Aging

Basic Preparedness – One Woman’s Journey, Part 2

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Author Tara Fleming is 56 years old, a 25 year resident of NJ, mother of 3 and employed in financial services. This is the second of two blog posts.

We reviewed some ideas for how to prevent and avoid emergencies in Part I. Now we will review some ideas for preparedness for disasters, small and large.

If you are comfortable, you may want to learn to safely and responsibly operate a firearm. Many ranges offer their own training courses, but there are great independent trainers, such ScotShot LLC and Compass Defense LLC, who may work better for you. If you are a woman, you may want to join an association such as Armed Women of America, which has Shooting Chapters across these United States. This really does make it much more comfortable for the beginner to learn along with others at the same level, or benefit from the wealth of knowledge of more experienced shooters.

If you do decide to explore this self-defense option, it is incumbent upon you to undertake the appropriate training for safe handling and operation of a firearm. Be prepared to spend time and money. Understand that training and practice should be continuous and consistent. It is a serious commitment, but very rewarding and worthwhile. You will need to check the laws in your state regarding required permits and licenses. The best place to start is with your local police department website, where you will be able to find the necessary forms and applications. You will also want to join an association such as US Law Shield, to protect yourself from legal events.

Pay attention and be aware of your surroundings! This is super important, especially as we age. It may seem obvious and natural but I guarantee you that it is not. We must make a conscious effort when out and about to keep our minds clear of distractions, eyes up and forward and remain aware. This is not saying to be paranoid and fearful when out and about, in fact it is the exact opposite. It is not complete relaxation, such as when we are at home, but neither is it a state of high alert, which would be very stressful. It is somewhere right in between. Just a slightly elevated state of awareness is what we should work towards. This takes practice, but it can become intuitive.

If able, you should consider learning a self-defense skill, such as Krav Maga, which does not depend solely on strength or size for effectiveness.

Learn about long term food and water storage. An organization called Outdoor Core has an excellent set of short on-line classes that covers a wide range of preparedness ideas and skill-sets, including one on preparing food storage in your home.

Form or join a preparedness group or club in your local community. Your friends and neighbors are a good place to start. It is good to have a reliable local network of like-minded individuals. Take advantage of free resources, too – the Federal Government makes a great starting point.

Prepare a “bug-out bag”. This will help you get to safety if you have to move in a hurry. You can buy them, or build one of your own, that is tailored to your specific needs. This can be as simple as a back pack with some basic supplies, or as much as you can reasonably carry.

Have a plan to get in touch with family members, understanding that cell towers may be down or overwhelmed. Agree on a meeting place out of town for extended communications disruptions or emergencies. Many towns and cities have citizen volunteer organizations, such as fire departments, police auxiliary and emergency management offices. Consider joining one of these organization as the training and knowledge you will gain is priceless.
Consider getting your HAM radio license so that you can be a communications resource for your community. This is a bit involved but if you are mechanically inclined, you may want to give it a go. Again, you may want to start with Outdoor Core and their Ham Cram course.

Take a first-aid and/or CPR course from the Red Cross. I’ve taken a few courses and really learned a lot. You would probably want to take some of the courses every year or every other year to keep your skills sharp.

Please keep the gas tank full or nearly full in all of your vehicles. Please. If you have to leave the vicinity in a hurry, chances are so will everyone else. You do not want to be stuck on a gas line or worse if the gas station is closed. I have gone from someone who drove around perpetually on “E” to now filling my tank once it is half empty.

There is a lot to learn in the world of preparedness. It is important not to become overwhelmed and discouraged. Remember, take it one step at a time and do your best within the scope of your finances, skills, ability and available space. If you are able, consider dedicating one evening per week or one day per month to preparedness activities. This can be done in an enjoyable and fun way, especially along with family and friends. It should not take away from your other regular life activities, but rather should enhance them. It is very likely that some of the things you already enjoy doing or skills and knowledge that you already have (exercising, gardening, firearms training, canning, fixing cars) are also prepping activities!

So have fun, learn new skills and share your knowledge with others. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem! To quote the great Creek Stewart, “It’s not if, but when.”

They’re always wanting your money, Part 2.

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Author Ryan M. Chippendale has been in public safety/service for over two decades. He has held the roles of Police Officer, Firefighter, EMT, CPR Instructor, NRA Instructor, Glock Armorer, and Notary Public, among others.  He is the proud father of three girls (12, 10, 4) and has been married for thirteen years.  He is the son of a senior mother who keeps a running honey-do list for him, and he has expertise with firearms, electronics and computer systems.  He is an ordained minister, is fluent in sarcasm and has been known to be found at a karaoke bar once or twice in his life. This is the second of a series of three blog posts.

 

If you’re just joining us then you missed the first article where I briefly discussed senior scam phone calls.  The takeaway from that was if any stranger calls you, filter it though a skeptical lens.

