80% Mental

80% of your solution comes from learning the lessons of tactical advantage.
By Phillip L. SmithFrom USConcealedCarry.com Tell me all you want about "dry heat," but mid-afternoon in Sedona is hot no matter how you parse it, phrase it or excuse it. While on vacation, Karen and I were walking in the north end of Sedona, she was shopping and I was looking for a place to get out of that God-forsaken hot, relentless sun. As we walked past a gift shop, Karen looked in and slowed her walk showing interest in what was inside. When it comes to shopping I do what most guys do (suffer in silence); but to Karen, shopping is an adventure.She combed through the hand-made Indian artifacts just long enough to break her stride on a bee-line to the turquoise jewelry counter. The storekeeper, obviously as bored as I was, turned from his duties and greeted us with a friendly Arizona, "howdy." When he turned, I noticed the 1911 on his right hip, so I returned the greeting and added: "Did you make the holster for your sidearm?" He nodded a "yes," along with a smile telling me he was proud of the craftsmanship of both the holster and the other hand-crafted leather items for sale in his shop. Karen finished her adventure, paid for her selections and we headed back to our rental car. Inside the car I casually stated: "Couple of things seemed odd to me! Air conditioning was on, but the front door was wide open and did you notice the storekeeper was carrying openly?" Karen simply replied, "No tactical advantage there!" Then she began preparing an onslaught of turquoise jewelry for my viewing pleasure. We continued our vacation and I didn't think much about the little gift shop in Sedona again, till now! Now I realize there are some important lessons for those who carry concealed which are buried in this short account of our trip to Sedona, Arizona.If you carry a concealed handgun, then you already have 20% of a solution to your continued safety. The other 80% of your solution comes from learning the lessons of tactical advantage. Tactical advantage is best learned in a formal tactical training course; a course where the concepts are practiced over-and over in order to commit the actions and reactions to memory. The problem is that many people do not have the time or money to attend a formal tactical training or combat course where the implementation of tactical training and tactical advantage are taught. But, even if you can not or will not attend formal training, this brief exposure to the concept of tactical advantage and how you can implement it in your every day life, will go a long way in helping you prevail, God-forbid, if you ever are faced with having to use your handgun to defend your life.If Karen's response of, "No tactical advantage there!" was puzzling to you, then let me make up a scenario to illustrate the foundation of tactical advantage.

TACTICAL ADVANTAGE #1: KEEP YOUR FIREARM CONCEALEDHere's the scenario: It's 9:25 p.m. and you're last in line at the ice cream shop. Unknown to you, two perps have been watching the clerk make the evening deposit for the last 3 days. The perps think it is too risky trying to rob the clerk while he is dropping the deposit bag in the bank's well lit and patrolled night depository, so they decide a quick armed robbery at closing time is in order. You've lived in Arizona all your life and are quite aware of the law which allows open carry and you even think its macho and a good idea. Who would ever give trouble to a person who carries an open hand gun on their side? Well, you are about to find out. The robbers burst in the front door and what do they see? A scared teenager armed only with an ice cream dipper, AND you, with your 1911 strapped to your side.Since they perceive you will draw your handgun, they fire first, and you drop to the floor without having drawn your weapon. Is it fair--no! Is it real--yes! Time for the big question: "What did you do wrong that ended up costing you your life?" You laid your Aces on the table while you were playing poker--You gave up an extremely important tactical advantage by displaying your sidearm thereby broadcasting the exact location of a hindrance to a criminal's evil intent. The greatest tactical advantage you possess is surprise! You lose that advantage when you wear your firearm openly. You can also lose the advantage by flashing (allowing it to be seen), by printing (allowing the outline of the gun to be seen), or by bragging to everyone that you carry a concealed weapon. Would the scenario be different if your handgun was concealed? Probably so, although you might be missing your wallet and a little pride, but the advantage gained is that you survived a deadly confrontation! Never give up your advantage of surprise. The only person who should ever know about your handgun is a perp trying to take you down.People new to concealed carry often have a personal problem with the stealth required to conceal and carry a handgun. Confusing stealth with "being sneaky" can lead to feelings of dishonesty or even guilt. After all, hiding something from the people around you is being sneaky, right? Yes and no, depending on your intentions. Are you trying to actively deceive and harm those around you, or are you actively trying to protect an extremely important tactical advantage? Remember, it's nobody's business that you are carrying a concealed handgun, except yours!

