Monday, May 31, 2010

2010 NRA Annual Meeting In Charlotte, NC - A Recap

If you have been following me for a while, you already know that I was in attendance at the National Rifle Association's (NRA) Annual Meeting in Charlotte, NC. This post will detail "some" of the activities that I engaged in while I was there. I'm sure that you will agree, after seeing what I saw and reading about what I did that I had a great time.



A Kid In The Candy Store
The NRA Annual Meeting had over 6.5 acres of exhibitor space. There's no way I can tell you everything that I saw there. I made note of and took pictures of several things that I will describe in future posts. For now, here are some photos taken from the exhibition floor:



A Networker's Dream
A great reason to attend a convention is to meet like-minded folks to get re-energized and to find win-win opportunities. Since I am a gun rights activist, it's a no-brainer for me to attend the NRA Convention.

I bumped into some folks I had known in-person, "knew" online, or had previously communicated with at some point in time in the past. Among those were Joe Tartaro of the Second Amendment Foundation, Cam Edwards of the "Cam & Company Show," Matt Miller of Houston, TX, Devin Standard of "Black Dragon Tactical," and Mark Richardson of the NRA's Education and Training Department:



I Am The Media!
As mentioned in another post, I was awarded media credentials to the entire convention and had access to everything that transpired. I got to meet fellow gun bloggers from across this fine country who I added to my blog-roll. In addition, I got to hang out behind the scenes and network with other people from the "traditional" media.



Shameless Plug Alert!
Somehow, I managed to get some media coverage of myself. Over that weekend, I was on the "Cam and Company" TV show twice: once during a "man on the street" interview and as an in-studio guest during a live taping. Being on the show - twice - in one day was surely the pinnacle of the weekend for me.



If I ever get the footage from the Executive Producer, John Popp, I'll post it.

In addition, I met the guy behind GunWebSites.com - He shot a quick interview of me during a lull in the action in the media room:



Further, if all that wasn't enough, a side conversation I had with a local freelance writer resulted in me being quoted in "The Politics Daily."

Bottom Line
I had a great time at the Annual Meeting. I've already made plans to attend next year's convention in Pittsburgh.

Why don't you join us?

South Carolina's Kickoff To The 2010 NRA Annual Meeting

I attended a Friends of the NRA Dinner in Fort Mill, SC on May 13th at the behest of my friend Wayne Wilkinson. I had a great time, ate some great food, and met some incredible supporters of the Second Amendment.

The Purpose Of NRA Dinners
Folks who know me on Facebook, know that the adjective "shy" does not apply to me. Yet, I was mildly surprised when my buddy Wayne called me to the front of the church before a couple hundred of attendees to talk about why it was important to enthusiastically support this dinner. I was warmly received and spent almost the whole time I was there talking to folks who just approached me afterwards to thank me for coming and to talk about freedom.

If you have attended a NRA Dinner before, you know that is a great event. It is no secret that the purpose of the event is to raise money. The great thing about these fundraisers is that 50% of all generated revenues are funneled back into the local area to support educational and training opportunities in the shooting sports. For example, there was this one young man, about 12 years of age, who addressed the crowd after me who had registered an almost perfect score at trap shooting.

The shooting sports are very popular in South Carolina. In fact, marksmanship training is available in the public schools there. Only in my wildest dream could I envision that something like that could happen in Michigan, especially in Detroit. However, South Carolina has a huge desire to preserve the shooting sports, marksmanship, and hunting in their state.

The Best Reason For Attending A NRA Dinner
I've been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to have attended a few NRA Dinners in the last couple of years. As a consequence, I have come to understand that the BEST reason to attend one is to meet and fellowship with like minded folks.

I met so many people that there is no way that I can remember them all. A few folks that I can recall and will never forget are the following: Wayne Wilkinson, SC State Rep. Dennis Moss, and the husband and wife team running DES Training, Inc. in SC.

This particular NRA Dinner featured people who take part in historical reenactments of battles during the Revolutionary War. Here's a couple of pictures I took with a couple of actors:



The food at this dinner was incredible. The main course was a SC traditional dish called "Slow Country Boil." It is composed of corn on the cob, sausage, potatoes, and a mountain of shrimp. It is served by literally pouring it on a table. No fooling. I took a picture because I didn't think anyone back home would believe me.



