Monthly Archives: August 2012

Rob Pincus on “Irresponsible Open Carry Activism” and the Second Amendment

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Randall

Rob Pincus is a former law enforcement officer, SWAT member, and world-renowned firearms and personal defense trainer.  Below was his response to what he sees as a threat to open carry and gun rights, in general.  I agree with his viewpoint. He asked Grant Cunningham to post this on his blog, and Mr. Cunningham gave me the go-ahead to reprint here.  I think it relevant,  in light of the obnoxious behavior by the wanna-be activists against Oregon cops that went viral last week… Irresponsible Open Carry Activism Jeopardizes The RKBA Guns should be carried for personal defense, not Activism. The best way to do that 99% of the time is … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Defensive Tactics, Legal, Media | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

CRKT Zilla Tool Jr. Review

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Randall

I carry too much stuff.  My Blackhawk MOB Bag began to weigh waayy more than it should.  I started trying to pare down its load.  A heavy full-sized multi-tool was one thing to go.  I must have at least two big pliar/knife/driver combos in the Crown Vic.  A smaller tool can make do in my daily tote. I chose a Columbia River Knife and Tool Zilla Tool Jr. to satisfy my everyday engineering requirements.  The CRKT Zilla Jr. can turn a bolt or screw, strip wire, or cut that which needs parting.  It can perform these chores and save me a quarter pound in travel weight. The Zilla is not … Continue reading →

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NYPD Officers Forced Into Difficult Shooting Scenario

Posted on August 26, 2012 by Randall

My headline was not the one I read on a mainstream media news website.  It said something like, “NYPD Shoots Nine Bystanders Before Killing Suspect.”  Considering  that in a crowd of people, the two officers shot sixteen bullets and hit a gun-wielding homicide suspect nine times at center of mass, I’d say my headline is closer to reality. The suspect, Jeffrey Johnson, is seen at the top center of the video walking toward the left and carrying a briefcase.  Officers Craig Matthews and Robert Sinishtaj enter from the top right.  Johnson was walking from the scene where he had just shot a co-worker five times in the head with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Officer Safety, Street | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Open Firearms Carry Wastes Officers’ Time

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Randall

I saw this on another blog and it reminded me that there are conservative factions attempting to legalize open carry in Florida. In the densely populated, urban county in which I live, I fear that dwindling police services will have resources drained by these types of calls for service from alarmed citizens. This video is an example of two guys just trying to waste the officers’ time with obstructive discourse. Nice job by the officer. Yeah, we don’t always articulate things perfectly. Just the same, he is courteous and professional in the face of the amateur armed “confrontationalists.” The officer’s function check of what he discovered to be a .22 … Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms, Officer Safety, Street | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Galco Stow-N-Go Holster Review

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Randall

Galco International began making gun leather as the Famous Jackass Leather Company in Chicago circa 1969.  Probably their most known product is the Original Jackass Rig shoulder holster worn by Don Johnson in the Miami Vice TV show of the 1980’s. I was in college in 1984 when Sonny Crockett was running around Metro Dade toting his signature 10mm Auto Bren Ten in that Jackass Rig.  It looked pretty cool then, but years down the road as a detective I tried a shoulder holster only to find that it is not exactly practical here in the tropical South. I do have a Galco holster that I wear in civvies, though.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Pensacola Officer Arrested for Battering DUI Suspect

Posted on August 19, 2012 by Randall

The Pensacola Police Department fired K9 Officer Christopher Geraci for excessive force on Friday, then arrested him for misdemeanor battery in connection with his hit and run/DUI investigation on August 2. Suspect Abbi Bonds struck several cars with her late model Chevy Camaro at 2:30 in the morning.  Her vehicle was disabled with heavy damage and pulled to the side of the road several blocks from the crash scene when Geraci found her. After Geraci orders her back into her car several times, she refuses while continuing to talk on her cell phone.  He attempts to handcuff her.  As he does so, he tries to rotate her against her car.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal, Politics, Street | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

