Knowledge to make your life better.  If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.

Tactical Entertainment: When High-Volume Shooting Masquerades as Advanced Training

“True “advanced” work is usually exhausting because of the mental focus required, not the quantity of empty casings left lying on the ground.”

Detecting the Covert Accomplice

In all the force on force training I’ve conducted over the years, I find students have the most difficult time detecting the second bad guy.  Read my article Look Out for Lookouts for more information.

Straw Man Arguments Against the Defensive Shotgun

Excellent shotgun information.

Wherefore Art Thou, Red Dot

Great red dot advice from Erick.

The Golden Second – Ten Lessons in Crime-Fighting from a Counter Mugger Expert

While I don’t totally agree with everything the author advises, this is a great article by a man who’s truly been there…he was a cop assigned as a decoy and was mugged 256 times!

The Preemptive Draw and Preemptive Grip in the Cash-in-Transit Sector. Part 1.

Interesting history from the armored car industry.  I will also note that there was some research completed about 20 years ago that showed most police officers were actually slower using the “gun in hand” (as opposed to gun in holster) ready position because they seldom trained for shooting from that position at the range.

Ayoob: The 1911 at War – The Armory Life

Mas Ayoob discusses the 1911 in two world wars and beyond.  While we are on the topic of military history, you might also like this article about Feeding Frenzy: Charting the History of AR Magazines.

Need some more 1911 content?  Read Ayoob: Is the 1911 Wrong for CCW?

Why the 1911?

One more article for you 1911 fans.

Gun Mistakes in Fiction Writing: Handgun Edition

Good advice for my writer friends who don’t know guns.  You should also read Justin’s latest piece titled Don’t Do It: Birdshot for Defensive Use.

Conceal Carrying After C-Section [2026] ⋆ Primer Peak

While I’ll never have a C-section, I think it’s important to be prepared for concealed carry after any type of surgery.  I wrote about this originally after an abdominal surgery in 2016.  I also had a surgery last week where my incision site was irritated by my appendix carried firearm.  I had to switch up carry guns for a few days, but I was prepared to do so.

Overrated & Unneeded: Back-Up Iron Sights

Trending Data Among Women First-Time Gun Owners – 2025 Update

Valuable data about female shooters.

The Razor’s Edge: How to Choose a Defensive Blade for Every Day Carry

Good advice for choosing an every day carry defensive blade. 

Defender Executes PICTURE PERFECT Disarm | Active Self Protection

Do you have the skill set to do this?  If not, check out one of my close quarters gunfighting classes.

Myths About Pepper Spray That Many People Believe

Common pepper spray mythology.

Calm in Chaos: A Modern Parent’s Guide to School Emergencies (and staying sane)

What I’m reading….

The Singular Fitz Specials

Learning about the origins of the “Fitz Special.”

Firearms Instructor, 5 Key Factors For Choosing » Trident Concepts

Is a .22 LR Snub Nose Revolver Viable for Self Defense? This Ammo is a Game Changer! – Federal Punch

Federal Punch is the defensive load I carry in my .22 handguns.

Rangemaster July Newsletter

Some good information in this month’s newsletter.

Expert Advice: Should You Carry a Weapon Mounted Light?

Four experts.  Four different opinions.  It’s almost like the argument is nuanced.  For what it’s worth, I carried a WML on my police duty pistol.  I have a WML on my bedside home defense pistol.  I DO NOT carry a WML on my CCW gun.

Why your rifle won’t hold zero — and what to check first

Things to check when your zeroes begin to wander.

4 Helpful Online Tools to Track Ammunition Prices

As ammo prices increase, these sites might be useful.

The Kit Gun

My first handgun was a Smith and Wesson model 51 .22 magnum kit gun.  I carried it around the woods as a kid for hunting small game and plinking.  I still have that revolver and have been fond of Smith’s kit guns since then.

Happy Birthday America Sale 2026: Up to 25% Off Sitewide

My friends at ConcealedCarry.com are running a great Independence Day sale.

Quote to Ponder:

Some of the above links are affiliate links.    I earn a small percentage of the sale price from qualifying purchases.

Amazon has a tremendous number of FREE ebooks on their website.  You can find thousands of free kindle books on Amazon’s site every day.  These books can be downloaded to a Kindle reader or a free App on your phone or personal computer.  Even if you don’t have a Kindle, you can download a free Kindle reader for your computer or phone HERE.  