In all, I had a great time, met some really cool people, helped raise money for a worthy cause, and had an awesome meal. I am glad that I went.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Blog Roll Additions - NRA Annual Meeting 2010

The NRA Annual Meeting has come and gone and I have yet to add some pro-gun bloggers to my Blog Roll. At the convention, I was part of the Second Amendment Blog Bash - a group of pro-gun bloggers who were given media credentials to cover the entire event. It was a blast! It was a great thing to meet others who blog about the RTKBA

With no further ado, in no particular order:

Say Uncle
NRA Blog (Danielle)
Snowflakes in Hell (Sebastian)
The Breda Fallacy (Breda)
Another Gun Blog (Mike W.)
Robb Allen (Robb Allen)
Countertop Chronicles
MArooned (Jay Grazio)
Snarky Bytes (Alan)
Weer'dBeard
BitterB

I have a few more links to add as I find the references. My infomation storage habits are in need of improvement. LOL

GunWebsites.com Interviews Firearm Safety Expert Rick Ector at the NRA Annual Meeting

"Conservative Is Cool" Interviews Gun Safety Expert Rick Ector



If the embedded player is not visible in this post, listen to it over at BlogTalk Radio.

About The Author
Rick Ector is a National Rifle Association credentialed Firearms Trainer, who provides Michigan CCW Class training in Detroit for students at his firearms school - Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit.

Ector is a recognized expert in firearm safety and has been featured extensively in the national and local media: Associated Press, UPI, NRAnews, Guns Digest, Tactical-Life, The Truth About Guns, The Politics Daily, Fox News Detroit, The Detroit News, The Detroit Examiner, WJLB, WGPR, and the UrbanShooterPodcast.

For more info about free shooting lessons for women and Michigan CCW Classes, please contact:

Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit
Web: http://www.detroitccw.com.
Email: info@detroitccw.com
Phone: 313.733.7404

Detroit Michigan CCW CPL Class - Saturday, June 5th, 2010

We are pleased to announce another CCW/CPL Class of this year! So, if you have a desire to qualify for a Concealed Pistol License, so that you can feel safe, register for our next class.

Location:
Southfield Hampton Inn
27500 Northwestern Hwy.
Southfield, Michigan 48034

Option I

Pay Tuition 7 Days in Advance ($150) and Save $25!
(Total Cost: $150 + Range Expenses)

Option II

Pay Tuition ($175) within 7 days before class.
(Total Cost: $175 + Range Expenses)

Register at our site: Online Now!

Range expenses will be incurred at the range to handle gun rental, range time, ammunition costs, and a fee for a target. The estimated fee is $35.

Our class starts at 8:00 a.m. sharp!

Detroit Michigan CCW CPL Class - 99 - December 28, 2008






Open Carry Potluck Picnic At Belle Isle - Sunday August 22nd, 2010

We've finally announced the details for this year's open carry event. We are having a potluck picnic on Belle Isle Park in Detroit on Sunday, August 22nd, 2010. We will be at Shed #10 and the festivities will start in earnest at 10am.

If you're new to the concept of open carry, here are a few tidbits:

In Michigan, you can legally carry a pistol in a holster without a permit, as long as the gun is registered to you.

You can't wear a holstered pistol in a vehicle without a Concealed Pistol License. Otherwise, you'd have to transport it unloaded, encased, separated from ammunition, and placed in your trunk.

Wearing a holstered handgun is not brandishing.

Belle Isle Park is NOT a Pistol-FREE Zone.

You can't carry or possess a firearm if you are legally barred (e.g. felony or DV conviction, under 18 years of age, and etc.)

Also, it probably "goes without saying" but I'm going to say it anyway:

1. Guns and alcohol don't mix.
2. Keep your firearm holstered.

If you've never attended an OC event, visit OpenCarry.org for more info.

