I got into gun culture, personally and professionally, not long before Sandy Hook. Hence, not long before Wayne LaPierre’s post-Sandy Hook sound bite, “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun” (all italics in the original text). Ignoring the appropriately criticized “only,” I have often … Continue reading
Although I have been on a bit of a writing hiatus this summer, owing to my racket stringing side hustle and moving to a new house, I have continued my travels through American gun culture. On a sojourn to Texas in August, I spoke to the director of training at a large gun range. At … Continue reading
While I was at the Rangemaster Polite Society Tactical Conference on the outskirts of the outskirts of Little Rock last weekend, I received an interesting interview request. A reporter wanted to talk about guns being left in bathrooms, after two guns were found in a short period of time in bathrooms at the University of … Continue reading
I was fortunate to have John Johnston of Ballistic Radio and Citizens Defense Research visit my Sociology of Guns class this semester during one of the two weeks we discussed concealed carry and armed self-defense. John engaged my students in a wide-ranging discussion of concealed carry classes as “training” and training for armed self-defense beyond … Continue reading
Last month I spooked a few people by posting that I was “SEEKING HELP on Protecting Houses of Worship.” There was no immediate danger. Rather, I am beginning to collaborate with a religion scholar on a possible research project on church/congregational security. We are in the process of putting together a research proposal, and I wanted … Continue reading
I went a bit ballistic on Facebook recently after I started seeing people posting and re-posting and commenting approvingly on a story that appeared in many media outlets — including the NY Times, PBS, and most graphically (and unsurprisingly) the NY Daily News. As a level-headed Canadian friend of mine pointed out, the actual body … Continue reading
My first experience with the Dot Torture drill revealed definite weaknesses in my one-handed shooting. Which is no surprise because I never shoot one-handed and have no idea how to do so correctly. Thankfully, Session Two of Mike Seeklander’s American Competitive Shooting Society IDPA Mastery Series One program focuses on one-handed shooting. As before, I … Continue reading