TACTICAL ADVANTAGE #2: PROXIMITY NEGATES SKILL, GET AWAYTactical training teaches the discovery and use of options in order to ensure YOUR survival in a combat confrontation, whether the weapon used against you is a gun, knife or club. The more options you can muster and present in a combat confrontation, the better chance you have to survive. For example, one of the basic tactics (option) when confronted is to move quickly away from the attacker. Moving away from an attacker allows time and distance to become your friend, not your enemy. To say it a different way, proximity negates skill. This means the closer a perp is to you, the less weapons skill is required by the perp to injure or kill you.An example of "proximity negates skill" would be if I placed a blindfold over your eyes, put you in front of a target that was 3 feet in front of you and placed a loaded handgun in your hand. With the blindfold on do you think you could hit the target? I am so sure you could that I will place a $20 bill on the ground and bet you could hit the target with only one shot! "So what," you say, "anyone could do that!" You are right; anyone could do that, even a perp standing 3 feet in front of you with his gun pointed at YOU. But, could that same perp hit a target that was moving rapidly away from him, or even better, moving rapidly away at a diagonal angle? The fact is perps are usually very poor shots because they don't regularly practice shooting skills like you. Here's the point of Tactical Advantage #2: The quicker you can put distance between yourself and a dangerous perp, the better your chances of survival. When I say "quick" I mean an explosion of speed not a gentle walk.

TACTICAL ADVANTAGE #3: YOU CAN'T OUT-DRAW A DRAWN GUNNo one knows if they will ever have to draw their weapon to protect themselves or their loved ones. No one can tell you when it is the right time to draw and when is the right time to shoot. You mulled this around during your CCW class and even asked your instructor: "When does a threatened person know when it's time to shoot?" Your instructor probably gave the same answer as other CCW instructors all over the country: "You will know when it's time." This answer probably didn't satisfy your quest for a "black and white, yes or no, or up or down" answer, but it was the best answer the instructor can give without knowing the exact circumstances of the combat confrontation. But here's a better answer and one you can apply to any confrontation whether combat or non-combat:"If it's not worth dying for, then it's not worth shooting for". But what do you do when a perp has a gun drawn on you? For starters, you must realize that you can not out-draw a drawn gun. A drawn knife--maybe, but a drawn gun--no way! If the perp simply wants your wallet now is the time to swallow your pride and anger by complying. But if the perp wants more than money (wants to take you from the area or wants to violate you) then you may have to decide, and very quickly, whether or not you are willing to take a bullet. You still have options since your handgun is still concealed but please don't ever think you can out-drawn a drawn gun. What other options are available? Would the scenario change if you had a small handgun in your jacket pocket and could you shoot through the jacket? Would yelling at the perp draw attention? Similar to holding your hands up, quickly backing up and yelling, "Don't shoot me man!" Now you are using several tactical advantages (noise, distance) and you still have one option left in your jacket pocket. Just remember, it's a lot easier for me to make up scenarios than it is to experience one in real life. Also, don't forget to use time to your advantage. That is, respond immediately, don't wait, don't "dawdle," don't think, don't second-guess, just "Git-R-Done."

