The 1960s was a tumultuous decade. The Vietnam War protests, the Woodstock Festival, the decade of “Drugs, Sex and Rock & Roll,” three assassinations, the civil rights movement and urban race rioting all led to the Gun Control Act of 1968 and the formation of the ATF Form 4473—Firearms Transaction Record used in all firearms purchases today.

The three assassinations were President John F. Kennedy, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy. At the time of the third assassination, Lyndon B. Johnson was president and pleaded with Congress “in the name of sanity … in the name of safety and in the name of an aroused nation, give America the gun control laws it needs.” The polls showed that approximately 80% of Americans favored gun registration laws. President Johnson proposed and Congress passed on October 22, 1968, the Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. 921, et seq. National gun registration although proposed, was not included in the Act and was dropped to as-sure the Act’s passage in Congress.

Because the firearms used by the three assassins had variously been purchased through mail order, over-the-counter by a convicted felon and acquired by an illegal alien, the legislation had three major features:

1. It prohibited interstate traffic in firearms and ammunition.
2. It denied guns to specific classes of individuals such as felons, minors, fugitives, illegal aliens, drug addicts and the mentally ill (ATF Form 4473).
3. It prohibited the importation of surplus military weapons into the U.S. as well of guns and ammunition not federally certified as sporting weapons or souvenirs.

The ATF Form 4473 has been utilized for 50 years. Very few changes have been made to the form until October 2016 when states voted to decriminalize marijuana. Once abhorrent behavior, marijuana use became acceptable.

Medical and Recreation Marijuana

I grew up during the 1960s, the decade of rebellion, with the incumbent breakdown of morals, values and ethics in our society. Many of the young people who participated in the rebellion of the 60s are in positions in society today to change the country. Many of them went into the fields of education, journalism and politics. The use of marijuana back then was considered the steppingstone to other drugs. It led to LSD, cocaine, heroin, PCP, etc. Possession and use were criminalized. Marijuana users in the 60s are in positions of persuasion today and have successfully convinced society at the state level that legalizing “pot” for medical and recreational use is moral and necessary.

However, there’s an underlying problem. It is still against federal law to use or possess marijuana. Question 11.e. on the ATF Form 4473 (re-vised 10/2016) asks: “Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug or any other controlled substance? Warning: The use or possession of marijuana remains unlawful under Federal law regardless of whether it has been legalized or decriminalized for medical or recreational purposes in the state where you reside.” Anyone who answers YES to this question can’t purchase a firearm. They’ve lost their Second Amendment right.

Adjudication and the Mentally Ill

During the 1960s, psychiatric hospitals became a haven for those who were schizo-phrenic, anti-social, psychotic, drug-addicted, alcoholic, deviant, mentally delayed and for anyone else who normal society couldn’t handle. Over-packed and underfunded, eventually state governments found that medicating and mainstreaming these people were the answer.

According to an article in The New York Times dated 1984, there was a Joint Commission on Mental Illness and Health, set up by Congress in 1955. The finding showed “… the political community wanted to save money … . [T]ran-quilizers became the panacea for the mentally ill … . The state programs were buying them by the carload, sending the drugged patients back to the community, and the psychiatrists never tried to stop this.”

Dr. Jack R. Ewalt, director of the Joint Commission on Mental Illness and Health in 1955, believed that “drugs can help people get back to the community, but they have to have medical care, a place to live and someone to relate to. They can’t just float around aimlessly.”

Dr. Bertram S. Brown, a psychiatrist (and later deputy director of the National Institute of Mental Health), was instrumental in shaping the community center legislation of 1963 (Community Mental Health Act). The discharge of mentally ill patients was accelerated in the late 1960s and early 1970s in some states as a result of court decisions that limited commitment powers of state and local officials. The community center was created to counsel and medicate.

Today, there are few psychiatric hospitals and just as few community centers. Most mentally ill persons, no matter their diagnosis, are mainstreamed and medicated. They’re taken to facilities for initial observation, and psychiatrists determine what medication and what counseling are necessary. Many of these people do not have the ability to care for themselves, let alone make their counseling appointments and take their daily dosage of medication. And, here’s the problem. Very few mentally ill people go through the court system any longer. Most are not adjudicated, so they can legally purchase a firearm. If they had been adjudicated, this information would be sent to the National Information Center and be accessible to licensed firearms dealers.

Question 11.f. on the ATF Form 4473 (re-vised 10/2016) asks: “Have you ever been adjudicated as a mental defective OR have you ever been committed to a mental institution?” The definition for adjudicated as a mental defective is “a determination by a court, board, commission or other lawful authority that a person, as a result of marked subnormal intelligence, or mental illness, incompetency, condition or disease: (1) is a danger to himself or to others; or (2) lacks the mental capacity to contract or manage his own affairs …” (27 CFR §478.11). The definition for committed to a mental institution is “a formal commitment of a person to a mental institution by a court, board, commission or other lawful authority” (27 CFR §478.11).

The ATF Form 4473 has always considered marijuana use and mental illness as abhorrent behavior. What has changed is society’s handling of both. Here are two different behaviors with two different results. One behavior can’t have the Second Amendment right, and the other shouldn’t have the right. A conundrum it appears that nobody wants to tackle.

The Need

I’ve had students ask what firearm I recommend for home protection. There are three that come to mind, the pistol, rifle and shotgun. Many will argue that the rifle and shotgun are more efficient than a pistol with larger calibers and ease of firing. Hollywood leads you to believe that the sound of the shotgun “rack” or rifle “bolt-slam” will stop a situation “in its tracks.” A draw back to both is their size, maneuverability in close quarters and over penetration or scattering of the projectile(s). I argue that the pistol is relatively easy to conceal or hide, can be stashed in various locations throughout the home and can be equipped with night sights, lasers and flashlights. It may not have the sound “that strikes fear,” but it’s easier to maneuver in crowded conditions, and therefore is my recommendation.

If you want to have all three available for home protection, then consider making each comfortable to handle and control, particularly if you’re grip and strength challenged. According to a recent article in the NRA’s American Rifleman, Kelly Young, Managing Editor, wrote an excellent article on “The Aging Defender.” In the article, reference is made that “Age-related physical decline is inevitable, but there are ways for armed citizens to both slow and circumvent it through behavioral and equipment changes.” Behavioral changes are as simple as changing your diet or increasing your physical activity. Equipment changes may require you to downsize (i.e., having to give up your COLT 1911 .45 for a Smith & Wesson M&P.380 Shield), or if you are fond of your current firearm, you can modify it without having to give up what you love. For any of the three methods, a “more aggressive surface on the grip area” may be all you need for better control of the firearm, during firing and recoil. That’s where TALON Grips and Tips come into play.

