Monthly Archives: October 2012

Testing National Police Ammunition’s Simulated Duty Round

National Police Ammunition is an ATF licensed South Florida manufacturer of law enforcement ammunition.  NPA specializes in lead-free, frangible ammo and has developed the SDR, or Simulated Duty Round, for police applications. The SDR is designed to mimic the performance of police duty rounds and be an accurate, reliable, and cost effective alternative.  NPA lists some of the following advantages: • Proprietary loading techniques prevents projectiles breaking when chambered which is common with frangible ammunition • Power factor equivalency “Felt” recoil • Line of Sight = Point of Impact • Fully Frangible non jacketed projectile • Reduced ricochet • Available with lead-free, heavy metal free primers (standard primers also available) … Continue reading

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Election Hype Driving the Gun and Accessory Market

In late October 2008, things were looking a little bleak for my political party.  It seemed that there was a darkening cloud on the horizon that ultimately spurred me into action.  I ran right out and bought an AR-15. I found a great deal on a new Rock River Arms LAR-15.  It was less than $900.00, out the door.  I was issued a RRA LAR-15 at work and I had been happy with that gun for the previous five years of service.  I co-witnessed an old EOTech Holosight with a new Yankee Hill Machine flip-up rear sight on the top rail of my new rifle.  A sling was affixed and … Continue reading

Posted in Firearms, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

FDLE and AG Announce Decline in Prescription Drug Deaths

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida Attorney General’s Office have announced the first prescription drug death decline in ten years.  I reported in March 2012 about AG Pam Bondi’s efforts to curb prescription drug deaths through the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.  The FDLE, DEA, and local law enforcement have all collaborated to shut down pill mills, prosecute doctors abusing their authority, pulling the licenses of drug distributors and pharmacies who violate the law, and arresting abusers who violate the law.  Here is the press release from the AG’s Office: For the first time in nearly a decade, prescription drug-related deaths have declined. I joined Florida Department of … Continue reading

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S.L. Variant Revolver Speedloader

The Longwitz S.L. Variant Speedloader, which is available from Bobby Mac’s Holsters in the U.S. or Sportshooter.de, is an excellent product for reloading the revolver.  They have a positive hold on the bullets and will not release in a pocket or pouch.  At $30.00 a piece, they are a little pricey, but, hey, how many do you really need? Available for .38/.357 cal. revolvers with 5, 6, and 7 (no, not eight) round cylinders, the S.L. Variant is my speedloader of choice.  Though I like the HKS ones and Safariland Comp

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

Brous Blades Silent Soldier Neck Knife Review

Jason Brous is a custom knifemaker whose work is the melding of his experience in CNC machining and his love of Biomechanical art.  Biomechanical art is a synthesis of machine and organic forms.  It was popularized by the renderings of artist H.R. Geiger, whose eerie designs are seen in the Alien series of movies (think of the curvy exoskeleton of the Alien). Brous Blades have their own synthesis of curves and lines that make them visually attractive and strong.  I saw one of Brous’ knives on a co-worker’s desk and I think I asked to examine it after I already had the knife in my hands. The Brous Blades Silent … Continue reading

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When the Balloon Goes Up! Launches Online Store for Gear That Just Works

I received this release from my friend Ron over at When the Balloon Goes Up! He’s good people and publishes a great website.  I Blogrolled him when I started my site.  Much like Richard at BlueSheepdog.com or Paul at SafetySolutionsAcademy.com, I am proud to know these guys.  Click on the orange Balloon logo to go over to the store! Randall HUNTERSVILLE, North Carolina – October 15, 2012 – When the Balloon Goes Up! (http://balloongoesup.com), one of the most popular firearms blogs focused on training and gear for concealed carry, pistol competition and 72 hour preparedness, has launched a new online store to further serve that market. The When the Balloon … Continue reading

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New Memorial To Fallen St. Petersburg Police Officers

