Monday, February 28, 2011

Next Detroit Michigan CCW CPL Class: Saturday, March 12, 2011

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: Click here!

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!



More info on Detroit Michigan CCW Class is available at our web site.

Latest Media Appearance - WGPR's "Real Talk Show" - 2/27/2011

Detroit Michigan CCW CPL Firearms Instructor Rick Ector makes an appearance on the "Real Talk Show" to discuss the state of Michigan's Concealed Pistol License (CPL/CCW). Topics included: the difference between a CCW and a CPL, requirements for a CPL, steps needed to apply/qualify for a CPL, and requirements needed to become a NRA credentialed Firearms Instructor. Showdate: Sunday, February 27, 2011



If you don't see the above video embedded above, view it online on our Youtube Channel.

For more info on Detroit Michigan CCW CPL Classes, visit our web site online: Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Next Detroit Michigan CCW CPL Class: Sunday, February 27th, 2011

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: Click here!

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!



More info on Detroit Michigan CCW Class is available at our web site.

Detroit Michigan CCW CPL Class - Presumption Of Threat

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector discusses the Castle Doctrine's Presumption of a Threat when an assailant is either in the process of breaking into a residence or has already invaded a home. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Detroit Michigan CCW CPL Class - Restricted Licenses

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector discusses the legal concept of restricted concealed pistol licenses. Some classes of licenses are not subject to so-called Pistol-Free Zones. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Detroit Michigan CCW Class - How Predictable Are You?

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector discusses personal protection and asks the class a critical question about themselves: How predictable are you? Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Detroit Michigan CCW CPL Class - How Close Is Too Close?

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector discusses the concept of personal space. How close is too close.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Detroit Michigan CCW Class - Is Someone Following You?

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector discusses the concept of being aware. In short, there is one sure way to know if someone is following you. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Detroit Michigan CCW CPL Class - Be Aware And Make A Plan

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector discusses what it truly means to be aware. Like G.I. says, "Knowing is half the battle." Once you know an attack is imminent, you have five responses to deal with the attack. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Detroit Michigan CCW Class - "It Could Never Happen To Me"

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector discusses some personal protection options that victims may exercise in the aftermath of a self-defense encounter. Yes, a violent encounter can happen to you... Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Detroit Michigan CCW Class - How Not To Have Your Body Parts Found On The East-Side

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector discusses what it means to totally submit during a violent encounter. There is one thing that you absolutely should not do during an attack that will increase the odds that your body parts will not be found sprinkled in an obscure field. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Detroit Michigan CPL CCW Classes - Physiological Effects of Attacks

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector discusses some physiological effects that victims may experience in the aftermath of a self-defense encounter. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Next Detroit Michigan CCW CPL Class: Sunday, February 27th, 2011

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: Click here!

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!



More info on Detroit Michigan CCW Class is available at our web site.

Michigan Firearms Law: Transfer Of Intent/Unintended Target

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our attorney discusses the legal concept of "Transfer of Intent" as it applies to missing an intended target in the aftermath of a self-defense encounter. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Monday, February 21, 2011

Michigan Lethal Force Law - You Can't Protect Personal Property

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our attorney discusses and drives home the point that you can't protect personal property with lethal force. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Michigan Firearms Law: Transfer Of Intent/Over-Penetration

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our attorney discusses the legal concept of "Transfer of Intent" as it applies to over-pentration of an intended target in the aftermath of a self-defense encounter. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Michigan Self-Defense Law: Handling 9-1-1 Calls

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our attorney discusses statements to 9-1-1 Operators in the aftermath of a self-defense encounter. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Michigan Firearms Law: Statements To Police Officers

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our attorney discusses statements to the police in the aftermath of a self-defense encounter. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Michigan CCW CPL Classes: Know Your Target And Beyond

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector discusses why it is important to know your target and what is beyond it. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Detroit MI CPL Classes: Reloading Isn't Just A New Magazine

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector the concept of reloading your ammunition and he's not talking about inserting a new magazine. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

CCW Classes in Detroit Michigan - Ammunition Malfunctions

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector discusses three ammunition malfunctions: misfires, hangfires, and squid loads. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

