Flashbang... The inside scoop!

Prelude- I first saw the flashbang holster almost 2 years ago in that familiar YouTube video I am sure you have seen.  I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, but after meeting Lisa Looper earlier this year, reading product reviews and now this awesome experience of getting a a few hours of  1:1 product demonstration, I am 100% a believer and my girls are supporters… or should I say the flashbang supports my girls.  More on this thought later.  Keep reading. 

Thursday July 26^th A Girl and A Gun Women’sShooting League launched the Oklahoma City Chapter, with Lisa Looper, creator of the Flashbang holster at the helm.  Before Jennifer Galle ( AG & AG Membership Director) and I made the drive home to Austin, we stopped in at the Looper Law Enforcement factory and were treated to a fabulous tour.  There are three generations of “Looper stuff” there and full of history.  One of the first things that turned on our “ooh and ahh” button was the old machines that lined a storage room walls that once made handbags and purses.  I am telling you this factory is a “pickers” dream and I joked with Lisa she should have one of those reality shows come for a visit. 

We got the full tour of how they make their leather products, starting with the sheets of cow hide, cutting, shaping and imprinting designs to the final products.  Then Lisa took us to this little space set aside for the Flashbang brand holsters.  Currently two very detailed orientated craftsmen and craftswoman named Brian and Rachelle are producing the entire line of Flashbang, Sophia, Marilyn, Annie and Betty holsters all created in concept by Lisa.   We watched them create a holster from a square piece of heated Kydex, formed around a mock gun, cut the excess Kydex away, and then smoothed the edges.  The smoothing is the most important part for proper function of the holster, and the most impressive to watch!  They put on the hardware and the holster is ready to go!  Mine was made on the spot, so of course I had Brian sign it! I would not be lying by saying that each holster is a one of kind!

We learned so much from Lisa about her flashbang holster and the correct way to wear it.  Jennifer (who is almost 6 months prego) and I stood at the table with all the aluminum mock up guns and took turns shoving different makes, models and calibers of guns including pocket pistols, subcompact, compact, full size and revolvers, into our bras (no holsters at this point) The key is making sure your bra is the correct size and is fitting snuggly, then position the gun high enough under the underwire of the bra.  THE HOLSTER AND THE GUN IS NOT MEANT TO DANGLE BELOW THE UNDERWIRE.  The holster and strap are there to offer retention and protect the gun from your body sweat and oils.  Your bra really does all the work to keep the gun in place.   Jennifer pictured below is wearing a compact sized pistol.  To be fair she is getting ready to tranistion to a better fitting bra thanks to the baby bump, but up close and personal I couldn't tell she had a gun in there. 

The retention strap can loop over the top or bottom, depending on how high you are wearing the holster in your bra, taking into consideration the design of the bra there are 3 straps that come in the packet.  If you need a longer strap, just contact Lisa and she will make a custom strap to be include in your order.   If you experience any issues with your snap, watch this tutorial and Lisa explains it all.  Again you will see the high quality materials used and the attention to detail for your safety. 

I have wanted to carry a Glock 26 for a long time, but have not because I have issues with being able to conceal that gun on my hip and or finding a comfortable  In The Waist Band front pelvis carry.  I am now the proud owner of a Flashbang holster for a Glock 26 that fits extremely well on my body, and is not noticeable on my frame.  I talked to several of my gun loving gal pals prior to this tour that were on the fence about this holster due to their size and shape, or fear that the girls would not be supported well, extra weight, etc.  Well ladies, I can tell you that not only were my 40 DDs supported and comfortable, they also got an extra lift!  Not sure what size Lisa is, nor would I tell because that is her place to share… but I will say that she is similar in size and shape to some of my gal pals, and Lisa was very quick to point out that her girls look fuller when she is wearing her holster.  Just saying…. 

So with some proper understanding that you must wear this holster high under the wire of the bra, don’t be afraid to cant the muzzle down just a smidge to help conceal the grip, and getting down the snap mechanics, this is the most awesome holster I have ever owned. 

We are excited to announce that Lisa will be at our First Annual A Girl and A Gun Conference March 22-24 2013 and will be teaching break out sessions on how to wear the holster and you will be able to have live fire training as well.  Her sessions will book up fast, so make sure to register early.  Registration will be available on our website very soon.   

**There will not be any male instructors or range officers participating in her sessions at the conference, so you will be able to ask questions, get up close and personal and get in some high quality training time. 