Here are a few free books that I think my readers might enjoy. Check these out.

One caution….

These books were free at the time I posted them. Prices change rapidly. Please check the price before you hit the “buy” button! 

If you cannot see any of the links below, there is likely a setting in either your internet browser or ad blocking software that prohibits “live links.”  If you see a blank page below, check those settings.  I promise you that there are book links actually listed directly below.

.

Happy Reading!

While you are contemplating book purchases, don’t forget my travel safety book.

For an even larger selection of great books (not free), check out my Recommended Reading page.

Some of these links are affiliate links.  If you purchase an item using one of those links, I get a small percentage of the payment.  It does not cost you any additional money.

Here are my upcoming open enrollment classes for the rest of the year.  I also have a new class in September for which registration will open soon.  Here we go…

This month I have two classes at Karl Rehn’s place in central Texas.  The first is a one-day basic knife fighting class.   This one has very low enrollment and you will get lots of individual attention.

July 11, 2026- Knife Skills for Concealed Carry at A-Zone Range (KR Training) near Giddings, Texas.  Registration details here.

The following day will be the only medical class I’ll be teaching in Texas for the remainder of the year. 

July 12, 2026- Tactical First Aid and System Collapse Medicine at A-Zone Range (KR Training) near Giddings, Texas.  Registration details here.

I’m taking the month of August off to travel in Peru.  I’ll be back in Ohio in September and October.

September 12, 2026- Home Defense Shotgun at Blackwing Shooting Center in Delaware, Ohio.  Registration details here.

The class will be held outside and is BIRDSHOT ONLY.

September 13, 2026- Snubby Revolver for Concealed Carry at Blackwing Shooting Center in Delaware, Ohio.  Registration details here. Class sold out

October 4, 2026- Knife Skills for Concealed Carriers at Blackwing Shooting Center in Delaware, Ohio.  Registration details here.

On September 20, I will do a one day Extreme Close Quarters Gunfighting Class at A-Zone Range (KR Training) near Giddings, Texas.  Registration details coming soon.

Finally, I have two classes in October in Culpeper, Virginia.  My $10/month Patreon supporters get a 20% discount on the registration for these classes.

October 17, 2026- Concealed Carry Revolver in Culpeper, Virginia.  Registration details here

October 18, 2026- Extreme Close Quarters Gunfighting (One Day) in Culpeper, Virginia.  Registration details here.

I hope to see some of you at one or more of these classes!

My complete training schedule is available here if you want to see the other classes I have available in 2026.

Knowledge to make your life better.  If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.

Enigma Micro

I’ve long been a fan of the Enigma beltless carry system since it was originally introduced.  Their latest model just dropped this week.  It is for smaller pistols, has a smaller footprint, and is much easier to adjust.  PHLster sent me one for my little Glock 42.  I got it two days ago and made all the necessary adjustments in less than 10 minutes.  I look forward to giving it a workout at the range next week.

Leather Holster Q&A with Galco Gunleather

Even if you instructors don’t see a whole lot of leather holsters in your classes, you should still know enough about them to be able to provide useful information to your students.

How to Start Dry Fire Training (Without Overthinking It)

Dry practice basics.  On the same topic, you’ll also like Dry Practice Gear: Ready Up Gear Dummy Ammo | Swift/Silent/Deadly.

Are Pistol Sights Actually Useful For Self-Defense?

“The real paradox of the point shooting versus sighted fire debate is that learning to quickly acquire a sight picture essentially trains you to point the gun at the target. If you practice sighted fire the correct way, you will automatically get pretty good at point shooting at the kind of ranges where a lot of people claim you will not have time to see the sights.”

While you are on the Lucky Gunner site, you’ll also want to check out their latest article on .223 ballistics.

Cooper Laid the Foundation…

Fewer and fewer of my students have any idea who Jeff Cooper was.  While we are talking about historical figures in the shooting world, you should also know about Elmer Keith.  Read Elmer Keith: The Original Influencer – GUNS Magazine.

In the Australian Spectator: The shocking truth about Australian crime rates – Crime Prevention Research Center

Do you think a lower firearms ownership rate equals less violent crime?  Read this.

Stop Being a Soft Target

Behaviors that send a message to potential criminal attackers.