CCW Classes In Detroit - Gun Range Safety Commands

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector discusses gun range safety commands. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Detroit Michigan CCW CPL Classes - Defensive Accuracy Defined

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector discusses Defensive Accuracy. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Detroit Michigan CPL Classes: Why Kneecap Shots Are Not Advised

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector discusses why shots to an assailant's kneecaps are not advised. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Detroit Michigan CCW CPL Classes - Center of Mass

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector discusses "Center-of-Mass." Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Detroit Michigan CPL Class: Marksmanship Defined

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector discusses marksmanship. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Detroit Michigan CCW Classes: What Does A Handgun To Your Head Look Like?

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector discusses what a handgun barrel looks like when it's pointed at your head. He makes this unusual demonstration when defining caliber size. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Detroit Michigan CCW CPL Classes - +P & +P+ Ammunition

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector discusses +P and +P+ ammunition and why you might want to use them. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Detroit MI CCW CPL Class: Sight Alignment & Sight Picture

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector discusses Sight Alignment and how to develop a Sight Picture. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Detroit MI CCW Class: Breath Control, Hold Control, Trigger Control, and Follow-Thru

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector discusses several elements of marksmanship: Hold Control, Breath Control, Trigger Control, and Follow-thru. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Detroit Michigan CCW CPL Class: Difference Between Cover And Concealment

In this video from our state of Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License Training Class (CCW/CPL) , our Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector discusses the difference between cover and concealment. Enjoy this video and you'll see what I am talking about.





If you don't see an embedded video above, visit our Channel on Youtube.

More info available on Detroit Michigan CCW Classes at http://detroitccw.com

Next Detroit Michigan CCW CPL Class: Sunday, February 27th, 2011

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: Click here!

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!



More info on Detroit Michigan CCW Class is available at our web site.

My Reaction On Tigh Croff's Sentencing

This past Friday, Tigh Croff was finally sentenced for the offenses of Manslaughter and Felony Firearm by Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hathaway. The underlying incident - the shooting and subsequent murder of Herbert Silas - occurred on the east-side of Detroit at the end of 2009. In this post, I will share my feedback on his delivered sentence.

Croff, now a 32 year-old east-side Detroit man, was sentenced to three years of probation for the Manslaughter conviction and to two years of actual incarceration for the Felony Firearm conviction.

In my opinion, Croff caught a huge break from the judge as he could have been sentenced up to 15 years for the Manslaughter conviction alone. As it stands, Croff will only serve prison time for the statutorily mandated term of two years for the firearm conviction. Two years behind bars easily beats seventeen years.

If you are carrying a firearm for personal protection, you must both know the law and obey it. If this scenario happens to you, you might not be so lucky.

In Michigan, the Felony Firearm offense is the act of conducting a felonious crime while possessing a firearm. Upon a conviction, it carries a mandatory two year sentence. Thus, the sentencing judge has no discretionary authority on the levied punishment.

In many cases, Prosecutors use the Felony Firearm charge as an inducement for persons, facing other criminal charges, to plead guilty to other charges in exchange for the Felony Firearm charge to be dropped in a plea agreement. The prevailing theory is that a judge's discretion, if situations warrant, can lead to a lenient sentence on the charges that don't have a mandatorily specified punishment. Tigh Croff was not offered such a plea deal.

The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office was not pleased at all that Croff had faced a top charge of only Manslaughter. In fact, they had unsuccessfully first tried to prove that Croff planned to murder Silas in the First Degree (i.e. premeditated) due to no other material fact other than Croff had been issued a Michigan Concealed Pistol License and was legally armed at the time he confronted two burglars - including Silas - at his east-side home. This was an obviously absurd proposition and did not succeed.

The Prosecutor's Office also attempted to make a fall-back case against Croff by alleging that he may have murdered Silas in the Second Degree. That attempt was also thwarted when the Judge Hathaway ruled last August, on the basis of evidence presented at trial, that this case was a "textbook manslaughter" issue.

