SafeMind LLC

06/26/2026

Mistakes. Many. That's part of the reason why I'm working on my revolver skills and trying to compete in a semi-auto world.
It's not a fair fight as the stages are built for magazine fed semis, not wheel guns.
We don't compete because it's easy, but because it's hard and "failure" is more common than success.

Your Defense is Personal

06/26/2026

This was just posted on the Arkansas Game Wardens page.
While it boggles my mind it doesn't surprise me.
Imagine being in a class and the "instructors" had you point a firearm at others. There isn't just one "instructor", but four. Not one thought that this may be a bad idea.
I'd also bet a day's pay that the instructors have loaded fi****ms in the classroom.
As a student I would pack my stuff and find another employer.

Your Defense is Personal

06/11/2026

Among the first tasks we complete during any training is to conduct a safety brief. I do this not only with my students but when I'm shooting with friends.
Back in the day, during my service with Uncle Sugar, we were expected to play by "big boy rules". No, that didn't mean that we were given leeway regarding safety, but the agreement was that if you violated the safety rules one time you were gone. Like gone gone. Like go back to the team house, pack your bags and go to "leg land" gone. No warnings, no second chances. Why? Because any violation has consequences. You may hurt, or kill, yourself, a buddy, or someone who doesn't need to be hurt or killed. That's bad.
Here is a video a two buffoons with the Pasadena Police Department.
Can you imagine working in an environment where this occurs? Yeah, peace out. I'd be gone faster than you can say "bang".
Remember, only police should have guns...

Your Defense is Personal

https://abc7.com/post/pasadena-police-officer-accidentally-shot-fellow-cop-video-shows/19274381/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSXpWpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE1dUtHaEFuMGEzRzc1Qnluc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHma1YjUJ9loLgj83_VNwxmKvFtt-qxrPocEbTcBKmhco6pbAhFKV7iwSpv-b_aem_n2ke_Ki5taQKSY_WCPwGbg/

Newly released dashcam video shows a Pasadena police officer getting shot by a fellow officer in what the police chief described as a "horseplay" incident.

06/11/2026

You have to give crooks some credit. If anything, they are creative and resourceful.
This is a new one: thieves will place a screw under the gas handle switch so that when you place the handle into the cradle it doesn't stop the meter. You think that you're done (remember, you scan your card before pumping) and then they pull up and fill their tank on your dime.
Your Defense is Personal

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/screw-scam-spurs-new-fears-drivers-when-fill-tanks?link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=6a2a1a2c5a54750001ef5ce1&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawSXnuFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFRTGlMV3BYcmd0N0R6REVrc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpFxw_l7C9B0M91D8rRpo0VCESobuuuHcTEsgiKqlMf4Iu4P8b0XkYSq90eh_aem_cKoQAnsBU22RcGDuMI6Fjg

A Virginia police department is warning drivers about a new way scammers are trying to rip off people when they fill their tanks: the gas pump screw scam.

06/10/2026

Yeah, it's a meme, but I'll talk through what I got from it.
I teach all types of students, from people who have never seen a firearm, to people who have been involved in bad situations involving a firearm to those who carry them professionally.
I have found that words matter. Profoundly. As does context.
I have asked a student to perform a task and, when completed, the outcome was not what I was expecting. At first I thought it was due to a lack of skill by the student. I would repeat the instructions and the same outcome would occur.
Eureka! I changed my words, saying what I thought was the same thing, and received the outcome I desired.
As they say in fizzling relationships, "it's not you, it's me".
Today, I know that my words, and how they are used, must be exactly right, not for me to understand, but for the student to understand. To do this I must learn a lot about my student in a very short amount of time.
I also ask them to describe their experience they must use very specific words, with a very specific meaning. This helps them learn process, how to gain awareness of their process and tells me that our mutual communication is effective and efficient.
Words matter.

Your Defense is Personal

06/02/2026

Road rage is dumb and childish. If you can't drive a car without being a dick, you shouldn't drive.

Your Defense is Personal

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18uHqgdw7D/

05/30/2026

I'm fortunate to teach folks from all backgrounds and experience. One thing that I truly enjoy is teaching those who didn't grow up in the U.S. and whose only experience with fi****ms is what they have seen on the little and big screens. T is from Italy and was curious about fi****ms and, like many others, felt that it was important to learn how they work, how to be safe around them and how to shoot.
Well, he crushed it!
The B8 he is pointing at was his first run from 25 yards (2 hours into his first time on the range). I gotta say, there are a lot of those who "grew up around guns" that can't do this.
Strong work, Tony!

Your Defense is Personal

05/23/2026

Today was load development day for an upcoming elk hunt. I already have recipes for my guns but am wanting to move to a heavier bullet, the Berger 156gr EOL (6.5 Creedmoor) and hoping I can find a recipe that works with the powder I have on hand (H4350), which isn't ideal, but it's what I have.
I always start with a known load, shown at the top square, and then move through the various charge weights, using a particular process to ensure consistency.
I did this for two rifles, and think I've hit the money.
Next I'll work through seating depths and dial it in, finding zero and finishing with a tall target test and some confirmation at different ranges.
A lot of work for meat in the freezer, but it's worth it.

Your Defense is Personal

05/18/2026

Following a learning session with a new student it was time to load up with our "social ammo" before departing the range.
We walked to the firing line and, as always, I observed him go through the loading process and watched him place the round that he previously ejected from the chamber, prior to our training, back into the chamber and run the slide forward.
Knowing that this can lead to issues I had him clear his pistol and upon picking up the cartridge from the ground this is what we found.
He had been cycling the same cartridge as the one in the chamber for, at least, a year. The repeated impact of the slide hitting the chambered cartridge caused considerable setback and could cause increased chamber pressures or a failure to fire.
While there are many great processes to prevent this I just unload the entire magazine and put the round in first, randomizing where the previously chambered cartridges are.
What's your process?

Your Defense is Personal