Author Archives: Randall

Five Police Officers Shot to Death in Four Days

A Riverdale, Ga. police officer was shot and killed this morning around 11:15 a.m.  He is the fifth officer to be slain by gunfire since Monday.  Although the total number of LEO’s killed thus far in 2016 is down, this week’s deaths mark an increase of 600% over firearms-related deaths from the same period last year. On Monday, Deputy David Greer of the Mesa County, Colo. Sheriff’s Office stopped out with an armed juvenile, who shot Greer to death before back-up officers could arrive.  Deputy Greer is survived by a wife and two children. Yesterday, Harford County, Md. Deputies Mark Logsdon and Patrick Dailey responded to a wanted subject at … Continue reading

Posted in Officer Down | 1 Comment

Riggs Shield for Mobile Police Protection

This week, one of my detectives, who has a relative in law enforcement product sales, brought a ballistic shield to work that was specifically designed for vehicle ambush protection by California Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Riggs.  It is called the Riggs Shield and was conceived after one of Riggs’ partners was attacked in his cruiser. The Riggs Shield mounts on the inside of the driver’s door of a police car and is quickly and easily removed in the event the officer is attacked while seated.  By grabbing the handle and pushing the shield forward and up, it pulls away for immediate use. Rated at NIJ Ballistics Level IIIa and Stab Level … Continue reading

Posted in Florida Companies, Protective Armor, Street, Technology | 2 Comments

Police Speeder

Once, I fielded a call from an angry motorist following one of our officers who was speeding home.  Immediately, I called the cop and told him to knock it off and see me in my office (small cubicle) the next day.  At readoff, I told the troops to think of themselves as Wonder Woman in her invisible jet when in your cruiser–everyone sees everything you do!  Some of them got the reference. This is a viral video of a “citizen” traffic stop of a speeding Miami-Dade police officer on his way to work. Come on, guys.  We can do better than this. Randall  

Posted in Street | Leave a comment

Police K9 Dog Deaths Already High in 2016

Update:  Omaha K9 killed 1/25/2016.  The year 2016 is not starting out well for police K9 dogs in the U.S.  Since the beginning of January, three four K9’s have already been killed by hostile gunfire.  In all of 2015, a total of four working dogs died by gunfire, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.  Of the 26 K9’s killed in 2015, one was poisoned and one was stabbed, in addition to the others who died from shootings or accidental causes.  The average number of police dogs shot to death during the last decade was 3.2 annually. Sometimes we take for granted the indispensable role these trained animals play in law … Continue reading

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First Tactical’s Diamondback Folding Knife

First Tactical™ makes products for Law Enforcement and Fire Rescue.  Their products are conceived in concert with professionals who work in these fields.  The Diamondback Tanto folding knife is designed and tested by end users to make it functional. A 3.43 inch AUS8 blade comes in a modified tanto or spearpoint shape.  Unique to the Diamondback Tanto is their Thumb Bridge over the blade opening hole.  It adds a lot of real estate for the thumb to open the knife.  It also provides a large shelf upon which the thumb can place pressure to cut materials that are hesitant to yield to the edge. The G10 handle scales are shaped … Continue reading

Posted in Knives | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Gainesville Officer Shoots…Hoops

Well, they did lower the rim for the dunk. Randall

Posted in Humor, Misc. | Leave a comment

Improved Beretta PX4 Compact Carry

Beretta has a makeover for the PX4 Storm Compact.  Competitive shooter and Marine Earnest Langdon worked up some fixes for the platform that increase the gun’s ergonomics and shootability.  Is that a word?  The result is the PX4 Compact Carry. Langdon started with lower profile safety and slide release levers.  Next came a larger magazine release button and refined trigger pull.  Rounding out the tactile refinements is the Talon wrap textured grips that increase traction in the hand. Other upgrades include tritium night sights and a gray Cerakoted slide.  This is more a factory custom mod than an actual new gun, so expect it to price higher than a Beretta … Continue reading

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms | Tagged | 1 Comment

New Kimber K6s Revolver

Now we are talkin’!  Kimber is set to release a brand new DAO revolver to the market in March of this year.  The Kimber K6s is a six-shot, stainless steel .357 Magnum wheelgun with a 2 inch barrel and internal hammer.  This one is aimed center-of-mass at the concealed carry crowd. The Kimber K6s has material milled from the revolver’s cylinder, resulting in an interesting series of alternating flats and curves.  Like a Ruger LCR, the cylinder release is a push button affair.  K6s’ action rotates counter-clockwise, like S&W, but unlike Colt. With pinned front and dovetailed rear sights, I am certain the aftermarket will already be tooling up for … Continue reading

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

New Glock MOS Pistols

Today, Glock introduced two new MOS (Modular Optics System) pistols at the SHOT Show.  Here is their press release: Las Vegas, Nev. – Jan. 18, 2016  Today, GLOCK, Inc., announced the release of two new pistols to join the Modular Optic System (MOS) series, the G17 Gen4 in MOS and the G19 Gen4 in MOS. Now, two of GLOCK’s best selling pistols are available with milled slides designed specifically to be adaptable to multiple optic systems without costly customization. The G17 Gen4 MOS and G19 Gen4 MOS are the ideal addition to the series as the market continues to trend toward optic-ready everyday carry and defense.