GAP Enterprises Glock Finger Rest Extension Review

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Randall

I love my Glock 27.  It is that OD color that looks greenish or brownish, depending on the lighting conditions.  Like many owners, I’m fond of its short grip for concealed carry, but wish I could get a better hold on the G27 when the trigger is depressed.  Enter the GAP. GAP Enterprises, Inc. makes a finger rest that replaces the standard floor plate on a Glock magazine.  Called the GAP Finger Rest Extension, it adds 1/2″ of tough polymer resin material to act as a stop for the ring finger at the front lip of the magazine. The peaked design of the GAP maintains a small footprint at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Off Duty | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

Florida Highway Patrol Responds to FDLE Report

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Randall

The Florida Highway Patrol has come out swinging against the highly critical report published by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in April regarding the series of fatal crashes on the I-75 stretch of Paynes Prairie.  Mainstream media outlets bludgeoned the FHP over what the press saw as mistakes in the Patrol’s smoke/fog response on January 29, 2012.  Six crashes involved 24 vehicles, resulting in 11 deaths and 46 reported injuries. In the wake of mounting criticism and 13 wrongful death lawsuits against it, the FHP investigated and published its own report of the incident response, which involved not only the FHP, but the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Gainesville Police … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Politics | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Benchmade Knives 175 Adamas CBK Push Dagger Review

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Randall

Push daggers speak to me of power.  No pretty pass cuts or fancy foil grips, just gritty jabs and slashing blows thrown in a clench.  Boxing with a blade. Benchmade Knife Company’s 175 Adamas CBK Push Dagger was made with input from customers of the law enforcement sort.  This is a purely defensive knife.  CBK stands for concealed backup knife.  And there you have it:  all business. With full tang construction of 440C stainless steel and a chisel ground blade, this knife was purpose-built for toughness.  The 2.5” blade is double-edged, spear point in shape, and given a Rockwell Hardness of 58-60.  Blade and handle are subdued with Benchmade’s BK1 … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Knives, Officer Safety | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

M.R.A.P.S. Level III Ballistic Shield for SWAT

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Randall

I was having lunch with some SWAT officers from an adjacent agency during a break in training a few weeks ago.  We regularly cross-train with other local tactical teams to share info and problem solve.  While we were talking equipment, they said they had just purchased several rifle-rated ballistic shields.  When I asked which make, they said, “M.R.A.P.S.” I had seen the M.R.A.P.S. Level III shield at SHOT Show 2011.  Baker Ballistics, LLC manufactures the shield.  Baker Ballistics’ Director and CEO, Rick Armellino, gave the BlueSheepdog crew and me a demonstration of the capabilities of their Mobile Rifle Armor Protective Shield on the show floor. I was pretty jazzed about … Continue reading →

Posted in Protective Armor, SHOT Show, Technology | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Safariland/Kona Introduces New Patrol Bike 29er

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Randall

This press release went out after the IPMBA Conference in May.  I recently received another email notification about the bike.  I have some time with Cannondale and Smith & Wesson police mountain bikes under me.  This one has some nice features.  Video attached below from SHOT Show 2012. JACKSONVILLE, Florida – Safariland®, a BAE Systems line of business, announced today at the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) Conference that it is introducing a brand new Patrol Bike product line for the law enforcement market. Safariland has teamed with Kona USA, one of the world’s leading all-terrain bicycle manufacturers, to develop the flagship product in the line, the Safariland®/Kona® Patrol … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc., SHOT Show, Street, Technology | Tagged , | 2 Comments

FLIR Entry Level Thermal Imagers for Law Enforcement

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Randall

FLIR Systems, Inc. has released a new line of thermal imagers that are affordable (by thermal imaging standards).  The PS-series is initially aimed toward the civilian hunting market, but will branch into the law enforcement and maritime markets this year.  The E-series is an industrial use thermal imager with police applications.  Starting prices for the units are $1,999.00 for the PS-series and $2,500.00 for the E-series. I stopped at the FLIR booth at the 2012 SHOT Show and checked out one of their Scout PS24 imagers.  This model is an entry level device, but it has terrific tactical potential. The PS24 has a color LCD viewfinder display that can be … Continue reading →

Posted in Street, Technology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments