As we continue with our article, we cannot express this advice strongly  enough: If you plan to travel, and choose to do so with a weapon, always, ALWAYS check the laws of your destination, and the laws of various places that may become a pit stop along the way.
 
Air travel is the most common method of long distance transportation and the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) sets the guidelines for what you can travel with and how to pack what you’re allowed to travel with.  Specifically regarding firearms, here are the rules set by the TSA:
(This information may change at any time. Always go directly to the source for the most recent guidelines: https://www.tsa.gov/)

• When traveling, comply with the laws concerning possession of firearms as they vary by local, state and international governments.
• If you are traveling internationally with a firearm in checked baggage, please check the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for information and requirements prior to travel.
• Declare each firearm each time you present it for transport as checked baggage. Ask your airline about limitations or fees that may apply.
• Firearms must be unloaded and locked in a hard-sided container and transported as checked baggage only. As defined by 49 CFR 1540.5 a loaded firearm has a live round of ammunition, or any component thereof, in the chamber or cylinder or in a magazine inserted in the firearm. Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock unless TSA personnel request the key to open the firearm container to ensure compliance with TSA regulations. You may use any brand or type of lock to secure your firearm case, including TSA-recognized locks.
  
• Firearm parts, including magazines, clips, bolts and firing pins, are prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage.
• Replica firearms, including firearm replicas that are toys, may be transported in checked baggage only.
  
• Rifle scopes are permitted in carry-on and checked baggage.

With ammunition there is a separate set of guidelines:

• Ammunition is prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage.
• Firearm magazines and ammunition clips, whether loaded or empty, must be securely boxed or included within a hard-sided case containing an unloaded firearm. Read the requirements governing the transport of ammunition in checked baggage as defined by 49 CFR 175.10 (a)(8).
• Small arms ammunition, including ammunition not exceeding .75 caliber and shotgun shells of any gauge, may be carried in the same hard-sided case as the firearm.

Look at the very first rule: when traveling, comply with the laws concerning possession of firearms as they vary by local, state and international governments.  Abide by these rules, and follow local and state laws and you will be okay.  Check these rules relatively frequently, as sometimes laws may change.

We at SDTG follow the laws and trends related to firearms in the US. We do not provide legal advice or specifics, however we can provide you with a starting point for your research.  Follow this link to set up a Q and A session today!  

 Ref: TSA Firearm Guidelines:  https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

Tasers and stun guns, they’re the same thing right?
 
While you may hear the names taser and stun gun used interchangeably, they are actually different weapons.   
 
A taser deploys prongs from a distance and sends the current through the prongs and into the target, which completes the circuit.
 
A stun gun must be used in closed contact to your assailant. . 
 
Police tasers and civilian tasers operate differently.  The police version has an effective range of roughly 30 feet, while the civilian variant has about half the range.  The civilian taser current is effective for up to 30 secs.; this can give you enough time to get away.  The police taser is good for about 5 seconds, enough time for a trained officer or professional, to approach and control the suspect. 
 
The first step in deciding between a stun gun and a taser should be to learn your local laws. Some states bar civilians from owning tasers and some bar civilians from owning stun guns.  Some areas may ban both. Check your local laws prior to deciding on either.

Let’s assume your area allows you to consider both; then the question is do you opt for a taser that offers distance, or the surety offered by the stun gun?  For the taser to be fully effective, both prongs must make contact and be embedded in the target. . If a prong misses or gets caught in clothing, the taser won’t administer the current, and your target is still standing. 
 
If you’re not willing to accept this risk, a stun gun offers a more sure method of incapacitation.  In some situations the mere threat of being tased or stunned is enough to deter a would be assailant. 
 
My personal recommendation,  should your area allow you to own one, is a taser. While the price tag is more hefty, the advantage of maintaining some distance from the target will allow you avenues of escape. Being within grasping range of an assailant is more dangerous, especially if the stun gun does not have the desired effect.
 
This ends our series of non-lethal self-defense weapons.  In conclusion I hope you can see that all of these weapons have viability, depending on the laws in your area.
 
Your knowledge on the use of multiple methods of self-defense is your best defense!  A firearm, pepper spray a taser or even a key chain knuckle on your person allows tiered responses to various threats as well as options for various locations. 
 
