Brillianter.comBrillianter.comA self-defense blog, covering firearms, knives, less-lethal weapons, and combatives 
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Mental Conditioning for Self Defense
2009-04-27 17:00:00 The term 'Mindset' gets thrown around a lot in the self-defense and training community, and a lot of people don't really understand it or articulate it well. Many of the "Survivor Mindset" and "Warrior Mindset" proponents talk about mental attributes as if they were bolt-on parts and once fully kitted out you will be ready. I would argue that it is a little more complicated than that. More About: Mental , Defense , Conditioning , Self-Defense
Handgun Retention
2009-04-23 18:00:00 Much of the argument that people will be disarmed of their weapons and have those weapons used against them stems from a long history of police officers being shot with their own firearms. To combat this problem law enforcement has adopted various handgun retention systems. More About: Retention
Verbal Commands
2009-04-22 18:00:00 Verbal commands are frequently an under utilized self-defense tool. Verbal commands can be applied early, without liability, and throughout the encounter in conjunction with other levels of force. You can issue verbal commands while simultaneously applying strikes, pepper spray, or gun fire. More About: Commands
Training, Practice, and Testing
2009-04-20 18:00:00 A comparison between training, practicing, and testing. More About: Training , Testing , Practice
Armed Students
2009-04-14 08:12:00 Snowflakes in hell has some analysis of the 20/20 piece "If I only had a gun" More About: Students , Armed
Stupid Gun Inventions: The Small Of the Back Holster
2009-04-09 23:07:00 This is least concealable, least comfortable, least retainable, and one of the most unsafe holster designs ever. More About: Inventions , Stupid , Small , Back
Real Self Defense for Women
2009-04-03 01:17:00 I have been reading quite a bit lately about women's self defense. For some reason this quickly turns into a gender politics debate and some kind of vehicle for feminist ideology. I thought that any discussion of self defense would revolve around protecting oneself and the people that one cared about. More About: Women , For Women , Defense , Real , Self-Defense
Real Community Policing
2009-03-25 01:28:00 I was having a discussion the other day with Mostly Genius regarding the controversial statements made by Brian Stratton, the Mayor of Schenectady, New York, and that led to a more general discussion of how to fix a lot of the problems regarding law enforcement in the US today. The solutions proposed by the Mayor ... More About: Community , Real
Use of Force
2009-03-20 21:55:00 The use of force chart is useful for private citizens to understand how the police (and the courts) tend to view a particular tool or technique. I make a lot of references to the use of force and forgot I hadn’t posted this graphic. There are a few inconsistencies: the order of pepper spray, taser, ... More About: Force
Stupid Self Defense Gadget: The Bottle Bezel
2009-03-14 17:00:00 This is replacement cap for your disposable water bottle. From the website: Why not use it to defend yourself? The Bottle Bezel has a checkered, “tenderizer” top surface, with 6 serrated, trapezoid petals that surround it. It can be used 4 standard ways, regular grip, inverted grip, gouging mode, or as a weighted flail with ... More About: Gadget , Stupid , Defense , Self-Defense
The 870 Police Shotgun
2009-03-04 00:19:00 I am not a fan of shotguns and I don’t think they are the ultimate home defense gun. Somebody asked in another venue about the difference between the 870 Express and the 870 police. Both guns are parts compatible but the 870 Police is marginally the better gun: Parts: Longer magazine spring to improve feed & function. Heavier ... More About: Shotgun
Three Battles
2009-03-02 18:00:00 It is important for students of self defense to recognize that there are three battles that need to be won in order to be successful, and in fact loosing any one the battles is loosing the “war.” The Physical Battle. This is the one that gets the most attention. All of the shooting, striking, grappling, ... More About: Battles
Get a gun and? hope.
2009-02-28 20:40:00 No sooner do I write this post and then I read this: My New Gun. This is precisely what I was talking about. Being afraid and having a gun is better than being afraid and not having one, but it’s not that much better. The noise in the indoor range was frightening, even though I ... More About: Hope
Get a gun? and
2009-02-27 19:37:00 The common response to some crime incident or self-defense item of news is that somebody should get a gun. I am all in favor of guns, the 2nd Amendment, concealed carry, and the like but it is not “THE” solution. A handgun solves a subset of self-defense problems: given an identified deadly force threat a ...