I had the honor of attending yesterday’s unveiling of the new memorial dedicated to fallen St. Petersburg police officers.  A few hundred citizens, law enforcement officers, and dignitaries stood in solemn tribute to the fifteen officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty protecting and serving the citizens of St. Petersburg since 1903.  The memorial proudly stands near the bay in Demens Landing, the waterfront park dedicated to city founder, Peter Demens. A piper from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office began the proceedings with Amazing Grace.  Speakers included St. Pete Mayor Bill Foster, Councilwoman Leslie Curran, representatives of the non-profit Heroes of the St. Pete Police foundation, … Continue reading

Posted in Media, Misc., Officer Down | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

AG’s Office Issues Brief on Concealed Firearms Carry

Last week, Attorney General Pam Bondi filed an amicus brief with the Florida Supreme Court in the case of Anthony Mackey v. State of Florida.  The Supreme Court will consider the direct conflict between Mackey v. State (Fl 3rd DCA 2012) and Regalado v. State (Fl 4th DCA 2010), which relates to concealed firearms carry.  The AG asks the Supreme Court to uphold the decision by the Third District Court of Appeal of Florida in this matter. The AG brief addresses the authority of a police officer to conduct an investigation of a person carrying a concealed firearm.  In short, on March 6, 2010, Miami Police Officer Alexander May observed … Continue reading

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High Noon Holsters Side Effect Review

High Noon Holsters is a West Central Florida maker of custom cowhide and horsehide gun holsters.  I saw the High Noon Holsters Side Effect hanging on a rack in the LGS.  I needed a good concealed carry holster for my Glock 27, so I sprung for it. As a bit of background, about ten years ago I met High Noon’s owner Justin.  He was making his holsters out of the garage of his Florida home at that time.  He was a super nice guy who had worked for one of the larger holster companies.  Justin decided to go off on his own to produce holsters of his design and manufacture.  … Continue reading

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Police Technology. Meh.

There have been many technological changes in the last quarter century that have made the copper’s job…different.  Not always better, but certainly not the same. When I started out, our duty belts held a .38 cal. revolver (S&W M64), 2 HKS speedloaders, large Motorola MT500 portable radio, handcuffs, and rings for a full-length Monadnock PR-24 sidehandle baton and Mag-Lite.  My agency made the switch to Smith & Wesson 669 9mm semi-automatics pistols in 1987. The firepower on a patrolman’s belt has definitely increased.  We got hi-cap magazines for the S&W autoloader that topped off at 15 rounds.  Forty-six rounds of 9mm sure beat 18 slow-to-reload wheelgun shots.  My issued handgun … Continue reading

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Georgia K9 Dog Dies From Severe Neglect

I am absolutely sickened by this story in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about Warwick, GA Police K9 Sasha, who died of neglect in her Chevrolet Tahoe while her “handler” was on a three day vacation. K9 Sasha, a 10 year old Dutch Shepherd, had been given to the Warwick PD by the Miami, FL Police Department about two years ago.  She was a trained narcotics detector dog with many finds both in Florida and in Georgia. Click the link above if you want to read the details of her death.  I really do not feel like printing them here. As a former Police K9 Handler, I had nothing but outrage in … Continue reading

Posted in K9, Media | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

Bushnell Marine 7X50 Binoculars for Law Enforcement Use

Surveillance is a daily component of the job as a law enforcement officer.  A good pair of binoculars and the understanding of how they work are essential to the task.  Bushnell’s Marine 7X50 binoculars are outstanding in this arena.  Why?  That requires a little explanation. Tech alert:  if you don’t want to learn about how binoculars work, too bad. A binocular optic enhances our vision by magnifying the light that enters our eyes.  Binocular vision means having two eyes arranged for stereoscopic viewing, which gives us depth perception. The magnification power of a binocular is the first number, say, 7 in 7X50.  These binoculars have a 7 power (7X) magnification … Continue reading

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