Spirit of the Sportsman

Here we have a tale of courage and heroism by Colorado math teacher David Benke.

“During regular emergency drills at Deer Creek Middle School in suburban Denver, math teacher David Benke always told himself and his students that, should something dire occur, he would try to protect them.

So when he spotted a rifleman shooting at students who were leaving school Tuesday, Benke didn’t hesitate. “I made a promise,” he said.

The 57-year-old teacher charged the gunman and knocked him to the ground. While an assistant principal grabbed the rifle, Benke and another teacher kept the shooter pinned until police arrived.

On Wednesday, a judge ordered the accused gunman, 32-year-old Bruco Strong Eagle Eastwood, held on $1-million bail on suspicion of two counts of attempted murder. Two students were wounded — one in the arm, the other in the rib and lung.

The shooting was a few miles from Columbine High School, the site of one of the worst school massacres in U.S. history, where in 1999 two teenage gunmen killed 12 students and one teacher. Authorities said Benke’s heroism may have staved off a similar tragedy at Deer Creek.”

The lessons I took away from this incident:

-Schools seem to frequently be targets of mass murder attacks for the following reasons:
>The strong emotional events in the lives of students and memories of those who were once students may evoke emotions that may trigger acts of evil.
>Individuals intent on causing massive emotional trauma frequently choose schools to attack for the strong sentimental attachments Americans have for the school setting.
>Weapon-free zones at schools make for excellent kill zones as killers are assured of a large number of disarmed victims.

-Individuals in schools cannot count on the authorities to protect them and must defend themselves.

-If weapons are banned in schools individuals should be prepared to fight hand-to-hand against armed killers.

-In cases like this appeals for ‘diplomacy’ and ‘pacifism’ would have resulted in higher body counts.

-If you value the defense of innocent human life, then stand ready to swiftly confront evil with valor.

Thank you David Benke for demonstrating courage by placing yourself in harm’s way to protect others.

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The National Geographic Channel (NATGEO) goes beyond the basics of self-defense and studies the physics of self-defense combat in this episode of Fight Science titled ‘Fighting Back’.

Scientists gather data using advanced technology, advice from medical specialists and martial arts experts to explain the science behind a physical attack.

Knowledge

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Ideally, every CCW permit holder would volunteer to regularly train on shooting and tactics. Firearms training is a moral responsibility for those who have chosen to carry gun. Reality is almost all concealed firearm permit holders are regular people who do not have the time in invest in rigorous training.

“95% of the people who carry have no training beyond their permit. We have a responsibility to be well trained.”
Dennis Kennedy, CounterTerrorism Institute of America

We at Spirit of the Sportsman recommend a compromise. We recommend shooting the guns you carry at least once per quarter (every three months) and at least one major training class (3-5 days in length) once per year.

The annual training class should go beyond basic shooting skills and include real-life shooting tactics.

For those interested in real-life gun fight training an excellent option is the CounterTerrorism Institute of America.

CTIA director Dennis Kennedy is the right guy to go to for defensive training.  With 35 years of experience in the Special Forces and Law Enforcement, Kennedy has forgotten more about weapons and tactics than most people ever learn. 

Seeing a need for specialized training, Kennedy and his partners opened up the CounterTerrorism Institute of America to provide force-on-force gun fighting experience for military, law enforcement, and civilian personnel.  

Courses are affordable and hands on, taking place at the Urban Warfare Center, Swanson Tactical Center, and local ranges.

Students at CTIA listen to instructor setting the stage to "inoculate the brain."

Even as an observer, I learned new terms that will stick with me.  “Get off X!”  “Inoculating the brain.”  Real life threat situations just never work out like they did on paper.  You have to train as real as you can.  That’s why Dennis Kennedy and the CounterTerrorism Institute base their lectures around doing things for real. 

Simunition, air-soft hand guns, rubber knives and a simulated urban setting let you fire at your real life class mates as you role play and train. 

Air soft, gas blow back semi-auto ready for action

Highly trained instructors provide immediate feedback.

One-on-one instruction and feedback with Dennis Kennedy, founder of CTIA

You’ll never learn if your carry holster actually works with your wardrobe until you try it under stress.  What happens if you fall down?  How quickly can a bad guy actually cover 20 feet? You will NEVER know unless you do real life training.

Students at CTIA watch and learn in the Urban Warfare Center

CTIA: The Tueller Drill

“Paper targets aren’t real life”
Dennis Kennedy, CTIA

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The good people at usacarry.com have created a firearms carry permit reciprocity map for people who want to know if their home state’s permit is valid in other states.

