Riclin Firearms Training, LLC

Most wisdom does not arise from intellect, but rather from experience and the ability to recognize the world around you for what it is, rather than what you wish it to be. - Phil Messina, President, Modern Warrior Inc. Think about that thought…there is a lot of wisdom in it.

“We train and prepare ourselves so that we are skilled enough to avoid having to use our training.” Attributed to Clint Smith in Concealed Carry Magazine. The article goes on to say ‘In other words, skill breeds confidence. Those who become knowledgeable, skilled, confident, and prepared to fight back also become less attractive targets for opportunistic violent criminal predators.’

The question came up in the recent Ladies Concealed Carry Class about the difference between being constantly aware and being paranoid. This raises an interesting point. I’ve been giving this question some thought, and it seems to me that the best answer is that being paranoid means that you really do believe that everyone is out to do you harm and you are fearful of that. And the reality is that while most people are probably not out to do you harm, there are some who will do so if they think they can get away with it.

On the other hand, being aware means you are constantly looking for anyone who might want to do you harm, but you are not as fearful because you know you have the skills to respond appropriately. By being constantly aware, or as aware as possible, you are making it difficult for someone out to do you harm to do so and providing yourself a chance to avoid the situation or to respond in the event that they decide to attack.

I carry 100% of the time outside the castle. When I holster prior to departure, I always remind myself, consciously, of the responsibility that carrying entails prior to going out the door. I find that once out, even in the most challenging or frustrating encounters, in traffic, in stores or elsewhere, I may have, I find myself much more patient and much more prone to deescalating situations than I would otherwise. Carrying actually makes me calmer. Mike Marcon on GetoftheX forum.

There is no challenge that we cannot meet. There is no evil we cannot overcome. Our strength is derived from the freedoms too often taken for granted; the freedom to worship as we believe, the freedom to speak as we choose, the freedom to walk where we will, the freedom to be armed in our defense, and ultimately, the grit to fight when we must… Jeff Chudwin, President, Illinois Tactical Officers Association

You have to make the shot when fire is smoking, people are screaming, dogs are barking, kids are crying and sirens are coming… from Randy Cain as seen on the DefensiveCarry.com forum… he makes a very valid point here… it is unlikely that when you need your handgun the situation will in a controlled range-like environment where you have lots of time and no distractions… rather it will likely be needed in a situation similar to the one described above and it will be very chaotic.

There is probably more truth to this statement that most of us realize… You have to survive three battles; the gun battle, legal battle, and emotional battle. Even if you dodge the first two that third one, the emotional battle, will be the most powerful. James Yeager of Tactical Response

Don’t arbitrarily divide your life into “safe” and “dangerous” parts, places, nor activities. Fate may neglect to celebrate your dear fantasy! Carry your weapon! This came in an email describing the brutal assault leading to the death of one and serious injury of the other of a couple out jogging in an upscale neighborhood one morning about a month ago. Both of them had concealed carry permits but were not carrying at the time. Three men armed with baseball bats pulled up beside them in their car, stopped and assaulted them. One of the lessons stated in the article was the fact that no place is safe.