Stop Using Your Car as a Holster: 6 reasons

These are universally bad ideas.

The Dangers Of Bullet Setback

Why you should be rotating your carry ammo.

Aero Precision, Ballistic Advantage, Stag Arms & VG6 Enter Receivership

Some industry news.

•security is a gorgeous little liar•

“It’s completely normal, and part of being human, to be slightly hesitant on doing something new where you’re unable to forecast the outcome. Whether it’s starting a business, going to your first BJJ class, your first shooting match, or seeking out a therapist for trauma you’ve been ignoring for years, the faux security you’ve placed in staying where you are will inevitably kill you.”

Pistol As Your Primary: A Complete Training Manual for Carrying and Fighting with the Pistol

What I’m reading…

The Key to HOSTING a Healthy Class

I’m always looking for good hosts for my classes.  Here’s how to do it right.

Catching Charges For Carrying Where You Shouldn’t | Active Self Protection Extra

Lots of my students are “black and white” thinkers.  Unfortunately, the legal system isn’t quite so easy to navigate.  There are LOTS of gray areas.  This video explains some of them.

Simple Knife Carry Hack – The Static Cord

Me using static cords to carry both a pistol and a blade.

The static cord is a very good way to carry a fixed blade knife for optimal concealment.  It provides easy access, but you can shove the entire knife down into your pants if necessary and nothing will be seen.  This is how I carry my fixed blade knife when I travel internationally.  For more covert weapons advice, check out Choose Adventure.

An Official Journal Of The NRA | It’s OK to Have Fun

Sometimes I think we gun “professionals” forget this to our own detriment.

The Diligent Mindset: The Fight Against Complacency & Justification » Concealed Carry Inc

“You can be disciplined without being diligent. You can be diligent without being disciplined. The complete defender is both.”

Brandishing And When You Can Legally Display A Gun

I get a surprising amount of questions about this topic.  If you are in reasonable fear that you will be seriously injured or killed, you are not likely to be arrested for “brandishing” if you display a firearm to discourage your attacker from harming you.  If you still have questions, watch my podcast interview on the topic where I discuss a couple of real life examples from my police career.

For more legal information, you should also read Alex Ooley’s latest article on Civil Liability After Self-Defense.

39 (Or So) Lessons On The Way To 39

The master of modern stoicism hands out some valuable life advice.

 Skills Check: Pistol Standard Xray 2 Drill

This is a great shooting drill from Jeff.  You might also try The DOPE Drill: Combining Speed and Accuracy.  Need even more drills?  Read Great Shooting Drills For Beginners.

Could You Weak-Hand Draw If You Had To?

You may have to draw weak handed if your dominant hand/arm is injured in the gunfight.  Master that skill NOW rather than trying to figure something out when someone is trying to kill you.

38 Special Ammo Power Factor Guide

A valuable resource for those of you who shoot a lot of revolvers.

EDC Bottle in a Sling Bag

I like to think that I know a lot about low profile improvised weapons.  I’m ashamed to admit that I hadn’t ever considered this brilliant idea from Lee Morrison.

Target Evolution: B-21, B-21X, to B-27 and beyond

Karl Rehn discusses the evolution of common defensive pistol training targets from 1917 to the present.

TCCC Quick-Look:Tourniquet Reassessment

Last week I shared some update training on tourniquet use.  Continuing on the same theme, this PDF covers reassessment, removal, and tourniquet conversions.

The Three Blade Rule

Contemporary wisdom dictates that you should carry one knife for utility functions and a different knife for defensive roles.  The argument is that your utility knife should not cause panic when you use it to open a box.  You don’t want to freak out the Karens by whipping out a fixed blade whenever the mail arrives.  People also fear dulling the defensive knife if also used for utility purposes. I don’t subscribe to this theory.

I carry a defensive knife that is relatively small (Spyderco Delica) that doesn’t attract much attention.  I use it daily for utility purposes.  Every time I pull the knife out to cut a box open, I get an extra rep of drawing, opening, and using my defensive knife.  I think being able to get a few practice draws in every day during your normal activity gets you useful repetitions you wouldn’t otherwise get.

With that said, you must be diligent about keeping your single knife blade sharp.  I find that I have to sharpen mine about every two months.  I use the Spyderco Sharpmaker for that task.  I think it’s the fastest way on the market to get a razor sharp edge on your knife.

