Modern Self Protection Podcast

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Today:  This is Five Minute Friday (FMF), just a little quick tip on how you can think differently about your self defense in today’s modern world.  Things are always changing, but we always have to remember the basics.  These tips are designed to keep the perspective of basic self defense while looking at our ever-changing world.

With Covid-19 and all the craziness out there are you taking care of yourself both physically and mentally?

What does your schedule and your stress level look like?  Have you found something to stay normal?  I’ve been working hard at it.  And it’s a full time job!

Whatever it is, find a small piece of normal that you can keep your sanity and physical health.

Watch the Video here on Vimeo

Announcements

• Upcoming Courses
• • Click here for current course list.
• Got Ammo? Need it? Go to Lucky Gunner.  When I need ammo, it’s where I go.  Check it out.  Great prices and a really easy site to use.
• ShootersClubMembers.com
• • Get Better for only a couple bucks a month
  • Over 80 pieces of content to train you to be better.
  • Free Video on the front page
  • Discounts to courses and holsters
  • Newest Interview gives you all the information you need to know about Pelvic Shots: Do they work? Should you use them?
  • Sign Up Here!

• $75 Annual Membership
• $8 Monthly Membership

 

Thanks for listening, don’t forget to check out the Shooter’s Club, and if you need ammo check out Lucky Gunner.

Stay Safe,

Ben

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Today: At any given time we are only a heart beat away from violence and unrest.  Are you prepared to survive in a riot?  Do you know how?

Listen to this podcast and get some tips and tricks to prepare for violence in your area and what you can do if you are ever caught in a riot.

 

Announcements

• Upcoming Courses
• • Click here for current course list.
• Got Ammo? Need it? Go to Lucky Gunner.  When I need ammo, it’s where I go.  Check it out.  Great prices and a really easy site to use.
• ShootersClubMembers.com
• • Get Better for only a couple bucks a month
  • Over 60 pieces of content to train you to be better.
  • Free Video on the front page
  • Discounts to courses and holsters
  • Newest Interview gives you all the information you need to know about Pelvic Shots: Do they work? Should you use them?
  • Sign Up Here!

• $75 Annual Membership
• $8 Monthly Membership

 

OUTLINE:

Some Riots of Note:

• Rodney King Riots / LA Riots
  • Los Angeles CA April 29, 1992
  • Officers acquitted of Rodney King beating
  • 6 Days, 63 Dead, 2383 Injured, 12,000 arrested, $1 billion in property damages
  • "Today, the jury told the world that what we all saw with our own eyes was not a crime. My friends, I am here to tell the jury ... what we saw was a crime. No, we will not tolerate the savage beating of our citizens by a few renegade cops. ... We must not endanger the reforms we have achieved by resorting to mindless acts. We must not push back progress by striking back blindly.” — Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, post-verdict press conference
  • Korean American Store Owners drove off rioters with rifle fire from roof tops
  • Reginald Denny pulled from his truck and beaten almost to death
  • Law Enforcement pulled back
  • Marine Corps and National Guard called in
  • Later 3 out 4 officers convicted on federal charges
• Huntington Beach Riots
  • Started by women taking off tops and men touching them
  • Huntington Beach CA, U.S. Open Surf Contest October 1986
  • “Many young people said police clubbed anyone in sight as they tried to clear the area”
  • Police had to retreat to a lifeguard building to survive
  • Life Guard fired 1 round into the roof and scared off a bunch of looters/riots trying to enter the building the cops where hiding in
• Ferguson
  • The Ferguson effect started in LA in 1992 and I saw it all the time in the late 90’s. Cops pulling in and not working got a name.
  • Ferguson Missouri August 2014
  • "There's also no excuse for police to use excessive force against peaceful protests, or to throw protesters in jail for lawfully exercising their First Amendment rights. And here, in the United States of America, police should not be bullying or arresting journalists who are just trying to do their jobs and report to the American people on what they see on the ground.” - President Obama said August 14, 2014 at a press conference
  • National Guard deployed to protect politicians first
  • "They let our town burn," says Anastasia Knowles. "They sacrificed us for Clayton," she says referring to the choice to deploy the state national guard there and not in Ferguson.
  • DOJ said Ferguson PD had engaged in Misconduct later
• Ohio State
  • March 11, 2020 Ohio State University
  • Party gone out of control when Covid-19 party went on
  • Party started to celebrate school being called off for the rest of the year because of virus
  • Police used less-lethal munitions
  • Bottles started being thrown at police