The reciprocity map classifies the concealed firearms carry permits into five groups:
1. Shall Issue Residents Only:

“A shall-issue jurisdiction, within the context of gun law, is one that requires a permit to carry a concealed handgun, but where the granting of such permits is subject only to meeting certain criteria laid out in the law; the granting authority has no discretion in the awarding of the permits. Such laws typically state that a granting authority shall issue a permit if the criteria are met, as opposed to laws where the authority may-issue a permit at their discretion.”

2. Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents.

3. May Issue to Residents Only:

“A may-issue jurisdiction, within the context of gun law, is one that requires a permit to carry a concealed handgun, and where the granting of such permits is partially at the discretion of local authorities (frequently the sheriff’s department or police): the law typically states that a granting authority may issue a permit if various criteria are met.”

4. May Issue to Residents and Non-Residents.

5. Right Denied: The state denies the issue concealed carry firearms permits and it is against the law.

Technically there is a sixth category
6. Unrestricted

“An unrestricted jurisdiction, in the terminology of firearm laws, is one where no permit is required to carry a concealed handgun.”

Since there is no restriction, no permit is required and is therefore not relevant to the CCW mapping.

If you travel like I do, you may find this CCW reciprocity map useful. The Interactive map toggles between ‘Permits Honored By State’ and ‘States That Honor My Permit(s)’.

It is in your interests not to rely solely on the reciprocity map and to contact the local law enforcement authority before you travel.

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During a high-stress encounter such as a robbery at gunpoint, it is challenging to maintain an effective combat mindset. The natural human reaction to a lethal threat is to release adrenaline which results in the physical reactions:
-increased heart-rate
-rapid shallow breathing
-decrease in blood flow to the extremities
-muscle tension
-decreased peripheral vision

These effects can decrease your ability to fight or flee but they are less of a threat than the natural emotional response to a high-stress situation. Emotional reactions to a high-stress encounter may include:
-panic
-unresponsiveness from sensory overload
-hyper-vigilance
-diminished cognitive abilities
-despair

If you find yourself in a high-stress encounter, you will almost certainly have a rush of adrenaline. Being in good physical condition is advantageous as the physical effects of adrenaline and stress will impair less those who are fit. Those who are in poor physical condition will find it more difficult to manage the effects of stress.

Training regularly also provides an advantage as responding to a high-stress encounter will be more familiar to those who have experienced simulations of a high-stress encounter. During a high-stress encounter, the human mind perceives more and all of this data must be process by the brain in a very short interval of time. The more that is familiar, the less new information there is to process.

Military, police and security units train personnel on how to maintain an effective combat mindset during a high-stress encounter. Here are some tips:

-Use the rush of adrenaline to overcome the temptation to ’shut down’ from fear. Adrenaline is the body’s way of creating ‘instant energy’. You may need this instant energy should you need to fight or flee but like any other energy it is useless unless it is properly managed and channeled.
-Focus on your breathing. Deep, slow breaths will help stabilize your cardio-vascular system, improve your capacity to process and recall what you perceive. Regulated breathing will increase blood flow to extremities and decrease muscle tension.
-Constantly process and re-asses. Processing information is useful even during compliance as you will be a better witness. Compliance may be appropriate at first but remain prepared to flee or fight should the tactical situation demand you do so to survive.
-Make a decision whether it is better to fight, flee or comply. When the time is right, take action…do not hesitate. He who hesitates is lost.

You will be in a better position to make this life and death decision if learn to control the effects of a high-stress encounter.

Here we have a woman who chose to comply during a robbery. She survived. She probably made the right decision. Immediately after, the emotional effects of a high-stress encounter are evident.

Prepare to deal with a high-stress encounter.

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Be careful what you say when calling 911. After defending yourself in your home you may be defending yourself in court.

Make it clear you are defending your life and there is no alternative but to use deadly force.

If possible, contact your attorney before making an official statement to the police.

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I do not mean to speak ill of the dead but this video is a demonstration of how NOT to respond to a hostile man with a gun during a robbery in progress.

*WARNING EXPLICIT VIOLENCE*

The robber’s primary intent was the money. No surprise because most often this is the case but a robber’s intent is not always easy to discern by a victim, especially under stress. Once the store clerk became an obstacle to the money, the robber chose to go from robber to killer. The store clerk resisted the robber’s attempts at robbery but did not resist with enough force to disarm the robber or frustrate his attack. This proved to be a lethal combination.

