Extra Layer of Security (Cheap)

Thanks to my daughter Merrianna for calling my attention to use of a rubber doorstop as a security device. The idea is that, in an active shooter situation, you can keep the killer out of a classroom, office, supply closet, etc. by firmly seating the wedge into the space under the door.

I would recommend that you not think of this as your sole or main defense but rather as part of a larger plan. In addition, here are some things to keep in mind:

1. The marketplace various designs of doorstops made of a variety of materials. It stands to reason that some will work better than others with various door/floor combinations. You will want to test your wedge under various doors and on various floor surfaces (wood, carpet, vinyl). See how well it stops or slows the entrance of a determined person.
2. Bullets pass through many different kinds of doors (and walls). Therefore, in most cases, the door wedge will provide you with concealment, not cover. You should seek cover in the room, putting as much mass between you and the door as possible. Failing that, make yourself the smallest target possible in the farthest corner.
3. The wedge will only work if the door swings toward you. The wedge will do no good on doors that open outward, toward the shooter. A mistake here can leave you feeling foolish . . . and dead.
4. Have a Plan B. To my mind, the best Plan B involves returning fire. In any case, your backup plan must consist of some form of flight or fight. If the situation does not allow for flight, then you must fight. Fight with improvised weapons at hand or empty-handed. Counteraggression can carry with it an element of surprise that just might get you through the situation.

The Fight Is On

I had not heard this good old gospel tune until my wife sent me the link. The words to "The Fight is On" ring with victory, and the melody is catchy and singable.

Leila N. Morris wrote both words and melody in 1905. Click here to hear the music.

The fight is on, the trumpet sound is ringing out,
The cry “To arms!” is heard afar and near;
The Lord of hosts is marching on to victory,
The triumph of the Christ will soon appear.

Refrain
The fight is on, O Christian soldier,
And face to face in stern array,
With armor gleaming, and colors streaming,
The right and wrong engage today!
The fight is on, but be not weary;
Be strong, and in His might hold fast;
If God be for us, His banner o’er us,
We’ll sing the victor’s song at last!

The fight is on, arouse, ye soldiers brave and true!
Jehovah leads, and victory will assure;
Go buckle on the armor God has given you,
And in His strength unto the end endure.

Refrain

The Lord is leading on to certain victory;
The bow of promise spans the eastern sky;
His glorious Name in every land shall honored be;
The morn will break, the dawn of peace is nigh.

Refrain

Dry Firing and Visualization

My barber sent me the link to this article: "Zen and the Art of Hitting Stuff" by Bruce Gray.

Without any concession to Eastern philosophy or mystical practices, I have to say that I believe the author has combined two powerful approaches to handgun training. First of all, I have discussed dry firing as of great importance in training. Adding visualization to this method will, I believe increase its effectiveness by an order of magnitude.

I have addressed mental imaging or visualization in self defense training previously (for example, see here and here). Here's how Bruce Gray describes the use of visualization in dry-fire training:

Unload your gun, and check it three more times. Good! You’ll do the rest with eyes closed.
You note that you can easily drop the hammer without disturbing a dime when dry firing, but not when you know a bullet is present. I think you need to develop an unshakable faith in that skill, and an equally hard faith in the belief that if you focus on and align the sights and press through as you practice, you absolutely will hit the target.

You also need to have equal faith in your ability to call each shot, and know where it went based on what the sights were doing as they lifted off the target during recoil.

Visualize a sight picture on your chosen target in your mind while simultaneously pressing through on the trigger. Feel the trigger, how it might creep and wiggle under finger pressure. Try to get as close to dropping the hammer as you can, and hold it as you watch those imagined sights. You should ignore the target if your mind wants to stick one down there for you to look at instead.

Watch the sights in your mind’s eye and you’ll see them dip, jerk and do all sorts of things. Feel the recoil and blink, perhaps. That’s great! Let your visualized shooting session seem as real as possible without too much conscious direction. Just allow yourself to come back to the sights, focus on the front blade, align them and press.

Be focused on the process of operating the trigger, and learn to press through without tension, convulsive grasping of the hand, jerking or other funny stuff in response to the appearance of aligned sights in your mind. It’s a thing, a device, a machine you own and control. It doesn’t control you.

Do this for two weeks, each night for at least ten or 15 minutes, or until you can’t maintain good form and sight visualizations without your mind wandering too much, and stop when you can’t feel exactly what the trigger’s doing as it releases the hammer. It’s fine to alternate visualization drills with a sighted “shots” against the wall, but the bulk of your dry firing practice should be associated and reinforced with guided imagery.

I strongly suggest you click on the link to read how to transition these skills from dry fire to actual shooting at the range.