TACTICAL ADVANTAGE #4: LOCKED DOORS ARE UNINVITING Locks are just to keep the honest people out! Have you ever heard this statement about locking your doors? Believe it or not, there is a tactical advantage to locking your doors. The point of all tactics is to make time and distance work for you, not against you. If you think tactically then you are always trying to gain more time to react in order to put more distance between yourself and a threat. The second someone unwelcome tries to enter our space we start to loose the tactical advantage of time. So what exactly does a locked door have to do with a tactical advantage since the perp is going to break through the door anyway?Locked doors provide two very important functions, they SLOW the perp down AND that gives you time to REACT. With a couple of seconds to think, you can use that precious time to quickly decide on a course of action: Should I stay and confront? Should I leave? Where is my defense gun, phone, flashlight and the kids! Keep your doors locked in both your house and car and you will be participating in a very simple, but effective, tactical advantage. Perps want easy crimes. The more impediments you place in their way, the faster they will decide to move on to an easier victim. Unlocked doors are inviting to perps; locked doors are uninviting!

TACTICAL ADVANTAGE #5: LISTEN TO YOURSELF Have you ever been to a scary movie where the hair on the back of your neck stood up? Well, that hair standing up on the back of your neck is 2000 years of human response in action. Your body was responding to a threat, or in this case, a perceived threat in that scary movie and was telling you to prepare for fight or flight. In these modern times we don't always listen to ourselves or the response of our body, and that can lead to problems. We all have built in auto-mechanisms which respond whenever we are threatened. In cave-man days, it might have been the sight or growl of a saber toothed tiger. Today, it might be people that are out-of-place, strangers that seem overly interested in you or your movements, or a couple of guys hanging around your car at the mall. In any event, if your body is talking to you, if the hair on the back of your neck is standing up, if it just doesn't look right, then don't go there! Avoidance is a tactical advantage but only if you allow that little voice inside you to be heard. Remember, the voice will always speak; it's your job to listen and believe.

TACTICAL ADVANTAGE #6: UNDERSTAND COMBAT STRESS A human body facing death or injury initiates certain protective mechanisms to help ensure survival. These protective mechanisms are often referred to as combat stress, although many who have experienced combat stress refer to it as "disturbing." If you understand what combat stress is, and what it does to your body, you will have an easier time recovering from it and hopefully this understanding will keep you from "freaking." When your gun is drawn, your sights are on center-mass of another human being, and you are taking the slack out of the trigger, your body reverts to its self-preservation mode and combat stress sets in. You will get an immediate dump of adrenalin in your body's attempt to make you stronger and faster. Also, a phenomenon called "tunnel vision" takes over and reduces your peripheral vision similar to looking through a paper towel holder--this makes you totally focus on the threat. Your hearing also becomes focused on the threat, just like your vision, and you will hear every single sound coming from the direction of the perp. Police involved in shoot-outs have reported actually hearing each and every empty brass casing hitting the pavement during the gunfight.Herein lays the problem. The same adrenalin dump that helped make you stronger and faster is still rushing through your body after the confrontation or during a lull in the confrontation. With nowhere to go and nothing to do the adrenalin commences to make you shake violently. You may think you are having some kind of spastic heart attack. Chances are you will respond by crying. Try to remember, if possible given the conditions, that it's the adrenalin dump that is making you shake. Just hang in there since it will subside quickly. During combat stress you will loose the ability to perform fine motor skills so it is wise to learn to shoot using major muscle groups which do not require fine motor skills. This is why you are taught the Weaver Stance and full-combat grip in tactical schools. The Weaver stance and grip uses tension in the major muscle groups of the arms, shoulder and chest to hold and fire the handgun. These major muscle groups are the only muscles most people will be able to call into action when under combat stress. If you do not know how to shoot using the Weaver Stance and full-combat grip then seek instruction immediately so you will have the tactical advantage of being prepared for combat stress.