Things To Bring
1. Food
2. Chairs
3. Card Tables

I'm anticipating a great turn-out. Let's have a great event and exercise our right to keep and bear arms.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing Comes Out Of The Closet - He's Anti-Gun!

Yesterday, during a televised press conference about a seven year-old girl who was shot in the neck and killed by a rifle under the control of a Detroit Special Response Team officer, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing said the following:

"We got to really take a hard look at gun control."

It was a typical example of a big city mayor, as seen in other cities across our country, refusing to not waste an opportunity to exploit a tragedy to advance as an anti-gun agenda. Apparently, someone forgot to tell him that a member of the Detroit Police Department is at the center of the investigation regarding the death of Aiyanna Jones.

Before this statement, not much was known of Bing's stance on the lawful possession and private ownership of firearms; it was not a campaign issue when he recently sought election to the city's highest office. The state of Michigan had long ago revised its firearm laws to make it easier for black people to acquire Concealed Pistol Licenses. Previously, a discretionary issuing system barred folks in predominantly "ethnic" counties from qualifying.

Despite being known as an ocean of liberalism, Detroit is a town where a sizeble percentage of law-abiding residents own firearms and a majority of its sitting City Council members have state of Michigan Concealed Pistol Licenses (CPLs).

His apparent position on private gun ownership is hypocritical, as he has armed police officers protecting him and his family at public expense of the very residents he may be seeking to disarm.

The city of Detroit leadership has yet to get a handle on its violent crime problem. It is consistently ranked as one of the top violent cities in the country and on at least one list was listed as one of the most violent on the planet Earth.

Currently, thousands of rape kits await processing in an overflow police property room, the city's crime lab is still shut down because of incompetence, the city's Council is threatening to significantly slash the police department's budget, police response is published at 28 minutes but could not possibly be accurate, and area jails lack bed space to lock up criminals after they're caught.

If Mayor Bing wants to disarm anybody, he should start with his own police department before he seeks to disarm law-abiding citizens in a town full of violent criminals that "the system" lacks the resource to lock up.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Michigan CCW Class: It's A Bad Idea To Chase Criminals

Recently, there have been a couple of cases in Detroit, Michigan whereby citizens with a state of Michigan issued Concealed Pistol Licenses (CCW/CPL) decided to chase after a criminal after he had left the scene. In both scenarios, the outcomes were disastrous. This article will explore both cases and provide reasons why it is not a good idea to chase bad guys.

A CPL Is Not A James Bond 007 License

First, a CPL merely authorizes a designated person to carry a concealed pistol on or about his person. Since Michigan recognizes a citizen's right to self-defense, a concealed pistol provides an effective means of establishing a defense from an attack while avoiding the awkward looks one can acquire from onlookers if he was open-carrying, which is legal without a license in Michigan.

A CPL does not give its possessor any special privileges with respect to the usage of lethal force. In Michigan, lethal force is only authorized under a narrow band of circumstances. In general, lethal force is authorized for individual if that person:
is somewhere he has a legal right to be, is not in the commission of a crime, and has both a reasonable and honest belief that he is in imminent jeopardy of severe bodily harm, sexual assault, or death.

Why It's A Bad Idea To Chase Bad Guys

The usage of lethal force outside of the aforementioned parameters may result in the user of that lethal force being found guilty of a crime, imprisoned, fined, and being found responsible in a civil lawsuit.

Thus, if a bad guy has already left the scene - before he had a chance to commit a crime or immediately after he has already committed a crime - there is probably a pretty good chance that he is no longer a threat to anyone. Usage of lethal force at this point in time will probably not be viewed as lawful by the state of Michigan.

Furthermore, the chasing of a criminal is potentially problematic. If the criminal is caught, the chaser may have the unenviable position of deciding what to do next, like the dog that finally "caught" a car at a traffic signal. Any mistakes or miscues done at this point could result with the "victim" being charged as a criminal.

Case Study 1:
Late last year, it was reported in the media that an east-side Detroit resident, whose home had been reportedly burglarized three times within a short time period, came home to find two men attempting to break into his home.