Posted in Firearms, Misc. | Tagged | Leave a comment

Maxpedition Advanced Gear Research for 2016

It would appear that Maxpedition is ascending to the next level of carryalls with their Advanced Gear Research products for 2016.  There are six new bags and six accompanying pouches from the company.  The imbedded link has the press release info, detailed photos, and product features. Los Angeles, CA, January 11, 2016 – Maxpedition corporation debuts the Advanced Gear Research (AGR) line with 12 new styles at SHOT Show 2016, providing a glimpse into the future of the Maxpedition brand and its products. While the Maxpedition brand DNA of uncompromising durability is preserved, modernized aesthetics and a broadened palette of custom materials and components, elevate Maxpedition equipment to a new … Continue reading

Posted in Concealed Carry, Tactical Bags | Tagged | Leave a comment

New FLIR Scout TK Thermal Imager

FLIR Systems, Inc. introduced their latest handheld thermal imaging monocular at this month’s Consumer Electronics Show 2016.  The FLIR Scout TK entry-level device is the company’s smallest and least expensive model yet.  At an MSRP of $599.00, the Scout TK is more than a thousand bucks less than their Scout II model, which sells at about $1,900. The new Scout TK measures just 4″ x 1.5″ x 1.5″ and weighs only 6 ounces, so it really is pocket-sized.  I got to play with their older PS24 monocular back in 2012 at SHOT.  It was like a handful of science fiction!  Even in the lit show area, looking at the heat … Continue reading

Posted in Street, SWAT, Tactics, Technology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Florida’s Death Penalty

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court, by a ruling of 8-1, struck down Florida’s death penalty system, saying in their majority opinion that Florida judges play too great a role in sentencing while juries can only give recommendations. The court majority decided in Hurst v. Florida that, “The Sixth Amendment protects a defendant’s right to an impartial jury.  This right required Florida to base Timothy Hurst’s death sentence on a jury’s verdict, not a judge’s fact finding.  Florida’s sentencing scheme, which required the judge alone to find the existence of an aggravating circumstance, is therefore unconstitutional.”

Posted in Legal | 1 Comment

Gun Control Sells More Guns

This is an interesting graphic from the New York Times charting gun sales for the last fifteen years.  The tallies come from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.  The NYT article posits that firearms sales increase sharply after talk of gun control, as happened in December. I think these numbers show how serious Americans are about exercising and maintaining their Second Amendment rights.  In 2014, handgun sales exceeded long gun sales for the first time in the U.S.  To me, this is indicative of people purchasing personal self-defense firearms rather than sporting arms.  The trends speak to our citizens’ waning sense of safety and security. Gun sales spiked in … Continue reading

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Media, Misc., Politics | Leave a comment

National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

The following is from the Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) website: National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (L.E.A.D.) On January 9th, 2016, partnering organizations in support of law enforcement officers nationwide will promote National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (L.E.A.D.). In light of recent negativity directed toward law enforcement nationally, there is a need to show law enforcement officers that our citizens recognize the difficult and sometimes impossible career they have chosen, in public service to us all. On January 9th of each year we will call our nation’s citizens to action in support of law enforcement. Those citizens who appreciate law enforcement and are discouraged about the negative attention being given … Continue reading

Posted in Misc. | Leave a comment

Walther Releases New PPS M2 Pistol

  Walther Arms has released a variation of the PPS to the market, the PPS M2.  The new PPS M2 has rounded looks that are more sleek than its blocky Teutonic predecessor, which is now called the PPS Classic.  The 9mm M2 is shipping to local gun stores now.  A .40 cal. version will come in the Spring of this year. The PPS M2 retains the same dimensions and basic functionality of the Classic, but the M2 has had its ambidextrous paddle mag release and Weaver rail eliminated.  The magazine release is now a left side button. The PPS, or Polizei-Pistole Schmal, was introduced in 2007 and has been wearing … Continue reading

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Off Duty | Tagged , , | Leave a comment