There is one small caveat though… what if the phone call is from someone who claims to be NOT a stranger?  “Hi Grandma, I got arrested in Mexico and the only way they’ll let me out is if you go by a Walmart gift card and send it to me.”  First, you know from the first article that no government agency known to me will accept a gift card but what about your poor grandson?  Are you the heartless person to leave him sitting in a Mexican prison?!?  Take that drop of cynicism and apply it to this scenario… ask a challenge question.

What is something super obvious that your grandson would know?  It doesn’t have to be tricky like asking the color of the sweater you wore at Christmas, more like the name of the street you live on.  Or his mother’s first name.  The scammer will just hang up, or if you’re lucky, they’ll spew some curse words at you before hanging up.  Believe it or not, a lot of people are taken by this method.  

Phone calls are the Mecca of scammers because it removes the ability of the victim to get a feel for what’s real and what isn’t.  With technology these days, they are even able to remove accents from their voices.  You might be more comfortable speaking with someone who has a southern drawl than a foreigner.  If you’re on the phone, listen for things that sound culturally improper… those are harder to fake.

Another example of a common telephone scam relies less on sympathy and more on fear.  You receive a call from someone who tells you that you’re a victim (they hope) of a fraud.  “Hello, this is Bank of America and we’ve detected some fraudulent activity on your account.  Before we can continue, we need you to verify your social security number?”  How responsible and thorough of Bank of America, right?  The problem is that it isn’t actually Bank of America calling… do you even have a Bank of America account?  What if there actually is some kind of fraud happening and the person calling is legitimate?  No big deal… ask for a reference number or the like.  Hang up and call the phone number on the back of your credit card.  I don’t even trust the Google searches in a situation like that.  Pull out your paper statement or the physical credit card to get the phone number.  Always be wary of someone who calls you and asks you for information.  Always be suspicious of someone who calls you and wants to pressure you into doing anything as if time is a factor.  

Along the lines of fear, your power is about to be shut off.  It’s not, but imagine I made the scenario real enough and you believed your power was about to be shut off?  It’s 30 degrees out, you have electric heat, you have an electric stove, your family is about to sit in the dark and eat uncooked food!  As a scammer I’m going to slap you with whatever I can make you afraid of.  But don’t worry… we can clear this outstanding bill up with a quick and easy trip to Wallgreens for a gift card to satisfy the debt.  Ding ding ding… red flag!  Gift card for anything = scam.  Often criminals will pretend to be some type of utility company and call about an outstanding bill and threaten suspension of services if payment is not immediately made.  Same as the Bank of America story… Hang up, pull out the bill and call them yourself.  Maybe there is actually a delinquency, butseek it out yourself.  Don’t trust a stranger who called you.  

Trust but verify!

 

How to survive, just in case SHTF.

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Author Frank Liso is an avid coin collector and Silver & Gold stacker.

It’s no secret that we are seeing high inflation. In parallel, we have historically low interest rates. The Federal Reserve could reduce inflation by restricting the money supply through increasing interest rates, but that is a precarious position, since it could crash the Stockmarket, which is already spiraling downward.

Inflation is being driven in part by the eight trillion Dollars of stimulus money that has wreaked havoc in the US stock market, falsely inflating stock values, and real estate values. The Pandemic has not only destroyed supply chains but also, world economies.  Inflation may be just the beginning of the bad effects. 

World leaders are taking full advantage of the Biden administration and USA’s assumed weakness. This has led to the current War in Ukraine, and may lead to another one potentially over ownership of Taiwan. In addition, we have the Iranians apparently itching to nuke the USA and Israel. Then there is our good buddy in N. Korea with his twitchy missile finger.  Wow, what a difference a year makes!

Russia and China are trying to overtake the US dollar as the world currency and truthfully, they have a shot at it. The only reason the dollar hasn’t been dethroned is that the dollar is the currency for Oil world wide. Imagine if Iran (say) decided only to accept payment for oil in Rubles, or Yuan, or Euros for that matter, something other than US dollars.

So, what can the average person do about it? People can protect themselves and their loved ones with a little planning and proactive preventative measures. What is important in uncertain times like these is hoping for the best, but being prepared for the worse.

Financially speaking the secret is how to deal with it at minimum risk and a potential upside should there be a bull market in commodities. 

I am offering a few things to consider, based on how I am dealing with the present situation. Think about whether these are right for you and your family.

My priorities for 2022 are straightforward. 