If someone is menacing you but hasn’t yet done something to be a threat to your life or the lives of your loved ones, pepper spray is viable.  If you’re somewhere where you’re not sure of your backdrop, which eliminates the safe use of a firearm, a taser might be the appropriate measure.  Check all local and state laws prior to buying a non lethal, and if you’re going on vacation, check the state and local laws of your destination.
 
Follow this link to Connect with us today and start building your defense strategy with firearms training or with more advice on non-lethal defense solutions

As we continue in our series of non-lethal self defense, let’s explore the use of Batons.  Batons are a fairly obvious and straightforward non-lethal option, and yet as with all, weapons there are some pros and cons to consider.

This weapon is more likely to be carried off-the-body, in something like a backpack or purse.
 
The sizes of the batons and the materials in which they are made have a great deal to do with their effectiveness. So while a baton can be intuitive and can massively compound the striking force of the user on their target, much of a successful outcome depends on the size of the baton and what it is made of.

Many of the concealable batons are retractable and constructed of lightweight materials. While this may be a plus for carrying the baton around, it can become a minus if you find yourself in a situation, because a light-weight baton may not provide enough striking power to stop an assailant or it may bend/warp/break or simply not hold up for enough strikes to allow you to get out of harm’s way.  
 
Do your research. Multiple companies make expandable batons, and their weights and construction vary.  When selecting a baton as a nonlethal weapon, you need to determine the value in the tradeoff between weight and strength. Your decision could be the different between successfully defending yourself or not. 
 
Just keep in mind, while heavier batons may not be as easy to carry, they are usually stronger and are more likely to retain their shape for more powerful and effective strikes.
 
Speaking of strikes, even though the baton may appear to be a simple weapon, it can be callous in the injury it can produce.  In trying to free yourself from a situation, aim your strikes for joints and for the torso.

And remember, SDTG is available for advice, training and consultation.  #AreYouDefenseReady? is a question we always want you to be confident in answering. 

Follow this link to Connect with us today and start building your defense strategy with firearms training or with more advice on non-lethal defense solutions

Keychain knuckles are the contemporary variant of a blast from the past, the brass knuckles. 
 
As with its older counterpart, "keychain knuckles" use your own body’s mechanics to inflict damage on an attacker. 
 
These knuckles are manufactured using either metal, stiff polymers or a dense plastic.  They fit in your hand and have holes for your fingers to slip through like in the example shown, and some have grooves on the sides for your fingers to fit in for a better purchase (more secure)

Keychain Knuckle devices are fairly innocuous. Some may even make it past TSA (The Transportation Security Administration)….which I am not recommending!  They are good during the summer when the attire may not allow the carrying of anything on the body.  Most are fairly light, weighing around 5 ounces or so.  Some are heavier, especially if they are made of metal.

So what are the negatives? To be effective, you’d need to be in close proximity, and having to be in a head-on confrontation may not be the best, depending on your circumstances.  Still, if you can throw a punch, you’ll be able to use these effectively. 
 
Some Keychain Knuckles, (structured like the example shown), have “ears” or prongs that allow for slashing and puncturing.  In preparation for using Keychain Knuckles, I recommend heading to a local flea market, or better yet, your local gun show to gain some experience on the look and feel . Slip one on and test the way it feels in your hands.
 
You want to ensure the Keychain Knuckles you select fit comfortably, and not too bulky or too heavy.  I recommend taking a striking class if you intend on purchasing these. The better and more effective your standard punch is.  The more damage you can do to your opponent without suffering as much yourself.

In closing, as with all weapons, look up the legalities in your area.  Some jurisdictions may declare Keychain Knuckles’  illegal, while others may allow use.  Be sure to check the laws of places you’re traveling to as well, as they may have more restrictive laws than your state.
 
As always, SDTG is here to offer you advice and guidance.  We’ll help you create a unique plan to work with your lifestyle.  Just connect with us.

Act:  This is the stage where you act on all the previously stimuli and observations.  It is at this stage you may draw your firearm, use another self-defense tactic ... or leave the situation in its entirety.

Earlier, we mentioned the O.O.D.A loop has two caveats.  If at any point something occurs that changes the situation drastically, the O.O.D.A loop restarts with the new change in the process. 

You may have decided to simply leave a situation, but then someone assumes a fighting stance.  At this point, your O.O.D.A loop resets.  You observe the stance, orient towards the new threat and make a decision.