The Application

“Users of TALON Grips benefit from improved control, comfort and precision which increases safety, confidence and enjoyment while shooting.” A certain level of confidence with a firearm, leads to competence in its usage. Therefore, applying a more aggressive surface to the grip area of all three firearms will give comfort and precision without having to downsize to something else. If you’re grip challenged and love a certain firearm(s) there is no reason to downsize or sell what you enjoy. 

The Solution

My Remington 870 has a unique forearm. This was a popular design and has the high gloss finish of the 1960’s. Its slippery finish includes the area where the fingers grip the inset groove during its racking. The grasp of the forearm could be slick due to weather or “age-related physical decline.” TALON Grips sent two DIY 5×7-inch material sheets of granulate and rubber texture (one each), so the material could be cut to fit the design of the forearm groove. After designing what is needed for the groove on a plain piece of paper, it is transferred to the granulate texture sheet and applied to the grooved area. The bottom of the forearm is already sharply checkered, needing no enhancement. The handgrip of the shotgun, also of the same 1960’s finish, could use some of the rubber texture to assist the gripping quality without being harsh on the hand. It’s something I chose not to do at this time but have the material in the event I change my mind. In the event the granulated texture is too harsh, a TALON Tip recommends the use of 120-grit sandpaper to make the grip less abrasive.

I am more proficient with my pistol for home protection and competition. Even though the current hand grip on the Smith & Wesson M&P.380 Shield has a roughened exterior, I’ve found movement of my grip still occurs during shooting. It’s ever so slight, but noticeable. TALON Grips sent a specifically designed grip for the M&P which I applied to better eliminate that movement. I chose the rubber texture over the granulate one. The rubber would be better for the softer palm area of the hand. I use this pistol during my classes, and the ladies who use it haven’t toughened their hands when shooting. One of the most common comments is the comfort or lack of it in a tight grip.

When applying the rubber grip to the pistol, I had to consciously keep from stretching the rubberized material. In removing the backing, the rubber kept sticking to my fingers, and I feared the rubber would stick to itself. It took me a while to finally attach the material; I did have to reposition it several times. I was mindful of the TALON Tip, “Never allow any portion of the grip to cover the magazine release button.” The repositioning was not a problem, but keeping air bubbles from forming under the material and material folds when laying the material flat became a challenge. Eventually, it was properly positioned. A TALON Tip recommended cleaning the grip with rubbing alcohol and a soft cloth to enhance the rubber texture. I also used a rubber trigger index point for the positioning of my finger alongside the frame and a reminder of where to rest my finger when not engaging the trigger.

I misidentified the grip on the AR-15. The design that TALON Grips sent was for the MOE. However, I was able to adapt the material with slight changes. Because my AR-15 grip had finger grooves, I cut horizontal lines into the right side of the granulate texture design so I could wrap it into the grooves. I could have 

Applying the TALON Grip

Ten simple steps in applying the aggressive surface (granulate or rubber texture) will easily transform what you currently love to shoot into several choices for home protection and even competition:

1. Unload and FIELD STRIP the firearm for safety.
2. With the backing still on the TALON Grip, do a TEST FIT to ensure you have the correct grip and to understand how the grip fits the firearm.
3. Use ONLY RUBBING ALCOHOL to CLEAN the
   pistol grip area removing any dirt or oil. The firearm must be completely dry before continuing. For improved cleaning, use extra rubbing alcohol and a small brush in addition to the supplied alcohol swabs.
4. Remove the backing.
5. Starting with the left side, ALIGN the TALON Grip with the front and bottom of the factory pistol grip (A and B), maintaining a consistent reveal around the magwell (some grips have graphic cutouts which may help with proper alignment).
6. DO NOT STRETCH; gently WRAP the grip onto pre-vent trapping air. Make sure the grip is properly cen- tered on the backstrap (C).
7. Very lightly wrap the finger strip(s) (D) evenly around the front of the pistol. TUCK any excess material UNDER the left side panel (A). If the TALON Grip is misaligned, gently peel back the grip, reposition and reapply as many times as needed.
8. When the TALON Grip is properly aligned, HEAT it with a hair dryer or heat gun to the temperature of a warm cup of coffee and PRESS FIRMLY into place. DO NOT HEAT OVER 130 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.
9. REPEAT this step several times, confirming the TALON Grip to the gun’s factory grip.
10. Pay attention to pressing down firmly all outside edges including the backstrap.”

also created a grip from scratch from the additional DIY 5×7-inch material sheets. 

I did not follow the TALON Tip which recommended that I contact customer support if the grip was not properly fitting. They would have sent me the proper grip design, and I would not have violated the TALON Tip, “Trimming the grip is not necessary.” A lesson learned!

The Result

With grip material applied to all three firearms, under good weather conditions I had better retention while shooting. Even with wet or sweaty hands when under stress my response would benefit from the added grip. The Trigger Index Points in both rubber and granular are a subtle reminder of the second rule of firearms safety: “Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire.” With over 300 different grips in both granulate and rubber textures you can customize any firearm. The stick-on grips and points are offered at a very affordable price and are available in rubber-black, rubber-moss and granulate-black materials for different applications and user preferences. TALON Grips was founded in 2009 by a law enforcement officer, who is also a competitive shooter, firearm’s instructor and armorer. TALON Grips is 100% made in the USA and here to “enhance shooter comfort, consistency and weapon retention for law enforcement, military, competitive shooters and the general public.”

Home defense can happen in any weather. With TALON Grips you’ll be ready. Let TALON Grips and Tips be your three-gun solution. 

Hollywood has a tendency to glorify pistol carry methods. Many actors and actresses use guns in movies and don’t realize or care that the carry methods they promote may be risky. Small of the back carry may be particularly “sexy”, but if you choose to carry this in this location, please do your own research before spending the money on a holster and finding out that it may not be for you.

The holster industry has picked up on this popularity and made this style available to the public. In promoting the curve of the lower back to be ideal for the carrying of a firearm, it is considered one of the “coolest places” to concealed carry How many times do you see the firearm “whipped” out from behind the actor or actress followed by a smooth and accurate shot? In the prior scene, you didn’t see the pistol on the character’s back, but sure enough, there it was when needed. It was then returned to that location after the “bad guy” had been dealt with but is absent in the next shot of the “good guy or gal” walking away.