There Is No Crying In 3 Gun (He-Man National Championship)

Prepare for Glory

Day one of the RO shoot for the 2012 He-Man National Championship in Raton New Mexico, I had identified my weak spots, acknowledged what I need to practice, and set my mind that I would finish this match to the best of my current ability.  Day two of the RO shoot started off with a stage that used all three guns.   So I step up to the line with my rifle slung across my back, pistol on my hip and shotgun in my hand.  I have to get two slugs mixed in with a bunch of stationary clays… a bit of strategy stress!  Time goes beep… miss… pa-ding!  Transition… pa-ding!  Oh my goodness I hit the 2 slugs with 3 shots, oh crap I still have one more slug in the gun.  So I decide to rack it out all authoritative like and move along to the clays.  In the moment of extreme pride and elation I short cycled my shotgun… several times, kicking round after round out, waisting time and therefore tanking my mental game.  I lost focus, got flustered and basically “FUBR” the rest of the stage that started out so promising.

 

"And then I got upset and started to tear up.
What? There is no crying in 3 Gun!"

I did nail the pistol targets, three of them were 40-50 yards away, and those “pa-dings” made me feel better.  But I had to finish up the stage with 12 long range rifle shots from two different positions.  I was very aware this would be an issue even if I didn’t FUBR the first part of this stage.  Well I timed out at 300 seconds,  8 fail to engage, and then the misses to go along with it.  I was devastated.  My husband John was coaching me saying “there is nothing you can do about it now, what’s done is done”.  I knew what went wrong and why.  And then I got upset and started to tear up.  What?  There is no crying in 3 Gun!  I had a flash of Tom Hanks from the movie a League of their own.  (Not saying that John was yelling at me by any stretch)  I just had this overwhelming emotion of frustration and I wanted to cry.   Worst part, it was all on video!  Ugh.   I am supposed to be a role model, a good example, a motivator and I just tanked this stage.  What the heck!!!!

This was a learning moment.   I put aside the feeling of embarrassment because I know I could have done that stage much better with my current ability.  I owned the fact that I timed out and didn’t finish.  I swallowed the tears and didn’t make another excuse.   I decided I will share the video as an example (profanity and all).  I am a role model, a good example and motivator.  My entire mission is to get more women into the shooting sports not with the expectation to be a Julie, Maggie, Diana, Kay, Katie, Athena, the list of exceptional women shooters goes on and one, but the expectation to get out there, try something new, be the best shooter I can be and be proud knowing I am doing something that only a handful of women across the country are doing.   This learning moment was to remind me that I am ok.  That the image of being a “bad ass” is not the goal, being the image of “yes I can” is my goal.    I will save the crying for movies. 

Sidenote- video of this stage coming soon. 

Don't Color Code Your Underpants

Don't color code your pants, yellow in the front... brown in the back!  Pay attention and listen up!

Most people have heard of the color codes of mental awareness.  What most people don't know is that there is a military version and a civilian version.  Because I like to teach from the "everyday person" perspective here is a review these color codes as they apply to the private citizen. 

• WHITE- unprepared, not alert to the symptoms of violence
• YELLOW- relaxed alertness and preparedness

• ORANGE- unspecified alert, something wrong but we don’t know what it is yet.  Perceived threat.
• RED- armed encounter, you are facing one or more people that you believe have the potential to take your life
• BLACK- lethal assault in progress

Cheat sheet version is this:

• Orange- attacker might be there
• Red-  attacker is there
• Black- attacker is carrying out unlawful action

There is a direct connection between your level awareness, how prepared you are to handle the threat, and if it was appropriate compared to the "Standard of Proof".  These standards of actions compare directly to the color codes of mental awareness

• WHITE- mere suspicion- belief that is not founded in authentically fact
• YELLOW-  articulated suspicion- can you explain why you did what you did, what you saw OR experienced
• ORANGE- probable cause- higher suspicion, not proof.  Less than 50% certainty
• RED- preponderance of evidence, 51% certainty
• BLACK- Beyond a reasonable doubt

Self presentation is one of the keys to avoiding criminal confrontation.  Bad guys can sense the difference between an easy prey target and one that will fight back or is prepared.  There is something in the way we walk, talk, look, etc.  Pay attention to what is going on around you and present yourself in a confident manner, and you reduce your risk substantially. 

Be safe my friends, and take control of your own personal safety.

What Do You Think?