Croff received a lot of empathy from many Detroit residents in the immediate aftermath of his shooting of Silas. Croff was often portrayed as a victim of several break-ins, at his home during a short-term window of time just before the shooting, who happened to catch the alleged criminals "in the act" when he came home one night.

Many city residents believe that Croff "got caught up in the passion of the moment" when he chased down Silas after a block-long foot-race and shot him once in the chest with a 9mm caliber handgun.

Detroit is a town where many property crimes go uninvestigated and are rarely solved. Thus, it is not difficult to believe that many folks here are reasonably frustrated with both the level of crime present here and the apparent impotence of local law enforcement. So, it's rather easy to see how the argument for Croff's Manslaughter charge was made and ultimately was accepted as reasonable by the judge.

Croff's first trial ended with a hung jury, as half of the panel failed to vote for a conviction. Passions were indeed running high, as evidenced by a statement from the foreman which predicted that Croff would never be convicted if tried again. That opinion was patently wrong, as Croff was convicted in a retry of the case against him.

I do not believe that anyone was surprised at Croff being found guilty of Manslaughter. The only question that was at issue was how many years he would be sentenced. Since the Felony Firearm charge carried a mandatory two year sentence, Croff was guaranteed to get at least that much time. That sentence ultimately would prove to be all the time he would officially receive. He could have gotten a combined sentence of 17 years.

Croff will do two years behind bars. He is fortunate. He could have received a lot more time. He did not obey the law during that encounter and for that he must be punished. In another post on this blog, I theorized that Croff may not have even known the law. Even if that was true, we all know that "ignorance of the law is not an excuse."

What do you think?

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Will Rev. Jerome Warfield Resign From The Detroit Board of Police Commissioners Tomorrow?

In an ironic twist of fate, while Detroit Mayor Dave Bing recently appeared on several national news broadcasts to provide details about his bold initiative to entice city workers to live in Detroit, the Detroit City Council announced that they are launching an investigation into the residency of Detroit Board of Police Commission Chair Reverend Jerome Warfield.

Bing's plan, has been dubbed as Project 14 because that number in police code talk means "back to normal," will offer key non-resident city employees (e.g. firefighters and police officers) homes in specific neighborhoods for only $1,000 and access to grant money for making any needed repairs to make the residences habitable.

Project 14, according to Bing, will help stabilize Detroit's neighborhoods and eliminate the perceived disconnect between the community and its public employees who some see as foreign occupiers.

Supposedly, the enacted plan will put a dent in the amount of unoccupied homes in the city, which are not on the tax rolls and are subject to constant vandalization that creates blighted neighborhoods. In addition, Bing feels that by having more officers residing in the city's neighborhoods, crime will drop.

I believe that, even if this plan gets enacted, criminals will figure out where to continue to ply their illegal trade with seemingly impunity. Our current criminal justice system has more criminals in it now than it can handle. If it was possible to catch more criminals, we wouldn't know what to do with them.

The state is relentlessly releasing violent criminals back into our communities with no accountability, local Prosecutors are cutting deals at a break-neck pace to be able to cover the court cases, and judges are reluctant to sentence "serious time" to offenders because we lack the jail space.

I personally believe that it's going to take more than this half-baked idea (i.e. Project 14), which creates more questions than it answers, to solve Detroit's most pressing problems.

There is a reason why 53% of the city's key safety staff live outside of the city from where they earn a paycheck: rampant violent crime, a deep and long tradition of political corruption, a broken criminal justice system, a failed public school system, and a poor economic climate.

In 1999, the state of Michigan enacted PA 212 which eliminated residency requirements for employees of public employers. As a consequence, many Detroit police officers and firefighters jumped at the opportunity to establish residences outside of Detroit.

PA 212, however, did not strike down residency requirements for appointed members of the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners. Section Sec. 7-1102 of the Detroit City Charter explicitly states among other things that "All members of the board must be residents of the city."

On Monday, Fox News Detroit, aired a story which strongly suggests that Detroit Board of Police Commission Chair Reverend Jerome Warfield is not a resident of the city of the Detroit.