The resident, a CPL-holder, gave chase to one of the fleeing men. According to testimony provided by local police officers, the resident admitted that he caught up with the fleeing criminal who stopped, turned around, and challenged the CPL-holder to shoot him. According to testimony also reported in the media, the CPL-holder then shot the man who died.

The CPL-holder has been charged with 2nd-Degree Murder and Felony Firearm and is currently awaiting trial.

Case Study 2
Last week an elderly Detroit man, who has a CPL, was accosted by a 19 year-old criminal with a fake gun who led him into the basement of a home where he was robbed of his wallet, car keys, and cell phone.

Sometime shortly after the robber left, the CPL-holder emerged from the dwelling with a handgun and shot at the robber who then crashed the victim's vehicle into a tree. The robber bailed from the vehicle and ran down the street, as the CPL-holder fired another shot. That last shot missed and struck another person who died.

Both the CPL-holder and the robber were arrested. The robber has been charged with felony murder via transferred intent even though he didn't shoot the decedent and the CPL-holder remains in custody as authorities try to decide what to charge him with.

Bottom Line:

An alert, trained, and armed CPL-holder is certainly able to lawfully defend himself with lethal force while he is under an imminent threat of an attack. However, if the mere presence of the victim causes the criminal to flee or the criminal was able to successfully attack his victim and leave the scene, it is not a good idea for a victim to later chase after a fleeing criminal.

At this point, it becomes more difficult to justify the usage of lethal force should the victim catch up to his assailant. A miscue can lead to criminal charges being filed against the chaser. In the two cases cited in this article, both CPL-holders would not be facing criminal charges had they not chased the fleeing criminals. So, the job of chasing of criminals should be left to the police.

Individuals who wish to avoid being victims, should always be aware of their surroundings, carry their firearm at every legal opportunity, and do not hesitate to use it when needed to defend their lives under the threat of an imminent attack.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Detroit Michigan CCW Class: Sunday, May 23rd, 2010

We are pleased to announce another CCW/CPL Class of this year! So, if you have a desire to qualify for a Concealed Pistol License, so that you can feel safe, register for our next class.

Location:
Southfield Hampton Inn
27500 Northwestern Hwy.
Southfield, Michigan 48034

Option I

Pay Tuition 7 Days in Advance ($150) and Save $25!
(Total Cost: $150 + Range Expenses)

Option II

Pay Tuition ($175) within 7 days before class.
(Total Cost: $175 + Range Expenses)

Register at our site: Online Now!

Range expenses will be incurred at the range to handle gun rental, range time, ammunition costs, and a fee for a target. The estimated fee is $35.

Our class starts at 8:00 a.m. sharp!

Detroit Michigan CCW CPL Class - 99 - December 28, 2008






[Video] Detroit Michigan CCW Class Student Testimonial #167

Sunday, May 9, 2010

[Video] Detroit Michigan CCW Class Student Testimonial #166

[Video] Detroit Michigan CCW Class Student Testimonial #165

[Video] Detroit Michigan CCW Class Student Testimonial #164

[Video] Detroit Michigan CCW Class Student Testimonial #163

[Video] Detroit Michigan CCW Classes Student Testimonial #162

Detroit Michigan CCW Classes Student Testimonial #161

[Video] Detroit Michigan CCW Class Student Testimonial #160

[Video] Detroit Michigan CCW Classes - Jacketed Hollow Point Ammunition

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

5 Keys To Responsible Firearms Ownership

As a result of reading a few stories about persons in the local media, who in my opinion were irresponsible with their firearms, I felt moved to pen a blog post about elementary concepts associated with responsible firearm ownership.

If I covered this subject in-depth the resulting work would easily be a book comprised of at least a few hundred pages. This article is not exhaustive, but will guide the novice and inexperienced firearms owner towards a body of knowledge for further investigation.

Intended Audience
In Michigan, individuals desiring to qualify for a state-issued Concealed Pistol License (CPL) are required to take a gun safety class. As a consequence, these persons are taught how to be responsible with their firearms.

However, there are many other persons who own firearms and may not have been raised with guns or had prior experiences with them. Accordingly, these people may not know everything that is expected of them as responsible firearms owners. This post is written for that audience.

