Know Before Your Swim
by Jason Hanson
On Aug 14, 2018This week’s batch of must-read article touches on the unseen dangers lurking in your local swimming holes, how to become a master lock pick in minutes, what a record-breaking fire tornado looks like and more.
An article in Security, Health, Preparedness
Pros and Cons of Off-Body Concealed Carry
by Jason Hanson
On Aug 10, 2018With more and more people carrying concealed these days, I want to share with you some pros and cons of carrying a firearm off your body — but still within range so you can hopefully use it if needed.
An article in Security, Personal Protection
Best of the Drop — Spy Gadgets
by Jason Hanson
On Jun 30, 2018This “best of” edition of the Weekly Drop is dedicated to spy gadgets — voice recorders, hidden cameras, covert self-defense tools and more.
Meta-Description: This “best of” edition of the Weekly Drop is dedicated to spy gadgets — voice recorders, hidden cameras, covert self-defense tools and more.An article in Security, Technology, Personal Protection
Three Rules for Being Followed
by Cade Courtley
On Jun 15, 2018Now, you probably aren’t roaming the streets of Iraq or visiting villages in Afghanistan (I hope). But here are some techniques you can apply if you are walking or driving the streets of your city and think you have a tail.
An article in Security, Personal Protection
The Top 12 Mistakes Preppers Make (And How You Can Avoid Them) — Part II Author: 4Patriots
by 4Patriots
On Jun 13, 2018In Part II, you’ll discover 10 ways to protect your home from an unruly mob… nine ways to ensure your children or grandchildren stay safe even if you get separated… and one of the most underrated preps you can do right now that will make your life a whole helluva lot easier in an emergency.
An article in Security, Preparedness, Personal Protection
Concealed Carry on the Go
by Jason Hanson
On Jun 7, 2018If you are in the car traveling, you still want to be able to quickly access your gun in case you need it. If you have to leave it in the car, you should absolutely make sure it’s secured and out of sight. Read on for specific recommendations on concealed carry in your vehicle.
An article in Security, Personal Protection
Best of the Drop — Road Safety
by Jason Hanson
On Jun 1, 2018Before you embark on a road trip this summer, there are a few aspects of car safety you should take into account. In today’s “best of” edition of the Weekly Drop, you’ll discover several ways to stay safe on America’s roadways.
An article in Security, Preparedness, Personal Protection
The Weakest Link of Your Home Security
by Jason Hanson
On May 3, 2018The bottom line is a good door is your home’s first line of defense against brazen criminals. This is why I want to share some stronger options for your front door.
An article in Security, Home Security
Safeguard Your Identity From Meth-Dealing Crime Gangs
by Owen Sullivan
On Apr 25, 2018These days, identity theft is so easy to pull off that just about any thug can get in the game. And the drug gangs are taking full advantage of that. Use these strategies to keep criminal hands off your identity.
An article in Security
Identity Thieves Are Stealing Thousands of Dollars in YOUR NAME
by Owen Sullivan
On Apr 24, 2018When Paul retired from the police force, he thought his days of hunting criminals were over. But just two years later, the 67-year-old was being personally targeted by an identity thief… and it made his life a living hell.
An article in Security
A while back, you may have seen the graphic surveillance video of the shooting of a robber on Mother’s Day. A gunman in São Paulo, Brazil, approached a group of women with their children leaving a school function. He pointed a handgun at the group in an attempt to steal purses.
In the video, you can clearly see the group of women trying to get away. One mother reaches into her purse when the criminal isn’t looking. While he’s not paying attention, she pulled a gun from her purse and shot the man in the chest at point-blank range.
He immediately fell back into the street while still holding his weapon. The woman who shot him continued to give verbal commands for him to drop it, however, the gunman was able to fire off one round before his gun jammed. He was taken to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.
The heroic woman was identified as 42-year-old Katia Sastre. She is the mother of a 7-year-old as well as a local police officer. According to The Washington Post, the governor of São Paulo congratulated Sastre saying, “I want today to pay homage to a very special mother, Corporal Katia Sastre. Her courage and accuracy saved mothers and children yesterday at the door of a school.”
Without question, this woman saved lives with her actions that day. It’s worth noting that since Sastre was off-duty, she didn’t have her gun on her hip. Instead had it in her handbag, but she was still prepared to use it.
With more and more people carrying concealed these days, I want to share with you some pros and cons of carrying a firearm off your body — but still within range so you can hopefully use it if needed.
CONS
Purses and bags are targets. In the story above, the criminal was focused on grabbing purses — he was clearly looking to rob the mothers as they left the school. The thing is a purse, handbag, laptop bag or really any type of bag could be a target for a criminal looking to steal. They could potentially grab the bag or cut it off your shoulder before you are able to retrieve your gun from the bag to defend yourself.
Drawing takes longer. Most people are able to draw a gun from their hip faster than they could remove one from a bag. Your bag might be zipped closed or you may have to dig around in it for your firearm. On the other hand, even if it’s the middle of winter and I’m wearing a heavy coat I can still lift the coat up and draw my handgun from my hip incredibly fast.
More likely to forget. When I carry my gun on my hip it stays there all day and I never remove it unless I’m going to a location where I can’t legally carry a firearm. That being said, how many times have you or a loved one forgot a purse or left a laptop bag behind at a restaurant? Unfortunately, there have also been incidents where children have reached into their mother’s purse for something and accidently fired a gun.
PROS
Comfort. Perhaps the biggest reason people like to carry in a bag is because it’s more comfortable and it doesn’t matter what you wear. For instance, if it’s 100 degrees outside, you can wear shorts and a T-shirt and don’t have to worry about a holster. Also, you can wear any type of clothing and you won’t have to worry about printing. Any laptop bag or purse should be big enough that no one can see you have a firearm.
Specially-designed bags. Whether it’s a purse, laptop bag or backpack, these days you can find bags that are specifically designed with a compartment for a firearm. These bags often have locking zippers as well as straps to keep the firearm in place while you’re on the move. Another option for carrying off your body is wearing a fanny pack. I realize these aren’t as stylish as they were in the ‘80s and ‘90s, but they are small and pretty simple to draw from.
Shoot from the bag. If you do every carry a firearm in a bag, you need to practice shooting from the bag. Of course, I recommend dry fire practicing this, but it’s something you should always be prepared to do in a real-life situation. While most criminals will try to steal your entire purse, you could potentially act like you were giving them your wallet while really reaching in and firing your gun. Remember, whether you carry a gun in your bag or on your hip you need to practice shooting immediately even if you don’t have time to punch out to your full shooting position.
In my opinion, carrying a firearm on your body is still the number one option when it comes to concealed carry. However, I realize some people aren’t going to do that. In other words, if it comes down to carrying a gun in a bag or not carrying one at all, then consider carrying your firearm in a bag. Just make sure the firearm is secure from criminals and children.
Stay safe,
Jason Hanson