Nationwide Best Practices? – American Cop

For my police readers.

Quote to Ponder:

“Never get too serious. Too many people get serious and try to be ‘right’ all the time. If you aren’t getting where you want to go in your life and still feel being right is the most important thing, more important than being happy, this is where you’ll waste your life’s energy and then, after 10 years, you’ll discover you weren’t ‘right’, and it didn’t matter.”

– Richard Bandler

Some of the above links are affiliate links.    I earn a small percentage of the sale price from qualifying purchases.

Today through June 26th are this year’s “Prime Days” on Amazon.com.  For members of their excellent “prime” service, they are discounting thousands of items site wide.

It’s kind of like the sales you would see on “Black Friday” or “Cyber Monday.”  Some really good bargains are available.  You have to be an Amazon Prime member to get the best prices.

If you aren’t a prime member, you can join now and get four months free.

I’m going to list a few of the deals that I think you folks may like.  I’ll be updating this post throughout the day (and into tomorrow) as new items are constantly going on sale throughout the two-day time period.  Check back a couple more times today.  There is a good chance that the deals will have changed since your last visit.

Some of the items have limited availability.  Once the set number is sold, the sales stop.  Some of these deals may be expired by the time you read this page.  Make sure to check the price before you hit the “buy” button.

All of these bargains are affiliate links.  That means this site gets a small commission  on every item you purchase.  It doesn’t cost you a dime.  You get good bargains.  I get a small cut of Amazon’s profit margin.  We both win.

On to the deals…..

A constantly updated list of all Prime Day deals

22% off Spyderco Delica (my EDC knife)

Also 48% off Spyderco Tenacious

13% off Spyderco Shaman

34% off Jetboil Stove

43% off Oura Rings

62% off the suitcase I use for traveling about 150 days a year

27% off CAP Bumper Plates

50% off Ring Doorbell Cameras

43% off Dave Canterbury’s Bushcraft Box Set

36% off Life Straw Water Filters

40% off eufy Security SoloCam S220 2-Cam Pack

65% off Blink Cameras

56% OFF Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine

20% off Leatherman Raptor Rescue

Also 20% off Leatherman Rebar

29% off Leatherman Wingman

22% off the Kindle I use to store all the free books I post

40% off Olight Mini Keychain Light

63% off this Cormac McCarthy Classic

50% off Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station

51% off emergency Bivy Bags that belong in every survival kit

33% off Smith & Wesson Tomahawk

Also 61% off Smith and Wesson Extreme Ops knife

60% off Jocko’s Best Seller

25% off Eberlestock Bando Bag

Also 30% off Eberlestock Fade Flex Bag

50% off Amazon Fire Stick

35% off my favorite earbuds

If you like Airpods better, they are 28% off today too

50% off one of my all-time favorite books

20% off RESQME

39% off Energizer Batteries

Also 37% off 2032 coin batteries for your optics

30% off BLUETTI Solar Generator AC70

48% off Roomba vacuum

52% off TUBE The Original Pillow You Stuff with Clothes

34% off Anker Fast Chargers

34% off TruGlo TFX handgun sights

More TruGlo night sights 35% off

Apple Air Tags 10% Off

28% off Umarex .177 Grease Gun

Also 25% off Umarex Glock airsoft pistols

29% off Umarex Glock 19x

35% off Beretta 92 airsoft gun

23% off Walther Umarex PPQ

20% off High Protein Storage Food Bucket

49% off Solar Power Bank

43% off 6-pack of Emergency Bandages

24% off CAP Kettlebells

22% off Plano Gun Cases

Also 24% off Pelican Vault Handgun Cases

20% off Pelican Vault Long Gun cases

35% off Gerber Dime Multi-Tool

20% off POM 3-pack

Up to 54% off Jackery portable power stations and solar panels

Also 38% off Eco Flow Solar Generator

24% off Anker portable power station

35% off Anker SOLIX C200 DC Power Bank Station,

24% Off Magpul Bipod

Also 23% off DAKA Rifle Case

35% OFF Gun Multi-Tool

50% Off Parcil Gas Mask

Free Three Months of Kindle Unlimited

43% off Cold Steel Knives

44% off Gerber Air Ranger

29% off CAP Dumbells

24% off a very comfortable weight vest

28% off the best budget electronic hearing protection on the market

29% off Walker’s High End Amplified Muffs

Also 53% off non-amplified ear muffs

If you prefer the Howard Leight Impact hearing protection, it’s 19% off as well

 34% off Streamlight Pro-Tac light

24% off Superfeet Insoles

27% off Energizer Headlamp 2- pack (I have one with each medical kit I carry)