What you can learn:

• When bottles start getting thrown at police, violence is coming
• Your politicians will stroke the fires to help themselves anyway they can
• National Guard and Military will protect politicians first with their staging areas
• Police will beat anyone within reach during the initial and subsequent pushes
• Riots start for any and no reasons at all
• Police will pull back to regroup to save themselves first
• Anyone caught in the middle can and will be beaten for no reason. There is no passing through a riot.
• Firearms work and the bigger the better
• Strong points work

Practical Thoughts

• Stay Away
• • Don’t drive through 
  • Don’t go to look 
  • Once bottles or anything get thrown at people leave 
  • Move perpendicular to get through the crowd, don’t go with the flow 
  • Stay on your feet no matter what 
  • Don’t get crushed against things 
  • Stay on the outsides of crowds as a general rule 
  • Cops tell you to leave, legal or not it is a good idea for your personal safety to leave.
• Military is not the answer, they are way more violent then police and aren’t connected to the community 
• Hard point a sturdy structure 
• • Be prepared to hold the line with firearms (long guns are better) 
  • Have as much fire suppression as you can, they will try and set the building on fire 
  • If you have to use force, firing over people’s heads worked in LA and Huntington Beach 
  • Use force on those that need and deserve it
  • • Those presenting a lethal threat 
    • Those telling people to use lethal force (instigators) 
    • Large amounts of shooting is generally a waist unless you are being overrun 
    • FPF (Final Protective Fires)
    • Try to keep an escape route at all times.  Maybe created by your FPF 
• Escape is always your best option 
• Keep an eye on your local situation for something happening and people’s attitudes towards police and authority 
• Always be armed and Have a security plan at home and escape plan when out

List of Riots from Wikipedia 44BC to 2020AD.  People have been rioting for a long time.

 

Thanks for listening, don’t forget to check out the Shooter’s Club, and if you need ammo check out Lucky Gunner.

Stay Safe,

Ben

 

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Today:  This is Five Minute Friday (FMF), just a little quick tip on how you can think differently about your self defense in today’s modern world.  Things are always changing, but we always have to remember the basics.  These tips are designed to keep the perspective of basic self defense while looking at our ever changing world.

Get out and find out what your neighbors are up to and more importantly their attitude and mental state right now.  You don’t have to talk to them, or be near them to make an assessment of their attitude.

Are they upset, angry, sad, sick, or hiding?  All these could be problems that could lead to more problems.

Attitudes and emotions are caught faster and easier than any virus.  Watch yours and your neighbors.  A bad time like this can turn into a really bad time pretty quickly.

FMF 20 Check the Attitude of Your Area from Ben Branam on Vimeo.

Announcements

• Upcoming Courses
• • Click here for current course list.
• Got Ammo? Need it? Go to Lucky Gunner.  When I need ammo, it’s where I go.  Check it out.  Great prices and a really easy site to use.
• ShootersClubMembers.com
• • Get Better for only a couple bucks a month
  • Over 80 pieces of content to train you to be better.
  • Free Video on the front page
  • Discounts to courses and holsters
  • Newest Interview gives you all the information you need to know about Pelvic Shots: Do they work? Should you use them?
  • Sign Up Here!

• $75 Annual Membership
• $8 Monthly Membership

 

Thanks for listening, don’t forget to check out the Shooter’s Club, and if you need ammo check out Lucky Gunner.

Stay Safe,

Ben

Click Here Get Notes by Email

Today:  Leadership lessons from an old Marine.  Marines are great at making leaders for crisis situations.  We will go through the most important leadership principles you can start using today to lead yourself, your family, and your teams through the current Covid-19 crisis. 

