Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
As the world around us continues to unravel, more Americans are going to the gun shop to buy a firearm to defend their family.
Police average response times across the country have doubled. Countless hordes of adult aliens have crossed our borders illegally and are somewhere in our communities planning God knows what. Soros funded DA’s across the country are letting violent criminals run rampant in our communities.
Needless to say, our 2nd Amendment and Article 1 Section 21 of the PA Constitution are more important than ever.
Many people who have firearms to protect their children, avoid talking to those children about having firearms in the home. Taking the “guns are taboo” approach is risky and eliminates an opportunity to help educate your kids so that they too, someday, could responsibly exercise their right to keep and bear arms.
The U.S. Concealed Carry Association has a book called Children’s Firearms & Safety Fundamentals. The book is by Beth Alcazar. I have had the honor to share the classroom and range with Beth and her husband Sean many times over the years. She, in my opinion, has written the BEST book on the subject of educating toddlers, children, and teenagers about the safe and responsible use of firearms.
The book discusses how to read whether your child is mature enough to begin training. It discusses teaching techniques for different age groups and provides tips that can be used to help empower your children to safely and responsibly handle and use firearms.
The USCCA Website description for the book is:
Children’s Firearms & Safety Fundamentals is a comprehensive guide designed to address the topic of firearms and safety with kids of all ages and to provide a positive, welcoming and fun learning experience for youth – all while promoting the safe, responsible and ethical use of firearms. The book provides the information and the skills you need for you – and for the young people with whom you share this – to be more confident, capable and safe with firearms.
Top Row Left to Right:
Jim Stoker Presenting at the USCCA / FOAC-ILLEA PA Gun Law Seminar North Versailles, PA
FOAC-ILLEA Volunteers at the PA Gun Law Seminar in Lancaster, PA
Sherriff Mike Churner, PA Rep. Dallas Kephart, and Klint Macro at a Concealed Carry Q/A in Madera, PA
Second Row Left to Right:
FOAC-ILLEA Board Member Lisha Mihalko showing Women’s concealed carry options in Lancaster, PA
FOAC-ILLEA Volunteer Bob Canova spreading the gospel in Delmont, PA
Jim Stoker speaking at the Unified Sportsmen of PA Meeting in Sinnemahoning, PA
Third Row Left to Right:
FOAC-ILLEA Volunteers with Rep. Andrew Kuzma in Union Township, Washington County, PA
Jim Stoker with PA Rep. Rob Mercuri in
FOAC-ILLEA Volunteer Bob Canova, PA Rep. Jill Cooper, and Jim Stoker in Delmont, PA
Forth Row Left to Right:
FOAC-ILLEA Volunteers Kevin Jackson, Klint Macro and Jim Stoker visiting Klint’s old stomping ground in Cameron County, PA
On October 8th, 2023 Jim Stoker gave a speech at the 2023 Rod of Iron Festival. In case you missed it… you can view it right now by CLICKING HERE!
By Jim Stoker, FOAC-ILLEA President
What a week it’s been for FOAC and our leadership team. Actually, what a month! After wrapping up another great gun bash on the last day of September, we began October meeting with USCCA directors to establish how we would work with them on seminars in the future. Then we presented our seminar for Rep. Marla Brown in New Castle on October 5th, before a small crowd thanks to a print error in Harrisburg. Then we attended the NRA-ILA Pittsburgh convention on October 7th with V.P. Klint Macro, Director Ed Bogats, and ever-present volunteers Bob Canova and Craig Holdren. Volunteers Suzy Psyck, Debbie Hadfield, Frank Kelly, and Mary and Rick Iorio were also present to sit in on the event.
V.P. Klint Macro and I had to bail a little early and grab our things as we headed across the state to Scranton. We met Director Stephen Laspina, his family, and Regional Coordinator Dave Weaver with his wife for a great sit-down dinner where we could discuss efforts and just spend some time together talking. Then we went off to the hotel for as much sleep as we could get working on some white papers and answering emails.
The next morning, we met bright and early to head to the Rod of Iron Freedom Festival about 45 minutes away. V.I.P. treatment, meeting and signing up new FOAC member Dick Heller (you know, from that court case?), meeting Klint’s friends Amanda Suffecool (Eye on the Target Radio), and Charlie Cook (Riding Shotgun with Charlie). Then Pastor Sean (World Peace and Unification Sanctuary) and Justin Moon (CEO, Kahr Arms) had a brief visit with us before Klint sent me on a ride with Charlie for his “Riding Shotgun with Charlie” podcast. Got back just in time to run to the podium to speak, visited with attendees for a while, greeted friendly faces, helped Dave at the FOAC-ILLEA tent then headed for home.
October 11th was our first joint effort with USCCA/Delta Defense LLC to teach a concealed carry seminar at the Pitcairn-Monroeville Sportsmen’s Club. October 13th I was a guest at the Rob Mercuri for Congress breakfast fundraiser. October 14th was our concealed carry seminar at Elrama VFD for Rep. Andrew Kuzma. A good crowd interrupted by former state representative Levdansky, who seems to still believe the government has a place telling us HOW we exercise our gun rights in Pennsylvania. A brief rant about our natural rights quieted him, received applause, and then we wrapped up the seminar with a great bunch of pro-liberty citizens asking questions.
October 19th, we had a dual-purpose evening as the seminar team went with me to Delmont and presented to roughly 60 citizens for Rep. Jill Cooper. While there, V.P. Klint Macro represented our organization and handled a Q&A session with residents in Clearfield County for Rep. Dallas Kephart after flying back that afternoon from Oklahoma and busting his tail to get there.
October 20th Director Mihalko, and seminar-pro Kevin Jackson joined me for a car ride to Philly early in the morning to meet Coordinator Dave Weaver and volunteer Al Wells at the Oaks gun show. That show cost me a grand! Off to Lancaster with us… October 22nd, met with seminar-pro Bob Canova at Mill Creek Sportsmen’s Club for a concealed carry seminar had a great response, then back to the Oaks in Philly to get photos with Dave, Jim Cook, Dave Falcone, and new members Margaret van Buren and Mike Gallagher! We couldn’t stay for Sunday, but thanks go to Dan McMonigle and Jim Cook for carrying on the drive all day Sunday. Sorry Dan I didn’t get to visit!
October 22nd, Kevin Jackson went with me to pick up V.P. Klint Macro and up north to Klint’s home and the Sinnemahoning Sportsmen’s Club for Klint and I to speak to the Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania meeting and get people moving thanks to Blaine Toy and Pete Kingsley for inviting us, and club President Geoff Sidelinger for hosting and hospitality.
So yes, a very busy month for us all, with a lot of new members, new allies, and guarantees to return to every place on the map when called upon. Welcome to FOAC-ILLEA ladies and gents… where the work has just begun…
By Klint Macro Originally published by Personal Defense Network
“Dear God, please help me teach this child how to read a situation and respond appropriately.”
Seconds after he was born, I held my son Augie, who was still covered in slime and goo. I looked into his eyes… and this was my prayer. I knew he was the best of his mother and me, and that I had and still have a responsibility to prepare him to be a strong, kind, patient, and loving American man, and someday his own family first responder.
Protecting my family is paramount. It is a prime directive for every parent. We do all that we can to shield our children from pain, evil, sadness, and fear. This is appropriate, but at some point we must prepare our precious children to exist in the real world. Even now that he is 11 years old, every night before he goes to bed, I say to him, “Dream of duckies, bunnies, and kitty cats.” I want him to retain his innocence as long as he can. However, failing to prepare him for the real world will ultimately set him up for failure.
The “right time” to introduce reality and “real-life” education may be different for every child. Each child is unique and, even though Dr. Spock wrote the standard book on childcare, there is no standard as to when your kid will be ready for defensive concepts, principles, and handling of defensive tools. Perhaps some of the things I did to prepare my son may help you decide what is appropriate for your future family first responder.