When held a gun-point, you have basically three choices:
1. Compliance
2. Flight
3. Resistance

Compliance
This is what most companies instruct their employees to do during a robbery. This probably has more to do with concern over a law suit than with concern with the safety of the people. (Let’s assume it is out of a concern for safety.)

You should consider compliance when it appears the assailant’s motivation is robbery and the assailant has too great a tactical advantage:
-The assailant is armed and you are not.
-The assailant has caught you in a state of unreadiness.
-The assailant(s) outnumber you.
-The assailant has superior size, age, strength or combat skill.
-Flight is not a viable option

Keep in mind, compliance is not a perfect option. If you comply you may survive most robberies but you place yourself completely at the mercy of an anti-social criminal. This is also not the best approach if the objective of the assailant is to hurt you.

Flight

Sometimes a tactical retreat is the best choice. If an avenue of escape is available and you are placed in the disadvantages that might lead you to compliance, why stick around? When you flee, most times you deny the assailant the option to hurt you easily. You should balance the risk of standing around waiting for a sociopath to decide whether you live or die with the risk that flight may provoke the assailant to do you harm.

We have seen examples where flight proved to be the right choice.

Considerations in case of flight include:
-What is the assailant after? You may want to flee in the opposite direction.
-Can you swiftly put distance between yourself and the primary objective? You may not want to flee if you are unlikely to get away cleanly.
-Are you leaving loved-ones behind that might be at risk? Leaving your children behind in a hostage situation may not be your best choice.

Resistance

If the assailant’s intent is to do you harm or harm those you care about, you may have no option but to fight. Clearly your objective is to win so when time allows form a plan, fill yourself with an overwhelming desire to survive and execute the plan.

Gain every advantage time allows:
-Gather weapons
-Enlist the help of others
-Use the elements of surprise and deception
-Fight back with all the ferocity you can muster

Ultimately, the decision is based on your judgment. Choose wisely, it’s your life.

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Mr. criminal, meet the cruel hand of poetic justice.

“A Hampton (Virginia) resident says he used an intruder’s own gun to shoot him when the man broke into his home on Wednesday.

“During the assault, one of the suspects dropped his handgun, which the victim was able to retrieve,” a police statement said. “The victim fired the handgun, striking one of the suspects in the arm.”

Keyen Lamar Hill, 27, of Newport News, was arrested at a hospital and charged with robbery, four counts of attempted robbery, maiming, abduction, breaking and entering while armed and six counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony, police said.”

Hoisted by his own petard

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Here we see regular citizen at a bank who intervenes during a robbery in Oklahoma. The suspect has presented notes to the cashiers and no weapon is visible.

While I do support vigilante action in some circumstances, I believe this act was unwise.

Notice that it took some time for the other victims in the robbery to assist the citizen.

Notice how the citizen was completely vulnerable to attack by an accomplice.

-What if the suspect had a weapon?
-What if the suspect had accomplices?
-What if the suspect had over-powered the citizen?

Bank money is insured and almost always during a robbery, the suspect wants to get the money and get away. If you are going to take action during a bank robbery, it should be only if the robbers threaten to do harm to innocent people.

Vigilance

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Here we see an attempted home-invasion robbery by a group of three thugs. The female tried to get the inhabitants to open the door based on a ruse. The 12 year-old wisely refused to open the door and the frustrated robbers attempted to force entry by kicking and eventually shooting the door.

Lessons:

1. Teach your family members never to open the door unless it is a trusted visitor.
2. Make sure the physical structure of your home is sufficient to withstand physical assault.
3. Technology such as surveillance cameras are effective at recognizing a possible threat and recording incidents for investigation.

“The Broward Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in finding a trio of unwelcome guests who tried to force their way into a North Lauderdale home with a gun, and the whole incident was caught on camera.

According to BSO, a woman urgently knocked on the front door of a home in the 900 block of Magnolia Avenue, after midnight on Friday, September 11th.

The knocking woke up a 12-year old boy sleeping inside. The woman outside asked for his mother and claimed to be her cousin. The boy did not recognize the woman’s voice and refused to open the door.

A surveillance camera mounted just over the front door showed what happened next. There were two masked men holding handguns standing with the woman. The woman stepped behind them, and one gunman tried to kick the door open. Then he fired two shots into the door. Wood and debris floated into the camera lens, and when it cleared, the suspects had disappeared.

The bullets went through the front door, but the boy had stepped away from the door, and no one was hit.”

Vigilance

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