In the story, reporter Charle LeDuff, asserted all of the following claims to an apparently stunned Warfield who did little to provide compelling contrary evidence:

  • Warfield is registered to vote in Macomb County.
  • Warfield is listed in a Macomb County Phone Book.
  • Warfield has a car registered in Macomb County.
  • Warfield has a Macomb County home listed in Macomb County Tax Records as his primary residence.


It is certainly not a crime to be a Macomb County resident. However, being a member of the Detroit Board of Police Commission while not being a Detroit resident violates the Detroit Charter.

In the aftermath of the aforementioned report, I was informed yesterday, by Detroit City Councilman Charles Pugh, that the Detroit City Council was going to investigate in committee sometime today whether Warfield is a city of Detroit resident.

Moreover, in a discussion that I had yesterday with Detroit City Charter Commissioner Ken Coleman, the Detroit Charter lacks much provisions for enforcement of its rules. In short, it may just be up to Detroit Mayor Dave Bing to make the call as to whether Warfield stays on the Detroit Police Commission.

An update to the Fox News story, posted yesterday, stated that:

Karan Dumas, the mayor's spokeswoman said, "We are gathering all information related to the residency of Jerome Warfield, which will be submitted to the Law Department for review and a recommendation. Thereafter, we will determine what steps, if any, must be taken."

In light of the controversy generated by this revelation - Warfield's apparent non-resident status - it would be in the best interest of the city for him to resign his appointment to the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners.

The next public meeting of the Board of Detroit Police Commissioners is scheduled for tomorrow night at the W.O.W. Church and Family Center at 14111 E. Seven Mile Rd. at 6:30 p.m. It would be a farce for Board of Police Commissioner Chair Warfield to chair tomorrow's meeting with this cloud hanging over his head.

As a Commissioner, Warfield is required to mete out discipline to sworn Detroit police officers for not following departmental procedures, policy, and protocol. To continue to do so, while apparently not following the City Charter with respect to his own eligibility to serve in that position, would be a grave disservice to the city of Detroit and the Detroit Police Department.

I am predicting that Warfield will do the honorable thing and resign at tomorrow's meeting.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Michigan Concealed Pistol License Class: How Many Guns Can You Carry?

As a Personal Protection/Firearms Safety Instructor, I routinely field and answer predictable questions from my students while they are enrolled in my Michigan compliant Concealed Pistol License (CPL) Training Class. My favorite question to answer - hands down - is "How many guns can you legally conceal carry with a CPL?"



Of course, my answer to that question is a non-definitive question lobbed back at them: "How many firearms do you feel like carrying around with you all day?" Loaded firearms have appreciable weight and can, at times, be a literal drag (pun intended), especially if you are legally carrying more than one.

Toss in a few firearms related accessories - such as holsters, extra magazines, and magazine carriers - and getting dressed for the day can literally add 20 pounds to your frame (another pun).

A state of Michigan issued CPL does not specify a limit on the amount of handguns you can legally conceal carry at one time. So, you can legally conceal carry as many or as little as you desire with a CPL.

Personally, my default status is always armed with two handguns unless my situation at the time necessitates a legitimate need for me to disarm myself. Depending on my mood and personal itinerary for the day, they may be both concealed, may be both openly displayed (does not require a CPL), or one may be openly carried while the other one is legally concealed.

My firearms instructors, who teach the CPL class with me, have all been legally carrying firearms for a while and have gotten pretty good - in my opinion - of hiding them "on or about their person." So, it shouldn't be a surprise when my students are usually amazed when my staff visually reveals that they armed with more than just one handgun.

Inevitably, the students in my CPL class then ask the obvious next question, "Why would a person desire to conceal carry more than one handgun?" Today's blog post will discuss the pro and cons of legally carrying more than one handgun.

For starters, having access to more than one gun means that you'll have additional firing capability. My handguns each have a magazine capacity of 16 rounds of ammunition in addition to the round in the chamber. So, when I carry my twin pistols, I have access to 34 total rounds firing capability.

Anti-gun folks, especially in the post-Tuscon, AZ Shooting era, openly question whether any one person needs that much fire-power. In fact, a few knuckle-heads even had the audacity to call for a ban on so-called high-capacity magazines.