PREDATOR—PREY: Animal or human, a predator is a predator.
Augie became interested in animals at a very young age. He had no interest in the “baby” animal shows—he was instantly drawn to “science-y” animal documentaries. I realized that I was broaching the topic of personal defense by watching these documentaries on Animal Planet. The food chain and eco-systems are rife with examples of predators and prey. Concepts like “walking with purpose” and “awareness” are easily connected with different predator-prey relationships. The lion doesn’t attack the zebra that is alert and healthy and in the middle of the herd. It goes after the weaker one that is alone, away from the herd, or not paying attention.
The meerkat keeps his eyes open and when potential danger approaches, he evades and barricades into a safe area to avoid confrontation. After multiple exposures to film of big cats or wolves, one can begin to apply the concepts and principles of awareness, avoidance, opportunistic predators, and using righteous violence to protect oneself from becoming a victim. The elk that defends its calf from wolves by kicking and goring them and never giving up turns the snow red with blood, but the elk and calf survive.
STRANGER DANGER: The human animal is the most dangerous.
Humans are the apex predator of the food chain. Much like “animal predators,” there are “human predators.” Once, when Augie was about five years old, while watching a documentary about elephants, he asked, “Why would someone poach an elephant just for the tusks? It is such a waste. That is so sad.” I replied, “Some people do terrible things and don’t care about the waste or damage that they do. Some people kill just to take something you have. They wanted the tusks because they’re valuable, and they did not care who or what they destroyed to get them.” Augie thought about this and, after a few minutes, he asked, “Is that why you carry your gun? To protect us from bad people?” I knew right then that a light bulb had gone off, and I felt it was appropriate to have deeper-level conversations.
STOP—DON’T TOUCH—RUN AWAY—TELL AN ADULT
As the son of a professional firearms safety and defensive educator, my boy has been around firearms literally his whole life. He sees me wearing my gun, he sees me teaching and demoing with guns, he hears me talk about guns, he sees me shoot guns, he witnesses my students and instructor candidates handling and shooting guns, and he sees me clean guns and store them.
When Augie was about three years old, I showed him an Eddie Eagle GunSafe video. The NRA’s Eddie Eagle is a well-intentioned program designed to keep kids safe, but as the video played and the “stop, don’t touch, run away, tell an adult” message was repeated, I thought, “If I let the message end at ‘tell an adult,’ I’ll be setting him up for a fail.”
Then I wondered how many adults and parents allow the message to end there, never taking the opportunity to engage the curious child with education so they would have the knowledge to be able to respect firearms and handle a gun in a safe and prudent manner. We want to avoid reinforcing the narrative that the gun, on its own, can harm someone. We also want to remove the taboo and mystery of firearms.
I recognize that children must have maturity to safely handle firearms. I also agree that the Eddie Eagle message is appropriate for those who have not received training, and its message does keep children safe; but we must encourage training for when the child is ready to learn to solve problems on their own.
I began to teach Augie safe firearm handling practices when he was around four or five years old. I started with the “safe direction” and “trigger finger discipline” concepts. He was not ready to shoot, but I felt it was important for him to recognize safe handling rules and practices. I used an orange plastic toy dart gun and would lay it on the table and have him rotate the dart gun to point it in what was the safest possible direction while monitoring that he kept his fingers away from the trigger. Eventually I fashioned a holster for him to wear out of a magazine pouch and had him pick the toy gun up off the table and put it into his holster while managing good muzzle and trigger finger discipline.
We don’t say “stay away and don’t touch the electrical outlet” forever. Ultimately we teach our kids to safely use the electrical outlet. Under normal working conditions, the outlet is not going to magically fire a bolt of electricity from the socket, but if used incorrectly or abused, the outlet could potentially shock you. The object on its own cannot and will not harm anyone.
