprotected ear.
According to HealthyHearing.com, “A gunshot produces a loud burst of sound, causing a concussive energy that rattles the eardrum, the little bones in the inner ear and the cochlea, a fluid-filled, snail-shaped organ with thousands of tiny hair-like structures that convert sounds from the outside world into electrical impulses the brain can understand.”
Shooter’s Ear is another topic some have heard (There is a dad joke in “hear” somewhere). On a serious note, this is where the ear opposite to the firearm is affected. “The shooting arm shoulder helps shield the blast from hitting the ear full force, causing more damage to hearing on the opposite side.”
What can we use to combat hearing loss, ear-ringing or “shooter’s ear” and limit concussive energy exposure? These are options we use and recommend:
Sordin Supreme PRO X
Sordin (Military Grade) are honestly the best type of hearing protection for the avid range shooter or the individual succumbing to constant, loud noise in the workplace. The dual-microphone and multiple amplification settings put Sordin Supreme PRO X on the top of the list.
These are a newer style of ear protection that also include bluetooth capabilities. Lighter to carry and customizable ear pieces, AXIL GS Extreme Ear Buds are a great option for the individual in warmer climates and constantly on the move. Require agility for tactical training or in the workplace? Pick up the AXIL GS Extreme Ear Buds.
3M Peltor X1A Over-the-Head Ear Muffs
Simple, yet effective. These 3M Peltor X1A‘s don’t break the bank! This option is great for a backup, live fire class, or when getting down and dirty in the trenches. Long day at the range or in a noisy environment all day? Couple these bad boys with the Corded Ear Plugs.
Corded Ear Plugs
When all else fails or in a pinch for time/money, these silicon, corded and reusable ear plugs are last, but definitely not least. When out on the range or in a construction environment, the last thing we want is to be searching for ear protection. Lost earbuds in a pocket filled with tools/debris? Don’t risk loosing ear protection and having to scrounge up another pair. The Corded Ear Plugs will easily stow around your neck.
According to U.S. News, over 5.1 million second amendment supporters became new gun owners between Jan 2020 and April 2021. The “pandemic” and the surge of crime, from defunding the police, was a major contributor. Also, U.S. Governmental overreach was witnessed by every-single-citizen on a massive level. The federal government down to our local communities, families and small businesses were impacted financially, physically and mentally.
Above all this, Nomadlund Outfitters had a chance to be a part of an amazing movement. All thanks to partnering with Pivotal Defense and the amazing women taking part in a private, Permit to Carry and Self-Defense course in Delano, Minnesota.
Secondly, we all fear the unknown and the same is true for firearm ownership. For example, the fear of walking to the car at night can be diminished through proper protection. What bridges the gap between fear and being a responsible firearm owner is education.
Certainly, the biggest eye opener that one of our students, in her 60’s, joined us with such anxiety and shaking from the nerves. She never held or shot a gun, ever. This type of nervousness is honestly expected from all new gun owners.
Most importantly, as the class progressed (with a lot of laughs) , the nervousness subsided. Yes, there’s a strict curriculum we follow, but having the private open-discussion, in a stress free environment, is key for this amazing segment of new gun owners, women.
In conclusion, let’s take a second to celebrate the movement of women empowerment through education and self-defense.
Want to schedule a personalized, All Women Permit to Carry event or one-on-one session?