Announcements

• Upcoming Courses
• • Click here for current course list.
• Got Ammo? Need it? Go to Lucky Gunner.  When I need ammo, it’s where I go.  Check it out.  Great prices and a really easy site to use.
• ShootersClubMembers.com
• • Get Better for only a couple bucks a month
  • Over 60 pieces of content to train you to be better.
  • Free Video on the front page
  • Discounts to courses and holsters
  • Newest Interview gives you all the information you need to know about Pelvic Shots: Do they work? Should you use them?
  • Sign Up Here!

• $75 Annual Membership
• $8 Monthly Membership

 

OUTLINE:

Marine Corps Leadership Traits
JJ DID TIE BUCKLE

• Justice
• Judgment
• Dependability
• Integrity
• Decisiveness
• Tact
• Initiative
• Endurance
• Bearing
• Unselfishness
• Courage
• Knowledge
• Enthusiasm

From MCRP 6-11B Marine Corps Values: A User’s Guide for Discussion Leaders

Big 3: Decisiveness, Bearing, Tact

Tact

• Definition – “The ability to deal with others without creating hostility”
• Significance – “The quality of consistently treating peers, seniors, and subordinates with respect and courtesy is a sign of maturity.  Tact allows commands, guidance, and opinions to be expressed in a constructive and beneficial manner.  This deference must be extended under all conditions regardless of true feelings.
• This is how you get respect and people to follow you
• Using the correct commands, in the correct way, at the correct volume, with the correct emotion to get people to do what needs to be done in the time that it needs to be done.

Bearing

• Definition: “Creating a favorable impression in carriage, appearance, and personal conduct at all times."
• Significance: “The ability to look, act, and speak like a leader whether or not these manifestations indicate one’s true feelings.  Some signs of these traits are clear and plain speech, an erect gait, and impeccable personal appearance."
• Used as a bad think in the Military
• Show only the emotion that is needed, nothing else.

Decisiveness

• Definition: “Ability to make decisions promptly and to announce them in a clear, forceful manner."
• Significance: “The quality of character which guides a person to accumulate all available facts in a circumstance, weigh the facts, choose and announce an alternative which seems best.  It is often better that a decision be made promptly than a potentially better one be made at the expense of more time."
• Patton: "A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week"
• Everything you do or don’t do is a decision
• Actively make decisions
• Decide to wait and see if that is right
• Make a decision, then articulate the decision and why
• Why will get people moving with you
• Without the why, allegations and rumors will fly even in your family
• The more people involved, the more important this is

Thanks for listening, don’t forget to check out the Shooter’s Club, and if you need ammo check out Lucky Gunner.

Stay Safe,

Ben

Click Here Get Notes by Email

Today:  Covid-19 is everywhere!  It’s going to get you!  Or is it?  What’s the numbers look like and will it happen to you?  What the heck is flattening the curve?  How will that help me?  Who is WHO?

All that and more on this Podcast.

Announcements

• Upcoming Courses
• • Beyond Concealed Carry San Antonio Oct 26
  • Beyond Concealed Carry Qual Day in San Antonio, TX Oct 27
  • Click here for current course list.
• Got Ammo? Need it? Go to Lucky Gunner.  When I need ammo, it’s where I go.  Check it out.  Great prices and a really easy site to use.
• ShootersClubMembers.com
• • Get Better for only a couple bucks a month
  • Over 60 pieces of content to train you to be better.
  • Free Video on the front page
  • Discounts to courses and holsters
  • Newest Interview gives you all the information you need to know about Pelvic Shots: Do they work? Should you use them?
  • Sign Up Here!