SAFETY RULES: Firearms safety training is for everyone, even if you don’t own a gun or are too young to own one.
Establishing safety rules, reviewing them, and demoing how to apply them are essential first steps in educating our young ones on how to handle firearms. Just about every training organization, agency, and range has its own version of the safety rules. “Gun people” often argue about which “brand” of rules is best, but the ultimate goal of all of them is to keep people safe.
Explaining safety rules to someone learning to handle firearms is critical, and every set of rules I am familiar with in some way covers the safe direction concept, trigger avoidance until the decision to shoot has been made, and keeping guns unloaded when they are not being used. But personal responsibility must also be reinforced too. In the I.C.E. Training programs and the USCCA DSF programs, we also use the “Big Picture Rule”:
Recognize that you are in control of a firearm. If you use it negligently or with malice, you have the potential to harm or kill yourself or someone else.
When I was six years old, our family cat crawled up onto the engine of my dad’s pickup truck to stay warm. Not knowing this, my dad started the truck and the fan blade cut the cat up terribly. My dad felt the most humane thing to do was dispatch the animal. My dad was a hard man from a generation past. He brought me out and said, “This animal is in pain and we need to put him out of his misery. I want you to see what happens when you shoot something.” Every time I handle a firearm, I remember that moment. I have not taught my son this lesson in this manner.
Each of us, in our own way, must articulate the responsibility concept when we teach our children to handle firearms. Some kids can handle a little more “reality” than others, but ultimately, we want to be positive and reinforce the positive aspects of the gun. The firearm can help us to harvest the meat of our prey animal to feed the family, it can help us to enjoy a day together on the range, and it can be used for righteous violence to help us defend ourselves and our loved ones against an attack from a human predator that we could not avoid.
A RITE OF PASSAGE: Hunter Safety Course
Last year I was able to do something that most parents do not get to do: give my own son his Hunter Safety Course. Augie has not expressed interest in harvesting an animal, but taking the Hunter/Trapper Education Course is a rite of passage for many 11- to 12-year-old Pennsylvanians, and someday he may want or need to harvest an animal to feed his family. I took my Hunter Safety Course in 1987 and Malcolm Kitchen was the instructor. It was a memorable experience, and I hope that Augie will look back at his Hunter Safety Course with the same fondness. During the class, he took great notes, asked questions, participated 110%, and made me proud. He took the training opportunity seriously.
Hunter Safety Courses are a great way for kids to receive structured gun safety training, and classes are free in most states. Even if a child is not interested in hunting, the safety aspect of the class is invaluable for preparing our next generation of Americans to appreciate the safe handling of firearms. I am a huge opponent of mandatory training for the purchase or carry of a firearm, but I would support mandatory firearm safety training at the grade-school level. Talking about safe handling and positive, appropriate, and ethical uses of firearms demystifies the “gun” and helps instill an appreciation of our individual rights and liberties.
STORY TIME: Reading to your child is time well spent.
There are some excellent books designed to break the ice and positively introduce the subject of firearms into our kids’ minds: Sheepdogs and Why Mommy Carries a Gun by Lt. Col. David Grossman and Stephanie Rogish, and My Daddy Has a Gun…and My Mom Does Too! by Rob Pincus. All three books offer an opportunity to sit together and talk about the safe and proper use of firearms. It’s always good to read to our kids, so why not educate them at the same time?
WELL-ROUNDED FUTURE FAMILY FIRST RESPONDER: SIRT pistols and LASR software allow for simulated training at home.
I have been able to use the SIRT (Shot Indicating Resetting Trigger) Laser Trainer to help teach safe handling and proper use of pistols with Augie, who first started showing an interest in using the SIRTs around age eight. He really enjoys using the SIRT in combination with the LASR software (Laser Activated Shot Reporter). It doesn’t hurt that it’s my voice on the LASR software. My son doesn’t enjoy live fire and going to the range as much as I do, at least not yet. I do not want to push him. Using simulated training technology to establish safe handling skills, consistent kinesthetic alignment, and sighted and unsighted fire, all without ear protection and at home, has proven invaluable in beginning to develop him into a future defender.