  • Food: have a few months of food stored staples that can keep you from starving should supplies get low at the local market. Ideally, this should be a mix of your favorite regular food and some food designed specifically for long-term storage.
  • Water: we use a lot more water than we think. It takes a lot of water to get by for a 3-month period. If you can’t store water, then get a water purifier – they are relatively inexpensive.
  • Get your home secured: consider a system such as ADT or Ring, perhaps get a firearm and training, reinforce your window and door locks, and get a dead bolt system for your front door. These will all help in the event of potential gang violence, robberies and break-ins.
  • Get some gold and silver: if you don’t have any it would not be a bad idea to have a few months of living expenses worth of it. After all, paper money might not be trusted. Also, what happens if the banks don’t you allow access to your bank accounts for any reason? What happens if there is an EMP strike? If the internet goes down, do you have Silver or Gold to get you through when traditional paper money fails?
  • Bartering: can you Barter goods or services?  Do you have a trade or a skill that you can barter for meat, veggies, etc..
  • Keep your expenses as low as possible: think about how to reduce your credit card balances as much as possible.
  • Don’t talk about your hoard or stockpile: Why attract attention to yourself from people who are less prepared?

Basic Preparedness – One Woman’s Journey, Part 1.

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Author Tara Fleming is 56 years old, a 25 year resident of NJ, mother of 3, and employed in financial services. This is the first of two blog posts.

As part of the 55 and older crowd, we should be leading the charge in terms of preparedness and guiding our younger friends and family members to incorporate preparedness as part of everyday life. The preparedness lifestyle should not be looked upon as panic-mongering or hoarding. That perception among the “unprepared” needs to change. It should be part of our culture as Americans so that when an emergency comes, and come it will, we can be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem.

Admittedly, I joined this community very late in the game and I am still a beginner. It was after Hurricane Sandy, that it first dawned on me that I needed to change things. I just was not sure of exactly what to do, and still it took me years to really get started. There is so much to know and learn. But it is important to understand that it is never too late to adopt this survival and preparedness mindset. I would recommend taking it one step at a time, and breaking it down into small steps. There are many great resources available and especially for beginners.

To start let’s split this down into two main areas: 1) Steps you can take to help prevent emergencies from occurring and/or avoiding them in the first place,and; 2) Steps you can take to be prepared for unavoidable emergencies that cannot be prevented or avoided. Here we will focus on prevention, and in the next post we will focus on preparation. You may probably heard some of these things before, but they are crucial to a preparedness mindset, and so they bear repeating.

Physical fitness and health. This cannot be emphasized enough. Become as physically fit as you can, considering any limitations you may have. At a minimum, take a daily walk and get outside. If you cannot walk, invest in a punching bag and throw punches. If a punching bag is not feasible, you can throw air punches. Punches will blast your heart rate and boost your cardio health. Consider programs such as Yoga and Pilates to improve your balance, flexibility and range of motion.

Get an annual physical, including bloodwork. Discuss any findings with the doctor to determine next steps, such as supplements if necessary. Maintain a healthy diet and weight. Of course, consult your doctor before starting any physical activity or adding or removing anything from your diet. Here is a great resource to keep up on all the latest health science and studies – The Andrew Huberman Lab.

Mental and spiritual fitness are also important and all 3 pillars should be in balance. Learning new skills or reading/listening to a book will certainly contribute to mental fitness. If you have a religious affiliation, consider renewing or reconnecting with it. If that is not your thing, just getting out there in nature or learning to meditate or volunteering to help others in some capacity can nourish your spirit. However you choose to do it, balance of the 3 pillars will put you in the best possible position for whatever comes. Our duty as American citizens is to be physically, mentally and spiritually prepared to the best of our ability.

Around your home, make sure you have fire and carbon monoxide detectors installed and working as well as easily accessible fire extinguishers in your place of residence. Plan for how you will exit your home, from any floor, in the event of a fire.

Know what emergency and contingency plans your town or city has in place. Contact your local township committee, city council, etc. or even better, attend the meetings regularly and stay informed.

Read, learn, know, understand and educate others on the Constitution! Understanding freedom and liberty, where it comes from, and how to protect and defend it, is an often-overlooked subject in the preparedness community, but it is crucial for a self-governing citizenry that wishes to remain so – (“A republic, if you can keep it!” -Benjamin Franklin). Here are some great resources that you may not have come across before. You may be shocked at how much you actually do not know and stand to learn about the foundations of freedom and our Constitution!

We can find ways to incorporate these prevention plans into our existing schedules. Try swapping a monthly lunch date with a friend for a skills class together every other month. While you are doing household chores, commuting to work or exercising, listen to an informational podcast or audible book. These are just a few ideas to help you get started along your self-reliance and preparedness journey. Safe travels!

Moving Home? A Cautionary Tale…

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Author Todd Ellis balances his work life with community volunteerism.  A Critical Infrastructure communications expert, Ellis helps design systems for rail, bus and airports and was awarded two related patents.  After hours, Ellis is an Auxiliary Police Officer in his local township, teaches firearm safety courses, is an adult Scouter and a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus.  Ellis and his wife Stacey reside on their uniquely sloped property known as Leprechaun Hill in southeastern Pennsylvania.