I wrote this blog May 2012 after I attend an intensive training course from The Massad Ayoob Group , published it but didn't promote it.  In the current climate of gun control debates, this blog takes on a new point of view and discussion pathway: 

What do you think public opinion would be or what would you think if you were on a jury hearing a case on use of force/deadly force and this statement was entered in to evidence against a young woman:

I had 2 more miles to walk to get home, I knew that by how fast I could walk it would be about the same time he made bail and he would be looking for me.

When I got home I decided to load my shotgun and just wait for him.  I was nervous, and mad as hell that I allowed this to happen to myself.  He slapped me, he shook me, but not anymore.  He thinks he is a man, and thinks picking fights with me makes him a bigger man.  Well I am ready to give him a fight.  So I waited and smoked a cigarette.

He didn’t get there as fast as I thought he would, it got late so I started drinking bear.  One maybe two six-packs of beer.  All of a sudden I heard his truck.  I could tell how fast he was driving by the sound of the tires skidding to a stop on the gravel driveway.  He slammed his car door and was ready to let me have it, but he didn’t know I was waiting for him on the other side of the door with my shotgun.  His thought his fist was big, but my shotgun was bigger and it was over. 

I am guessing that public opinion would be somewhat harsh.  I would expect her to get an easier consideration by some because it is a woman, but none the less I would expect some outrage and distress. 

Whenever I hear the song by Miranda Lambert “Gunpowder and Lead” (lyrics below) I think about how this would play out in court… thinking that most likely the abused woman would be sitting in jail.  I also cringe just a little hoping that someone in that situation doesn't hear this song and think it is a good plan.  Now I love Miranda Lambert, and agree that the song has a beat you tap your toe to… but can’t help but feel that it is a poor example of someone using force/deadly force to protect themselves.  There are several musicians that are singing about shooting and killing unfaithful lovers, abusers, or rival gangs.  No matter how you package it (country, rap or pop) this is allowing people at some level to be desensitized on the seriousness of using deadly force.  That is until they hear about a case on the news and then criticize the victim for doing it. 

If you have not done so in the last 3 months, look up the chapters of Self Defense, Use of Force and Deadly Force of the penal code in your state.  I encourage people to read and reread this content every few months so it is always front and center in your brain on when you can and cannot act.  You also need to be able to explain what you did based on your understanding of the law and the circumstances in that moment.  In all fairness, I have never been a victim of domestic violence, and feel very strongly on empowering women, but waiting for your abuser at home with a loaded shotgun and drinking beer will mostly not end well for you.  If you need help please reach out to your local and national resources before it is too late. 

On the web:

Miranda Lamber and Chris Brown Grammy fued http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2012/02/chris-brown-and-miranda-lambert-twitter-feud-continues/

Also read comments from Miranda Lambert at  http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=11635

" GUNPOWDER AND LEAD"

County Road 233 under my feet
Nothin' on this white rock but little ol' me
I got two miles till he makes bail
And if I'm right we're headed straight for hell

I'm goin' home, gonna load my shotgun
Wait by the door and light a cigarette
He wants a fight well now he's got one
He ain't seen me crazy yet
Slapped my face and he shook me like a rag doll
Don't that sound like a real man
I'm gonna show him what a little girl's made of
Gun powder and lead

Well it's half past ten
Another six pack in
I can feel the rumble like the cold black wind
He pulls in the drive
Gravel flies
He don't know what's waitin' here this time

Hey I'm goin' home, gonna load my shotgun
Wait by the door and light a cigarette
He wants a fight well now he's got one
And he ain't seen me crazy yet
Slapped my face and he shook me like a rag doll
Don't that sound like a real man
I'm gonna show him what a little girl's made of
Gun powder and lead

His fist is big but my gun's bigger
He'll find out when I pull the trigger

I'm goin' home, gonna load my shotgun
Wait by the door and light a cigarette
He wants a fight well now he's got one
And he ain't seen me crazy yet
Slapped my face and he shook me like a rag doll
Don't that sound like a real man
I'm gonna show him what a little girl's made of
Gun powder and gun powder and lead
Gun powder and lead

The Massad Ayoob Experience

This whole firearms thing doesn't come natural for me.  Everything I have learned the past 10 years about guns, equipment, mindset I have worked hard to gain.  I think of  myself as a professional student, or at least a sponge once a topic peaks my interest!  So the last 18 months I have been on a training binge... and at the top of my list for 2012 was to take a course by Massad Ayoob.  Thanks to Kathy Jackson of The Corned Cat for giving me the heads up on a contest hosted by Vicki Willhite of Gator Farms Tactical,  I was the lucky winner, and the prize was a MAG40 course with Massad Ayoob!!!  PLUS a Whitedog Holster & Mag pouch, AND 500 rounds of ammo...PAYDIRT!