Maybe now you'll choose to draw a weapon, rather than leave, and act based on the new information.  The loop may be interrupted, once, twice, fifty times, or not at all.
 
The general rule of thumb however falls back to distance, and personal space.  The closer you are to someone, the more you will focus on that, and the less you will focus on the area around you. 

In crowed spaces, people will be close enough to pull your attention away from something important.  Remember, it all starts with observe ... so it's back to "observe everything".

Let us help you develop some of the special skills involved in becoming more observant...schedule a consultation today.

We've examined the first two parts of the OODA concept; now let’s move on to the third:  Decide: 

This sounds self-explanatory, right? Well there are some intricacies you may want to consider before-hand. Can you imagine having to decide if there is a threat in play and what action you should take?
Should you remain in place, or should you seek cover?  Should you draw your firearm, or other weapon? Should you take some non-lethal action? Should you run? 

When the decision arises to be  "defense ready", your decision will typically be based on your skills, training and your level of comfort with your tools.

 “Practice Makes Perfect” is a true statement and practice can be the deciding factor in the outcome of your situation.

Before you find yourself faced with a treat, where you may be forced to make a decision, be sure to get the proper training for the defense tactic you may need in an emergency.
 
At SDTG, we not only provide our Clients with expert firearms training, we also offer consultation and advice on methods to meet your lifestyle, your individual skill-set and your comfort level. We are serious when we ask, #AreYouDefenseReady?

Last week in O.O.D.A, we talked about the first step in the concept: Observe.  This week we'll touch on Orient. The entire concept works in unison.

 The O.O.D.A loop has two caveats, the first that crowds and being in packed lines (like is common for the holidays) make observation extremely difficult.  Prioritization of persons of interest will be the best play here.  If someone catches your attention, something triggered in your brain to pull them out of the crowd.  They may be worth further observation.

Orient:  At this stage you focus your attention on whatever it is you have observed.  In personal space, this is the person you’re speaking to. Should you notice a knife in someone’s hand, or a weapon of any sort, you’ll orient towards the threat.  This stage can end a threat right then, as observation is the last thing a petty criminal wants. 

In crowded situations, put your phone away, observe and orient yourself in your surroundings.  Situational awareness is your first defense.

At SDTG we specialize in helping you stay defense ready.  Use this link to Connect with us for the latest trends and guidelines in firearms and safety.

When it comes to deciding to carry during the winter, one must first answer a series of questions. What body type do you have? Are you slender, or are you stocky? What is your climate? What clothes are you going to be wearing? Finally, do you plan on carrying inside the waistband (IWB) or outside the waistband (OWB)?

Answering the questions will enable you to decide which amongst the Glocks will be best suited for you. The Glock 17 is the largest glock and has a standard 17 round magazine, but is the hardest to conceal due to its size.
 
Those with larger body types will be more easily able to conceal it than those of a more slender frame. The Glock 19 is a solid halfway point between round capacity with 15 rounds, and ease of concealment. Finally, the 43 is the easiest to conceal, but does not offer a large round capacity with only 6 rounds in the standard magazine.

When you consider your climate, you need to determine the amount of clothes you will be wearing when outside. The more bulky and heavy the clothes are, the more easily you can conceal, but the harder the draw might be without significant practice. If you are just going to be wearing a hoodie and jacket, you will have an easier draw stroke but a harder time concealing a large firearm like the Glock 17.

The holster you choose pairs with this as well. Should you choose to carry OWB, be aware that the firearm will be a bulge in a place where one wouldn’t normally be.
 
Practice your draw stroke as well, the author has a full sized 9mm pistol in a level 2 OWB holster that required plenty of dry fire practice to achieve a fluid draw stroke.
 
The level of a holster tells you how many layers of retention it has. Level 1 is friction only, and standard for IWB holsters, an example includes the T-Rex Arms Raptor holster.
 
Level 2 has a thumb snap or button that must be defeated to draw the firearm such as found on the Blackhawk Serpa holsters.
 
Level 3 and higher include all of the above and a button of some sort that one must press in order to draw the firearm, you can find this on a Safariland ALS holster.

Connect with SDTG for the most useful information related to your safety and firearms training. 

Credits: Officer Douglas Preston - SDTG