When I was 14, I fell off the back of a motorcycle. I hit my tailbone and permanently rotated my pelvis. I say permanently because nothing was done about it at the time, it was allowed to “cement” in place, and I will continue to receive therapy (adjustments) for the rest of my life. The pelvis rotation misaligned the vertebrae between 1L and 5L (L = Lumbar Spine). Between age 14 and age 22, there was slight irritation but when I went through a police academy, the damage became known to me. The constant running required at the academy and its continuation while with the department, along with carrying equipment on my hips, left me in a slight state of paralysis of the lower extremities. I had suffered a serious subluxation at the age of 14 and didn’t know it or even know that it needed immediate correction. Who really knew about “subluxation” in the mid-1960s?

A spinal subluxation is a misalignment of the vertebrae on the spine. The small of the back is a very fragile location where a slight bump or a hard fall could render you seriously injured or paralyzed. Initially, carrying  a handgun in the small of the back may not create discomfort, but continued pressure applied by sitting against the pistol, or falling on your back may cause a subluxation, irritating the vertebrae. If left uncorrected it can change the body’s response to stimulus, or the lack of it.

I realize that besides my own experience, a subluxation can also occur with simple activities such as carrying a heavy backpack, wearing poorly fitting shoes, changing a tire, martial arts, or any competitive sport where twisting, turning of the spine occurs. According to Dr. W. Keith Horne, D.C., a Chiropractic Physician and a Palmer Graduate who has been practicing for 35 years, “Studies have been conducted on the effects of children’s heavy backpacks on their skeletal system. There is a correlation between balance changes, pressure applied at certain points and the body’s reaction to the pressure.” This could also apply to firefighters, construction workers, and Police Officers who carry all of their equipment on the waist.

 If this misalignment of the spine is not corrected, compression of the nerve root will occur. The nerve root sends messages throughout the body. It controls and coordinates all organs and skeletal functions. If you’ve ever experienced tingling of the legs, backaches, or bowel or digestive disorders, you may have a spinal subluxation. As an example, the area between 1L and 5L (small of the back) controls the ileocecal valve (the valve at the opening of the ileum into the large intestine), large intestines, appendix, abdomen, upper leg, sex organs, uterus, bladder, knees, prostate gland, lower back, sciatic nerve, lower legs, ankles, and feet. If the nerves supplying these areas are pinched, you’ll experience a malfunction of these organs and issues with movement of your lower extremities.

Between 4L and 3L in the following photo, you will see a swollen disc. Pressure was applied in this area either because of a traumatic incident, or a continued application of pressure over time. The swelling is the tissue between the discs which assist in the movement of the vertebrae. The disc may heal if the subluxation that created the swelling is corrected. This would require readjusting the vertebrae to its’ correct position within the spine and exercises to strengthen the muscles to hold it in place. If not corrected through adjustments of the vertebrae, a surgical procedure may be necessary.

It is my opinion that if you choose to carry on the small of the back, the constant pressure on the lumbar spine may not readily appear to be a problem, but may contribute later to back issues. The ache may at first appear to be a “breaking in period” with a new holster and you’ll ignore the discomfort. Over time, however, the pressure exerted on the lumbar spine will push the skeletal structure, compress nerves and create discomfort. If you fail to pay attention to the warning signs your body is sending, permanent difficulties may manifest.

I am acutely aware of my body and I know when I need an adjustment. When I experience lower back discomfort or I have the sensation that my walking is awkward, I know that my right leg is shorter than my left leg and my pelvis has rotated. This has a ripple effect, as I also experience digestive issues and sometimes a headache. Imagine the ripple of a wave and this explains the ripple effect a subluxation has on multiple parts of the body. If left untreated my mobility is affected, my health is compromised, and no amount of chocolate or wine will treat my headache or my irritability.          All forms of pistol carry have a certain amount of discomfort associated with them, particularly for women who have a waist, hips, and a bustline that interfere with most carry methods. Finding what works for you is an investigation into comfort first, not popularity. What may be “cool” in the movies may not be “cool” for you. Consider the risk before you consider the method. Small of the back carry whether concealed or open, may be what’s popular, but not necessarily a safe or practical solution for you.

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V25N5 (May 2021)

For the past 2 months, I have worn the Tactica Defense Fashion (Tactica) Belly Band Holster all day, every day. I have worn it each day with a fully loaded Taurus G2. I have worn it to work and play, on bare skin and over a tank-top, above stretch pants and belted pants. I’ve worn it so much that many times I forgot I had it on. That is what comfortable concealed carry should be—when you forget you’re wearing it, you know that’s the one for you.

Initially, I was a little skeptical of the belly band design, particularly since other designs literally suck the pistol against your stomach and into your ribs. But when I researched the history of belly band design, I realized that Tacticas’ design is indeed one of the most innovative, practical and comfortable methods available today for the female market.

The Historical Significance

There is nothing new about the belly band as women have practiced wrapping their abdomen or belly following pregnancy for thousands of years. In Latin America it is called “Faja,” and the Japanese call it “Sarashi.” These abdominal wrappings were meant to reduce the swelling of the belly from childbirth and tighten the overstretched muscles. The wrapping of the belly was done with a single layer of cotton many times around the torso, to ensure a complete 360-degree support. It was lost for centuries when this traditional method became impractical, cumbersome and time consuming.

The high fashion centers of Europe during the Victorian Era took the concept and material, designing corsets which both women and men wore to create a slimmer physique and illusion, or to rearrange body parts to a more appealing location. What had been designed in centuries past for the well-being and rapid healing of the female form was now used to accentuate features such as a robust bustline or a super “pencil-thin waist.”

In 1914, the ACE™ (all cotton elastic) bandage was invented by scientists to reduce swelling and inflammation in post-operative patients. This invention went on to replace the “bone stays” used in the earlier corsets, and the development of the elastic girdle which is still in use today. Weightlifters and construction workers perform their tasks with support belts of similar design and materials to stabilize their back, core and legs. Belly wraps are still used today for weight loss and cellulite detoxification and for medical treatment of belly button hernias and appendectomy recovery. The standard concealed carry belly band follows the same design.

The Practical Significance

Anytime a woman selects a holster, she needs to consider the method of carry, its placement on the body and her comfort. When looking at the size of the firearm she needs to coordinate her torso length with the carry method and the location. Many times, this will determine the type of clothing to be worn to comfortably carry and adequately conceal. If the method chosen is a belly band, she is limited in her choice. Many manufacturers produce them, but most are the same design with the holster sewn into the band. One gal modeling such a belly band on the internet could not have possibly sat down as the grips would have stuck into her ribs. I could tell by the location of her waist that the grips were right below the rib-cage. I was loaned one of these belly bands by a friend. I tried it and not only found it suffocating in its material and belly constriction, but the sweating and the itching that accompanied it was intolerable. I could not comfortably carry my pistol. In addition, attempting to draw my pistol from such a holster was extremely difficult and dangerous.