Expose your children to all the training you take. When he was nine years old, Augie audited Alessandro Padovani’s in-person Safer, Faster Knife Defense course. When he was 10, he attended CPR and Stop the Bleed courses. He has sat through numerous legal seminars, basic safety classes, and attended pro-liberty and 2A events. Sometimes he draws in his notebook, sometimes he is completely engaged, but he is always listening. Kids are like sponges; don’t be afraid to give them opportunities to learn by osmosis.
As I stated earlier, each child is different. I have had seven- to eight-year-old children safely apply the fundamentals of firing a shot while on my firing line at our sportsmen’s club youth rifle program. On the other hand, I had to disarm a 48-year-old grown man because he had a horrible attitude and could not consistently demonstrate basic safe gun-handling practices. You can’t gauge maturity by age alone.
Ultimately we want to develop well-rounded family first responders. Don’t underestimate your child’s learning potential. Empower them with education so they will be able to safely and appropriately handle firearms, learn life-saving skills, keep an eye out for danger, and ultimately read a situation and have the ability and confidence to respond appropriately.
FOAC-ILLEA presents Concealed Carry Seminars with Pro-Liberty Elected Officials, works with County Sheriffs at Satellite License to Carry Events, provides information tables at Gun Shows, and organizes for Pro-2A Rallies, gun bashes, and special events. To see the most up-to-date schedule of FOAC-ILLEA events and meetings, CLICK HERE.
Recently, Jim Stoker, reviewed a memorandum that has not received a bill number yet. He wrote a White Paper in support of this proposed legislation and sent the letter to all of the Representatives in the PA House.
A proposed bill in the House and why YOU should co-sponsor it
Gun rights and gun control are very polarizing topics. They bring out the passion of many Americans in the argument of whether rights should be sacrificed for the idea of what some think will make us safer, and what others think are just “feel-good” measures that do nothing to deter crime or save lives. The statistics get played front to back, up and down the halls of Harrisburg’s capitol building.
Ironically, the goal of both sides of the argument amongst the general population are quite similar. The citizens of this Commonwealth want lives saved. We want innocent good people protected from the harms that violent criminals bring to those around them. And we want adequate care available to those in crisis. The methodology is what remains extremely different and so polarizing.
One thing that most of us agree on, though, is that children are the most valuable things in Pennsylvania. Their lives grow just teeming with potential and hope. They’re a bright spot in every citizen’s life, be they their own children, family, or even those we encounter in public places that often bring smiles to the faces of complete strangers. They’re one thing that practically every one of us would sacrifice our own lives protecting, especially law enforcement and the veterans of the land.
Can we all agree we can do something right now to protect them?
We often hear gun control advocates quoting statistics about accidental deaths of children, and pro-freedom advocates pointing out the skewing of those statistics by including young adults and criminal acts those young adults sometimes become involved in. What if there were a way to make children safer regardless of those statistics or the argument of safety vs. rights?
Representative Natalie Mihalek (40th legislative district) has proposed and is seeking co- sponsors for a bill that does just that. Our organization strongly believes that one great way to enhance people’s understanding of firearms, rights, and responsibilities is education. We spend countless hours writing papers, traveling to legislators’ districts and sportsmen’s clubs offering free seminars on the rights and responsibilities of the law-abiding citizen. Many of us are law enforcement, veterans, range instructors and sporting enthusiasts who volunteer time to educate those around us as we know it makes society a better place for everyone. It’s time the Commonwealth offers such education on basic firearms safety to children whom we all agree could benefit from simple programs. Programs that educate children on what to do when they encounter a firearm and similar curriculum that takes the curiosity away and replaces it with sound, safe guidance on how to react to the discovery of a gun. Surely both sides of the ever-present gun rights vs. gun control debate can agree education of youngsters will save lives.
We must also be honest with ourselves and understand that one class or one video may not be enough, as children need routine exposure to concepts to truly grasp them long term and learn to react appropriately when confronted with potentially dangerous scenarios, but these are our most valuable assets in the Commonwealth. Surely, they’re worth a small investment in our education system. Surely, they warrant proper safety training by qualified personnel even if it means it could save but a small portion of lives. Some don’t believe this will matter. Again, the polarized sides of the argument will hide behind statistics or arguments for or against the idea. So, I will refer to a very recent study that supports the idea.
A study done by researchers at Ohio State University this year (2023) found that safety videos DO, in fact, reduce children’s unsafe behavior around guns. They studied 226 children ages 8 to 12. Some of the children were shown a one-minute gun safety video and others were shown a car safety video. One week later, those children were left alone in a room where two firearms were hidden for twenty minutes. Those children found the firearms 95.6 percent of the time. The children who had seen the gun safety video were much more likely to tell a trusted adult they’d found the gun, 33.9 percent against the 10.6 percent who hadn’t seen the gun safety video. Over half of the children handled the guns, and those who had seen a safety video pulled the trigger only 9 percent of the time compared to 29.8 percent for those who hadn’t.i
This study indicates that lives will be saved by gun safety education taught to our youth. This proposed bill puts that education where it should be, in the schools our children go to for their education. This can ensure no child is left uninformed to at least some level on this topic and it will save lives. In 2022 alone, if the percentage is applied to the more than 300 children who died age 11 and under this education would save roughly 70 more children.ii It can’t be a one-time event though. Previous studies show following up the education as the children age is critical to the effectiveness. Is this not worth it?
In summary, our support for firearm safety education is based upon:
results.
away from children.
For the reasons above and more, FOAC-ILLEA asks each and every one of our Representatives to co-sponsor this bill that unifies us all in purpose and will save lives. There is no legitimate reason to prevent safety education for our children. I’m asking this of you as President of FOAC-ILLEA, a military veteran, a 29-year law enforcement veteran, a father and a grandfather. Co-sponsor this proposed bill and get it passed into law.
Endnotes:
i https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2807325
ii https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/reports/child-killed?year=2022
by Shawn Frey, Carolyn Schwaar Published Oct 18, 2023
A proposed New York State Assembly bill, A8132, calls for background checks when purchasing a 3D printer – joining other recent bills targeting 3D printed guns.
If passed, the proposal's vague language could see checks extended to other computer-aided manufacturing technology.
Background Check to Buy a 3D Printer? New York's Attempted Crackdown on Ghost Guns
Vaultek and Shotlock offer reliable storage devices for pistols and rifles
The cornerstone of all firearms training, no matter the context is safety. All Americans who exercise their 2A Rights must also exercise them responsibly; this begins with safe gun handling and continues with safe and responsible storage.
It is vitally important that gun owners accept the responsibility of being a responsible gun owner.
All training organizations agree that ALL guns must be stored or staged so that unauthorized individuals cannot gain access to them. How you store or stage your guns will depend on your lifestyle and how much responsibility you are willing to take on.
Lets me first make the disclaimer that, depending on your jurisdiction, you may need to comply with specific laws or ordinances that dictate how your guns or firearms must be stored. In Pennsylvania we have no such “storage laws” however, Pennsylvania Title 18 does provide guidelines on who is “prohibited” from possessing firearms. This is important for all gun owners to know and to consider when they are deciding if someone is “authorized” or not.
Title 18 Section 6105 states that people convicted of certain crimes as listed in 6105(b) are “prohibited” from possessing firearms and so are folks as defined in 6105(c) “other persons”. This definition includes individuals who have multiple convictions of driving under the influence. If you allow a prohibited person access to your firearms, you may actually be committing a felony.
What does an unauthorized individual look like to you? Many individuals will immediately classify “the children” as unauthorized. This may be quite prudent in your household. However, once you have educated your “kids” on the safe and proper handling of guns, and you are willing to take on the responsibility for their actions, you may ultimately give your children some sort of access to guns in the home.
Will your children always follow the safety rules? Are you sure your kids will deny their friends access to your guns? Only you can answer these questions, however, it is prudent to reference PA Title 18 section 6110 before choosing to “authorize” your kids.
(a) Firearm.--Except as provided in subsection (b), a person under 18 years of
age shall not possess or transport a firearm anywhere in this Commonwealth.
(b) Exception.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to a person under 18 years of age:
(1) who is under the supervision of a parent, grandparent, legal guardian or an adult acting with the expressed consent of the minor's custodial parent or legal guardian and the minor is engaged in lawful activity, including safety training, lawful target shooting, engaging in an organized competition involving the use of a firearm or the firearm is unloaded and the minor is transporting it for a lawful purpose; or
(2) who is lawfully hunting or trapping in accordance with 34 Pa.C.S. (relating to game).
(c) Responsibility of adult.--Any person who knowingly and intentionally delivers or provides to the minor a firearm in violation of subsection (a) commits a felony of the third degree.
My child does have limited access to certain firearms. He is educated and I take on the responsibility of his responsible-ness. If a criminal breaks into our home and mom and dad are incapacitated or not at home, I want him to know where our tools of self-defense are kept and how he can access them. Consider that “the gun” is only one part of our home defense strategy and plan. It is important that the kids know the entire plan... not just the “gun” stuff. If your kids are not ready for the responsibility of gun access, make sure they know where to evade and barricade, how to call 9-11, how to administer first aid, and what to do in case of an emergency.
I have personally disarmed 50-something year old men on the firing line who had terrible attitudes towards safety, and I have also had 8 year olds handle guns on the firing line with impeccable safe handling. You cannot gauge responsible-ness solely upon age. Everyone has a goofy Brother in Law or Uncle that you probably feel it is prudent to restrict access to your firearms. Choose those “authorized” persons wisely.
Storage is a long-term activity. All guns should be STORED unloaded and separate from the ammunition, preferable LOCKED in a safe. The NRA’s 3rd rule for safe gun handling is “Always keep your gun unloaded until ready to use”. You are not using your hunting rifle when it is in your gun safe; therefore it is unloaded. You load it when you are in your tree stand or at your hunting spot when you ARE using it.
A gun that is staged for personal defense might be loaded because it IS being used.
For example, my daily carry gun is STAGED on my body in a holster, in my direct control and it IS loaded. I AM using it as a tool of self-defense. “Use” does not always mean making it go Bang-Bang- Bang. We don’t put on a seatbelt as we are crashing our car... we use the seat belt even if we are not crashing our car... we use our fire alarms even when they are not beeping....why should a defensive tool be any different. If you are uncomfortable carrying a firearm loaded on your person, I suggest that you re-evaluate your equipment and get some training so that you do feel comfortable carrying a loaded firearm. There are too many examples of when folks carried a gun with out a round in the chamber and it ended tragically for the gun owner.
Your “night stand” gun may be staged next to your bed. Remember how I mentioned that your lifestyle would play into your staging practices. If you live alone, having the gun in a drawer in the nightstand may be reasonable for you. Add more people in and around your house, then perhaps locked in a box might be more responsible. The most secure way to store a firearm is in a locked safe, however try and do the whole “3 to the left, 12 to the right” business in the middle of the night without your glasses while under stress. You must balance security with efficient access. There are many secure options available that are reasonably efficient as far as quick access is concerned. Lock boxes that utilize simplex locks, RFID or thumb print technology are proving to be quite reliable and “easy-ish” to access under stress. With that said, no matter what device you choose to use to stage your gun, follow this rule:
If your gun has a round in the chamber the trigger guard MUST BE COVERED.