Broken Windows theory of policing
2009-02-23 18:09:00 Breakthrough on broken windows I remain unconvinced that “disorder” is a cause of crime. It seems to me that the increased police presence and attention to particular high crime areas are probably the main factors in the reduction in calls to the police. If the criminals see an increased police presence in an area I am ... More About: Windows , Theory , Broken
The Mugger?s Wallet
2009-02-20 17:26:00 The Mugger’s Wallet I don’t know that the “fake wallet” strategy is really all the new or innovative, but I do find the comments interesting. It seems that most of the people are operating on some internally generated fantasy of what a mugging might look like. These fall into a few broad groups: The Hippies:“…so you’d rather ...
Back again
2009-02-16 20:24:00 Sorry for the lack of posting, I have been out of the country for a while. Hopefully I will have some new content up in a few days. More About: Back
Eye Dominance and Shooting with both eyes open
2008-11-15 01:00:00 No related posts. More About: Eyes , Open , Shooting , Eyes Open
Rush to buy guns senseless action
2008-11-14 13:30:00 The author is "amazed" that people think Obama will attack the 2nd Amendment. Then goes on to say that Obama wants to just get rid of Assault Weapons. Doesn't that sound like a gun ban? Here is the best bit: "…don't go out and stock your homes with arsenals and your hearts with hate." Now having guns ... Related posts:AHSA Shills for gun control again Nothing to see here really, simply the same old nonsense regurgitated. Lets makes things harder for people who follow the law while doing nothing to hinder the criminals. Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-rosent hal/what-president-obama-can_b_142783.htm l... More About: News , Guns , Action , Senseless , Rush
Tax-free shopping for guns!
2008-11-14 13:30:00 You don't see this every day. A state legislature suspends the sales tax on firearms for 24 hours and had to override the gov. veto to do it. Way to go. Source: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/business /story/669484.html Related posts:Fearmongering. Gun sales do not have a correlation to "intentional mayhem" or "bio-chemical assaults." I understand you need to pimp your product, but ... Related posts:Fearmongering. Gun sales do not have a correlation to "intentional mayhem" or "bio-chemical assaults." I understand you need to pimp your product, but try linking it to a real threat. Source: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Pos t-Election-Skyrocketing-Gun-Sales/story.a spx?guid=%7B663D209F-B6C2-4DA9-B178-A31AF 012C432%7D...D.C. Police Use E-Mail, Text Message Alerts to Combat Crime So they can issue an SMS description of the criminal hours after the crime and citizens can call in. This sounds good until you think about the short length of... More About: News , Shopping , Guns , Free
Attack gun violence by raising cost of bullets
2008-11-14 13:30:00 This idiot believes that if ammunition was more expensive ($100/a round) people wouldn’t shoot themseleves or each other. So we are going to preven suicide by making it expensive? Those people aren’t just going to switch to more economical method? I am imaging the black market manufacture and smuggling of .22LR because this proposal would make ... Related posts:Resotrative Justice I am not sure that criminals can clean up enough litter or paint over enough graffitti to repair the damage caused by their crimes. Additionally if this is just a fiscal measure, at what point do you begin outsourcing jobs to criminals as pool of sub minimum wage workers? Source:...Presence Attack Neighborhood watch groups such as this one utilize the lowest level of force: presence. It probably does deter vandals and burglars in the neighborhood in question. It doesn't do much for other types of crime, but at least people are taking some responsibility for their neighborhoods. Source: ... More About: News , Cost , Gun Violence , Violence , Bullets
Brand New Gun Designs
2008-11-14 09:54:00 SW M&P 9mm I haven’t shot this gun and a single range report doesn’t actually say much about this particular model of firearm in the long term. According to the review: 1. Trigger didn’t work too well out of the box. This is major. Poor trigger control is one the major barriers to accuracy and a sloppy ... Related posts:The soft-sell for gun control. This piece couched in soothing tones about how nobody is going to take your sporting guns, how a little paperwork is a minior inconvience and how guns don't make us any safer anyway. Here is the thin edge of the wedge: "We may well see an attempt in Congress for... More About: Brand , Designs
The Stop
2008-11-14 01:00:00 The term “stop” is loosely defined as the threat stops all hostile action. A stop might just as easily be a look or body posture as multiple bullets tearing through vitals. There is a tendency in firearm circles to confuse a ’stop’ with a ‘kill’, but this is incorrect. Handgun bullets do not tend to ... No related posts. More About: Equipment , Stop
Gun Sales Up Since Election - TalkLeft
2008-11-13 16:30:00 The article isn't really news, but some of the comments paint a very clear picture of where the pro-gun rights movement is falling down. There is still a lot of noise about sporting purposes and hunting. The reason to own an AK is defend yourself and your family. Source: http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/11/12/ 15548/088 No related posts. No related posts. More About: Sales , Election
The soft-sell for gun control.