As we get older, many folks desire a warmer climate. Sometimes, seniors are capable of maintaining a dual residence; enjoying summers in the North, then heading South as the weather begins to turn. More often, there will be a total move of a residence that requires the use of a professional moving company. Due to increasing labor and transportation costs, shipments of household goods can be surprisingly expensive. It’s natural that anyone, whether on a fixed income or not would look for better moving costs.

Recently a senior couple (we’ll call them Kay and Ted) moved from their Upstate New York residence to a long awaited move to Florida. A retired businessman, Ted made several telephone calls to local movers to obtain a competitive price. COVID issues have decimated moving company labor – and thus Ted couldn’t obtain a proposal from anyone. No local company had enough personnel to cover current commitments and none was interested in Ted’s long-haul opportunity.

Kay and Ted were becoming desperate. Having already sold their home, it was imperative to quickly find a mover who could pack and ship their household belongings before the closing date. Ted began looking online for alternative shippers. One particular firm looked pretty good – their company name sounded a lot like a familiar nationwide moving company but promised to provide better pricing. Ted was delighted to find that the company could send a representative to their home within a day and provide a written proposal. Both Kay and Ted were proud that they did it all on their own without having to ask family members for help.

Ted reviewed the contract; it had plenty of strongly written terms and a good price. The firm showed up the next week to retrieve their goods…in a rented box truck. Their excuse was that their truck was tied up on another job and their goods would be transferred into their bigger truck the next day.

Kay and Ted closed on their old home and flew to their new Florida destination. A stipulated fourteen days for delivery came and went – and no truck, no furniture, no household goods. Calls to the moving company were answered by a polite receptionist but no information was provided about their shipment. Concerned, Kay called their son Rick to see if he had any ideas on what to do. Their son, a security expert, carefully listened to the facts and then asked for an electronic copy of their contract. Within minutes Rick had determined there was a big problem; other customers had been posting complaints about the company across the Internet for the last year. He read about customers who never received their shipments and customers that were asked to pay additional funds before delivery.

This is called “hostage taking”. Unscrupulous moving companies sometimes seize goods from individuals who appear to be well-heeled and then refuse to deliver until “unexpected fees” are collected. Unfortunately, anxiety sometimes wins over good judgement and the victim pays the moving company, hoping to simply walk away from a bad situation. That approach doesn’t help the next potential victim! Several other victims had registered complaints on the Better Business Bureau’s site, but the moving company was not a BBB member and only responded in a limited way to keep complaints at bay.

Rick quickly developed an action plan. First, he had Kay call their new local police department to file a report. A responding detective called the moving company on behalf of his department and that got the ball rolling. Because the goods were shipped across state lines, Rick also contacted a friend who is a Special Agent at the FBI. Because Ted had found the company on the Internet, Rick was advised to file a complaint on the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint website (www.ic3.gov). A quick four days later, a truck arrived with Kay and Ted’s belongings. Although the goods were a bit banged up there was a great relief that irreplaceable items were recovered.

Kay and Ted learned several important lessons; they didn’t do their homework and investigate the company online or look for positive (or negative) references. They never asked the company about past customers, and they accepted the company’s odd story that the rented box truck was only a temporary measure. Lastly, they didn’t ask their son Rick for assistance which could have prevented the anxiety this situation caused. Remember, a deal that seems too good often isn’t good at all.

A few words about – Exhaust!

~ grant.gallagher ~ 1 Comment

Author Heidi Bergmann-Schoch is a United States Concealed Carry Association multi-discipline instructor and Training Counselor (instructor-trainer), as well as a multi-discipline instructor for the NRA and a Chief Range Safety Officer. Public Safety orientated, she has served working nights as a Nationally Registered Paramedic and a Police Officer working patrol, training and handling a Patrol/Narcotics K-9 and an adjunct Tactical Officer. She does some of her best work in the dark. Spending a good part of her life breaking, training, and showing horses, she understands the art of compromise and the benefits of Advil. She can usually be found on her farm with her husband and a plethora of animals, as well as plenty of bees.

We all have various types of exhaust pipes and flues that we rarely think about. They do the unseen work of removing toxic by-products of combustion and keep us healthy and on the green side of the grass.

Then a winter snowstorm arrives and things get REAL. Your car sits idling in the driveway. Your furnace or boiler is working overtime to keep your house warm and maybe your water hot. The woodstove is burning comfortably, adding both ambiance and heat, making things that much comfier. But where are all those by-products going?

The snow is building up outside and it’s blowin’ a gale out there. Time to head to the store for that last quart of milk, loaf of bread and dozen eggs and that car has to be warm! You’ve cleaned the windows and doors, but did you check the tailpipe? You hear the throaty sound of your car as it’s running and distractedly think it never used to be that way, but it sounds kind of sexy. You jump in, notice a bit of an odor but nothing will stop you from that French Toast recipe. By the time you’re halfway to the store, you’ve got a ripping headache, nausea, are dizzy and the road is getting fuzzy.

