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EP_Agent
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Although I try to be a part of this community, I'm not a big gamer. I just enjoy some CSS to wind down after long days. But I am a pro when it comes to firearms. I get a lot of questions and tip requests and I'd be glad to help out here as well. Be mindful I have a bunch of guns but I'm not a gun "nut" in the sense that I collect guns and store them and talk about guns all day. I'm a shooter and I treat them like utilities and tools which they are. So I don't know about all the latest gadgets and gizmos. I know what works and what doesn't. I know how to stop and/or kill bad guys.

 

Background Brief:

- 10 Years law enforcement / security contracting protecting high-profile and high net-worth people.

- DHS/FPS Instructor

- Dept. of Criminal Justice Services certified General Instructor and Firearms Instructor

- NRA Firearms Instructor

- Safariland less lethal instructor

- Red Cross Instructor

 

Ask away. Stay safe.

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  • Executive Council

I love this post EP this is awesome of you to do this. I am glad to see people from my division posting on the forums as much as you guys have! Keep up the good work! Referencing the post I am thinking of buying a ak47what would you recommend as far as the brand that is good but will not break the bank? I was looking at atlanticfirearms.com and they have some good ones.

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I'm too young to carry but when I am of age, where would you say I should start off looking to conceal carry?

 

Go to gun ranges and rent the firearms that they have. You'll get a good feel for what you like and what feels good in your hand. Some people carry larger guns, some carry smaller ones. I switch between two different guns depending on winter or summer carry, I carry a larger one when it's colder due to it being easier to conceal under a coat. Summer carry you will want something a bit thinner to help conceal against your body, should you decide to carry IWB (Inside Waist Band). Make sure you know the laws of your state and any surrounding states that you may enter. Ignorance of local laws will not get you a slap on the wrist when it comes to firearms. You should check out the firearm thread to see what guns other members here have, it'd give you a good idea of what you might be seeing. If you're under 18 then most gunshops will ask you to leave or to return with a guardian, some may not let you shoot pistols unless you are 21. Call around to the local gunshops to find out their rules and check out their websites if they have one. Don't let people tell you what you like, make sure you make that decision. Lastly, make sure you can afford it and that you are sure you want that gun before you buy it, even if you buy a gun new and never fire it, the best you might be able to do selling it back to a gunshop might be half. So be certain of your decisions and remember the four rules of firearm safety.

  • All guns are always loaded. (Treat them so!)
  • Never point the gun at anything you are not willing to destroy.
  • Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target (and you have made the decision to shoot).
  • Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.

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I love this post EP this is awesome of you to do this. I am glad to see people from my division posting on the forums as much as you guys have! Keep up the good work! Referencing the post I am thinking of buying a ak47what would you recommend as far as the brand that is good but will not break the bank? I was looking at atlanticfirearms.com and they have some good ones.

 

Century V2 AK47

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What is the best course of action to take when someone breaks into my house? What if I don't have a gun on me when someone breaks into my house?

 

First step would be to get a gun. Next step would be to get training. If it is not possible to get a firearm for legal reasons etc., get training in the use of OC Spray, defensive tactics, maybe even baton training. None of these will be useful if they are not available to you to grab quickly. Understand you have state/local laws to be mindful of as well. Generally speaking, the law will always value life over property. There are cases where you're legally allowed to protect property using deadly force but I don't ever teach from that perspective. A lot of people do not take into account they just because they dodge any criminal charges when using deadly force, the chances are you will be sued for wrongful death/injury or similar. I'm not saying the plaintiff will have a good case against you, but whether they do or have a shit case, it is going to cost you a lot of time and money in legal fees. This means training is key.

 

Mindset > Tactics > Skill > Gear in this order every time. The gear and skill mean nothing without mindset and tactics. That means you get trained. I can't stress that enough. That is why I do what I do.

 

Beyond that, it depends on your situation. Have a discussion with others who live with you about a plan in case of break-in. Make sure everyone is on the same page on ingress and egress and what each other's job will be. Who's calling 911, who's armed and who's not, are there kids, etc. But when countering an attacker who is actively being aggressive, your response should be like an animal. Protect your family and yourself and do so quickly and with as much force is it takes to stop the attack, at which point your stop using force.

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I'm too young to carry but when I am of age, where would you say I should start off looking to conceal carry?

 

Hi there.

 

Just like I mentioned in my last response, get training. NRA isn't a bad start and there are plenty of NRA instructors out there. You don't have to be of age to go to a range with an adult and do some shooting so you absolutely can start now. I've had paid students as young as 8 or 9 (female) who did great and handled a 9mm like a champ.

 

And as I mentioned in my post, I'm not really into recommending anything other than well known brands with a history of simple functionality. My rule for myself is generally to use Glock, Sig, or Smith and Wesson, as a general rule for fighting type handguns. Yes, there are other brands that do well but like I said, I'm a firearms utility guy. It just needs to go boom when I squeeze the trigger. And secondly, no safeties on my pistols. Its another added mechanical device which means an additional point of failure. Not having one does not mean less safe either, if we're talking about basic rules of gun safety which mentioned nothing of safeties.

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Hi there.

 

Just like I mentioned in my last response, get training. NRA isn't a bad start and there are plenty of NRA instructors out there. You don't have to be of age to go to a range with an adult and do some shooting so you absolutely can start now. I've had paid students as young as 8 or 9 (female) who did great and handled a 9mm like a champ.

 

And as I mentioned in my post, I'm not really into recommending anything other than well known brands with a history of simple functionality. My rule for myself is generally to use Glock, Sig, or Smith and Wesson, as a general rule for fighting type handguns. Yes, there are other brands that do well but like I said, I'm a firearms utility guy. It just needs to go boom when I squeeze the trigger. And secondly, no safeties on my pistols. Its another added mechanical device which means an additional point of failure. Not having one does not mean less safe either, if we're talking about basic rules of gun safety which mentioned nothing of safeties.

 

Thanks for all the info on both your replies. My father is retired from the service and also is a experienced gun enthusiast. I've never been one towards the modern era of weapons. Always a revolver of sorts (.22 & etc). Also I live closer to the city and due to dumb laws around here, all users must be 18+. I'll most likely be heading south during Spring with my father's friends to give it a shot. I want to start young cause I know it'll definitely help in the future when I'm capable of going out and completing my own tasks such as this.

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Another consideration I think all defenders should take note of is what a mentioned in my previous reply about liability. When law enforcement or a court evaluate someone's actions, in this case your use of deadly force, they are trying to establish your intent, which isn't always easy. So I find it crucial to prove your intention as a good guy to learn basic life SAVING techniques to complement firearms training. Carry first aid equipment and go to a red cross instructor to learn and get certified in first aid. When someone is looking into your intent, don't you think it could help if the persons investigating your intent took note of the fact that you have medical equipment and training and attempted to aid a suspect or at least intended to with the equipment you carry?

 

My every day carry when not working or on non-field assignment,

 

- Glock 19 fully loaded inside the waistband

- Spare full size mag

- Flashlight

- Pocket knife

- First aid mask

- SWAT-T Tourniquet

- Pen

- Wallet/credentials

 

LeRD8gt.jpg

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