Low Crouch... and check out my Whitedog Holster

 This four day 40 hour course was amazing.  I was comfortable with in the course because I had been exposed to a great deal of the material that was being presented, but it was a gift to have it explained in detail and clarified.  The material that I was after was the how, when and why to use force/deadly force and then how to handle the aftermath.  I ended up taking 36 pages of notes over 10,000 words, which I am in the process of reviewing and organizing.  The experience I shared with 23 other students is one that I would recommend EVERYONE have.  If you are a law abiding gun owner, you need this course. 

Mas demonstrating 1 of 3 shooting stances

The MAG 40 course includes range time learning the basic techniques developed by Mas and other industry leaders.  Again, techniques I was familiar with, but explanations, tweaks and the permission to figure out which techniques worked best for me and time to fine tune the skill sets. 

60 round qualification.  Perfect Score 300, my score 293.  High Lady and Top 5 in the class!  I had a few dropped "crotch shots" when transitioned to the low kneel.  Darn it!

Mas will be teaching several more classes in 2012, and I am working on bringing him to Central Texas in 2013.  He has given me permission to share some of the information with people I care about (that would be you).  I am looking forward to sharing the quotes and tidbits over the next few months, but there is no substitution for taking the course yourself.  If you own a gun (or any other tool to defend you life) and are prepared to use it for self defense... TAKE THIS COURSE! 

How To Get Women Into The Gun Concept

This has been a hot topic of conversation for several months now, making national news of the record breaking number of women purchasing guns and getting concealed carry permits.  There has also been an increase in the number of women seeking training in general self-defense tactics. 

Still there remains an “antigun” biases with a large population of women.  Some refer to it as the Suzy Homemaker Issue.  Women have achieved being equals in our culture, but many still hold on to the thought process that the gun is the symbol of male violence and therefore something they want nothing to do with, even something they allow themselves to fear.  It is a topic discussed by Susan Brown Miller in her book Against our Will.  I acknowledge that there was a time and place in our history that that may have been true.  But in today’s modern progressive society especially where a woman may very well be the head of her own household, the gun is a tool just like any other.  It is not about male or female, it is about empowerment.  As women we take on the role of Mother Bear to protect our cubs.  We don’t have claws or teeth as does a real mother bear, so we need to get them artificially… guns, knives, kubatans, pepper spray, stun guns… these are all forms of claws and teeth we use to protect ourselves and our loved ones. 

What I ask of all women is that you give yourself every opportunity to learn, grow and thrive in all ways possible.  Learning to handle firearms for sport shooting or otherwise is a very empowering adventure and it changes your perception of “self”.  It is very important for women to have positive female role models in the firearms industry.  I strongly encourage you when seeking out a firearms training course, that you look for one that has a female role model on staff rather than an overall male environment.  Especially if you are new and feeling timid.  Knowing that there is someone like you teaching from a similar perspective will ease the experience. 

It might not be for you, it might turn out to be the most exciting experience you have ever had, but it will spark a feeling inside you of YES I CAN.  Take that and use it in your life.  Learn… Grow… Thrive!

Resources for Women in the Firearms Industry

·         Kathy Jackson- The cornered cat

·         Gila Hayes- Effective Defense, The woman the plan and the gun, Personal defense for woman

·         Paxton Quigley- Armed and Female

I invested a lot of time in myself in 2011 taking classes from several instructors, most of them National Champions in the competitive shooting sports of IDPA and USPSA.   I learned how to be a better competitor for sure, but I what I learned over the past 7 years participating in competitive shooting sports is how to be in control of my gun under stress, which has helped me, leaps and bounds to understand my self-defense preparation and mindset.

There are arguments that participating in competitive shooting sports does not prepare someone for a life or death situation, but I can attest that I have working muscle memory to know if I am shooting the gun accurately or not.  I also am aware how slow or quick my reaction times are, and I have a strong sense of confidence and trust that I know what I am doing with my gun, which we know is a very important component when choosing self-defense tools.  

I encourage my clients and friends all the time to seek out training.  If you are going to keep a gun at home or carry a gun on your body, wear a knife, or depend on your hand to hand skills to help you out in a crisis situation where you are the target of a crime, you have to get training and you have to practice.  For the average citizen, the competitive shooting sports offers up a safe and affordable place to practice holster work, figure out your gear and learn how to work through malfunctions and get back in the fight.   But most important... it is just a whole lot of fun!