GOA’s Larry Pratt coming to Columbia
On Friday, August 20th, Larry Pratt, Executive Director of Gunowners of America, will be coming to the Friends of the Second Amendment dinner at The Medallion Center on Garners Ferry Road. I’ve heard Larry before on Armed American Radio. He’s very amusing to listen to. More info here.
October Courses Scheduled
Sunday, October 10: CWP Course at the Mid Carolina Rifle Club in Gaston, SC. 8 am – 7 pm
Sunday, October 24: Advanced CWP Course at MCRC. 9 am – 3 pm
Update: Only 1 seat left in the Advanced CWP Course.
On-Line Security
About 10 years ago, I had the unenviable task of keeping the virus scanners and Windows installations patched in a university research group. At the time, life was relatively simple: as long as you didn’t open any attachments you were not expecting, or manually download programs you were unlikely to have a virus problem.
Things have changed. Extensive criminal operations prey on software vulnerabilities to try to steal your money and personal information. Just like violent criminals use lapses in your physical security, these on-line criminals use lapses in your software security to try to victimize you. These lapses in your software security allow the criminals to do “drive by” attacks: no user intervention is required. For example, an infected banner ad on your favorite email website could flash a malicious .pdf file to your outdated Adobe Acrobat Reader, and now the criminal can install whatever malicious software he or she desires.
Of particular interest at the moment, is a subsection of malicious software that impersonates anti virus (AV) software. It will pop up messages to the user indicating there are (false) security threats, demanding activation using a credit card before “fixing” these threats. The only real threat, of course, is the program itself and whatever additional malware the criminals controlling it have downloaded to your PC. Read more…
IDPA BUG Match this Saturday
This Saturday’s IDPA match at MCRC will be a BUG (Back Up Gun) match. That means semi-autos are limited to a 3.8” or shorter barrel and revolvers to a 3.00” or shorter barrel. The minimum caliber is .32. All strings of fire are 5 shots or less. The start position is at low ready or with the handgun on a prop. There is no drawing from the holster. There are no reloads on the clock. The round count will be 50 or less.
If you normally carry a snubby or a mouse gun, this is your yearly chance to come out and use it for an IDPA match.
Usually, there is a prize for the most powerful gun, and a prize for the smallest gun in attendance.
We’re gonna party with you!
Last Sunday, I taught another CWP course. One of my students had a heart-warming story, and has agreed to let me share it.
One night, she was putting groceries in her car in the parking lot of her village’s only grocery store when four “youths” approached her. One of them said: “We’re gonna party with you!” She pulled a small Beretta from her car, and asked: “Which one of you wants to die first?” They left without another word.
I like uncomplicated stories with happy endings.
This incident, like many defensive firearm uses in which the mere presence of a gun in the hands of the innocent stopped the criminals in their tracks, went unreported. In stark contrast, WLTX recently published the story of an accdidental shooting by a child all the way from Los Angeles. Apparently, if it bleeds it leads, but if it doesn’t bleed it may not get reported at all.
Here’s the kicker though: the gun was unloaded because she didn’t feel comfortable with it. Nothing is as scary as the unknown, so I can certainly understand that. I hope she’s feeling more comfortable with the presence of loaded guns after taking my course, and will return for even more practice and trianing, just in case the bad guys are even dumber next time she’s in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Video of Fake FBI Agents
On Wednesday night, three criminals dressed in FBI shirts try to force their way into a Florida home until the homeowner fires a shot through the window they are trying to force open. Their actions were caught on the home’s security video.
Congratulations to the homeowner for having a loaded firearm quickly available, recognizing the threat despite the diguise, and successfully defending his family.
USPS Carrier Pick Up
The best way to deal with areas where armed CWP holders are not welcome is to avoid them wherever possible.
One such area is the post office. I recently found out, however, that I can print postage for my priority mail packages at home, and request that a USPS letter carrier come pick them up. As an added bonus, the postage rate is cheaper than if I drove it to the post office myself.
I’ll be spending a LOT less time at the post office.
SureFire Group Buy
Gabe Suarez is looking to do a SureFire group buy here.
Glock Match Reminder
There will be no IDPA match at MCRC in August. Instead, there will be a Glock match organized by GSSF and MCRC volunteers.
Glock 19 Gen4
The Gen4 Glock 19 has reportedly hit store shelves.
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