Mindset is the foundation for proficiency with a gun

Mindset is the foundation for proficiency with a gun.

I just read Eve Flanigan’s October 10, 2016 article, Essential Skills For Concealed Carry on guncarrier.com

and had some thoughts.

It goes back to a time in the Army that the leadership studies focused on Be, Know, and Do as the foundation of Army Leadership. Be is really about mindset. Mindset is the foundation for proper ownership and use of a gun. Concealed carrying is as much about having proper the attitude, knowledge and discipline to carry a gun as the technical proficiency to use it. The gun you carry puts you in a situation where you need to be more gracious, modest, and prepared to walk away from a situation that has escalated to the point that you feel a confrontation is imminent.

Decide before you carry. The best way to win a confrontation is to avoid one. Being willing to avoid a confrontation, especially when you feel that you have the moral high ground ensures that when your life is in immediate and inescapable danger, you can testify that you had no other alternative but to defend yourself. You must decide if you are prepared to take that action before leaving your home. If you are waiting until the situation is spiraling out of control to make that ethical decision, you have put yourself and those around you in considerable more danger.

Display confidence. That confidence will deter most criminals. You must also be willing and able to press the trigger, knowing that you action has the potential to take a life in order to save your life or the life of another.

Safety as a mindset. It’s not enough to know the rules of firearm safety. You must incorporate them consistently in every aspect of owning and handling the gun. Starting from before you think about picking up the gun. That includes knowing your firearm and be able to use it correctly. Do not expect to be able to be an Olympic level marksman, operating any platform without assistance. Know your gun, how to fire accurately, how to perform reloads and clear malfunctions, how to maintain it, and what ammunition performs well for you in your gun.

Know your limitations. If you have only shot your gun under the best conditions, then you haven’t tested your accuracy. In stressful situations, your body experiences physiological changes. Stress can make you breathe harder. When stressed, the body produces epinephrine and cortisol, sometimes called the "stress hormones," that gives your body energy. With that energy comes some side effects. Have you ever exerted yourself then attempted to shoot? Why not? Know your limitations and work to reduce them.

Know the rules: Asking someone to play a game without explaining the rules would be silly, right? Why would you not have the same mindset with your personal protection. Gun and self-defense laws vary from place to place. In addition, the application of those laws has a tendency, over time, to adjust.

Keep up to date with the trends in the courts. It’s your responsibly to know your rights, obligations and prohibitions in reference to carrying a gun and protecting yourself. You must be able to articulate why the assailant had the ability and opportunity to gravely harm you or someone else. As for your own defensive use of a firearm, you must be able to explain why your actions were reasonable and necessary to survive the situation.

Practice. Training is an essential aspect of gun ownership. Skills and knowledge can atrophy over time if not used or practiced. Everyone can improve. Take a class. There are all levels of training focused on all aspects of gun ownership. Focus on the a few things that you need to know and train, get them down and then move on to the next few things.