47% off Mechanix Wear gloves

Also 20% off M-PACT Tactical Gloves

27% off Polar Heart Rate Monitors

25% off the Oakley Prizm Gascan glasses I wear on the range

48% off Coleman Classic Rechargeable Lantern

25% off TRX Suspension Trainer

28% off Osprey Collapsible Backpack

Knowledge to make your life better.  If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.

Chilling details of California terror ring’s plot against Freedom 250 — as ‘mastermind’ is unmasked

Carrying A Gun While Camping And Hiking: Practical Guide

Just in time for your summer outdoor activities.

Active Killer Thwarted by Armed Civilian at Las Vegas Towers

Some lessons learned about gun malfunctions in active killer events and how to deal with the police response should you choose to engage such an attacker.  You should be thinking in advance about whether or not you should intervene in a case like this.  Reading To Intervene — Or Not? might help you decide.

Supreme Court Unanimously Rules in Favor of Pot-Smoking Gun Owner

A unanimous ruling, but quite narrowly crafted.

“Despite delivering a forceful ruling against the government’s attempted prosecution of Hemani, the Court also went out of its way to make clear that it was not invalidating other prohibited persons laws.

“We do not address efforts to ban addicts or those presently intoxicated, from possessing a firearm,” Gorsuch wrote. “We do not address other prophylactic laws Congress might adopt after determining that users of a particular drug pose a special risk of misusing firearms. We do not address 18 U. S. C. §922(g)(1)’s provision disarming individuals convicted of felonies (often including drug-related ones). We do not even address whether the government could bring a prosecution under §922(g)(3) accompanied by individualized proof that the defendant’s use of marijuana (or any other drug) renders him a danger to himself or others. Or proof that a certain drug always renders its users dangerous because of its potency or for some other reason. None of those issues is before us and we do not pass on them either way.”

1911 Test Time—Safety Checks 101

If you carry a 1911, do you know how to check to verify your weapon’s safeties are functioning properly?

Does your USPSA classification matter?

I can’t argue with Caleb on this point:

“If you’re training to be good at the shooting sports, train for that. If you’re training to defend your life, once you reach USPSA B-class/IDPA Expert class, you have pretty much all the gun skills you could possibly need. Make sure you maintain your skills, but take some time to work on other weak spots. Combatives, verbal judo, physical fitness (seriously your physical fitness), driving skills, etc. If you can get all of those up to B-class, you would be an absolute MENACE to any threat.

But most importantly, and I cannot say this enough: do whatever makes you happy.”

How to Exercise Your Right to Self-Defense

Mike Boyle discusses some important factors to consider when you are contemplating armed self defense.

Pepper Spray Accuracy Could Save Your Life

I can’t tell you how many times I saw cops missing their targets with pepper spray over the years.

What To Do When No One Is Coming To Save You

“The more you self-actualize and come to terms with all your successes, failures, loves, losses, tears and smiles, the more your life will be enriched. If you take on this mindset, the more positive growth you undoubtedly will have. The more you point fingers and blame, the less secure your life will become. The more you accept what cards life decides to deal, the more secure your life will be. Again, no one is coming to save you, so you need to develop the mental fortitude to find solutions to whatever problems come your way. If this all still appears too intimidating a task to accept, then you have instead accepted that the safety of your life and those you love isn’t the top priority.”

What Pasadena’s ‘horseplay’ shooting can teach cops about gun safety

Lots of folks sent me this video and asked me to comment.  I’m not going to write a whole article about these jackasses.  Warren says most of the stuff I would have said in this piece.  What I will add is that Warren is being generous.  I don’t think this is a training/supervision issue.  I think this is primarily a hiring issue.

No one wants to be a cop anymore.  Police departments still need bodies.  Officers who would have been instantly disqualified for service 10 years ago are now being hired because agencies have no other options.  They have to hire jackasses because those of the people who take police tests these days.  In three years, those jackasses who would have never been hired in my day are getting promotions.  Pretty soon they will run the department and all of its training.  Incidents like this will be minor in comparison to where I think the profession is heading in the next few years.