• $75 Annual Membership
• $8 Monthly Membership

 

OUTLINE:

Terms:

• Case fatality rate (CFR) - An estimate of the risk of mortality from a contagious disease. The CFR is calculated by dividing the number of deaths caused by a disease by the number of cases of that disease in a given time period. The CFR is time and location-dependent, and many different factors can influence the CFR, such as speed of diagnosis of cases, health system capacity, age and other demographic characteristics, among others. For COVID-19, estimates of the CFR have varied; in China, CFR estimates by province have ranged from <1% to 5.8%. Sources:CDC/Lipsitch et. al./WHO
• Community Transmission/Spread - Infections identified in a given geographic area without a history of travel elsewhere and no connection to a known case.
• Droplet Transmission/Spread - A mode of transmission for a contagious disease that involves relatively large, short-range (less than 6 feet) respiratory droplets produced by sneezing, coughing, or talking. Source:CDC
• Who is WHO (World Health Organization)
• Epidemic – An increase, often sudden, in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in the population in that area. Source: CDC
• Pandemic - An epidemic that has spread over several countries/continents, usually affecting a large number of people. Source:CDC
• Morbidity Rate – People sick from a disease
• Mortality Rate – People died from a disease

CDC Report

• March 18 on US Cases Feb 3 - March 16
• This first preliminary description of outcomes among patients with COVID-19 in the United States indicates that fatality was highest in persons aged ≥85, ranging from 10% to 27%, followed by 3% to 11% among persons aged 65–84 years, 1% to 3% among persons aged 55-64 years, <1% among persons aged 20–54 years, and no fatalities among persons aged ≤19 years.
• 170,000 Word Wide and 7,000 deaths in 150 countries
• In China only 1 child was reported as killed by the virus
• As of 3/16, 4,226 cases. No kids in ICU or killed in US
• Cases with known outcomes:  44 Cases (Deaths)
  • 15 deaths 34% >85
  • 10 Deaths 46% 65-84
  • 9 Deaths 20% 20-64 
  • Death Rate during that period in the US is 44/4226 
  • 04% in the US
• New Case Rate can’t double for ever! CDC estimates it should go on at about 500 per day in the US

Looking at Reports together:

CDC was wrong, new cases in the US in the last 8 days were about 4740 per day.

WHO COVID-19 Situation Report 64 Dated 24 March 2020 at 10:00 CET

Country 

Total Cases

Deaths 

Mortality Rate

Population

Percent Of pop Infected 

Probability of you dying from Covid-19

China

81747

3283

4.02%

1,433,783,686

0.01%

0.0002%

republic of Korea

9067

120

1.32%

51,225,308

0.02%

0.0002%

Italy

63927

6077

9.51%

60,550,075

0.11%

0.0100%

Spain

33089

2182

6.59%

47,007,367

0.07%

0.0046%

Switzerland

8015

66

0.82%

8,570,000

0.09%

0.0008%

UK

6654

335

5.03%

66,870,000

0.01%

0.0005%

Iran

23049

1812

7.86%

82,913,906

0.03%

0.0022%

UAE

198

2

1.01%

9,680,000

0.00%

0.0000%

USA

42164

471

1.12%

329,450,000

0.01%

0.0001%

 

Flattening the Curve

Why it’s good for you

 

Thanks for listening, don’t forget to check out the Shooter’s Club, and if you need ammo check out Lucky Gunner.

Stay Safe,

Ben

Click Here Get Notes by Email

 

Today:  This is Five Minute Friday (FMF), just a little quick tip on how you can think differently about your self defense in today’s modern world.  Things are always changing, but we always have to remember the basics.  These tips are designed to keep the perspective of basic self defense while looking at our ever changing world.

Are you prepared for crap to happen?  Sooner or later it is going to happen to you!  It happened to me today.  My boss called and said we need you to practice more social distancing by taking a lay off.  Nice!

So I’m unemployed right now.  No that big a deal. My wife and have prepared for this.  We knew it was coming and have some savings, I have skills, and am already looking for another job.  I’ll have one before my severance pay runs out.

What if this happened to you?  Are you prepared?  What would you do?

Watch the video here on Vimeo.