Whether your gun is on the nightstand, in the nightstand, in a locking mechanism... if it has a round in the chamber... IT MUST HAVE THE TRIGGER GUARD COVERED. Keeping it in a holster or using a trigger cover will preclude you from accidentally hooking your trigger while retrieving your gun. If you don’t have a way to cover the trigger guard, then it may be prudent to stage the gun with a magazine inserted but the slide locked open. However you choose to set up your defensive tool, take your locking box to the range and practice retrieving your firearm and getting it into a loaded condition while you practice shooting it.
Lastly, as I wrap up this installment, I remind you of “The Big Picture Rule”. Every time you pick up your gun, consider this:
Recognize that YOU are in control of a firearm, if YOU use this firearm carelessly, ignorantly, or with malice, YOU have the potential to harm or kill yourself or someone else.
Act accordingly. Don’t just be an armed American, be a responsibly armed American! Stay armed, alert, safe, and be well regulated!
We have an important election coming up in a few weeks on November 7th. EVERY gun owner should vet the candidates and VOTE! We have a few VERY VERY important judicial positions on the ballot. EVERY gun owner should vet the candidates and VOTE!
FOAC-PAC (a separate organization to ILLEA) issues voter guides. ILLEA recommends that you educate yourself by reviewing PAC voter guide. You can see the PAC voter guides by clicking here.
If you are not registered to vote do so by CLICKING HERE.
Mail in ballots are being sent out as we speak. If you can not, or might not make it to the polls on November 7th, REQUEST A MAIL IN BALLOT.
The deadline to request a mail in ballot is October 31st at 5PM.
YOUR VOTE MATTERS!
Exercise your right to vote just as you exercise your right to keep and bear arms!
Stay Frosty, Armed and BE Well Regulated!
Yours Most Respectfully,
Klint Macro
FOAC-ILLEA VP
FOAC-ILLEA is continuing to fight for the hearts and minds of our fellow Pennsylvanians to promote individual liberties and freedoms. We are steadfast and resolute and dedicated to protecting our Constitution and advancing the cause of the 2nd Amendment and Article 1 Section 21 of the PA Constitution.
FOAC-ILLEA’s educational efforts are expanding across the Commonwealth. FOAC-ILLEA volunteers are teaching more concealed carry classes each month and additional virtual education events are forthcoming.
FOAC-ILLEA is continuing to fight in the courts. Whether this means new litigation to challenge local tyrants, fight the bureaucrats that make it harder for Pennsylvanians to exercise their most basic rights, or the funding of amicus briefs to support others who are already involved in court battles, we are actively helping to establish case law that will help advance the cause of liberty.
FOAC-ILLEA volunteers research proposed legislation, consult with experts, and offer advice to elected officials about legislation as well as educate the public on the strength or folly of legislation that could have lasting positive or negative effects upon our liberty and the liberty of our children.
I urge you to help me spread the word about FOAC-ILLEA. Share this newsletter and the website with your sphere of influence. Get a fellow gun owner to join FOAC-ILLEA.
Contact your Legislators HERE.
Read previous newsletters HERE.
The FOAC-ILLEA website is a wealth of information. Track current legislation, contact legislators and elected officials, look up gun laws, read easy to understand synopsis’ on stand your ground, castle doctrine, and legal use of force. Keep up to date with current gun related news. There is all this and more on the FOAC-ILLEA website.
Get involved!
If you have read this entire newsletter and made it here to this statement… you are already interested and vested.
Donate your time, your talents, or your treasure. VOTE pro-2A and get your friends to vote pro-2A as well. Become a member and get your friends to become a member. If you are already a member, consider “upping your membership” to a higher level. Volunteer to help at the bash. Volunteer to join a committee to send emails, write letters, make phone calls… NOW IS THE TIME TO DO. DON’T PUT IT OFF. “We the People” have been sitting on the sidelines too long.
An Armed and Educated Citizenry is the true check and balance in our Constitutional Republic and the ultimate homeland security!