Check whether snow has made your car unsafe before setting out!

Undeterred, you continue on….. To wake up in the hospital scheduled to be transferred ASAP to a bariatric chamber to remove the carbon monoxide from your blood. Seems that the snow drifted around your vehicle and blocked the exhaust from leaving the pipe freely. It accumulated under your car and, along with the leaking system, that cool “throaty, sexy noise”, filled the interior with toxins composed of mostly carbon monoxide. That’s monoxide, not the dioxide stuff that puts the fizz in your Pepsi.

When it comes to snow, things can get tricky around your home. Newer homes have exhaust vents in locations that can cause problems. Close to the ground, tucked into a corner, snow can build up unnoticed. High efficiency heating systems expel gases at cooler temperatures so it’s easier for snow at even moderate rates to build up. Find your furnace exhaust pipe and if it’s low, dig it out and keep it cleared.

That cozy fireplace can also be deadly. What can cause it to be a risk and not a benefit? If the top of your chimney isn’t screened, young birds can be inquisitive and fall down the pipe, getting stuck along the way. One more follows it’s sibling and then there’s NOTHING getting through. Some configurations invite older birds to nest, which causes the same scenario. Light your first fire and you better consider donating to your local fire department! A blocked chimney can cause a fire AND keep the toxic gases from exiting.

Your fire is burning low and the wind is whipping outside. You smell a little smoke and think how nice it is. But it continues, little by little. Seems the wind gusts are causing a backdraft down the chimney, forcing that evil carbon monoxide into the room. Time to either crank that fire up or put it out!

Here’s a few other reminders to keep your lips from turning that brilliant cherry red color (a strong sign of carbon monoxide poisoning, that you won’t see because you’ll likely be unconscious!)

  • NEVER leave your vehicle idling when the exhaust pipe or underside is blocked.
  • NEVER use a camp stove in the house.
  • NEVER use a generator in an enclosed area (like the garage, even with the door open).
  • NEVER use a propane powered heater inside the house.
  • NEVER use a gas kitchen stove for heat..
  • NEVER light your fireplace or woodstove at the beginning of the heating season without checking the chimney.
  • ALWAYS keep the batteries in your CO and Smoke detectors fresh. Change them when the clocks change and replace the detectors themselves every 10 years.
  • ALWAYS leave an enclosed area if you suddenly develop a severe headache, nausea and dizziness and carbon monoxide may be present.
  • ALWAYS leave immediately with your pets when a carbon monoxide alarm activates and call 911. Do not ventilate as the fire department will need to take readings to find the source.

Safe Storage of your Defensive Handgun

~ grant.gallagher ~ 1 Comment

Author Glenn McDermott is the owner of the Firearms Education Center, and runs First Level Training, where he focuses on providing new shooters with the skills they need to confidently take their first shots on the live-fire range. He is an NRA Certified Pistol and rifle Instructor, and Chief Range Safety Officer. Glenn is also certified in defensive firearm instruction by the USCCA. This is the first of a series of two blog posts.

If you decide to protect yourself with a firearm in your home as I do, here are a few things to consider to keep you and others safe, while storing defensive firearms in your home. Remember, it is your responsibility as the responsible gun owner to make sure your guns are stored safely, but still accessible in an emergency. It’s worth spending a few moments thinking about this.

Being just north of sixty, I no longer have the physical ability to overcome an attacker by brute force. So, I choose to keep a firearm in the house to protect myself and my family. There are some safety strategies that I put into place when doing so. When you’ve read this post, you should decide on strategies that fit your personal and family circumstances.

First, I keep my firearm locked in a pistol vault, but where should it be? The placement of this is important. You want to keep your vault in an area where it is accessible in case of a break-in or a life-threatening situation. If you are an empty-nester, the thought of having your gun in the nightstand next to your bed, or top drawer of your dresser, may seem appealing. However, take a moment and put yourself in the mind of a burglar and try to think how a burglar thinks. Where is the first place he is going to look for a firearm? You guessed it, the same places you thought of! So, pick a spot where a burglar wouldn’t look.

Second, being able to access your firearm quickly is essential. Keep accessibility and logistics in mind when deciding the location of your pistol vault in your home. Try to get a vault that has a door that flips down rather than from the side, this will give you access to your gun regardless of its orientation.

Use a combination that is easy to execute in the dark. For instance, don’t use a code like your birthday or a commonly-used password or series of numbers. Instead use a pattern, like an X pattern, or each corner of the key pad so your muscle memory will automatically do the pattern. You don’t want to have to rely on remembering a number code. In a high stress situation, this will be crucial. Consider building that muscle memory by putting something in the vault you use every day, such as your car keys.

