LAID - Legally Armed In Detroit (Michigan CPL CCW Classes): October 2012

Monday, October 29, 2012

Personal Protection Tips: Always Keep Your Cell Phone Charged

Personal Protection Tips: Always Keep Your Cell Phone Charged - At any given moment, you may need to use your cell phone to summon aid and assistance from others. As such, you need to make plans to assure that your phone is always charged. Any easy way to do that is to buy enough chargers so that you always have one handy.

You should have enough chargers so that they will be available at the following locations: a charger for your vehicle, a charger for your purse or range bag, a charger for your desk at work, a charger for your home, a charger for your "Safe Room," and a charger kept over a frequently visited friend's residence.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Michigan Concealed Pistol License Tips: Think Twice Before Donning A Cape

Michigan Concealed Pistol License Tips: Think Twice Before Donning A Cape. Although Michigan law allows strangers to come to the aid of another facing an imminent threat of great bodily harm, sexual assault, or death, a CPL-holder should think before immediately launching into the role of savior.

For example, if a stranger intervened in a domestic violence situation and the "assailant" was injured or killed as a result, are you one hundred percent sure that the "victim" would testify to the police and the authorities that you deserve a medal?

A would-be hero should be absolutely sure that his perception of what is happening is actually real. In reality, many victims of DV don't want anything negative to happen to their violent loved ones. Thus, if you should see a domestic confrontation and wish to help, you should explore other alternatives before drawing your firearm.

Personal Protection Tips: Allowing A Frisk Offers No Certainty of Safety

Personal Protection Tips - Allowing A Frisk Offers No Certainty of Safety. Citizens who are willing to voluntarily undergo and endure having their body searched for the presence of knives and guns as a condition of entry into a venue, should harbor no illusions of being safe while on the premises.

Many local clubs, parties, and venues advertise their place of business as being secure. However, these screening activities are only as reliable as the people performing them. Accordingly, you might be searched thoroughly and aggressively but people who personally know the screeners may allow be allowed to bring contraband inside.

Never assume that the presence of screening station means that you are safe. In fact, I would assume the opposite to be true. Someone is armed; it just isn't you. In closing, I recommend that you do not patronize establishments that search their customers.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Personal Protection Tips: Be Aware of Seasonal Effects on Violent Crime Rates in Your Community

Personal Protection Tips: Be Aware of Seasonal Effects on Violent Crime Rates in Your Community - Although violent crime can happen in any location at any hour, it is wise to be aware of the fact that incidence rates of violent crime is higher at certain times of the year.

To start, in the city of Detroit, violent crime spikes during the first extended warm weekend of the year in late spring/early summer. In addition, violent crime also spikes during the time period between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. Some crime researchers snidely refer to it as the "Holiday Robbing Season." It is during this time when a lot of people are carrying large amounts of cash.

Furthermore, citizens should also be aware of the fact that violent crime rates also increase, in general, after daylight savings time kicks in - it gets dark in Detroit around 4:45PM EST.

Thusly, paying attention to the season effects on violent crime rates can signal to citizens that their communities are especially unsafe during these periods and additional precautions should be taken.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Personal Protection Tips: Don't Drop Your Guard In Friendly Environs

Personal Protection Tips: Don't Drop Your Guard In Friendly Environs - There is a natural tendency to exhale and relax when we make it home from a long day of being "out and about." Let's face it: staying safe in Detroit these days takes a lot of street smarts, common sense, and a high level of awareness.

Can you imagine how shocking it must have been for an ex-Detroit Police Department Chief to have been assaulted during broad daylight while mowing the front lawn of his own home? He was so relaxed and at-ease that he wasn't carrying his pistol. Why? Because he was at home.

Thusly, be encouraged to enjoy being home but do not become so completely relaxed that you "drop your guard" and become a crime victim at your residence.