Tactica has thought outside the box and combined a padded neoprene backing in its belly band and a hard-shell holster which connects to it. The hard-shell holster is molded for the specific firearm, can be canted for a more natural draw and has a spring steel core for reinforcement. It protrudes from the belly band for the width of the firearm and locks the firearm in place with a discernible “click.” It’s an amazing combination of a different technology.

“Our concealed carry belly band holster uses a state-of-the-art design that allows safety and comfort to coexist. A breathable neoprene backing provides comfort, while our custom-molded polymer shell perfectly safeguards your trigger. The amazing hybrid design is reinforced with a spring steel core, so you know this holster is built to last. Our products simply can’t be matched because most belly band holsters feature neoprene or elastic holster pockets. These materials don’t give you the best trigger guard protection and can be uncomfortable.”

The belly band (in small, medium and large) and the holster (manufacturer, model and draw hand) are ordered together. Each order is made upon demand, so the wait time can be several weeks to several months, dependent upon demand. The holster base (which the holster attaches to) has a rectangular ring through which the strap end of the band is secured with a hook and loop fastener. The holster is then adjusted to the desired position and tightness on the waist. The draw angle of the holster can be changed as well as the retention by tightening the screws that attach the outer shell to the holster base. You can wear the holster high on the torso, below the belly or anywhere in between. The belly band can be rotated for cross-draw or appendix-draw.

I have written many articles about concealed carry methods for women. Prior to Tactica, I was telling my students not to consider a belly band. Now when I discuss concealed carry with my students, the Tactica Belly Band Holster is what I show them first. It is comfortable while standing and sitting even with my short torso. The seat belt of a vehicle does not interfere with the comfort, since the belly band can be rotated if necessary. Because of its great retention, the belly band is great for hikers, bikers, horse-back riders and for every day and every night basic concealed carry. The holster has superior retention in any position. And one of the best benefits of all is that you do not have to remove the belly band or your pistol when “Mother Nature” calls. This is refreshing!

The Dilemma and Solution

The bulk of a firearm in its holster on a person’s body is always a concern and more-so for women. How will it be concealed? Women’s clothing is generally tapered which means that tops, in particular, do not drape. They follow the contour of the shoulders, bust, waist and hips. To carry around the waist, a woman must wear non-tapered shirts so that the clothing does not print the design of the firearm in its holster. This would also apply to wearing IWB and OWB and shoulder holsters.

Tactica has a solution for the clothing as well. Their clothing line includes tops, sweaters and jackets. The one I ordered was a two-piece (tank top/outer drape) which successfully covered the belly band. Worn above a fashionable pair of jeans, my model Angie could easily disguise my Taurus G2. The drape of the top covers the slots sown into the tank top which Angie could place her hand through in order to grasp the Taurus grip and safely pull it from the holster. The sweaters and jackets also have the necessary entry points to draw from the belly band holster. Fashionable concealed carry can be successfully accomplished.

When considering clothing to wear with the Tactica Belly Band Holster, besides how it drapes in the front, consider the pattern on the material. Fashion and textile industries since the 1960s discovered that patterns on material create optical illusions to enhance a body’s proportion or reduce a body’s flaw. Clinging materials like spandex will accentuate the body and what is carried on it. As such, to divert attention away from an area of the body, consider patterns and styles that draw the eye elsewhere.

Horizontal patterns add weight to the body. People automatically look left to right as the pattern directs the eyes. Vertical patterns make the body look leaner and cause the eyes to look up and down, rather than straight on. Avoid light colored pants and skirts which draw attention to your midsection. A one-palette shade like black creates a lean, slimming line where there is no break in the color. Attention is not drawn to the waist where you are carrying. Shirts and blouses should be longer and hit below the true waist if worn outside the pants. Wear tops, shirts and dresses with boatneck, V-neck and square-neck to draw a viewer’s eye up toward the face and the upper body. Fabric detailing like lace, buttons, scarves, necklaces and wildly designed ties will also do the trick. When dressing for concealed carry, consider that you must camouflage that you’re carrying a pistol by creating an optical illusion.

It is obvious that what you choose for your concealed carry is determined by your body shape, clothing selection and the size of the firearm. And what you choose must be comfortable as well as accessible. The concept of the belly band is nothing new, but the design by Tactica is unique.

For all day and every day: Tactica Belly Band Holster is my choice. Make it yours! For more information, see Tactica Defense Fashion (a division of Alien Gear) at tacticafashion.com.

By Linda M. Gilbertson

THE SITUATION

Springtime is when those of us who live in the Southwest United States start looking a little closer at everything that is on the ground. We watch for anything that moves. The diamondback rattlesnake is a resident of Arizona. It makes its way to the surface from its winter hiding place when temperatures rise. It’s looking for warmth and food. It will be hungry and angry if it has been a particularly long and cold winter. The snake is stealthy in nature, and if you tread too close, it will let you know it’s present. The rattle is distinct and gives you the chance to change directions before it strikes. Flight is the best answer.

Fight is also a good choice should this snake endanger you and anyone or anything nearby. I’ve almost stepped on one, because it was stretched across the gravel driveway taking in the sun. I couldn’t distinguish it from the roadway. It blended in with its environment. A snake encountered accidentally, won’t always rattle as it bathes in the sun’s warmth. When I encounter a rattlesnake, I take a shovel to its head, decapitate and bury it. Once I chased a rattlesnake from one side of a shed to the other and finally ended it with the snake-shot from a Charter Arms .44 Special Bulldog. Fight is the best answer.

THE DILEMMA

Now you may ask why I didn’t leave the snake alone that was under my shed. The simple answer is that a snake procreates. Even though our dogs have the rattlesnake vaccine on board, it does not protect them from being bitten. The vaccine only slows down the absorption of the venom until you can get them to the veterinarian. There is yet no rattlesnake vaccine for humans as a preventive. There is only the expensive treatment after humans have been bitten. I keep snakes away from my house so my husband, I and the dogs don’t get bitten. I must fight in this situation to control the rattlesnake population. Most of us are raised with a fear of snakes because we’re educated from infancy to be aware of and be prepared with a response to seeing or hearing them. We’re taught to avoid their territory. Also, the appearance of a venomous snake is constant. It doesn’t change clothing, it doesn’t walk upright, and it is predictable during certain seasons. The rattle is distinct and makes you hesitate. You fear the bite, which can kill.