2008-11-13 02:30:00 This piece couched in soothing tones about how nobody is going to take your sporting guns, how a little paperwork is a minior inconvience and how guns don't make us any safer anyway. Here is the thin edge of the wedge: "We may well see an attempt in Congress for more restrictive gun purchasing measures. ... Related posts:Brand New Gun Designs SW M&P 9mm I haven't shot this gun and a single range report doesn't actually say much about this particular model of firearm in the long term. According to the review: 1. Trigger didn't work too well out of the box. This is major. Poor trigger control is one the...Rush to buy guns senseless action The author is "amazed" that people think Obama will attack the 2nd Amendment. Then goes on to say that Obama wants to just get rid of Assault Weapons. Doesn't that sound like a gun ban? Here is the best bit: "...don't go out and stock your homes with arsenals and... More About: Gun Control , Soft , Sell , Control
International Crime Database
2008-11-12 12:30:00 What is being proposed would be a tough job to get done. The EU doesn't all speak the same language and I am sure that their police forces are not structured in the same way. Data sharing sounds good, but it would also allow neighboring countries to data mine the crime data of neighboring countries. Source: ... Related posts:D.C. Police Use E-Mail, Text Message Alerts to Combat Crime So they can issue an SMS description of the criminal hours after the crime and citizens can call in. This sounds good until you think about the short length of SMS messages. That grant money could have been better spent. Source:D.C. Police Use E-Mail, Text Message Alerts to Combat Crime...Information vs. Data "James" commented on my previous post Police Use Text Message Alerts to Combat Crime so I thought I would expand a little on my "money better spent" remark. Information is data in context. The number "10" doesn't mean anything by itself. Once I say "10 is then number of...DEKALB COUNTY: C... More About: News , International , Policy
Solutions to gun and knife crime
2008-11-12 12:30:00 "Talk to young people" is a cop-out. If the young people are free to pick their role models from the criminal classes you will always have this problem. When did kids stop looking up to their parents? When their parents stopped spending time with their kids. Source: http://www.voice-online.co.uk/content.php ?show=14659 Related posts:San Francisco Police Department Can’t Stop Homicides It ... Related posts:San Francisco Police Department Can’t Stop Homicides It begs the question that if a police department doesn't think it has an effect on crime prevention what exactly are they getting paid for? Source: http://blogs.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2008/ 11/san_francisco_police_departmen.php?ref erer=sphere_related_content...D.C. Police Use E-Mail, Text Message Alerts to Combat Crime So they can issue an SMS description of the criminal hours after the crime and citizens can call in. This sounds good until you think about the short length of SMS messages. That grant m... More About: News , Policy , Knife
A question for the Judo guys
2008-07-05 08:32:00 So in the unarmed combatives system that I am currently practicing/teaching there is a shortage of throws and takedowns. I feel that this is something that the system should be addressed because quickly and efficiently dropping people has some significant tactical advantages in some situations. My question is that given a seminar format program, rather than a dedicated school, what throwing techniques would you include into the system? Because of the format of the training course we must recognize that we cannot depend upon strength, speed, timing, or finesse. Additionally we need something that is semi-safe to practice when the participants are not particularly good or familiar with (Ukemi) Break Falls. The (Kazushi) breaking of the opponents balance needs to be the rear or rear obliques, and cannot include any (Sutemi) Sacrafice throws as primary technique, in fact I am biased against most the sweeps, reaps, and hooks because of the compromise of balance. read more More About: Question , Martial Arts , Guys , Skill , Judo
The Heller Decision's Impact on the Workplace
2008-07-02 01:52:00 I read Bearing Arms in the Workplace written by an employment law specialist. We have gone back and forth in the comments for a few exchanges and I am posting the latest round here. I do not believe that Mr. Phillips is anything other than ignorant. I don't believe that he fully understands the issue from the practical side, and while I am not a lawyer, I think some his legal reasoning is faulty. This is exactly the sort of person that the firearms community should be engaging with, as we all have the same goals of personal safety and security - but we differ on the implementation. I am ignorant of the legal liability of allowing employees to be armed, or simply not having a weapons policy. I would like to see some common ground and improvements that will actually keep people safer. read more More About: Commentary , Gun rights
The Will To Fight
More articles from this author:2008-06-27 08:22:00 I talked about psychological stopping in this post: The Stop. In a recent discussion with a close friend we came to agree that wars are won in the will. The military talks about "imposing your will on the battlefield" but I don't know that most people really get it. You have to deprive the enemy of the will to fight. This fundamental truth is applied in all forms of human conflict. It is a matter of dissuading participation, and raising the cost of failure. read more More About: Equipment , Fight , Skill , Communications , Mindset 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
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