In my opinion, their view is rather simplistic and myopic. In contrast, people who live in perpetually violent cities of our country where bad guys routinely travel in packs while looking for vulnerable citizens to victimize, feel that having more ammo than what is actually needed is preferred over not having enough.

In addition, having access to more than one pistol can mitigate the potential for having a handgun malfunction. Generally speaking, a decent quality handgun that is properly maintained should not fail to discharge. A handgun, especially a semi-automatic, is a mechanical device and can fail. Thus, in the event that one of your firearms whispers "click" instead of yelling out "Bang," you still have options.

Carrying more than one handgun does have its drawbacks. In essence, you are literally multiplying the issues of lugging around more than one firearm. For example, Pistol-FREE Zones (PFZs) immediately come to mind. Should you decide to enter one by disarming yourself first, you will now have to temporarily and safely stow away multiple guns.

Since parking lots of PFzs are exempt areas, you can legally leave your guns in your automobile. However, by doing so, you open yourself to the potential of losing two firearms - via theft - instead of just one. Of course, having a car safe can mitigate this risk but it is not fool-proof. The criminals may have just wanted to steal your entire car but now they have your guns as an unexpected bonus.

In a similar vein, if you are ever unfortunately forced to defend yourself from a violent and unprovoked attack, you risk having both firearms seized as evidence by the police until the shooting has been investigated. So, unless you already own more defensive handguns than you carry, the act of defending yourself may temporarily leave you defenseless.

Some people elect to legally conceal carry more than one handgun at a time. The benefits of doing so are more fire-power, an eliminated need to reload, and an added protection in the event of a malfunction. In contrast, the drawback of carrying more than one gun is the added responsibility of having another firearm to safeguard and having the potential of losing - permanently or temporarily - two guns instead of one during a theft or a seizure.

Which position is best? Like most things, that involve firearms, it simply boils down to personal preference. My preference is carrying two firearms.

How many guns do you legally carry?

Disclaimer
You are strongly encouraged to not only conduct your own independent research but to also consult with a competent and qualified attorney before acting upon any information in this article. Laws covering self-defense, lethal force, firearms, and the Michigan Concealed Pistol License and their enforcement are always subject to change due to laws being amended, politics conducted in the Prosecutor's Office, and election results at all levels of government. Ignorance of the law, legally speaking, is not a valid excuse for running afoul of it. The penalties and fines imposed upon violators of firearms related offenses are stiff and severe.

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

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Book Review: "After You Shoot" - Alan Korwin



Last summer I struck up a friendship with New York Times best-selling author Dan Baum, who traveled to Detroit to interview me as a subject to be included in his next book. Since he's not yet into social media (i.e. Facebook), we've managed to stay in touch with each other via the exchange of emails. Our favorite topics are self-defense and gun rights.

It was during a few of those last email transaction swaps, where our discussion focused primarily on the topic of how a victim should handle himself during the aftermath of a violent encounter. As a Personal Protection/Firearms Safety Instructor, I actually provide a class that teaches law-abiding citizens everything that the state of Michigan requires its Concealed Pistol License (CPL) applicants to know.

I explained to Dan that I am one of a distinct few instructors - here locally - who actually contracts out the teaching of the legal section to an experienced criminal defense attorney. Others elect to teach it themselves, to save on operating expenses and to pad their bottom lines on the balance sheet. Most of these persons, who operate this way, are affiliated with local law enforcement agencies and feel comfortable delivering "their version" of the law to citizens.

I have a huge problem with law enforcement officers teaching Michigan Concealed Pistol License Classes. The law that they teach to their students do not protect their Constitutional rights. These instructors tell their students to "be cooperative and tell the police everything" about the encounter.

The people who take these police-led classes are just one small step away from being "rail-roaded" into a stiff prison sentence for having the gall to conduct a justified self-defense of their person or their family members. What sense does it make for victims to learn the self-defense and lethal force laws from the very persons whose job it is investigate the legality of their actions? Sounds like a huge conflict of interest to me.

My philosophy has always been to provide information that maximizes the protection of a person's Constitutional rights directly after he was forced to defend himself from an unprovoked attack by a predator. Thus, it should not be a surprise that students in my class are given very short and concise instructions to be followed when doing two critical events: making a 9-1-1 phone call and greeting police officers at the scene of the shooting.