An “active shooter” situation is very similar to an encounter with a rattlesnake. The shooter is silent, conniving, venomous and deadly. The shooter is hungry. Unfortunately, in our current culture, people rarely have heightened awareness of those two-legged snakes. Active shooters come in different colors, wear different clothing and are active all season long. With society’s need for “profile-less” encounters, people are told not to base a belief of a person on his or her physical appearance or behavior. The human rattlesnake is to be accepted whether a danger or not. Look at the school shootings that have taken place. The human rattlesnake was detected but not reported. It was tolerated. Acceptance of these snakes’ peculiarities (because society says we need to accept everyone’s peculiarities) leads to denial of any danger, and many times, that’s too late!

THE FLIGHT THEORY

In The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becker, survival skills protect us from violence. The main skill is intuition. It is a skill which is undeveloped in many people because they’ve become lazy in their own personal protection. Society tells people to deny basic survival skills and that responding to the threat will get them in trouble because they’re not competent to respond appropriately. In his book, Gavin De Becker is adamant that we need to pay attention to the following messages and heed what our “natural animal” mind is telling us. These are called the “Messengers of Intuition.” These 13 messengers are telling you something about the person(s) or the situation(s):

• Nagging feeling
• Persistent thoughts
• Dark humor
• Wonder
• Anxiety/fear
• Curiosity
• Hunches
• Gut feelings
• Doubt
• Hesitation
• Suspicion
• Apprehension

Pay attention to your intuition if any of these feelings have you questioning what is occurring. If you can avoid and flee from the situation, do so. As an example, I went into a restaurant and could not eat there. It was a matter of something that told me I couldn’t remain. I don’t know if it was the smell, the color or whether someone inside the restaurant said or did something, but I became anxious. I couldn’t articulate what it was, but I could not remain. I have no idea whether anything happened after I left—I chose flight.

THE FIGHT THEORY

Lori Hartman Gervasi is an expert in martial arts and the author of Fight Like a Girl and Win. In her book she explains her view on fighting:

• Don’t just stand there and allow initial threats by suspicious people.
• Do react when anyone tries to close in on you in a physical or relational manner.
• Do consider his/her attitude and reactions as clues to what may happen next.
• Don’t wait. Get moving and gain back your distance.

I was standing in line at Kmart one day. There were two people in front of me and two people behind me. Of course, all of us are either carrying goods or pushing a cart full of our goods. So, we’re jammed together; everyone has violated personal space. I was very aware of each of these individuals, purposely practicing “awareness.” Suddenly, the second person behind me, a male, started talking inappropriately to the woman in front of him. These comments were of a personal and sexual topic. This continued for approximately one minute. I became annoyed. I turned to look at her, and I saw FEAR in her eyes. I got mad. I squarely faced the man. The woman being shorter than I, gave me a great view of the man behind her. I raised my voice and said to this man, “Leave her alone. She’s not interested.” He said to me, “You’re rude!” I raised my voice a little louder, glared into his eyes and said to him, “Yes, and you’re obnoxious, leave her alone.” Kmart personnel called security. I already knew what I would do in a situation like this, as I had practiced it in my mind. I had visualized my next move which was to exchange places with her (a little hard to do under the circumstances) and put distance between him and her. I went directly from fear to anger. I fought for her not with force, but with voice. In this case a firearm did not need to be displayed, but mine was available if the situation had escalated to physical assault. I was prepared to fight.

When near an active shooter, you must be prepared to fight. You need to be on the offense rather than the defense and take it to the next level if necessary. That’s reality!

THE REALITY   

In Arizona if you are in fear for your life or the life of someone else, this is your justification for using deadly force. Deadly force is causing serious bodily injury or death. In most situations, a gun is considered deadly force, but a baseball bat, a knife, a person’s fists, even body size could be considered deadly. Many have been killed by strangulation, by being kicked, punched, tossed on the ground, stomped, knifed, etc., and though not considered deadly force, that’s a matter of opinion. If you fear for your life, no matter the method of force used, you must fight with all your might. So, in an active shooter situation what would make you flee vs. fight? Let’s explain this question with a few pictures.

Is deadly force justified in this situation? In this picture the perpetrator is not a threat to me because of the distance he is from me. However, he’s also carrying a rifle. He’s carrying the rifle, not aiming the rifle. Am I justified in shooting at him at this distance? Will I even hit him with my pistol? How quickly can he run toward me or shift the rifle into a firing position? A court would say that at this distance, I should go to a safe area with my phone and call 911. This would be considered an alternative to engaging the perpetrator in a gun battle. Otherwise the court may say that I was waiting for trouble rather than removing myself to safety. I would flee.

Is deadly force justified in this situation? In this picture the perpetrator is closer and becoming a threat. His rifle is now raised so he may aim at me. Is he accurate enough for his round to hit me? He does have a rifle scope. Do I even want to stick around and find out? I’m in fear for my life since he’s starting to aim at me, and the court would again recommend avoidance by leaving the premise or barricading myself in a room and relying upon 911. I can leave because he’s still at a distance from which I can run. If I hesitate and allow him to get closer, the court may intimate that I was looking for a fight. If I engaged him with shots at this distance, I may not be successful at hitting him, and an innocent bystander may be hit. I would flee, but if I’m in a wheelchair or on crutches, I might have to fight.

Is deadly force justified in this situation? In this picture, the perpetrator is at 10 feet. His rifle is not a threat to me, but the knife is. Do I have the time to avoid or am I in the thick of it? My response is now dependent upon my size and physical ability. I’m not a Black Belt in Karate nor do I have the physical strength for any hand-to-hand combat. I’m not proficient in knife fighting nor am I a track star, so if running is involved, I’ve got a problem. I’ve allowed the perpetrator to get to close to me. He has me at a disadvantage. I’m in fear for my life, and if I don’t respond appropriately, I’ll experience bodily harm or possibly death. The attack must be stopped. My first concern is to stay alive. I will fight to accomplish this. If I choose to utter something to the perpetrator it would be to stop and disarm. I’d take the rifle and knife, call 911 and keep my pistol on him till the police arrive. I can articulate in court that I was in fear for my life based upon the circumstances. The court would probably agree. Or, do I draw and fire? If he doesn’t comply with my orders and continues to advance, I’m justified in using deadly force. I will fight.