Third, how are you going to store your firearm? Will it be fully-loaded with a round in the chamber or not? Previously, I used to keep a fully-loaded magazine in the gun but no round in the chamber. ‘Why?’ you may ask. Well again, this is me, and I know how I operate under high-stress situations. When I am in a deep sleep, dreaming a dream, and I’m awakened by the sound of someone breaking into my home, my adrenalin is going to skyrocket. When going for my gun I DO NOT want to inadvertently pull the trigger while accessing my pistol. So, try to have a set of mental safeties in place to avoid an unintentional discharge.

Now however, I do keep a round in the chamber and to prevent accidentally firing because of stress, I now have the gun in a holster to cover the trigger. I believe this gives me the safety I want, and quick access I need. So when I get woken up in the middle of the night, I must do a series of things before I am mentally ready to fire:

  • First, confirm that there is a threat.
  • Second, get up and use the access code to open the vault.
  • Third, retrieve the firearm from the vault and remove the gun from the holster.

By this point, I should be mentally ready to cognitively assess the situation and make the decision to defend myself and my loved ones, if absolutely necessary. Some of this will be different if you use a revolver but much will be similar. Remember that the trigger on a revolver requires a much stronger trigger-pull than that on a semi-auto pistol.

Company, visitors, and guests staying over. It’s great to have family and friends stay for a day or two, but this presents an important set of considerations when you have a home defense firearm. So, how do you keep your firearm stored safely when you have family, company or visitors staying in your home for short or extended periods of time?

Stealth is always a good idea when storing a firearm in the home. However, what if your visitors (or their children) already know you own a firearm? Regardless of how securely you may think you have stored your gun, people (particularly children) have a way of getting into places you don’t want them to be. This is especially true if there is some cognitive or behavioral issue that your guest brings.

So, be proactive. If you know your Uncle Joe is coming to stay for a while, and you know he has issues such as a drinking problem, or mental dysfunction, now might be a good time to consider whether to disable your firearm. Yes, that’s right, take it apart, make it nonfunctional, keep the slide in one place and the frame locked in your vault, so if someone does breach your pistol vault, they only have a piece of a gun and not the whole thing. Also, lock up your ammo so it is not accessible at all. These steps will keep everyone in your household safe.

Remember the three NRA rules for safe gun handling:

  • ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction;
  • ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot;
  • ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.

“The Firearms Education Center” – Be Safe, Be Smart, Be Educated.

How to Spot an Internet Scam

~ grant.gallagher ~ 2 Comments

Author Michael Lindner is a software developer living in Monmouth County, NJ, with his beautiful wife and the youngest of his three sons. His interests are faith, family and freedom, which makes him an anachronism.

The term “Spam” is used to describe any unwanted or unsolicited email or text. Often these “spam” messages are also “scam” messages – messages designed to con you out of money or personal information that can be used to rob you. If you’re like me, you get text messages and emails almost every day from scammers. As a long-time computer professional I can share some tips to spot them and avoid getting scammed. Here are some of the things I look out for – do any of these seem familiar?

Getting messages from a company you don’t do business with. Almost every day, I get a message with a link to a gift for being a loyal Verizon cellular customer. The problem is that Verizon is not my phone carrier.

If you receive a message claiming you are a customer of some company you know you are not a customer of, chances are it is someone trying to trick you into either trying to accept a “free” gift or trying to tell them you are not their customer. Sometimes the message is from a company you have an account with, but is referencing something fake. For instance “Thanks for paying your December bill, here is a gift” when you paid your December bill weeks ago (or haven’t paid yet). Check the source of the email or text, it is probably wrong.

Getting email messages from a suspicious email address. Email and web addresses work from right to left. If you google Verizon you will find their web address is www.verizon.com. The important part is the last two parts, “verizon.com”, which is called the “domain name”. Every web site the company has, and every email the company uses, will end in that same domain name, “verizon.com”. Scammers will usually use email addresses and links that are similar, but different. Some examples might be “verizon.xyz.com”, “verizon.xyz”, “verison.com” or “verizon.com.xyz.org”. Note that they do not end in “verizon.com”.

Most email programs will show you the actual email address if you hover the mouse cursor over the “From” email address on the screen. A few will make you right click or click on “show headers” to see it. But if an email is suspicious, take the extra time to see who it’s actually from, and whether it is legitimate.

Getting text messages from a suspicious phone number. Most large companies use “short codes” to contact their customers. This is a five to seven digit number. If you receive a text message allegedly from your phone carrier or similar that is from a “normal” 10 digit phone number, it is likely a scam. Be careful.

Getting message with a link that doesn’t go to the right web site. Links to web sites look like “https://www.verizon.com/support”. The part after the “://” and before the next “/” is the important part, and just like the email addresses, it must end in the proper domain name, in this case “verizon.com”. An email might have a link that says “click on Verizon customer service” to claim your gift. If you hover your mouse cursor over the link, most browsers will display, at the bottom of the window, where the link actually goes. If that link is not going to the domain you expect, odds are the email is a scam. If the email looks suspicious but you want to go to the site the email allegedly goes to a safer way is to google the address (for example, google “Verizon customer service”) and click on the search results.

Web sites that ask for personal information. Suppose the email looked ok, but when I click on the link the site I go to is asking for my name and birth date, or other personal information, to “verify” who I am? That’s likely not a legitimate site. If you are uncomfortable with the site asking for personal information, look up the phone number of the company it’s supposed to be from, call their customer service and ask if the email and site are legitimate. Most companies are happy to help, and grateful to find out about scammers using their name.

What to do with scam emails, texts, etc. What should you do with a suspicious message? First off what not to do. Do NOT respond to it, even to say “rot in hell you scammer”. The more information they get from you, even just the fact that you are a real person, the more they can do. Ignore ignore ignore.

Most email clients have a “Spam” button that you can click on. Use it. Not only does that keep you from having to see the message, but it gives the email program information on catching future scam messages. Use spam filters if your email/phone provides has them. These take feedback from other users reporting spam to stop such messages from getting through to your inbox in the first place.

Most of all, remember the adage “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t.”

Who’s There?

~ grant.gallagher ~ 2 Comments

Author John Petrolino is a US Merchant Marine Officer, writer, author of “Decoding Firearms: An Easy to Read Guide on General Gun Safety & Use” and USCCA certified instructor, NRA certified pistol, rifle and shotgun instructor living under and working to change New Jersey’s draconian and unconstitutional gun laws.

“KNOCK, KNOCK!” “Who’s there?”

This is not a joke. Criminals and burglars have gotten more brazen over the years. Generally speaking, your run-of-the-mill burglar is not looking for a fight or for occupants in their home. However, there are those that are home invaders, not caring about who could be occupying a dwelling when they’re gaining entry for the purpose of theft. The data might surprise you when you learn about these instances though. Bad things happen to good people. When it comes to those who end up the victim of a crime, the most vulnerable in our society is usually targeted. Are you vulnerable? Where do you rank statistically?

Let’s first look at some statistics concerning break-ins and burglary events. The numbers that we’re going to look at are from 2020, through the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer and the Uniform Crime Report.

  • In 2020 there were 247,238 residential burglaries during the day and 194,324 during the night.
  • 37% of the offenders, their age is “unknown”. The 2nd runner up would be offenders between the ages of 20-29, making up 19%. The 3rd demographic is 30-39 at 18%. In 4th, ages 10-19 at 10%. The 40-49 range accounts for 8%. Ages 50-59 account for 5.4%. Other age demographics are in the thousands and make up 1% or less each, respectively.
  • The age demographic that has the largest recorded number of burglaries committed on them is 30-39 making up 21% of the victims. After that, the age ranges do go up incrementally, excepting 10-19 as an outlier. We have: 20-29 year-olds in 2nd, 40-49 range in 3rd, 50-59 4th, 60-69 in 5th, 70-79 in 6th, 10-19 in 7th, and 80-89 in 8th. The 90 and older age range ranked last.
  • In Table 15, “Crime Trends Additional Information About Selected Offenses by Population Group 2019-2020” in the “Offenses Known to Law Enforcement 2020” data set, we have further information about burglaries. 523,839 involved forcible entries, 354,613 involved unlawful entries, and 60,161 were attempted forcible entries.

What do these numbers mean to us? More burglaries occur during the day than at night, with daytime events occurring in 56% of recorded the instances! Worried about what goes “bump” in the night? Perhaps we should direct our attention to what goes “bump” in the day.

Of the known age ranges of offenders, we’re more likely to have perpetrators be between the ages of 20-29 criminalizing us. The older age demographics of 40 and up are less likely to commit a burglary. You’re more prone to be victimized by a young person than an older. Younger perpetrators have many advantages over more stately people, which need not be highlighted. As for who gets their homes burglarized? The good news is in the highest numbers of instances, the victims are in their 30’s. The age range from 50 and up rank the lowest on the scale of who’s going to be victimized. That’s a win for our more mature population.

Forcible entries outnumber unlawful entries by over 30%. That means more than the majority of cases, people are actively forcing their way in. More formally defined, “Forcible Entry” is the crime of taking possession of a house, other structure, or land by the use of physical force or serious threats against the occupants. This can include breaking windows, doors, or using terror to gain entry, as well as forcing the occupants out by threat or violence after having come in peacefully. For a statistically perfect burglary, the event would happen during the day, by someone in their 20’s, to someone in their 30’s, via forcible entry. Don’t fit that description? That doesn’t mean it won’t happen to you!

Keep in mind these are statistics from 2020, where the United States was in partial lock-down due to the pandemic. The full effect of the pandemic on crime has yet to be completely explored.