Personal Protection Tips: Don't Assume Witnesses Will Help You

Personal Protection Tips: Don't Assume Witnesses Will Help You - Your personal safety is your job. Do not make the assumption that a bystander will come to your aid. Witnesses are under no legal duty to aid you.

If you are lucky, they may be willing to tell the authorities what they saw when you were attacked. However, being willing to help you after the fact does not in any way - shape or form - give you protection. Thus, before you place yourself in an environment, make sure that it is safe and do not factor the presence of onlookers into your assessment.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Personal Protection Tips: Don't Dismiss Identified Potential Threats Too Quickly

Personal Protection Tip: Don't Dismiss Identified Potential Threats Too Quickly - As a self-defense instructor, I have met with many crime victims - after the fact. In about half of those meetings, it was disclosed to me that the victim's level of situational awareness was non-existent. For obvious reasons, it is fairly easy to conclude why they were selected for victimization by the bad guys.

However, in conversations that I have had with the other 50 percent of crime victims, the predator was identified and evaluated but was dismissed as a non-threat too soon. In a typical scenario, a selected target noticed a person who was situationally inappropriate for the environment and watched him for a short time. After it appeared that the potential threat was no longer in the area, the target stopped paying attention to the bad guy. The bad guy merely "doubled-back" his footsteps and launched an attack.

Paying attention, identifying, and monitoring threats are important activities, however you must be absolutely sure that the threat is over before releasing your attention.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Personal Protection Tip: Deploy An Urban Scarecrow

Personal Protection Tip: Deploy An Urban Scarecrow - Citizens desiring to be safe in their homes can take a hint from farmers who place stuffed clothing in the form of people to scare off scavengers and to protect their crops.

Alternatively speaking, an urban scarecrow would be something placed either on the home or just outside of it to discourage home-invaders: fake security cameras, warning stickers, Beware of Dog signs, a large chewed up dog bowl, or a size 12 pair of well-worn men's work boots.

Personal Protection Tip: Think Outside The Box About Self-Defense Options

Personal Protection Tip: Do Not Limit Your Defense Against Predators to Just Firearms - As a Firearms Instructor, I am a huge advocate of citizens using firearms to defend themselves against the malevolent intentions of predators. Let the truth be told, any item that is close by and can be grabbed will in most cases be effective in protecting yourself against a threat.

Common items that can be used against a bad guy include, but is not limited to, the following: a walker, a cane, a walking stick, a pen, a set of keys, a lamp, a chair, and a paperweight. It is far more valuable to have the mindset that you will defend yourself than just being set upon using a specific tool to do just that.

Today's tip was inspired by a 50 year-old diabetic Manchester, NH woman who needs to use a walker. She used her walker to fight and chase off a man who invaded her home. In closing, fight back and use whatever you can get your hands on to do the job.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Personal Protection Tip: Don't Allow Strangers To Piggy-Back Your Access To A Secured Facility

Personal Protection Tip: Don't Allow Strangers To Piggy-Back Your Access To A Secured Facility. Security measures, such as locks, keypads, and buzzers, have a specific purpose: Keep unauthorized people from gaining access to a secured area.

Safety can be compromised if you allow a stranger to enter a locked area along with you. Resist succumbing to a feeling of awkwardness when a person without the requisite credentials attempts to gain entry into your workplace, your business, or your apartment complex. If he is supposed to be there, someone who can vouch for his presence will allow him entry. If not, then he shouldn't be there. As a consequence, you should not grant access.

Personal Protection Tip: Don't Blindly Buzz People Into Your Apartment Complex

Personal Protection Tip: Don't Blindly Buzz People Into Your Apartment Complex. Many multi-unit residence facilities have a buzzer/access system installed that allows entry to visitors without requiring the resident to open the outer doors. As such, a bad guy with malevolent intentions could randomly push buttons until someone unwittingly allows them access.

Furthermore, it is a good idea to train your children to never buzz anyone into the building until it is absolutely certain it is safe to do so for a very limited number of trusted persons.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Personal Protection Tip: Don't Wear Gear That Limits Your Vision

Personal Protection Tip: Don't Wear Gear That Limits Your Vision - A key tenet of personal protection is to always be aware of your environment for potential hazards to your safety.