Is Lead Round Nose Any Good for Defense in a Snub? Sellier & Bellot .38 Special VS .32 Long Gel Test

You might be surprised to see how these “widow maker” bullets perform in gelatin tests.  While neither of these loads would be my first choice for defensive use, I wouldn’t lose sleep if they were the only rounds available and I had to carry one for self protection.  The hollow points in these calibers/barrel lengths rarely expand in real life.  At least that .38 round yawed significantly and tumbled completely end over end.  It left an impressive permanent wound cavity on the first shot into gel.

While we are on the topic of .32 caliber handguns, you might also like to read The .32 ACP – A Gentleman’s Caliber.

Firearms Training or Trends?

“It seems the firearms training industry is driven more by celebrity than it is by substance. “Old school” you say? How about referring to them as techniques that have been proven in conflict over many years, things that are known to work. They just may not look flashy.”

What Kind of Bleeding Requires a Tourniquet?

Some Thoughts on Torture Tests [2026]

“Personally, I think the vast majority of torture tests are largely fugazi; a bunch of flash for views rather than anything useful. Which can be fine, so long as it’s not used as data. However, as I’ve discussed previously, people commonly conflate entertainment with education, and the source of said material rarely puts forth serious effort to stop this confusion.”

Comparing Revolver and Autopistol Reliability

It’s not a torture test like mentioned above, but it is valuable commentary about revolver reliability.  On a similar topic, read Is the Revolver the Ultimate Survival Gun?

The Number One Man Is Wrong, Bob — Cohort

When I attended SWAT school more than 20 years ago, we were taught that the first man to enter the room always makes the right decision.  It’s up to the #2 and #3 man to adjust to cover the area that the #1 man isn’t covering.  I’m glad we are rethinking such nonsense.

Surviving the Stop-N-Rob – GUNS Magazine

Solid survival information.

Choke Point: A Thriller (The Scot Harvath Series Book 25)

What I’m reading…

If you enjoy this author’s work, his book Dead Fall is on sale today for 38% off.

Firearms Instructor | Experience Defines Competence

“There’s another part people don’t like to say out loud. Not all training is useful. Some of it is outdated. Some of it is recycled. Some of it is built more around branding than substance. And some of it is just crap. At the entry level, you don’t know the difference.”

Do You See the Threats?

“You can prevent potentially threatening behavior from developing into active threat behavior by initially identifying specific threat indicators. These observable actions are readily available pre-attack indicators that communicate to you that an undesired event may be developing around you. Some examples of threat indicators include body posture, eye contact, and an intercept course.”

Why Are You Training? Why Not?

A few weeks ago I posted the results from Presscheck Consulting’s recent training survey.  If you missed it, here are the details and Erick’s commentary.

Quote to Ponder:

Some of the above links are affiliate links.   I earn a small percentage of the sale price from qualifying purchases.

Amazon has a tremendous number of FREE ebooks on their website.  You can find thousands of free kindle books on Amazon’s site every day.  These books can be downloaded to a Kindle reader or a free App on your phone or personal computer.  Even if you don’t have a Kindle, you can download a free Kindle reader for your computer or phone HERE.  

Here are a few free books that I think my readers might enjoy. Check these out.

One caution….

These books were free at the time I posted them. Prices change rapidly. Please check the price before you hit the “buy” button! 

If you cannot see any of the links below, there is likely a setting in either your internet browser or ad blocking software that prohibits “live links.”  If you see a blank page below, check those settings.  I promise you that there are book links actually listed directly below.

Happy Reading!

While you are contemplating book purchases, don’t forget my travel safety book.

For an even larger selection of great books (not free), check out my Recommended Reading page.

Some of these links are affiliate links.  If you purchase an item using one of those links, I get a small percentage of the payment.  It does not cost you any additional money.

Last month I spent 17 days traveling through Central and Eastern Europe (articles about my experiences forthcoming).  I spent one of those days touring the Auschwitz and Birkenau WWII concentration/extermination camps.  It was a moving experience that I highly recommend.

The front gate at Auschwitz. The words say “work sets you free.”  Keep those words in mind as you read this article.

