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Stay Safe Streets Tip #23 - Training Philosophy and the Hat Rack Theory
Good morning and welcome to April 2001. Please be advised that I will be hosting an Open Range with all students welcome April 14, 2001 at the Wyoming Antelope Club in Clearwater. This will be from 8AM to 12PM and conducted in the usual place, the Jack Jones Range near the one-story clubhouse. Your only expense will be range fees. Sponsored membership applications will be provided if requested. This shoot will be for your practice rather than a class. Of course, if you would like an assist, that assist will be provided. One of the major benefits that I find in teaching is that I meet some outstanding people from varied backgrounds. Mark and Robert of Knight Shooting Sports had dinner with Jane and I March 30. Of course we talked of guns and training. Robert, a retired Sergeant Major of the Israeli Defense Forces said something very profound. "Practice does not make perfect. Practice makes permanent!" You have heard me speak of long term muscle memory - 1000 repetitions of the same act makes the body respond the same way every time you do that same act. However, if you do the same act 1000 times either the wrong way or a less efficient way, guess what! A prime example is students catching brass when they unload their revolvers. Empty brass is trash and there is simply no need to catch it except laziness. Also don't forget, that brass as well as empty speed loaders and magazines need to stay where dropped in a live situation. That all becomes evidence that you may need later. DO IT RIGHT THE SAME WAY!!! I may be able to help you do it better. Please send me an Email or call if you plan on attending (727-535-9151). Of course, I will be at Bob Evans for breakfast at 6:45AM as per usual.
I also have what I call the "Hatrack Theory" in regards to basic survival. There have been several average citizens, without either adequate resources, training or experience reported in either the St Petersburg Times or Tampa Tribune in the last few weeks for becoming involved in pursuit of felons who had just committed armed robberies. This is where the "Hat Rack Theory" theory applies. Very simply stated-use your head for more than a dad gum Hat Rack! The first instance involved a woman whose favorite drug store had just been robbed at gunpoint. She chased the getaway vehicle and followed the armed scumbag very closely for a fairly extended period until she was able to vector the cops into the area for the stop. Apparently the scumbag knew she was chasing him and was taking evasive action. Did I forget to mention that she had her five year old son in her car during her pursuit? Incidentally, he resisted arrest violently. There was another incident in Seminole. A citizen with a CWP witnessed two armed robbers fleeing from a bank robbery. He decides to be a "HERO" and fires two WARNING SHOTS from his .38 caliber handgun into the air and yells at them to halt. From experience, my personal instinct when fired on is to usually run faster rather than stop. Of course, the two scumbags did the same thing I would probably do - they ran faster and were able to make their escape even though the good citizen and his buddy were chasing them. These "good guys" were more interested in chasing them and firing into the air than obtaining the vehicle tag of the getaway car. The hero apparently also forgot all about gravity - what goes up must come down!! Tampa is also not immune from "Hat Rack Theory" problems. A security alarm installer was at a drive through banking window and sees two scumbags holding up the tellers inside the bank. He decides to pursue them as they flee the scene so he goes into pursuit mode and then becomes concerned that they know he is there and using his cell phone to keep the police informed. This Hero tells the reporter that they made a U-turn and thought they were going to shoot him with a sawed off shotgun! Duh!!! Please remember - these were not my students!!! You should know my philosophy. Avoid becoming entangled in something that you may not be able to escape. I strongly believe that firearms are for the protection of yourself and others but only as a last resort! I am very concerned about the Vigilante aspect of firearms carry. Please remember my thoughts in this regard - be a good witness and use your cell phone. Final thoughts- it may be a lot more difficult getting out of trouble than getting into trouble!!!!!
Stay Safe! Norm
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