Concealed Carry: A Reality Check

Published in "The Arms Guide" - September 29th, 2013

Written by James Ogletree

"When we go to a concealed carry permit class, we learn what we can and can’t do, where we can carry, where we can’t, and what the state says is justifiable use of deadly force. But, what I have never heard in any class I have attended, (I attend a class every six months, since laws change daily), is the psychological effect of having to use your gun in self defense. The first reality check I had happened the first time I was forced to pull my firearm: a day that I will never forget. Yet, on that day, I was all too happy I got my carry permit in the first place, and it became the driving example I use to encourage others to get their own carry permit.

The Weight of Responsibility

When a person decides to get a carry permit, and to carry a gun for self defense, they need to understand the weight of responsibility that a carry permit comes with. As a permit holder, you have the ability to carry a gun that could save your life, or someone else’s life, but that also means you may have to take the life of one or more aggressors to do so. Further, you need to make an effort to learn and stay up to speed on the constantly changing minutiae of the laws pertaining to concealed carry. The responsibility is huge, and by taking time to learn more laws, and understand them, along with appropriate firearms training classes, you will be ready when it comes time for you to put on that holster in the morning.

Grave Implications

Consider this: one bullet could end someone’s life. They will never breathe again, smile, see their family again. Nothing. Taking a human life, even though they were trying to end yours, is something you’ll never forget. For instance, to this day, I can remember the entire event that caused me to first draw my firearm, aiming it at the 25-year-old man that was punching his pregnant girlfriend so much she lost her baby. I can remember yelling for him to stop hitting her, and to lay on the ground on his belly with his arms to his side, and I remember after ordering him to stop for the third time moving my trigger finger onto the trigger. Just as I was ready to shoot, he stopped and complied with my orders. I almost took this man’s life, and that changed mine. But, the fact that I was able to at least save the life of the victim comforted me in the end. The other four times I have pulled my firearm each had different circumstances, from saving my own life from someone trying to run me off the road, to someone trying to break into my house, but each time I’ve been comforted knowing I am still alive because I was prepared.

Be Prepared

When making the decision to concealed carry, take time to understand that one day you may have to take a life to save your own, or someone else’s, and that your life will never be the same afterward.  Be mentally ready before carrying your firearm, and be sure you know what the laws are regarding concealed carry and justifiable use of force in your state. The more you prepare now, the better you’ll be able to respond."

Extra savings at Loudoun Guns this week!

A conversation with Team FNH shooter, Larry Houck

Larry is a long-time friend of Team Loudoun Guns’ shooters Tommy Thacker & Greg Jordan; Larry, Greg & Tommy shot together – and won! – the Colt 3 Man 3 Gun team competition back in July. We caught up with Larry at the recent FNH USA 3 Gun Championship where he was having a great day! Then, a DQ on Stage 5…. 

What happened? I failed to place the shotgun in the grounding container.

What are things that you can get DQ’ed for in 3 Gun? Dropping a firearm. “Accidental or un-intentional discharge”. Handling a firearm not under the supervision of a Range Office. For example, if you drop your pistol and go to pick it up, that will result in a DQ. You need to call for a Range Officer to pick it up. You can also get a DQ for abandoning a loaded firearm, or a 180* violation, when you point your firearm towards spectators.

Was that your first DQ? No … you shoot this sport long enough you’ll hear the saying, “there are those that have been DQ’ed and those that will”. I won’t blame anybody but myself. I had the responsibility of putting the shotgun in the grounding container. I was looking at where it was supposed to go, caught an angle & hit it, and that was the end of that.

How long have you been shooting 3 Gun? I have been shooting competitively for 22 years and competing with 3 Gun for almost 6 years. I have been a part of Team FNH for 4 years and working with FN for a year now.

What words of advice would you have for others beginning 3 Gun who are afraid of a DQ? Don’t be afraid of a DQ – it will happen at some point. However always err on the side of safety and train yourself to be as safe as possible. Know your 180’s / safe directions. Know you’re going to shoot with fast people but you don’t have to go at their pace. The #1 thing I see in new shooters is that they go too fast and they’re just not at that level. Think of a race car analogy – you’ve been racing on asphalt for four months and you’re suddenly up against one of the best in the profession – Jeff Gordon. He knows how things should feel, he has more experience. You try and race at his speed and you’ll end up crashing. That’s what happens sometimes to new 3 Gun shooters trying to compete at the same speed of the pro’s, and it leads to safety mistakes.

What happened with Lena Miculak? She and I both DQ’ed on the same stage with the exact same situation.

What’s with the Dairy Queen cup? The shooting community is a tight-knit group – it’s like a family. When you know nobody got hurt you can step back and remember you can go at it again another day. Taking a picture in front of Dairy Queen or holding a Dairy Queen cup is a bit of an inside joke among shooters. Like I said, you shoot this sport long a DQ will inevitably happen to you. 

What a week! So much time and preparation went into this years' FNH USA 3 Gun Championship, and it was quite the event. 9 challenging courses spread over 3 days kept things interesting and once again Peacemaker National Training Center was the perfect venue. Team Loudoun Guns is ESPECIALLY thrilled that our own Greg Jordan took 1st prize - way to go! Tommy Thacker was close behind him in 6th place.

The guys head to Kentucky next month for the Blue Ridge 3 Gun Championship, then physically & mentally prep for the 2013-2014 3 Gun Nation Championship in Las Vegas, NV, in January! What a year of competing it has been, all leading up to that final competition.

Enjoy some pictures from the FNH USA 3 Gun event:

FNH USA 3 Gun Championship this weekend!

Tommy and Greg are off to full days of competitive 3 Gun shooting in the beautiful rolling hills of West Virginia. It's a free event to watch, so come on out to Peacemaker National Training Center in Glengary, WV, this Friday and Saturday to see what the sport is all about! 
Over 250 competitors will participate in this event. In addition to 3 Gun challenges on each stage, there will be opportunities for the pro's to shoot additional firearms provided by FNH USA.
If you can't make it out, stay tuned for pictures and videos. Go Team Loudoun Guns! 

Prep work begins! 

Welcome!

Welcome to the Loudoun Guns Blog! We are looking forward to communicate via this platform to keep you updated on industry news, post interviews with experts, and answer any questions you may have. 

Loudoun Guns is a unique gun shop located in the heart of Northern Virginia - Loudoun County. We have been in business almost 20 years and have a well-trained & professional staff. 

We don't want to just sell you a gun - we want to be a part of your journey. Not only can we provide excellent customer service to truly help you narrow down which firearm is right for you, we have the ammo & accessories in stock that you need. We also partner with Northern Virginia Tactical to provide whatever training you are looking for to become proficient with your firearm. 

So welcome to this blog! We welcome your comments and feedback to make this forum helpful & educational.