THE WRAP-UP

In Arizona, you can “Stand Your Ground” if you have a legal right to be where you are. We also have the Castle Doctrine which says that we don’t have to leave our home when it is invaded. And, it is not required that we utter a verbal warning. The question then becomes, should you fight, and what would make you fight. According to Gavin De Becker, “When you are at imminent risk, intuition forgets about all this logical thought and just sends the fear signal. You are given the opportunity to react to a prediction that has already been completed (by you) by the time it comes into consciousness.” Flight vs. Fight (flee if you can, but fight if you must) is based on the signals you’re receiving. In an active shooter situation, most people are not prepared for trouble, and they become involved in a reactive rather than a proactive response. Fear shuts them down, and they become casualties. Those people who are prepared for trouble and have practiced physically and mentally an offensive response will be the survivors. Whether it is running away or standing and fighting, know the law and be prepared. Franklin Roosevelt said it best, “When you see a rattlesnake poised to strike, you do not wait until he has struck before you crush him.”

Cleaning a pistol should only be a 10-minute job, and ladies, if your husband is taking more time than that, he is not cleaning the pistol(s); he is avoiding the “honey-do” list! When I cannot find my husband, I know he must be in the man-cave, either reloading or cleaning his firearms. Another point ladies: cleaning your pistol is like baking bread. When things are done in steps and with the proper ingredients, success is right around the corner.

What You Need

The steps and ingredients (in this case, solvent and gun oil) assure that you have removed all the “products of combustion,” and parts are properly lubricated. Solvent is applied to a brush threaded to a cleaning rod, which is inserted into the cylinder chambers and the muzzle end of the barrel of a revolver or the chamber end of a barrel for a semi-auto. This brush scrubs from the “lands and grooves” in the bore, lead byproducts left behind. When you are ready to clean the bore with patches, you unthread the brush from the rod and thread it on the jag or patch loop. With the patch, you polish the bore. Whereas a revolver is now clean, a semi-automatic, like a car, runs with a certain amount of lubrication (gun oil) that is applied as the semi-automatic is reassembled. Now this seems quite simple, and it is; however, there is a quicker method designed by TALON Grips that will save you time.

The 8 ½-inch cleaning rod is a non-metal, glass-reinforced nylon, designed to NOT damage a breach or a barrel. Its “T” handle rotates easily following the grooves of the bore. The T handle is oversized, so you don’t “bash” your knuckles while cleaning your pistol. At the end of the rod is the yellow connector which snaps and unsnaps the brushes and jags into the rod. The brush and jag of each caliber is contained within a packet made of TALON grip material. A slit down the back side gives you access to both items. It is also a handy storage packet.

The brushes are easily identifiable because the brush holder and its jag are the same color. The caliber is imprinted on the brush holder: .44 and .45 are lime green; .40 and .41 are rose pink; and .38 and 9mm are sky blue. These are my color choices; you can name them whatever color you choose. A lime green loop is also included in the packaging as an alternative to the jag.

You will notice that on the end of the brush, jag and loop distinct notches are part of the design. These notches are what SNAP into the end of the rod. You line the notches with the yellow lever on the rod, which tilts like a teeter-totter to allow the attachment or release.

At the end of our pistol classes, the ladies clean a pistol of their choice. For many, this is the first time they have cleaned a pistol, and their introduction to the required parts generally includes one cleaning rod, one brush, one loop, some patches, solvent and oil. We advise them to be selective in their cleaning materials to avoid spending more money than is necessary.

TALON SNAP Cleaning System

Traditional methods of cleaning pistols involve touching the brush and the jag/loop several times. Now I am not chemical sensitive, but I’ve had students with MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity), and they become uncomfortable as a result of either physical contact with the chemicals and/or the chemical odor. In these instances, in order to avoid as much contact with the chemicals as possible, we use the TALON SNAP Cleaning System. It is quick and easy and gets the job done with limited exposure to the chemicals.

The TALON SNAP Cleaning System kept hands cleaner and reduced the amount of chemical exposure. The cleaning of my Smith & Wesson .38 was easily completed in 5 minutes, cutting in half the time mentioned at the beginning of this article. Of course, cleaning a semi-auto will take more time as lubricating parts prior to assembly is necessary; however, no more threading and unthreading of the brushes and jags. Also ladies, the firearms only need to be “Guy Clean.” No one is going to eat off it or do surgery with it. We may clean to the point of sterility, whereas guys will clean it “just enough” to get by.

Utilizing a new “quick connect system,” everything snaps into place, and you spend less time at the bench cleaning and more time at the range shooting. Everything you need is contained in one small package when you receive it from TALON Grips. In addition, you can include in your order a SNAP stand to organize your brushes and jags.

Include a small bottle of solvent, oil and a few patches with the SNAP System, and you are ready to throw it in your gun bag or in a backpack for hunting. The TALON SNAP Cleaning System will make cleaning pistols a SNAP!

Many of us have a drawer of miscellaneous holsters. Every time a pistol is purchased, we search the recesses of our mind to determine if we have a holster at home that will fit. Having so many holsters at home, we can’t remember what we have and what we don’t have. Buying another holster will certainly fit what we just purchased just in case we don’t have anything suitable in our drawer. So, we buy it. What man or woman doesn’t love to look through boxes of “odds and ends” of holsters at gun stores at $5.00 each, selecting one or two that may someday have a use? The same applies to shoulder holster rigs, both IWB (inner waste band) and OWB (outer waste band) holsters, ankle holsters, thigh holsters and leg holsters, buying the holster first and then looking for a pistol to fit it. There’s nothing wrong with this, except that you end up with a drawer of miscellaneous holsters and combinations that may not fit anything, but who can resist the smell of leather?

Your drawer is a treasure-trove. It contains everything you need for the activities of a day. Your bedside pistol may be in a gun-rug. You’ll move your pistol to either an IWB or OWB holster to carry on your waist or put it in a conceal carry purse or shoulder holster. Perhaps you’re going hiking later in the day or you’re off on a hunting trip; you need to fit your leg holster or hunting backpack with a method of pistol carry. Perhaps you’re carrying a pistol in your vehicle, and rather than on your person, you need to secure it to either the center console or under the dash. Each situation requires a different holster or holster rig. There are so many different holsters to pack for just one day.

The Right Choice!

Alien Gear Holsters has a solution to this dilemma: “The ShapeShift Modular Holster System is just one part of an entire system of carry possibilities.” This is a polymer holster which can be used all day, in a variety of ways. It can easily convert from one carry position to the next by moving the twist locks, sliding the connector lock, interlocking the rails, attaching an adapter, adding spacers, adding lock pins, adjusting straps, manipulating a mount button and inserting the lock plate into the grip plate. Confused? Don’t be. It’s very simple. Let’s give it a test.