Key 1: Always Obey All Gun Safety Rules
If gun safety rules are always followed, there is no possible way that an adverse and tragic accident can occur. The five fundamentals of safe gun handling are listed as the following:

- Always treat a firearm as if it is loaded at all times.
- Always keep a firearm pointed in a safe direction.
- Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire.
- Always keep firearms unloaded until ready for use.
- Always be sure of your target and what is beyond it.

Do not handle a firearm unless you know the above rules and completely understand them. If necessary, consult with the following: a knowledgeable user, a firearms dealer, or a firearms instructor.

Key 2: Always Keep Firearms Away From Unauthorized Users
Many tragic incidents with firearms occur when unauthorized users acquire access to firearms. Within this class of persons who should be kept away from firearms are individuals who have not had any training handling firearms, known convicted felons, and small children. Firearms are not toys and should be respected at all times.

Moreover, children when and if they are deemed to be emotionally mature by their parents can be safely introduced to firearms. It is a prudent policy to teach your children about firearms to reduce their curiosity about exploring their usage both inside and outside the home.

Frank and candid conversations about the realities and seriousness of firearms and why they are present in home can effectively "gun-proof" your kids. Many children, when old enough, are allowed by their parents to participate in organized shooting sports and to acquire hunting licenses.

Additionally, a variety of products are available in the marketplace to secure and safeguard firearms that are "not in use" from unauthorized users. These devices include gun locks, trigger locks, gun cases, gun safes, and gun vaults.

Further, responsible gun owners have a duty to keep track of their firearms. If a firearm is lost or stolen, it must be reported as such within five days of having made that discovery.

Key 3: Abstain From Alcohol And Certain Drugs When Handling Firearms
Certainly, most people readily understand why gun owners should refrain from handling a firearm after drinking alcohol: impaired judgement, loss of ability to focus, and loss of fine motor skills. In addition, gun handlers should not indulge any habits involving the ingestion of illicit drugs and any prescription drug that is labelled "Do not take while driving or operating heavy machinery."

Key 4: Learn How To Safely Operate Your Firearm
No firearm owner should operate his handgun without first reading his operator's guide from cover to cover. If there any concepts that are not understood, advice should be sought from the following: the gun dealer who sold the firearm, the manufacturer's web site, a knowledgeable user, or a credible firearms trainer.

The operator's guide will detail the following:
- The features of the handgun
- Ammunition calibers and types that can be fired
- Proper maintenance schedule and method
- How to inspect handgun for safe operation

Failure to follow directions can not only lead to the firearm becoming damaged but can also cause a serious injury, up to and including death, to yourself or someone situated nearby.

Additionally, when operating your handgun at an approved target please be sure to wear proper safety equipment: shooting glasses and hearing protection. Failure to do can lead to permanent and irreversible damage to your senses.

Key 5: Stay Abreast Of Firearm Law Changes
Firearms are the most regulated products in our country. It is estimated that nationally there are over 20,000 gun laws on the books. As a firearm owner, you are responsible for knowing the law at all times. Ignorance of the law is not a legally justified excuse for running afoul of it. Gun offenses and crimes usually carry stiff and harsh penalties.

Responsible gun owners can stay abreast of law changes by frequently checking their state legislature's web site or by joining state and national level firearms advocacy and gun rights organization.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Michigan CCW Classes: Saturday, May 8th, 2010

We are pleased to announce another CCW/CPL Class of this year! So, if you have a desire to qualify for a Concealed Pistol License, so that you can feel safe, register for our next class.

Location:
Southfield Hampton Inn
27500 Northwestern Hwy.
Southfield, Michigan 48034

Option I

Pay Tuition 7 Days in Advance ($150) and Save $25!
(Total Cost: $150 + Range Expenses)

Option II

Pay Tuition ($175) within 7 days before class.
(Total Cost: $175 + Range Expenses)

Register at our site: Online Now!

Range expenses will be incurred at the range to handle gun rental, range time, ammunition costs, and a fee for a target. The estimated fee is $35.

Our class starts at 8:00 a.m. sharp!

Detroit Michigan CCW CPL Class - 99 - December 28, 2008