The advice given to students in my class is to simply call 9-1-1 and to state that "someone has been shot." The address should be given and then the student should immediately end the phone call. The dispatch operators are trained to extract information from callers. The longer a victim is on the phone, there is a greater chance that something incriminating may be said. He should simply hang up the phone.

The last thing that a person, who had just survived a life-or-death encounter, should say is that he/she just shot somebody - however true it may be. This moment in time is not the opportune time to be making statements of any kind to anyone. A crime victim has the right to remain silent; it should be exercised. For it is wholly possible that the victim might be victimized a second time by the state, which could decide to prosecute him and use his 9-1-1 call as evidence against him in court.

In a similar vein, when approached by law enforcement officers at the scene of the shooting, a crime victim should not make any statements. At best, the victim should politely and calmly inform the officers that he wishes to have counsel with an attorney before he says anything.

You never get a second chance at making a first statement to the police. A crime victim usually is suffering from a litany of after-shocks due to physiological and mental stresses that do not present an optimum moment to provide evidence to the police. Not making a statement, as explained by my attorney, does not hurt the victim legally. Besides, the victim's "honest" attempt at being truthful may not even be consistent with the physical evidence at the scene.

Furthermore, certain elements of the event may not be emphasized and presented in a manner which would exonerate the usage of lethal force by the victim. Thus, if the victim later modifies his story after consulting with a lawyer, the latter version may be dismissed and discounted by the local Prosecutor and criminal charges could result which can manifest itself into a criminal court case with the victim's original statement being used against him.

After hearing my position on the subject of suggested victim actions during the aftermath of a shooting, Dan then asked me if I was familiar with a book written by Alan Korwin, the man behind the GunLaws.com web site, which is entitled, "After You Shoot: Your Gun's Hot. The Perp's Not. Now What?"

I told him that I hadn't heard of it. Dan then promised to send me his copy in the mail. I received it a few days ago and began to read it to better under the positions that Dan takes when discussing the actions that a crime victim should undertake after a violent encounter.

Korwin, a noted and respected person in the gun community, openly admonishes his readers that he isn't an attorney and that the info in his book isn't legal advice. Readers are strongly urged to consult with an attorney after reading his book and to make up their own minds about what they should do when their life and freedom hang in the balance.

In fact, Korwin consulted with many of the "big guns" in the pro-gun community for their feedback on this book. Surprisingly enough, there is no consistent answer to the "What should you do?" after a shooting question. Many of the names listed on the acknowledgements page reads like a "Who's Who" of American gun rights advocates: Alan Gottlieb, Bob Levy, Charles Heller, Dave Kopel, Eugene Volkh, Massad Ayoob, and countless other names you should/would recognize.

However, his legal disclaimer does not stop him from suggesting a controversial course of action for crime victims to take in the wake of a violent encounter - The Adnarim Statement. It is Miranda spelled backwards. Most persons recognize 'Miranda' as the statement that informs suspects of their rights when they are arrested.

The Adnarim Statement
I'm interested in cooperating and will exercise my right to remain silent after reading this statement. Please do not attempt to violate my rights in this regard. I want to speak with my attorney. I respectfully ask you to honor this without any purpose of evasion and insist my lawyer be present prior to and during and questioning without exception.

I refuse consent to any search of my person, papers, premises, vehicle, immediate location or effects. I invoke my rights under the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and any applicable state or federal laws. If you Mirandize me and ask if I'll speak without my attorney present the answer is no. Thank you for your cooperation, and may I have a glass of water please.


My short response to this course of action is that it uses way too many words than is necessary to invoke your Constitutional rights. Simply say that you want a lawyer and that you want to invoke your right to be silent. Then simply shut up. It's that easy.

Many members of the gun rights community also chime in throughout the 156 pages of the book with their thoughts about this Adnarim Statement - some positive and some negative. I won't ruin the fun for you. It's a quick read; you should be able to finish it in an hour or two. The cover price is $15 and won't hurt the wallet. If you are curious, pick up the book for a through analysis of a subject that shouldn't be that complicated - my opinion.