I am not a slave to fashion. You should know that by now. I have pretty much one look. Well, two, if you count the fact that when I put on a suit I really turn some heads. That’s mostly because people are shocked to see me in a suit. But that is another story.
Anyway, this column springs from some recent comments on things I have produced for the USCCA. I like to think I produce a lot of valuable content for readers and viewers. I want you, as someone who is interested in effective self-defense, to learn as much as you can. I will never claim to be a know-it-all. I will never claim that my way is the only way. I want you to question everything and decide for yourself the elements that fit into your personal protection plan.
This goes for everything from which gun you carry to how and where you carry it to the ammo you use and the training you have received. All of it is very personal and only you can make the right decision about it.
That is why I sometimes sigh heavily when we produce a great video or magazine story here at the USCCA and the response we get is something like, “Nice jacket! Where can I get one?”
I’m really hoping to make a strong, intellectual impact on your personal protection plan and some people want to know what brand of shoes I wear. I would much rather have you question why I did what I did in a training segment. Those questions make me feel like you are reading or watching with interest and, more importantly, they make me evaluate everything I am saying to you. I take this job very seriously and really want to be good at it and I want to bring new and valuable ideas to those who feel they need more information about self-defense.
So, if you want to know what gun or holster I wear, I will tell you, but then I will tell you that my gun and holster may not be right for you, and the reasons I chose my gun and my holster may not be the reasons you choose a gun and a holster. I’ll even tell you what kind of jacket I wear, but it will have no impact on your ability to defend yourself.
Now, the other side of the “comment coin” is to make effective comments. Don’t just hit us up with, “Well, that’s just stupid. It will never work.” Let’s talk it through. Effective training should include the free exchange of ideas. So let’s exchange them. If you have something you think will work better or should be done differently, please explain it. Everyone who is serious about training should be open to new ideas. You don’t have to adopt every new idea that comes down the road, but if you take a look you can compare that information to the information you currently have and see if it fits.
Sadly, there will be some people so set in their ways that nothing will sway them. There’s really nothing we can do about that, but I will ask that we keep things civil. Name-calling and aggression in these interactions will be frowned upon and might just get you deleted. Honest and polite objections will be welcomed and are encouraged.
I’ve been getting training for the better part of 20 years and there is always something more to learn. If I ever get to the point where I think I know THE one and only way to do something, well, at that point I hope I have the good sense to step away from the keyboard and shut off the cameras, because I will have stopped learning.
We are all in this together and good ideas can come from anywhere. Let’s question everything and share what we have learned.
