SafeMind LLC

02/21/2026

I am extremely selective in who I choose to learn from, with regard to shooting teachers. While there are many excellent ones out there, this class impacted me in ways that are difficult to describe.
Two days of looking in the mirror and constant shooting integrity checks, with complete accountability of every action, and every shot. It's hard. It's painful. However, it's necessary if you carry a firearm to protect yourself or those that you love.

The result is that I will hold myself, and my students to a much higher standard, and, perhaps, recommending to some that they rethink their decision to carry a firearm unless they can commit to these standards.

Take the opportunity to learn in the No Fail Pistol class. It'll change your life.

Thank you Chuck for this transformative experience.

Your Defense is Personal

02/13/2026

Wanna get shot? This is how you get shot.
I am not a fan of the Byrna pepperball gun. First, it isn't effective (translation, it sucks) and it resembles a firearm. You point at someone it would be reasonable for that person to believe that you are pointing a real gun and they may be justified in shooting you.

Just say no

Your Defense is Personal

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1AZpCPYyhi/

02/05/2026

What's often missing from Stop the Bleed training is scenario based practical application of the skills, knowledge and tools.
We continue this learning by moving into Care Under Fire, the first component of TCCC/TECC.
The priorities change during an active violence incident. To be successful in these tragic situations is critical to know these priorities.

How do you train?

Your Defense is Personal

02/02/2026

We all had that moment in time when we decided to take our own safety and security seriously.
For some it's a close call with a potentially violent person, for others it's uncertainty in our world. Either way, once that decision is made seeking instruction on how to use your defensive tool of choice, including the legal, and moral, framework that guides its use, is critical.
Some things are just not easy to figure out on your own, that's why we are here. To help you learn.

Your Defense is Personal

01/21/2026

I know it's hard, but sometimes you just have to bite your tongue.
Some people can be quite unpredictable. Some people don't value life. If you get cross with someone who exhibits these characteristics they may bring violence to you.
Don't let your ego drive your actions. It could go south quickly, with you on the losing end.

Your Defense is Personal

https://www.azfamily.com/2026/01/20/man-shot-killed-after-confronting-line-cutter-phoenix-quiktrip-pd-says/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPdsbFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE5RnNJUWgzalBiVjd1bzIwc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHopglfFGB0cZmx8UDpU5yYbKhP3CN91cl0xK_TnzivS3wIrBp-sMXnNnT2S1_aem_uxwRNJiSJIsh2Q0WCjopQQ

New court documents detail how a homeless man allegedly shot and killed another man who attempted to confront him about cutting the bathroom line at a Phoenix gas station.

01/07/2026

Carry. Your. Gun.
It doesn't matter where you are.
It doesn't matter what you are doing.
It doesn't matter if you are in a "safe" neighborhood.
It doesn't matter if you are with your family.
It doesn't matter if you are in your car.
It doesn't matter if you are on a bike.
It doesn't matter if you are walking the dog.
Criminals don't care and are opportunists with a low impulse threshold. If they see something they want, they may try to take it.

Carry your gun. Know the laws of self defense. Be very capable with your firearm. Have less lethal tools, as well.

Your Defense is Personal

https://www.azfamily.com/2026/01/07/bicyclist-stabbed-attempted-robbery-scottsdale/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPLoi5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFvdHE2UzJNU3htaXpwbDFJc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsu2-Lx8qsO6PiYnDtu0aRpAPQT3f8UJ7xzEsUFTA4ESLFWiw3XSvN3IRXBq_aem_0GgD_LC0Q-H5J4vSGiyaTQ

Detectives are investigating after a man was stabbed during an attempted robbery in the East Valley overnight.

12/29/2025

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about why I'm not a fan of using front slide serrations for actions done at speed, such as clearing malfunctions, unloading a firearm following a stage (in competition), and such.
It surprised me how much hate it would bring, including a few DMs that were threatening in nature.
The folks that were most vocal, in a non-productive manner, were emphatic about how it was impossible to muzzle your hand while doing this.
I present to you Exhibit A, taken from a recent post on the Marine Corps Scout Sniper FB page. This teufelhund, likely quite proficient with fi****ms is violating Rule 2 solely because he was operating the slide using forward serrations.
This is an easy fix, manipulate the slide, especially during actions under stress, from the rear ( to the rear of the ejection port). The probability of muzzling your own hand decreases significantly.

Now, I'm not your mom, and can't make you do anything. However, I would be remiss if I was aware of a common issue and didn't point it out.

Your Defense is Personal

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.