My Choice

          Rise and shine, I’m selecting the clothing for the day. My Smith & Wesson M&P full-size 9mm is sitting on my nightstand waiting for my choice of holsters. I decide on the Cloak Mod OWB Holster as I’m wearing a suitcoat for an important meeting with the boss. I could wear it on a slide included in the packaging, but I’m wearing form-fitting slacks with a stylish belt not strong enough for the included slide, so my best choice is the paddle. What’s nice about the Cloak Mod OWB Holster is that I don’t have to wear slacks that are a size larger to accommodate the holster. The paddle or slide fits comfortably just behind my hip bone. I can customize the carry and cant for either the paddle, slide or drop leg if I’ve purchased the Drop Leg Holster hardware. However, at the meeting with the boss, the Drop Leg would be a little inappropriate and obviously, obvious! The Cloak Mod’s cant can position a holster at 0 degrees or 17 degrees either direction for your specific draw style. Retention is accomplished by tightening the screws that attach the outer shell to the holster base. Another reason for my wearing the paddle design is that it works with the Cloak Dock Mounting System in my car.

OWB to Vehicle Docking System

          The Cloak Mod OWB Holster is perfectly comfortable while sitting in the driver’s seat with the seatbelt in place. However, over a long distance, I may want to shed my suit jacket and the holster. This might be necessary as I’m short in the torso, and the seatbelt pushes the polymer holster into my ribs while traveling. If I’ve got an hour drive, comfort is going to rule. I can remove the Cloak Mod OWB Holster and attach it to the Cloak Dock Mounting System that I’ve located on the right side of the console in my vehicle. Here it is accessible to both the driver and the passenger. The system is multi-surface-compatible so I could also mount it on the side of a wooden bed frame, on drywall, sheet metal and plastic in my home or office. The OWB holster is docked to it with the paddle side out or the shell side out. The docking depth can be changed to increase or decrease the space between the holster and the surface you’ve attached the dock to. Full instructions are provided as well as the mounting hardware for all surfaces.

          I’ve reached the office, so I disconnect the Cloak Mod OWB Holster from the dock and slip it back on my waist. The Cloak Dock Mounting System remains permanently affixed to the side of my console so that when returning home at the end of the day, I just reinsert the OWB holster to the docking station for the trip home.

IWB to Backpack Adapter

          On the same day, I’ve chosen to bring along the 4.0 IWB Modular Holster. The polymer 4.0 IWB holster is mounted on a “CoolVent Neoprene” base, which immediately conforms to my waist. The half-shell configuration of the holster includes the pre-installed Adjustable Retention Unit. Besides retention, I can also change the cant and ride height by repositioning removable clips on either side of the holster base. I’ve brought along a pair of jeans to change into during lunch so I can go on a walk. The IWB Modular Holster is comfortable to wear if I wear a size larger in the waistband of my jeans, remembering that women’s curvy hips tend to interfere with the lying flat of the holster against the body. I’ve chosen this holster because I can convert it for use on my backpack when I choose to go hiking or hunting. The Backpack Adapter can also be attached to seat belts, duffle bags and anything with a sturdy strap.

          During lunch, I’m practicing for an upcoming multiple-day hike. I need to reconfigure the 4.0 IWB Modular Holster to attach to my backpack strap. To accomplish this, I remove the half-shell from the IWB base and then attach it to the half-shell sent in the Backpack Holster assembly kit. This is where most of the terminology in paragraph three above is utilized to remove and assemble the Shift Shell. Instructions for this terminology are provided in the package order. The shell is then attached to the backpack rotating adapter mechanism I’ve already positioned on the strap of the backpack. The assembly kit also includes a Thumb Release for releasing the pistol from the shell. This adapter allows me to adjust my draw just by rotating the holster within the cogs. I get a 360-degree rotation and customized retention for the perfect draw. It’s considered open carry, and now I’m ready should I confront a two-legged or four-legged animal.

From Many to One!

          In one day, I’ve utilized four different methods of carry with the ShapeShift Modular Holster System. I’ve reduced the size of my holster drawer to two separate systems of open and concealed carry which I can manipulate into various forms. Whether I’m carrying my 9mm M&P or my smaller 9mm Taurus G2, I’m ready for the demands of my environment. The ShapeShift Modular Holster System is available in more than 500+ handgun holster models and boasts that even though life is tough, Alien Gear Holsters are tougher. I’m in total agreement.

My eyes are 66 years old, but the rest of me is 32, according to my husband. Throughout these years, my eyes have changed. My ophthalmologist says that some of it is based on heredity such as the predisposition from my maternal side to develop glaucoma, but most of it is based on diet and life experiences. All of us have gone through periods of time in our lives when our diet has not been positively influenced by the Food Pyramid. We were told to eat a lot of carrots for healthy eyes, but that’s about the extent of eye care. With the development of heart and lung issues and diabetes, this further affects the health of the eyes.

In life experiences, many times I’ve not worn sunglasses on sunny days. I’ve scratched the cornea of my eye. I’ve worn contact lenses and due to age, developed insufficient tear production in my eyes. This created irritation and infection. How many times have you gotten something toxic or some specks in the eye that required eye washing or an emergency visit to the eye doctor to avoid a corneal burn or ulcer?

In addition, through time, the cornea ages and may develop hyperopia (farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness), astigmatism (distorted shape) or a combination of astigmatism with either of the other two.

The Problem

Family heredity, nutrition, life experiences and age will affect the eye’s health and subsequently the vision. I’ve gone from no glasses, to glasses, to hard contacts, to soft contacts, back to glasses for reading, to bifocal, to progressive lenses. I’ve gone from perfect eyes to astigmatism, to hyperopia, to ocular migraines to vitreous degeneration. I’m at a point where I have developed “floaters” which in ophthalmology lingo is “a translucent or opaque object floating around in the vitreous, which is the gel that fills the rear chamber of the eye.” I see “ghosts” (my term) in front of my eyes floating around, which besides being annoying, sometimes blurs my vision. When this degeneration was diagnosed, I saw flashes of light in the corners of my eyes as well. To me it looked like lightning strikes. In normal everyday activity I’m able to ignore this condition but when attempting to shoot for accuracy, I’m challenged.

The Analysis

According to an interview conducted by Chris Sajnog (chrissajnog.com) with Dr. Robert Buonfiglio, a Boston practicing optometrist for 34 years who works in the area of Sports Vision Training, “I suspect that shooters, as a group, are more attuned to small changes in their eyesight because of the need for precise shooting vision. … One of the challenges for shooters wearing progressive lenses is that focusing a front sight requires tilting the head back in order to access the part of the lens that corrects for that distance. But this can be awkward and uncomfortable at best, and it can adversely affect your stance when shooting at worst.”