As such, wearing a "hoodie" may compromise your ability to see looming threats, as your field of vision will be limited. A person wearing a hoodie will have his peripheral vision extremely limited.

Thus, if you wish to stay warm and safe in cold weather, opt to wear a cap and a scarf to preserve your full normal range of vision.

Personal Protection Tip: Is Your Vehicle Betraying You?

Personal Protection Tip: Is Your Vehicle Betraying You? A good strategy to employ in your quest to remain safe is to drive a vehicle that does not compromise your anonymity on the road.

Is your vehicle so unique, different, old, odd, expensive, or ornate that it is a dead give-away that you are driving it or that you are somewhere close-by if it was parked? If a bad guy has targeted you for victimization, your car could be an unwitting accomplice. Rather than standing out, you should opt to blend-in with your vehicle choice.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Video Recap: Rick Ector Appears on the Gun Owners of America Show to Discuss War-Like Conditions in Detroit

Last week I made another appearance on the "Gun Owners of America" radio show. I was interviewed by the host Mr. Bill Frady live via telephone.

During the show we discussed reported "war-like" conditions in the city of Detroit. The prior weekend, the Detroit Police Officers Association declared that the city was unsafe for visitors due to high numbers of violent crime and an understaffed police department.

Please listen to the show and comment with your feedback and questions.

Video chat by Stickam.com

About The Author
Rick Ector is a National Rifle Association credentialed Firearms Trainer, who provides Michigan CCW Class training in Detroit for students at his firearms school - Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit.

Ector is a recognized expert in firearm safety and has been featured extensively in the national and local media: Associated Press, NRAnews, Gun Digest, The Politics Daily, Fox News Detroit, The Detroit News, WJLB, WGPR and the UrbanShooterPodcast.

On Monday, August 13th, Ector will be conducting the "Legally Armed In Detroit" (LAID) 2nd Annual Open Carry Dinner in Detroit. Featured speakers include Pastor Kenn Blanchard (Urban Shooter Podcast), Mr. John Pierce (Founder of OpenCarry.org), and Mr. Larry Pratt (Executive Director of Gun Owners of America). For more info, check out the event page.

For more info about Detroit Michigan CPL Classes, please contact:

Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit
Contact: Rick Ector
Web: http://www.detroitccw.com
Email: info@detroitccw.com
Phone: 313.733.7404

Video Recap: NRA News Interviews Rick Ector on "War-Like" Conditions In Detroit - 10/8/2012

Rick Ector, a National Rifle Association (NRA) Credentialed Firearms and Personal Protection Trainer based in Detroit Michigan, made an appearance on the National Rifle Association's (NRA) "Cam and Company Show" last week.

On October 8, 2012 – Rick Ector, a National Rifle Association (NRA) Credentialed Firearms Trainer and gun rights activist based in Detroit Michigan, was a featured guest on the "Cam and Company Show." Ector usually appears as a guest correspondent whenever there is a story about Detroit that is of national interest.

That segment discussed how bad crime in Detroit has worsened. In fact, the Detroit Police Department's union released a statement over the prior weekend which proclaimed that the city of Detroit was too dangerous to visit. Watch the video below to hear what I had to say on the subject:

About The Author
Rick Ector is a National Rifle Association credentialed Firearms Trainer, who provides Michigan CCW Class training in Detroit for students at his firearms school - Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit.

Ector is a recognized expert in firearm safety and has been featured extensively in the national and local media: Associated Press, UPI, NRAnews, Guns Digest, Tactical-Life, The Truth About Guns, The Politics Daily, Fox News Detroit, The Detroit News, The Detroit Examiner, WJLB, WGPR, and the UrbanShooterPodcast.

For more info about free shooting lessons for women and Michigan CCW Classes, please contact:

Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit
Web: http://www.detroitccw.com.
Email: info@detroitccw.com
Phone: 313.733.7404

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Tomorrow Rick Ector to Discuss Whether Detroit Has "War-Like" Conditions on the Gun Owners of America Radio Show

Tomorrow evening at 6:30 p.m. EST - October 10th, 2012 - I will make my second appearance on the "Gun Owners of America" radio show. I will be interviewed live via telephone.

During the show we'll probably do at least two live segments over the air in which we will discuss an issue that has been discussed a great deal in Detroit and all over the country during the past couple of days: alleged "war-like" conditions in Detroit.

The Detroit Police Officer's Association staged a wage cut protest in the city at a baseball stadium in which they proclaimed that Detroit is unsafe for visitors. Their claim was supported by documenting that the department's budget has been cut, many officers have recently left the department, and that officers are being forced to work 12 hour shifts.

Please listen to the show tomorrow evening at 6:30pm EST and call in with your feedback and questions.

Listen in live over the Internet: http://www.stickam.com/gunownersofamericaradio

About The Author
Rick Ector is a National Rifle Association credentialed Firearms Trainer, who provides Michigan CCW Class training in Detroit for students at his firearms school - Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit.

Ector is a recognized expert in firearm safety and has been featured extensively in the national and local media: Associated Press, NRAnews, Gun Digest, The Politics Daily, Fox News Detroit, The Detroit News, WJLB, WGPR and the UrbanShooterPodcast.

On Monday, August 13th, Ector will be conducting the "Legally Armed In Detroit" (LAID) 2nd Annual Open Carry Dinner in Detroit. Featured speakers include Pastor Kenn Blanchard (Urban Shooter Podcast), Mr. John Pierce (Founder of OpenCarry.org), and Mr. Larry Pratt (Executive Director of Gun Owners of America). For more info, check out the event page.

For more info about Detroit Michigan CPL Classes, please contact:

Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit
Contact: Rick Ector
Web: http://www.detroitccw.com
Email: info@detroitccw.com
Phone: 313.733.7404

Monday, October 8, 2012

[Video] Do You Know The Difference Between Cover and Concealment?

In this video Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector (Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit) discusses the difference between items which provide "Cover" and other items which only provide "Concealment" in a recent Detroit, MI area Personal Protection Class.

View this short video clip and see if you know the difference.

About The Author
Rick Ector is a National Rifle Association credentialed Firearms Trainer, who provides Michigan CCW Class training in Detroit for students at his firearms school - Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit.

Ector is a recognized expert in firearm safety and has been featured extensively in the national and local media: Associated Press, NRAnews, Gun Digest, The Politics Daily, Fox News Detroit, The Detroit News, WJLB, WGPR and the UrbanShooterPodcast.

For more info about Detroit Michigan CPL Classes, please contact:

Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit
Contact: Rick Ector
Web: http://www.detroitccw.com
Email: info@detroitccw.com

Rick Ector to Appear on the NRA's "Cam and Company Show" Tonight - 10:40PM EST

Rick Ector, a National Rifle Association (NRA) Credentialed Firearms and Personal Protection Trainer based in Detroit Michigan, will make an appearance on the National Rifle Association's (NRA) "Cam and Company Show" night.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Detroit, MI – October 8, 2012 – Rick Ector, a National Rifle Association (NRA) Credentialed Firearms Trainer and gun rights activist based in Detroit Michigan, will be a featured guest tonight on the "Cam and Company Show." Ector usually appears as a guest correspondent whenever there is a story about Detroit that is of national interest.

Tonight's segment will discuss how bad crime in Detroit worsened. In fact, the Detroit Police Department's union released a statement over the weekend which proclaimed that the city of Detroit was too dangerous to visit. Tune in tonight and hear what I have say.

Tonight's broadcast of the show begins at 9:00pm EST on Sirius Satellite's XM Patriot Channel. Ector's feature will start at 10:40pm EST. Also, the show can be watched in high definition (HD) over the Internet at web address http://www.NRAnews.com at the same time.

Rick Ector is a National Rifle Association credentialed Firearms Trainer, who provides Michigan CCW Class training in Detroit for students at his firearms school - Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit.

Ector is a recognized expert in firearm safety and has been featured extensively in the national and local media: Associated Press, UPI, NRAnews, Guns Digest, Tactical-Life, The Truth About Guns, The Politics Daily, Fox News Detroit, The Detroit News, The Detroit Examiner, WJLB, WGPR, and the UrbanShooterPodcast.

For more info about free shooting lessons for women and Michigan CCW Classes, please contact:

Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit
Web: http://www.detroitccw.com.
Email: info@detroitccw.com
Phone: 313.733.7404

[Video] The Relevancy of Cover in a Personal Protection Class

In this video Chief Firearms Instructor Rick Ector (Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit) discusses the relevancy of addressing the subject of "Cover" in a Personal Protection Class.

View this short video clip to see why it is so very important.

About The Author
Rick Ector is a National Rifle Association credentialed Firearms Trainer, who provides Michigan CCW Class training in Detroit for students at his firearms school - Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit.

Ector is a recognized expert in firearm safety and has been featured extensively in the national and local media: Associated Press, NRAnews, Gun Digest, The Politics Daily, Fox News Detroit, The Detroit News, WJLB, WGPR and the UrbanShooterPodcast.

For more info about Detroit Michigan CPL Classes, please contact:

Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit
Contact: Rick Ector
Web: http://www.detroitccw.com
Email: info@detroitccw.com

Friday, October 5, 2012

Name That Firearm Safety Violation: Detroit Police Officer's Disturbing Twitter Picture

In the following photo, which fundamental safe firearm handling rules, if any, are being violated?

This picture is of a local police officer who was cleared for duty today and had her department issued firearm returned to her after posting the above picture to Twitter a couple of days ago.

If you can't see the image, visit our Detroit Michigan CCW Class blog site.

About The Author
Rick Ector is a National Rifle Association credentialed Firearms Trainer, who provides Michigan CCW Class training in Detroit for students at his firearms school - Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit.

Ector is a recognized expert in firearm safety and has been featured extensively in the national and local media: Associated Press, NRAnews, Gun Digest, The Politics Daily, Fox News Detroit, The Detroit News, WJLB, WGPR and the UrbanShooterPodcast.

For more info about Detroit Michigan CPL Classes, please contact:

Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit
Contact: Rick Ector
Web: http://www.detroitccw.com
Email: info@detroitccw.com
Phone: 313.733.7404

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Personal Protection Tip: Don't Leave Your Running Vehicle Unattended

Personal Protection Tip: Do not leave your car running, especially if your children are in it. An unattended and running vehicle presents an easy opportunity for predators to steal your property in a matter of seconds.

One Roseville woman found this to be case recently when she went into her home to retrieve a forgotten item and discovered that two men were taking her vehicle while her two children were still inside of it. The woman was also hit with her own car and had both of her legs ran over too. Luckily, the woman's injuries were not life-threatening and her children were unharmed.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Personal Protection Tip: Watch Your Six!

Personal Protection Tip: Watch Your Six - If you were standing at the center of a huge analog clock, you'd be facing 12 o'clock - straight ahead of you. Alternatively, 6 o'clock is to your rear, which needs to be guarded and protected to enhance your safety.

When on foot, keep strangers at a reasonable and situationally appropriate distance, especially while standing in line awaiting service. Most predators see a "turned back" as an invitation to attack. Also, be mindful of your rear when entering and exiting a venue. Further, be mindful that everyone opening a door for you isn't chivalrous. Finally, turning your back to some people may be offensive as the subtle implication is that you do not see them as a possible threat. So, watch your back!

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Monday, October 29, 2012

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Friday, October 26, 2012

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Monday, October 15, 2012

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Monday, October 8, 2012

Friday, October 5, 2012

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Monday, October 1, 2012

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