Since it replaced the M1911A1 more than 25 years ago, the Beretta 92FS/M9 has been shrouded in controversy. Unlike its predecessor, the M9's size, design, construction and caliber has always been under attack. Yet, the US military always ends up buying more.
Not too long ago military officials said they would allow Beretta's competitors like S&W, Glock, FNH, SIG Sauer and HK (just to name a few) to submit commercial models to compete against the M9 to see which one can last the longest, is more reliable, and easier to use, and ultimately replace it. Very few people seemed to come out in defense of the M9 and the majority - excited M9-haters - gladly volunteered their suggestions. But shortly following the announcement there was an upset. The US military ordered 15,000 more M9s.
The first thing I will tell you not to do is to take off. Nothing screams suspicious behavior like a guy just seen packing iron and now taking off for the hills. Try to be calm, I know this is going to be tough, but you really do need to act that way. I will tell you the story of my first time unintentionally brandishing a firearm while still in its holster.
Brandish2I was nineteen years old, I had just gotten my pistol permit and I knew very little about carrying a firearm concealed. I had a Ruger Blackhawk .357 in a cheap Uncle Mike's holster because at the time it was all I could afford. It was in the fall so I was wearing a heavy flannel jacket that normally covered the gun well. What I didn't realize was that when I had gotten out of my truck, the jacket got pulled up over the grip of the gun in that crappy holster. I was walking across a parking lot and into a gun store of all places when a family of four came walking down the sidewalk.
And I did not get the response that I expected: because he was 9 years old at the time, most of the instructors refused to allow him to take the course. Their explanation for this was that since he could not hunt anyway (in Wisconsin at least), my son and I should bow out and allow kids who were aged 10 or above to take our space in the course. Even after I tried to explain that we would be traveling out of state and he needed the hunter safety course to hunt legally in other states, they did not budge.
I didn't know what to do until-finally-someone suggested that he take the online course and then simply schedule a field day (where they administer a written exam as well as a field evaluation), which is exactly what we did (and if you know someone that needs to take the course and can't get in, you can do the same here).
But be realistic: the best laid schemes of mice and men go oft awry and somedays even your best efforts fall through the cracks and you have to be ready for what happens and how you'll handle it.
brandish1If a person does see you, don't go rushing right over to them and try to explain your entire belief in the second amendment in one breath. You will make it much worse. And just the same (and as I said before) do not bolt. That will all but guarantee a visit from the cops as someone seeing you run away will more than likely call 911.
Now, I love to hunt and I love to shoot game. I've done it for years and have become somewhat proficient at it. But I, like many others out there, have limits on my time and therefore ability to get out in the field as much as I'd want to. I will happily sacrifice my time in the field for my children (and, actually, many other children) to help foster their lifelong enjoyment of the sport and continue a tradition of hunting and fishing in this country.
You might be saying, "So what if the cops do show up?" Well, I can't tell you how that particular officer will act since there are some cops who are pro-concealed carry and others who feel that citizens should not own firearms period. Who knows who you will get. I can only tell you that panicking isn't the right move and
running away will probably make it worse. It's just one of the responsibilities that you must face when you carry concealed.
Not too long ago military officials said they would allow Beretta's competitors like S&W, Glock, FNH, SIG Sauer and HK (just to name a few) to submit commercial models to compete against the M9 to see which one can last the longest, is more reliable, and easier to use, and ultimately replace it. Very few people seemed to come out in defense of the M9 and the majority - excited M9-haters - gladly volunteered their suggestions. But shortly following the announcement there was an upset. The US military ordered 15,000 more M9s.
The first thing I will tell you not to do is to take off. Nothing screams suspicious behavior like a guy just seen packing iron and now taking off for the hills. Try to be calm, I know this is going to be tough, but you really do need to act that way. I will tell you the story of my first time unintentionally brandishing a firearm while still in its holster.
Brandish2I was nineteen years old, I had just gotten my pistol permit and I knew very little about carrying a firearm concealed. I had a Ruger Blackhawk .357 in a cheap Uncle Mike's holster because at the time it was all I could afford. It was in the fall so I was wearing a heavy flannel jacket that normally covered the gun well. What I didn't realize was that when I had gotten out of my truck, the jacket got pulled up over the grip of the gun in that crappy holster. I was walking across a parking lot and into a gun store of all places when a family of four came walking down the sidewalk.
And I did not get the response that I expected: because he was 9 years old at the time, most of the instructors refused to allow him to take the course. Their explanation for this was that since he could not hunt anyway (in Wisconsin at least), my son and I should bow out and allow kids who were aged 10 or above to take our space in the course. Even after I tried to explain that we would be traveling out of state and he needed the hunter safety course to hunt legally in other states, they did not budge.
I didn't know what to do until-finally-someone suggested that he take the online course and then simply schedule a field day (where they administer a written exam as well as a field evaluation), which is exactly what we did (and if you know someone that needs to take the course and can't get in, you can do the same here).
But be realistic: the best laid schemes of mice and men go oft awry and somedays even your best efforts fall through the cracks and you have to be ready for what happens and how you'll handle it.
brandish1If a person does see you, don't go rushing right over to them and try to explain your entire belief in the second amendment in one breath. You will make it much worse. And just the same (and as I said before) do not bolt. That will all but guarantee a visit from the cops as someone seeing you run away will more than likely call 911.
Now, I love to hunt and I love to shoot game. I've done it for years and have become somewhat proficient at it. But I, like many others out there, have limits on my time and therefore ability to get out in the field as much as I'd want to. I will happily sacrifice my time in the field for my children (and, actually, many other children) to help foster their lifelong enjoyment of the sport and continue a tradition of hunting and fishing in this country.
You might be saying, "So what if the cops do show up?" Well, I can't tell you how that particular officer will act since there are some cops who are pro-concealed carry and others who feel that citizens should not own firearms period. Who knows who you will get. I can only tell you that panicking isn't the right move and
running away will probably make it worse. It's just one of the responsibilities that you must face when you carry concealed.
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