Before visiting the camps, I chose to re-read Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl.  Frankl was a psychologist who was interred in four different concentration camps (including Auschwitz) during the war.  He survived and wrote the book about his experiences.

Pick up the book and read it.  It’s a fast read and quite inspiring.  In it, Frankl argues that life always has meaning, even in the darkest circumstances.  Furthermore he states that the ultimate human freedom is the “ability to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances”.  His fundamental thesis is that none of us can control our external environment, but we all have the choice to control our reaction to those uncontrollable circumstances.

During my workout today, I was listening to the Modern Wisdom Podcast where Chris Williamson interviewed author Arthur Brooks about the topic of happiness in life.

Something Is Very Wrong With Modern Life – Arthur Brooks

Near the end of the podcast (starting at around the 1:39 mark), Williamson mentions Frankl’s work and this quote:

“When a person can’t find a deep sense of meaning, they distract themselves with pleasure.”

Williamson then proposed a theorem to accompany Frankl’s thoughts on meaning.  He called it Frankl’s Inverse Law.  From the podcast:

That struck me and resonated with my personal experience.

Early in my life, I chose to become obsessed with working out and training martial arts because I got more meaning and satisfaction from those activities than I did by actually living an enjoyable life.  I wasn’t very sociable.  I didn’t have a lot of close friends.  I had sporadic romantic relationships.  I couldn’t talk about anything socially except guns, training, and fighting.

Once I became a cop, the problem worsened.  I doubled down on my choice to constantly practice shooting and fighting to make up for my lack of a social life.  I didn’t go on vacations or travel because I was using all my vacation time from work to attend shooting schools.  After developing a high skill level and some teaching acclaim following 20 years of obsessive training, I realized I wasn’t truly happy.  All my pursuit of hard things and mastery in the field of applied violence didn’t give me any true meaning in my life.

I put off happiness because I didn’t know how to make it happen.  It wasn’t until my mid-30s that I learned how to be happy.  Many of my peers still haven’t mastered that skill yet.

When I look at many of my current colleagues who are high performers teaching martial arts, fighting, and shooting skills, I see a very similar pattern.  They became good at what they do because of obsession and hard work.  But most of them chose that hard work because it was easier than developing meaningful personal human relationships or feeling the emotion of happiness.

The most successful trainers I know now temper their obsessive desire for peak performance with focused life activities designed to foster happiness and pleasure in realms outside of their fighting skills. 

Some others still haven’t allowed pleasure to intrude on their hard work.  I feel sorry for those folks.

I’m happy with my life now, but it took a long time and a lot of work to get to this point.

Most of you reading this are focused on improving your personal protection skills.  Are you doing that because it’s easier than making yourself happy?

 
Read that quote again.  

“When a man can’t find a deep sense of pleasure, they distract themselves with meaning.”

Is your training a distraction to keep you from the harder work of becoming happy?

 
It’s a question worthy of your attention.

Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. I get paid a small amount of money if you purchase something through those links. It doesn’t cost you anything.

Knowledge to make your life better.  If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.

When Is Using Your CCW a Mistake?

Learning How to Master Red-Dot-Equipped Pistols

Mike Pannone gives us some red dot tips.  Turn the volume on your speakers down.  This site has a loud auto play pop-up ad.  Need more red dot advice?  Read Red-Dot Occlusion Training: A Performance-Booster for You & Your Optic-Equipped Handgun.

How The Glock 17 Gen 6 Withstood A Week Of Punishment

The first 1000 rounds out of a new Generation 6 Glock.

GunBroker and Tips for Buying a Used Firearm

I purchase a lot  of my newly-acquired guns from GunBroker.  Here’s how to avoid being taken by a scam or an improperly described item.

Selecting the Best Defensive Handgun Ammo for Your Platform

You might be surprised that hollowpoint ammunition isn’t always the best choice for defensive purposes.  

And while we are slaying sacred cows, you should also read Your Carry Gun Doesn’t Matter.

How many school shootings during spring 2026?

“The spring semester of 2026 had the fewest school shooting incidents in five years. Overall this is very good news, but the decline also produces more questions than answers.”

Continuing on the topic, not every school is at equal risk for a shooting.

