SafeMind LLC

12/19/2025

A majority of my students are not shooters, per se. They are gun curious and often just want to learn more about them and how to safely operate them. Many state that they feel that it's something that is necessary, even if they have no, or little, intention of ever owning a firearm.
The difference between this student and one who is working on developing existing skills is that the gravity of my words, and actions, is heavy. This could be the one opportunity for the student to learn about gun culture, contextual safety and application, and how to manipulate a gun if they need to in the future. It's not about sub 2 second Bill Drills or bumping up a level in USPSA. If there is one error, one non-fact, one slip, their journey may come to an abrupt halt, leaving a bad taste from the experience. No shortcuts can be taken, it has to be right.

What was your first experience shooting like?

Your Defense is Personal

12/15/2025

When your shooting instructor gives the "I was in the military" flex when discussing credentials, keep in mind this photo.
Full disclosure, I was in the military and actually taught shooting (Sniper school AI for about a year). I don't even use this cred when discussing background, unless it is specific to the conversation. However, most of my students are regular folks just trying to learn how to safely perform the fundamentals.
Context, and truth, matter.
The truth is a small minority of those in the military actually shoot. A significantly smaller minority actually teach.

Your Defense is Personal

12/14/2025

There's nothing good about this one.
A 19 year old (can't legally purchase a handgun) found a hookup on Facebook marketplace and was going to trade a gold ring (wanna bet that he stole it?) and a couple hundred dollars cash.
This is a siren song for criminals. Easy pickings, and it was until it wasn't.
Don't buy guns in parking lots. Yeah, I know, private purchase is legal. Just don't be dumb about it.

Your Defense is Personal

Newly obtained court documents are revealing more about how an online sale meetup turned into a suspected murder at a popular East Valley shopping center.Pol...

12/13/2025

I've have previously discussed the value of Orders Against Harassment/Restraining Orders and this is an example.

A number of years ago I had a student who was involved in a very violent domestic situation. She was advised to file an OAH against him, and did. The problem was that he worked for a local defense contractor and lost his security clearance because of it. Essentially, fired.
This lit his fuse and he went to her home, despite the restraining order, and violently attacked her.

This isn't legal advice, just passing on professional experience.

Your Defense is Personal

https://www.azfamily.com/2025/12/12/woman-shoots-kills-man-whom-she-had-protective-order-against-after-he-breaks-into-her-home-police-say/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOpqhhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE1cUdHMnFtZ0t3a2RzZ1Jmc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHuq39YyDZ38Es8qvBK5Uawml0HfedLkl4Lu3d-jutXEcncUUBokwE8cM-ccM_aem_Qmj5dfuJI1JiZ-25WibMKg

A woman shot and killed a man whom she had a protective order against after he broke into her home, according to the Gulfport Police Department in Mississippi.

12/12/2025

I often see pics of folks posting what they claim to be their groups shot at various distances, typically 100 to 300 yards. We'll see a group shot from a middle of the road AR15, or mid-priced bolt gun of one inch at 200 or 300 yards. Every time I just grimace and wonder how many people actually believe their own bu****it and how many others actually believe it.
While Benchrest, and some other unicorn classes, use purpose built guns, this is still an astounding achievement. While it's not what most of us call "shooting", more of a science experiment, yet it demonstrates what can be done. I can attest that this came with a tremendous amount of work and experience. Pretty cool.

Your Defense is Personal

12/11/2025

This the first time that I have seen the FBI report on justified homicide and data on defensive gun uses. This helps us gain a better understanding of self defense using a firearm, however, does not include defensive gun uses when the attacker is just injured or the mere presence of a firearm stops a potential threat.
Regardless, it's great to have some official numbers.

Your Defense is Personal

https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/LATEST/resources/reports/Justifiable_Homicide_2015-2024.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawOnxEVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFWMnE3c0RmaHJXcWpRb1g3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHi_b0qt-NacAGfHwI1qF4emyDAUQctYY4e8_rYxMIdB26hKDtRueEc-mcpzf_aem_Jh7uiISC2kyAMYDie2AImg

12/09/2025

It's crazy that some LE agencies in Arizona still allow "warning shots" in their use of force policy. Another case of "rules for thee, not for me" and is an antiquated policy.

