SafeMind LLC

10/11/2026

I like revolvers because they are simple and reliable, not like those plastic guns, said no one who knows.

Revos are fun and challenging, yet they lean more to a fine swiss watch than the block of steel that many purport them to be.

Your Defense is Personal

10/09/2026

Well, for now, we can purchase, and possess, SBR's, SBS and silencers/suppressors without going through the NFA process.

ATF Director Robert Cekada announces the signing of an Open Letter ...

10/09/2026

It's funny, I say this about many of the subjects I teach, but Stop the Bleed is one of my favorites.
It's not theoretical. It's not preparing for a unicorn event. It's normal people learning how to take care of their friends, family, co-workers and community.

Your Defense is Personal

10/01/2026

My friend, Dakota, is a rockstar. Here's a little piece on her contribution to the community, both at large, and the fi***rm community.

Your Defense is Personal

https://www.facebook.com/reel/28735392306142736

09/26/2026

What did this couple do right?
What did this couple do wrong?
Was the shooting justified?

Your Defense is Personal

Surveillance video shows a violent altercation moments before a sho...

09/26/2026

At first glance, based on the headline, it appears that one of the parties tried to rob the other. Not an uncommon occurrence with private party sales for items purchased through FB Marketplace or Craig's List.
However, it seems as though this was an accidental shooting. While I don't know the details I can imagine how this went down.
I would bet a week's wages that seller was showing the gun, hadn't properly cleared the gun, and one of the parties learned the four rules of fi***rm safety the hard way.
This is the deal, the average citizen may "think" that they understand fi***rms, or are a good shooter, because they "grew up around guns". But the reality, based on observations at gun shops and public ranges, most, as in a majority, have no clue and are a hazard to themselves and others. Survivorship bias keeps them going down the same path and sheer luck keeps them from gattin' someone.

Just in case you aren't familiar, here are those rules as I communicate them:

1) Always know the condition of your fi***rm (know if it's loaded or unloaded through visual and tactile inspection).
2) Always point your fi***rm in the direction of least consequence.
3) Always keep your finger off of the trigger until you are on target and ready to fire.
4) Always be aware of your target and everything around it.

Link in comments

Your Defense is Personal

https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/1-injured-after-shooting-at-bass-pro-shop-parking-lot-in-mesa?G&fbclid=IwY2xjawUj-CpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6sWgkUObAOtJQXqOuz79aKFwSSwGEPcdGPNErzxWOqXGnT9t1N-DR34voFrQ_aem_e6hNpGCDdkbPwV1r0gkBJg

A person has been hospitalized after a a fi***rm sale that went wrong in the parking lot of a Bass Pro Shop Thursday, according to the Mesa Police Department.

09/25/2026

This morning I was going through one of my kid's school notebooks to see if it could be tossed.
A few pages in I found this. We just had a family range day and it looks like she knew that we'd go through the four rules of fi***rm safety, as I communicate them.
I love that she takes this seriously enough to review, and know them, before we went to the range.

Proud dad moment.

Your Defense is Personal

09/17/2026

Words matter.
Looking back I realized that one the most influential experiences I had, while learning to teach, occurred during my time at ASU.
I was earning a degree in Exercise Science, with a focus on biomechanics. One of my many jobs was in the Adaptive Weight room. This area was purpose built for students with disabilities such as spinal cord injury, and other physical challenges. One of the students I worked with was blind.
This presented a great opportunity to learn how to simply, clearly, and effectively communicate movement without being about to demonstrate it (I did learn how to use tactile cues based on my movement, but that's another story).
I learned early on that words, and developing context, mattered immensely to those learning novel skills.
This has stayed with me as I teach a fair number of folks who have never shot, even never touched, a fi***rm.
Lift with your legs!

Your Defense is Personal

09/15/2026

Pro tip: Don't be this guy....

Your Defense is Personal

80-YEAR-OLD SHOOTS SOLICITOR.
Update noon Sept. 15: According to Scottsdale Officer Aaron Bollin, the victim of the shooting “is in stable condition.
“He is not facing any criminal charges.”

First update, Sept. 14: the homeowner told police he did not intend to shoot the solicitor. The police report says the homeowner told the solicitor to leave the gated community, then got his gun and went outside to see if the solicitor was still in the community.

According to the report, the homeowner saw the man riding an electric scooter and yelled at him to leave. He said the man started riding towards him with his right arm in the air.

"THE DEFENDANT FELT FEARFUL THE VICTIM WAS GOING TO DO SOMETHING," the police report states, "SO HE DREW HIS HANDGUN WHILE STEPPING TO THE LEFT .... THE VICTIM WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 FEET AWAY WITH HIS RIGHT HAND STILL UP IN THE AIR, THE DEFENDANT THEN FELT IT WAS NECESSARY TO USE HIS LEFT HAND (STILL HOLDING THE HAND-
GUN) TO SWIPE OR BLOCK IT NOT KNOWING WHAT THE VICTIM'S INTENTION WAS. AS THE
DEFENDANT MADE PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE VICTIM'S HAND OR PHONE OR WHATEVER OBJECT WAS IN HIS HAND, THE GUN SUDDENLY WENT OFF ...

"THE DEFENDANT (stated) THAT HE WAS FEARFUL THE VICTIM WAS GOING TO DO SOMETHING BUT STATED HE DID NOT MAKE THE CONSCIOUS DECISION TO FIRE AND DID NOT INTEND TO SHOOT THE VICTIM."

The man who was shot told police a different story.
He said the homeowner came after him "WHILE HE STATED HE WAS BACKING AWAY ON THE SEGWAY. THE VICTIM STATED THE DEFENDANT THEN PULLED A BLACK HANDGUN. THE VICTIM
STATED WHEN HE SAW THE GUN HE TURNED TO LEAVE AND THAT WAS WHEN HE HEARD THE
GUNSHOT AND FELT SOMETHING IN HIS BACK," according to the police report.
"THE VICTIM STATED HE FELL TO THE GROUND
AND COULD NOT FEEL HIS LEGS."

Original post:

According to the Scottsdale Police Department, Patrick Joseph McBride, 80, was arrested and charged with shooting a door-to-door solicitor on N. 86th Place. The incident in a North Scottsdale gated community near Legend Trail Golf Club took place around 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13.

According to a press release, the victim was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and is currently listed in stable condition.

"Detectives learned the victim was working door-to-door when he encountered McBride at his residence. McBride confronted the victim about being in the private community," according to the release.

"The victim left the residence but remained in the neighborhood. McBride later encountered the victim again in the neighborhood. During that encounter, McBride was armed with a handgun. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the back."

McBride, pictured, remained at the scene and was arrested and booked on charges of:

Aggravated assault, serious physical injury;
Disorderly conduct involving a weapon.

08/21/2026

Rule 2 and Rule 3 apply always apply, even in competition.
While exiting the starting box I tripped on the box and lost my balance, nearly going down.
Fortunately, my focus went to keeping me, and others, safe with the fi***rm pointing in the direction of least consequence (Rule 2), which in this case was down and down range, to not break the 180, and keeping my finger off of the trigger (Rule 3).
Maintaining this awareness while letting it rip takes some practice, and work.
I'm super happy that I didn't eat the earth. That could have been more than just embarrassing.

Your Defense is Personal