Announcements

• Upcoming Courses
• • Click here for current course list.
• Got Ammo? Need it? Go to Lucky Gunner.  When I need ammo, it’s where I go.  Check it out.  Great prices and a really easy site to use.
• ShootersClubMembers.com
• • Get Better for only a couple bucks a month
  • Over 80 pieces of content to train you to be better.
  • Free Video on the front page
  • Discounts to courses and holsters
  • Newest Interview gives you all the information you need to know about Pelvic Shots: Do they work? Should you use them?
  • Sign Up Here!

• $75 Annual Membership
• $8 Monthly Membership

 

Thanks for listening, don’t forget to check out the Shooter’s Club, and if you need ammo check out Lucky Gunner.

Stay Safe,

Ben

Click Here Get Notes by Email

Today:  Today is a Truck Talk Tuesday (TTT).  Just you and me on a long drive sitting in the truck talking about guns and self-defense.

I took a self defense friend of mine to his first shooting competition.  He liked it, but when I watched him it reminded me that competition shooting and self defense shooting are very different things.

Self Defense should be smooth and methodical in all you do.  Competition is fast and furious and the movements, gun handling, and shooting. 

But there are things you can learn, get better at, and what skills you need to improve.

Announcements

• Upcoming Courses
• • Beyond Concealed Carry San Antonio Oct 26
  • Beyond Concealed Carry Qual Day in San Antonio, TX Oct 27
  • Click here for current course list.
• Got Ammo? Need it? Go to Lucky Gunner.  When I need ammo, it’s where I go.  Check it out.  Great prices and a really easy site to use.
• ShootersClubMembers.com
• • Get Better for only a couple bucks a month
  • Over 60 pieces of content to train you to be better.
  • Free Video on the front page
  • Discounts to courses and holsters
  • Newest Interview gives you all the information you need to know about Pelvic Shots: Do they work? Should you use them?
  • Sign Up Here!
• $75 Annual Membership
• $8 Monthly Membership

Thanks for listening, don’t forget to check out the Shooter’s Club, and if you need ammo check out Lucky Gunner.

Stay Safe,

 

 

Click Here Get Notes by Email

Today:  This is Five Minute Friday (FMF), just a little quick tip on how you can think differently about your self defense in today’s modern world.  Things are always changing, but we always have to remember the basics.  These tips are designed to keep the perspective of basic self defense while looking at our ever changing world.

What is an MOA? And why should anyone care?  It is very simple if you take the time to figure it out.  In this easy 5 minute video you can learn what it is and why it’s important.

If you already know, everyone needs a refresher.  The simplicity can be overwhelming sometimes. 

FMF 18 MOA from Ben Branam on Vimeo.

 

Announcements

• Upcoming Courses
• • Click here for current course list.
• Got Ammo? Need it? Go to Lucky Gunner.  When I need ammo, it’s where I go.  Check it out.  Great prices and a really easy site to use.
• ShootersClubMembers.com
• • Get Better for only a couple bucks a month
  • Over 80 pieces of content to train you to be better.
  • Free Video on the front page
  • Discounts to courses and holsters
  • Newest Interview gives you all the information you need to know about Pelvic Shots: Do they work? Should you use them?
  • Sign Up Here!

• $75 Annual Membership
• $8 Monthly Membership

 

Thanks for listening, don’t forget to check out the Shooter’s Club, and if you need ammo check out Lucky Gunner.

Stay Safe,

Ben

Click Here Get Notes by Email

Today: We look at sanitizing your life of stuff that will help your self defense.  Best way to win a fight, not get into one.  Best way to defend yourself, not have to.

When is the last time you took a look at the things in your life and what they say to criminals?

I go through step by step on things you should look at sanitizing from your life, your car, your home, your clothes, your stuff.  And if you are willing to change those things, at least look at what it says to criminals so you can be more aware of what is going on around you.