When someone comes knocking at your door, the first thing you should think about is whether you’re expecting someone. If you’re not, then the situation could be one of these forcible entries. One of the more common methods employed by those breaking in to rob you is called the “push-in”. A push-in involves someone, perhaps innocent looking like a young woman, knocking on the door/ringing the bell. When the resident opens the door after seeing someone that looks non-threatening, another individual comes from an area out of sight and forcibly pushes their way into the home. That occupant has just become the victim of a home invasion.

Another way criminals might get the better of those unsuspecting of getting robbed involves a similar situation, with someone coming to the front door again. While one of the conspirators keeps the resident occupied in the front, the other(s) will gain entry to the home through a back door or window.
How do you protect yourself in these situations? Alertness is key!

Don’t answer the door to anyone you don’t know. If the person claims to be from a utility company or with law enforcement, call up the company or agency directly to confirm someone is coming to make a house call. Generally speaking if the utility companies are doing something, they send out robo-calls to alert all their customers of what’s going on.

Utilize video door bells/security cameras to be able to see who is at your door. Take advantage of the feature that allows you to talk to the person on the other side to find out what they want. Have a family member or other trusted friend also have access to these systems. That may seem like an invasion of privacy, but it’s really a good way to keep those that care about you informed about who may or may not be trying to take advantage of you.

Have an alarm system and use it. Homes with alarm systems are three times less likely to be burglarized than those without them. Having window/door stickers as well as signage indicating the property has central alarm monitoring can help dissuade would be criminals from targeting you. Set it in “home” mode when you’re in your house. There’s really no reason to not have your alarm set most of the time.

Come up with some plans. Get with family and friends and go over what might make you vulnerable in your home. Do you have a sliding glass door in the back of your home? How about a medium to large terracotta planter? That planter can become the “master key” to getting into your home if it gets thrown through the glass door. Have a good look around to see what might be used against you on your property.

Like all things in life, there’s no guarantee that you won’t be a victim of a crime. However, if you exercise prudence and implement a plan, you have a higher chance of not being one of those statistical numbers mentioned above!

Searching for your Goldilocks Gun

~ grant.gallagher

Author Jamie Green is a firearms instructor in Arkansas. She holds certifications with the NRA, USCCA, Rangemaster Firearms, and The Complete Combatant to name a few.  She is on the Board of Directors for Armed Women of America (aka TWAW Shooting Chapters, Inc.), and the FBI Citizen’s Academy Alumni.  Jamie writes curriculum for the Boy Scouts of America Shooting Sports program and is passionate about helping her students on their personal protection journey regardless the path they choose.

Are you frustrated when you look at your target? Do you attend trainings and work hard only to keep getting the same results? You know you are properly applying the shooting fundamentals but the bull’s eye eludes you. What’s a guy/gal to do?

Maybe it’s time to evaluate your gun. Is it too big, too small, or “just right”? Just like a pair of shoes (or your unmentionables) your gun needs to fit properly. Remember finding a pair of shoes after trying on several and realizing, knowing, feeling ‘YES, these are the shoes’? Or maybe it was that driver that somehow magically puts your ball way down that fairway and sitting pretty. You can find that same feeling with your gun if you apply just a couple of principles.

If you have been shooting any time at all, you know that your gun must be easy for you to rack, and that the trigger needs to suit you. You have to be happy with the sights. But there are just a few more things to check before you ‘check out’ at the register. The key is ‘frame size’. It’s important that the frame size is matched to your hand, just as a shoe is fitted to your foot.

Photo from Lucky Gunner

To check gun fit, follow a few simple steps. Holding the gun in your dominant hand, extend your arm toward the floor, keeping your arm and wrist straight. Does the back of the gun create an imaginary straight line all the way up your arm to your shoulder? It should do so. Next, is your basal thumb joint (the joint at the base of the thumb right next to where the thumb joins the hand) sitting on the side of the gun rather than behind the gun? It should be. Make sure the gun is in this position in your hand (left side of picture).

Next, place your finger on the trigger. The finger should sit ‘in front’ of the trigger, rather than at the edge. Do you have any room between your trigger finger and the frame of the gun? (You should have just enough room to get the tip of your pinkie or a pencil between your finger and the gun’s frame). Do you have to adjust your hand around the grip in order to reach the trigger properly? (If you do, then the imaginary straight line has just been erased). Answering ‘yes’ to the last two questions may indicate you have a gun with a frame that is too large for you. While you will still be able to operate the gun, you may not be getting the results at the target you desire. Your slow shots may be ok, but if you are shooting rapidly or under pressure, the shot placement may spread far and wide.

Finding a gun that fits your hand properly is an important aspect of accurate shooting. Think back to that feeling when you found THOSE perfect shoes (or driver). If your gun doesn’t fit, then keep searching. I promise there is a Goldilocks gun out there, one that is “just right”.