In my researching his 2016 article, I wanted to know what I could do for both my hyperopia and vitreous degeneration while wearing shooting glasses. How can I shoot a pistol when I don’t have perfect eyesight? If I lower my head and look at my sights with the upper portion of my progressive lenses, I must accept a blurred front sight and pray that I hit my target. If I reposition my head by looking through the lower portion of my lenses with magnification of +2.50 for reading, I must accept an uncomfortable and unbalanced position and blurred vision. My vision is still blurred because I need a different magnification for arm’s length where my front sight will be, not at the reading position which is the +2.50 magnification.

My vitreous degeneration, as I was told by my ophthalmologist and as Dr. Buonfiglio notes in his article, can’t be corrected with glasses. According to Dr. Buonfiglio, “traditionally, the thought of removing floaters would involve opening the eye surgically and vacuuming them out, and trying to remove them in that matter is something that would not be worth the risk, which would include an infection, retinal detachment and a few other undesirable things. However, there is research being done to ablate (‘zap’) them with a precisely focused laser, but that procedure is still in the research states [sic].”

The Solution

SSP Eyewear takes my old eyes and gives them new focus. SSP developed Top Focal™ shooting glasses for anyone who wears reading glasses and shoots a firearm. “By placing the magnifiers at the top of the lenses, your shooting stance will improve, you will see your sights clearly and the target unobstructed.” For pistol shooting, looking through the top of the shooting glasses, your head will tilt slightly down closer to your chest, your body position will lean forward, you’ll avoid eye strain and increase your accuracy. With the proper magnification, the head tilt balances the body, the impact of recoil is absorbed, and reacquisition of the target is hastened.

SSP Eyewear helped me determine the correct magnification power for the lenses through their website video (sspeyewear.com). Once I determined how to do it, I traipsed down to my local Walgreens store where they had numerous magnifications on simple reading glasses. Instead of pulling out my pistol in the store and causing immense panic, I used a pencil at arms’ length focusing on the eraser tip. Trying on different eyeglass magnifications, I determined the correct magnification power for me was +1.75. The magnification for the front sight must be at the arm’s-length distance which takes the prescription down a few notches.

SSP Eyewear sent me the Top Focal Ultra Kit with 12 Top Focal and Denial anti-fog lenses, all at +1.75 magnification. “This kit includes everything you need for pistol[s], rifle[s], AR[s] and shotguns, to view your sights and the target in every light condition. It comes with a full set of lenses with bifocal magnification at the top of the lens, and a full set of lenses with regular bottom bifocals, so you can use the upper bifocal lens on one eye and a bottom bifocal on the other lens.” The lenses are amber, clear and smoked tints.

SSP Eyewear also sent the replacement Denial bottom bifocal Bronze anti-fog lens and the replacement Top Focal Bronze anti-fog lens. “Our Denial Bifocal Kits have bottom bifocal lenses for everyone whose arms aren’t quite long enough … bottom bifocal lenses allowing you to view close-up, as well as in the distance for 24-hour use in all light conditions.” The Top Focal lens is, “Designed for pistol shooters and instructors allowing for in-focus view of [the] front sight . . . and for mechanics, electricians and anyone doing overhead work.”

Four Challenging Issues

Shooting with both eyes open is now the recommendation of the NRA and many firearms instructors. This has been a change from the closing of the non-dominant eye. Its purpose is to permit more light, better peripheral vision and less eye strain from squinting of the non-dominant eye. I have learned that some of my students are unable to close the non-dominant eye and therefore keep both eyes open when aiming and firing. They’ve also mentioned that they see two barrels, two targets or two sight pictures when doing this. I advise them to either put tape over the non-dominant lens of their shooting glasses or obtain an eye-patch for that eye.

SSP Eyewear took this issue as a challenge. According to their website, “Wear with clear Top Focal lens on your dominant eye and a smoked Plano lens (no magnification) on your non-dominant eye. This will allow you to comfortably practice shooting with both eyes open as your dominant eye will focus through the Top Focal lens on your sights and your non-dominant eye will be slightly obstructed (similar to using a piece of scotch tape) so you don’t feel like you see two barrels.”

Cross-dominant aim is no longer an issue with shooting glasses. SSP Eyewear has developed a lens with the “magnifier located next to the nose piece out about 1-1/4 wide.” Their advice is to dry-fire practice with this lens and try a smoked Plano lens (no magnification) in the non-dominant eye. This smoked lens should make the dominant eye aim through the Top Focal lens.

LASIK surgery, or having different magnifications in each eye, is no longer a problem. Top Focal and Denial (bottom bifocal) glasses will give you “different powers” for each eye. Their intent is to protect your eyes and customize your glasses to improve accuracy:

For long guns and Top Focal shooting glasses, SSP Eyewear recommends use in conjunction with an AR “as the sights are the same distance from the eyes as a handgun.” In addition, using a scope, “adjust the reticle eyepiece to view the cross hairs clearly either through the Top Focal or through the bottom of the lens [and] look through the Top Focal to adjust the turrets on the scope.” With red dots, just use the same Top Focal power as you would for your pistol sights. When shooting a rifle looking through the top of the shooting glasses, your cheek will rest comfortably on the cheek-weld, and your body position will lean forward which helps with the absorption of the recoil.

Conclusion

When I started this article, I addressed my own personal issues with shooting because I shoot Practical Pistol and Bulls-eye, and I instruct Pistol and Rifle. I have experienced frustration with progressive lenses in the shooting positions required for each discipline. One of the Bulls-eye competitors at our local club is an Olympic competitor who told me about purchasing reading glasses from Walgreens for a reading prescription that would have the magnification in the entire lens. With these types of glasses, I could shoot without the backward head tilt which is extremely uncomfortable and unbalanced. However, I then had to tilt my head down to look over the frame to be able to see others around me and address them when speaking. Remember your teacher in school looking at you that way? When I saw an ad for SSP Eyewear and realized they offered the magnification I needed for shooting, at the top of the lens rather than the bottom, I realized this was the answer for me.

SSP Eyewear has made shooting comfortable. The average weight of the human head is 10 to 11 pounds. I no longer must tilt my head back to look through my bifocal, which puts me off-balance. I can see my front sight clearly with a forward head tilt, which is more relaxing and a headache minimizer. In both Pistol and Rifle, the forward head tilt automatically forces the upper body forward for better balance and posture, the absorption of recoil and the quicker return-to-sight picture. Aside from the physical aspects, psychologically I feel better. I’d rather look strong than weak. Many times, your appearance is enough to change the situation. Even though SSP can’t correct my “floaters,” I see less interference when viewing my front sight. Perhaps it’s psychological, but psychological is good if it improves competence and confidence. You can’t ignore a great product, especially when old eyes need new focus.