TACTICAL ADVANTAGE #7: CLEAR YOUR SPACE Some tactical advantages are less subtle and involve the use of psychology. Perps have a jaded view of the success of their evil endeavors. They think a crime is successful when they end up with your money in their pockets. They also think a crime is successful if they get away scott-free, even if they don't get any of your money. Many crimes in the U.S. are halted just by the presentation of a handgun by the victim. If you de-escalate the confrontation by presenting your firearm, and do not have to fire, the next step is to let the criminal leave if that is possible. Your world can turn 180 degrees if you try to be macho or play policeman and try to apprehend the perp. Remember, all the while you are holding the perp they are think of ways to get away, and now that you've shown you are a true adversary they are also thinking of ways to hurt you. Since you haven't shot him up to this point the perp may even be thinking that you don't have the guts to shoot him. The real consideration should be: "Are you safer with no perp in the picture?" At what point can you say: "I survived!" I would say when the perp drops their weapon and is out of your sight. Get the perp out of your space as quickly as possible and let the police find him later. Clear your space and leave.

TACTICAL ADVANTAGE #8: YOU WILL FIGHT LIKE YOU PRACTICE This unfortunate story illustrates the importance of practicing like you will fight. A detective, in the course of an arrest, was attacked, fatally shot and died at the scene. Other detectives investigating the shoot-out found the fallen detective's gun, full of ammo in his right hand, but in the left hand they found spent ammo casings. The question the detectives posed to each other was: "Why in the hell was he picking up his spent ammo cases during a gunfight?" The answer to the question was traced all the way back to the police academy where recruits were taught to pick up their empty brass after firing a string of shots. In other words, the detective was fighting just like he practiced! Same goes for you and everyone who carries a concealed weapon. Now is the time to add some reality and self-induced stress in your range time. Drop your mags to the ground when they are empty; you are not going to hurt them and even if they do get dirty you can clean them when you clean your gun. This is also a good test of your equipment since it's better to find out that a dirty mag won't work while you are on the range than in a full-blown confrontation. If a dirty mag won't work in your gun or the gun starts jamming when it gets dirty then you know what you have to do, right? Hint: Carry gun must work 100% of the time whether clean or dirty. By the way, how much should you practice? Again, this question demands an answer from you, not me. Can you draw and fire two shots to center mass in less than 2 seconds? Even if you can there is another reality to consider; one that will take the wind out of your sails and help you to develop a practice routine for the rest of your life. In a combat confrontation, you will only be half as good as your best day on the range. What this means is the stress of a combat confrontation will cause that "2 second center mass practice shot" to be 4 seconds; or that perfect double-tap to center mass at the range to be only one hit. Practice doesn't make perfect, only perfect practice makes perfect. Be your biggest critic and change any bad habits by practicing good ones. Always remember: You will fight like you practice!

FINALE
Tactics and tactical advantage is best learned by attending a tactical handgun class. The purpose of tactical training is to ensure that YOU survive a combat confrontation by helping you to prepare options. Tactics are not tricks, they are strategies learned from numerous gunfights and numerous deaths of both good people and criminals. Tactics predict response of the perpetrator to basic maneuvers and include strategies for attack, defense, and retreat. Tactics allow you to fight with your brain, not just your handgun because a gunfight is 80% mental and 20% handgun. Tactics are about surviving, not being fair; about hitting hard and hitting fast; about fighting with extreme prejudice just to survive, and about being able to stand up after it's all over. After tactical training you will change the way you think and act about your safety. For example: Ask a person who has never attended a tactical training class the question: "What is the purpose of carrying a firearm?" The answer will most likely be: "to protect myself." Then, ask a person who has attended a tactical training class the same question and the answer will most likely be: "The purpose of carrying a firearm is to provide you with the means to control your immediate surroundings." Both answers are correct, but the second answer includes tactical information: A plan, a purpose, and a resolve. Your handgun is simply a tool that you may or may not call into action to accomplish the end result of assuring your safety. This year, you will spend many hours on the range developing shooting skills and those skills will comprise only 20% of a real gunfight. Why not attend a good training school and develop the other 80%; the mental conditioning, tactical advantage, and the preparation and discovery of options necessary for you to become a weapon? Phillip L. Smith is the owner of CCW Supply, LLC in Lansing, MI. Everything for Concealed Carry, except the firearm. Please visit his website at: www.ccwsupply.biz