Don't Go It Alone...Invite Your Neighbors

It's amusing to watch all of the "prepper" shows on TV that expound the virtues of self-reliance and survival during an societal implosion.  You can go it alone, or shelter in place with your family, but I propose that you build a much stronger solution with your neighbors.  This doesn't just work for the end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it scenarios, but it can be a valuable force multiplier in stopping burglars, home invaders, and common everyday hoodlums.

Step 1:  Get to know your neighbors

In order to build a team, you have to know your players.  In my neighborhood I have retirees, medical professionals (a HUGE benefit in an emergency), engineers and homemakers.  Each person may have something to contribute in a crisis.  Even if a person can't move around, they can be excellent lookouts and coordinators for the group.  Be fully aware that not everyone has the same ideals or political values, so it may take some work on your part to get them prepared for a crisis.  We live in a hurricane zone, so I tend to discuss storm preparedness more, and doomsday scenarios less.

Step 2:  Communications

Almost everyone owns a cell phone.  During an emergency, however, they can be rendered useless if the towers are damaged or the switching network is overwhelmed by a disaster.  During 9/11, voice calls ground to a halt, and text messaging was barely useable.  Capacity and quality have improved since the last decade, but you need to have some alternatives.

CB radio:  Limited range, but widely monitored by truckers.  Mobile radios work OK, but handheld versions tend to be bulky and go through batteries very quickly.  It's not the most family friendly environment.

FRS/GMRS:  The handheld versions of these radios are popular and can be purchased at most any department or sporting goods store.  Don't believe the claims on the packaging -- in your neighborhood, you may only get a one or two mile range.  The Family Radio Service doesn't require a licence and you will likely find someone talking on a channel in most cities or neighborhoods.  The General Mobile Radio Service does require a license, but you can run much higher power mobile radios and you may even find a repeater system that let's you talk for over 20 miles.  If you want to setup a local communications group in your neighborhood and practice disaster drills, these radios might be your best option.

Ham Radio:  Amateur Radio is by far, the most versatile communications platform in an emergency.  You can study online and test with a local ham club to get your Technician license.  This will give you the capability to use a handheld or mobile radio to communicate locally via repeater systems.  These repeaters may cover a city, county, or may even be linked across a large geographic area.  If you upgrade to a General license, you get access to the HF (high frequency) bands that expand your communication range to other amateurs world-wide.   I am licensed, and my two childen got their licenses before they hit their teens.  I'm working on getting my neighbors licensed so we can share in the benefits.  Teach them how to join weekly "nets" and build your skills together. 

Step 3:  Take them to the Gun Range

The single best way to get to know your neighbor is to take them to the range and teach them how to shoot.  You might just create another gun aficionado!  When the excrement hits the oscillator, having a neighbor that can provide mutual security for you and your family is priceless.  I have converted many who were adamantly anti-gun into frequent shooters by taking the time to explain the responsibilities and rewards of gun ownership.  The most effective way to win them over is by training one-on-one.  They will ask more questions, and you will have more productive conversations.  Be sure to "buy the first round" and pay their way on the first visit, even if it's just a box of .22's.  Many of my neighbors ended up taking my Concealed Handgun course and getting licensed to carry.

Step 4:  Keep Your Group Small and Manageable

Too many members lends to apathy and dissent.  If a catastrophe strikes, you don't want to find that a neighbor isn't pulling their own weight and draining resources.  By frequently re-evaluating your core group, you can identify and replace any weak links.  True friends are willing to help even if there is nothing for them to gain.  Don't disclose EVERY resource that you have available so you want become a target for theft or burglary.  If you are sitting on a huge stash of food, bragging about it may cause others to rely on you and not build up their own rations.

In conclusion, I want to point out that humans have historically survived in groups.  For better or worse, we will have to deal with other humans in any apocalyptic scenario.  Better to choose, build, and prepare that group now rather than have it forced upon you in the future. 

Best of luck on your preparations!

It's 2014 - and Yes, I'm Still Carrying an LCR

I opened up my old blog site and realized just how long it's been since I've posted anything.  Many things have changed, but one thing has remained the same -- I still carry an revolver and it's still a Ruger LCR.

Now don't get the idea that I am a one-gun-only kind of guy.  Baby Glocks, Kahr's and Springfield XDs' (the slim models) have been in my carry rotation, but as I get older, I've found that every millimeter of thickness and every ounce of weight can make a difference in daily carry.  A 5-shot revolver just carries SO much better!

So here are some things that have changed over the past few years:

Holsters - I became frustrated with trying to fit production holsters to my body, so I now make my own custom Kydex holsters for all of my handguns.  An unintended consequence is that other people started liking my holsters too, so I now make them for Shooter's Alley Gun Range.  Drop me a line if you need more info on holsters for semi-autos or revolvers.

Sights - My eyes are not the same when I was a young deputy sheriff in Louisiana.  Low profile black sights just don't stand out enough for me to acquire a flash sight picture.  An XS sight has now been installed and I keep kicking myself for not doing this sooner!  It's a bright white ring for daytime use and a clear green dot in the darkness.

Lasers - In the late 90's I had first-hand experience with how beneficial a laser could be in dealing with a violent criminal.  During a felony traffic stop at an interstate rest area, one of the passengers in the suspect vehicle refused to show his hands.  An internal guiderod laser on my duty Glock was pointed directly at his upper chest.  He saw it...I saw it...His empty hands were now raised above his head.  When we searched the car, I found a pistol on the floorboard right where he had been sitting.  A simple beam of light may have been the difference between a shootout and going home unscathed that night.  One of my LCR has Crimson Trace grips, and this is my preferred nighttime carry.

Ammo - My carry ammo is most definitely Corbon DPX.  It just works.  For my practice ammo, I am now experimenting with some .38 handloads using polymer coated Bayou Bullets over a powder-puff charge.  When demonstrating shooting fundamentals to a new shooter, you can really eliminate the intimidation factor of recoil and noise by using a cartridge that has enough energy to poke holes in targets but not bruise the hand.  They're green, but this isn't to please the "greenies".  It's actually a lube/coating that helps keeps your shooting dust and smoke to a minimum.  Check out their site.

More posts to come.  I will try not to stay away so long from the blogosphere!