Guest Shot: The Combative Mind 

“Anyone who has ever had to face an armed assailant will tell you having confidence in one’s combative skills offers peace of mind which cannot be minimized. Possessing the ability to fight is an important component of having the proper mindset. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. Having confidence in one’s ability, backed by a solid, easy to use skill set is the single biggest deterrent to the onset of mind-numbing fear.”

How To Survive A Riot When All Hell Breaks Loose

It seems like we are starting riot season again.  Have you been tracking the riots in North Ireland?  Are you prepared when they kick off again here?  This is a very long article with lots of good tips for surviving crowd violence.  Along the same lines, you may also want to check out The “Mostly Peaceful” Delusion from John Farnam,  How to Stay Safe in a Big Crowd and Michael Bane’s suggestions for dealing with mob violence.

Antifragile Isn’t Comfortable

It isn’t enough to be merely resistant to adversity.  True antifragility (where you gain from disorder) is the ultimate goal.  If this article intrigues you, go read the classic book on the topic as soon as possible.  You won’t be disappointed.

The Roblox Problem

If you are a parent or someone who is interested in the topic of child sex trafficking, you should be researching the Roblox platform.  Despite how damaging Roblox appears in this article, most human trafficking experts believe social media sites such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat are far more dangerous.

Guns 101: The Multitude of AK Versions Explained

An introduction to the AK variants.  If you like the topic, you may also enjoy Twenty-One Facts About The Iconic AK-47.

Mythbusting: Shooting A Tire

Shooting the tread seems more effective than targeting the sidewall.  Neither option will quickly disable the vehicle. 

Brothers of the Gun: Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and a Reckoning in Tombstone

What I’m reading…

Want some more content from the era documented in this book?  Read this bit of curated advice from old west legend Wyatt Earp.

Will Not Comply: A Historical Anecdote of the First Silencer Registration

Continuing with the historical theme, some of you might enjoy this article as well.

Ed Monk Webinar: Countering The Active Shooter With A Handgun » Concealed Carry Inc

Ed Monk has done more research on active killers than anyone else on the planet.  First, you should buy his book.  Then you should immediately register for this inexpensive webinar on July 16th.

And while we are talking about excellent training opportunities, my Ohio readers should rush out to sign up for the classes my friend Lou Ann Hamblin is teaching at Blackwing.

Concealed Carry for Big Guys: Holsters, Clothes & Tips

Carry tips for guys who shop in the “husky” section.

Only Interesting Guns, Part One

This article makes me consider the fond memories I have of my “interesting” model 19 revolvers.  I still have my first centerfire handgun, my dad’s tricked out police duty gun, and the 2.5″ snubby I use for my revolver class demonstrations.  All are Smith and Wesson model 19s.

The Top .22 LR Defensive Rounds but Through a Rifle – Gel Test! Mini-Mag, Stinger, Uppercut & Punch

 Have you ever wondered how popular .22 defensive rounds perform out of a rifle?  These gelatin tests yield some interesting results.  Despite the seemingly unimpressive gelatin testing performance, ballistic expert and 40+ year police officer Chuck Haggard often comments that he has never seen a person shot in the torso with a .22 rifle who has lived.  In my police career, I never responded to any calls where a criminal or armed citizen shot anyone with a .22 rifle.  I have however, seen the results of a couple of .22 rifle suicides.  The cartridge performed very well out of a rifle in that capacity.

What To Do After A Defensive Shooting

Great advice from Alex Ooley (who also happens to be a criminal defense attorney).

How to deal with strangers

I just realized that Annette Evans has a Substack focused on female self protection advice.  Sign up for a subscription and follow her if you are interested in the subject matter.

Training Vs Performing

Are you training or are you performing?

Quote to Ponder:

“Just like Doritos and Mountain Dew wreck your body, push notifications and memes wreck your mind. And like junk food, the more you consume, the worse you feel.

People like to make excuses for why their attention is fractured, but the truth is, your attention isn’t being stolen—you’re just giving it away without a fight.

If you don’t take control of your environment, you’ll spend your entire life becoming a data point for mega-corporations to package up and sell to the highest-bidding advertiser.

When I write nowadays, I leave my phone at home, block everything on my laptop, and force myself to sit in painful, empty space before I can write.

Your life is nothing more than the diet of your mind.

What are you feeding it today?”

– Mark Manson

Thank you all for feeding your brain with this quality list of reference articles.

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