I'll be absolutely clear, the justification to fire a "warning shot" is the same as applying lethal force. If you are in imminent jeopardy of grievous bodily harm, or death, you need to stop that threat and a warning shot does not do so. The risk of harming an innocent third person does not justify this practice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-1RIj_GWHI

Your Defense is Personal

The Sedona Police Department recently changed its use-of-force policy to ban warning shots, a controversial tactic previously permitted under specific circum...

12/05/2025

Let's talk front serrations and why I'm not a fan.
The purpose is to provide the shooter a bit of friction when manipulating the slide for either a press check or to unload the firearm. The problem, these are right about where you don't want your hand when your pistol is loaded.
I have seen many high level competition shooters, following a rapid run through a stage, go to unload and put their hand in front of the muzzle. This is, well, less than ideal.
Yeah, it looks cool to press check and unload with these, but much safer to do it the old fashioned way, from behind the ejection port.

Your Defense is Personal

12/04/2025

Last night I hosted a fundraising match, with the support of Cactus Combat Match League, to help out a long time friend of mine who had hit some tough times.
He suffered a significant stroke, just over a year ago, and was left with hemiplegia, some memory and speech issues. This kept him from working yet still needing to provide for his family. A month ago his wife of 29 years left and he was truly the bread winner for his three kids.
Last Monday, while crossing the street in his motorized wheelchair he was struck, and killed, by a car. This leaves his kids going down a challenging path.
The point of this post isn't pity, but community. I put out the call and a whole bunch of great people came out to shoot a fun match and contribute some money to the family. We exceeded our expectations and complete strangers gave what they could.
There are many memes about gun people but one thing is for sure and that is they will give you the shirt off their backs to help another. The kindness and generosity was overwhelming. We need more community. A lot more.

Your Defense is Personal

12/03/2025

Online buy/sell sites, such as FB marketplace and Craig's List are a great way to sell you old stuff and buy the things you want without paying retail.
However, there is a very real risk. There seems to be an uptick in malicious actors on these sites. They coordinate a meet up, even in public spaces, and use violence to take your stuff or your money. Their threshold for violence is low as is their concern that this is taking place in very public areas.
Consider that risk and if anything during the transaction, even during the online negotiation, JDLR (Just Don't Look Right) then back out. If you do plan the meet up, here are some tips:
-Go to a VERY public place.
-Bring someone with you
-Let someone know where you are going and tell them when the transaction begins and when it ends
-Be armed. Both pepper spray and a firearm would be prudent
-Arrive first and early. Scope out the area to see if anyone else is there or if someone is watching from a distance. If it feels wrong, leave.
-If buying, bring the exact amount. Negotiate before you arrive.
-If selling, require the exact amount, in cash. Pulling out your wallet for change gives plenty of opportunity for you to be distracted.

Your Defense is Personal

An arrest has been made in this week's deadly shooting in a Tempe Marketplace parking lot, authorities announced.

12/03/2025

I live in Phoenix and each time I get on the road I know that one slight mistake can lead to a confrontation with another driver. This has changed my behavior on the road, working to chill even when others aren't.
Reported road rage incidents, in Arizona, have more than doubled in the past couple of years, as have road rage fatalities (usually shootings).
Is your ego worth the possibility of you, or someone else, being hurt or killed?

Your Defense is Personal

Road rage crashes in Arizona have doubled from about 500 per year to more than 1,000 between 2020 and 2024, according to state data. The number of people kil...

11/27/2025

Today I had the opportunity to teach two amazing young ladies the art of the AR. Both had shot before, with their father, but they wanted to learn more about this particular firearm and take the next step into their shooting journey.
Working with young folks is extremely rewarding. They come with no ego, are always super safety conscious and eager to learn. These two are no exception and also brought incredible self awareness and the ability to articulate very specific feedback regarding their learning experience.
Strong work, ladies!

Your Defense is Personal