Announcements

• Upcoming Courses
• • Click here for current course list.
• Got Ammo? Need it? Go to Lucky Gunner.  When I need ammo, it’s where I go.  Check it out.  Great prices and a really easy site to use.
• ShootersClubMembers.com
• • Get Better for only a couple bucks a month
  • Over 60 pieces of content to train you to be better.
  • Free Video on the front page
  • Discounts to courses and holsters
  • Newest Interview gives you all the information you need to know about Pelvic Shots: Do they work? Should you use them?
  • Sign Up Here!

• $75 Annual Membership
• $8 Monthly Membership

 

OUTLINE:

Sanitizing Your Gear

Clothing

• Blend in… wear the clothing of the area
• Shoot me first vests
• Expensive clothing
• Tactical Clothing
• Tells what you do, who you are, and what your hobbies are

Vehicle

• Ferrari in gang are where I use to live
• What kind of vehicle do you drive in what area
• Minivans is the master of blending
• What can you see from the outside of vehicle
• What stickers are on the vehicle
• Cleanliness

Home

• 1% more security
• Political Signs
• Cleanliness
• Repairs
• Money spent on extras
• Trash
• Landscaping

Bags you Carry

• Tacti-cool
• Tacti-Real
• Gouache Bags
• Size
• Stickers and Patches
• Stuff Hanging out
• Colors

I had to tell someone that worked for me once that this wasn’t acceptable to wear when dealing with Iraqi Citizens.  You can get it on Amazon now.  These use to be secret and hard to get.

Thanks for listening, don’t forget to check out the Shooter’s Club, and if you need ammo check out Lucky Gunner.

Stay Safe,

Ben

 

 

 

Click Here Get Notes by Email

Today: I’ve been carrying a gun everyday now for over 20 years.  First as an armored car guard, then Marine in combat, then a Government Security contractor in Iraq and somewhere in there as a private citizen and a CHL.

I’ve learned a lot in 20 years of carrying a gun.  Something work and some don’t.  But not only the gear, but also the mindset of what to carry and why.  Yes, I do a modular system and it works for me. 

Use your mindset, threat analysis, and common sense to find what works for you and go for it!

Announcements

• Upcoming Courses
• • Click here for current course list.
• Got Ammo? Need it? Go to Lucky Gunner.  When I need ammo, it’s where I go.  Check it out.  Great prices and a really easy site to use.
• ShootersClubMembers.com
• • Get Better for only a couple bucks a month
  • Over 60 pieces of content to train you to be better.
  • Free Video on the front page
  • Discounts to courses and holsters
  • Newest Interview gives you all the information you need to know about Pelvic Shots: Do they work? Should you use them?
  • Sign Up Here!

• $75 Annual Membership
• $8 Monthly Membership

 

OUTLINE:

Got My CHL in 2005

My First Carry Gun: Para P14 1911 w two 15 round Mags

• Started cutting because of weight

Overseas Trip as a Contractor in 2008-2009

• Had to get a Glock 19 and learn to use it
• Started Customizing it
• Never really liked it

Took an Armorer’s Class on the M&P Series pistols

• Saw how it was built and liked it better than the Glock
• Ordered one
• Fixed my Glock issues: Grip angel, no finger grooves, different trigger feel, backstrap, and reliability
• Started carrying it with 2 extra mags
• Then only 1 mag and flashlight and other gear

Evolution of my Backup Gun

• 2003 Iraq, my reason for carrying a backup gun
• Armored car company always carried a backup since 2001
• Start with an ankle .22
• Then found the Kel-Tec P32. Put it in my back pocket for years
• Then tried a revolver appendix, used a Taurus snub nose I had… cheap gun.
• Got a great deal on a Ruger LCR that I love and still use
• Went from appendix to pocket carry
• IT’s still the base of my EDC gun today

Mindset change

• Probably not going to be in a rolling gun fight
• More realistic about my self defense
• Things I will carry all the time
• Being without a gun and other self defense tools is stupid, but sometimes you must
• Never know when the crack head is going to try and take you out
• But do know when I’m at hirer risk of running into a bad gun fight.
• Be realistic about your carry gun and threats

 

Thanks for listening, don’t forget to check out the Shooter’s Club, and if you need ammo check out Lucky Gunner.