Holiday Vigilance

Several days ago the jury working on the Dr. Petit family murders in Connecticut came back with a death sentence for the animals that tortured and brutally murdered this husband and father's wife and two daughters in front of him.  My sympathy and prayers go out to Dr. Petit.  

I sit here in my home at peace and taking a break from a spirited game of "Wits and Wagers" with the family I love so much.  I am at peace but still vigilant.  Our shrubs are kept low, exterior lights are on including the motion sensors, the intrusion alarm system is on, and...........my wife and I are both presently armed under our cardigan sweaters.  

Earlier today we welcomed friends and neighbors who stopped by to chat or run an errand.  No one knows my wife and I both carry at home nor did our varied guests notice when I opened the door to greet them I also scanned the street and side walk. We live in a comfortable house in a nice quiet neighborhood.  The police department is about six blocks away.  Our neighborhood probably shares many things in common with the Petit family and probably the one you live in also.  I pray that when evil passes by our home it will not stop as it did with the Petit family in Connecticut.  

Tragically, evil will stop at someone's happy home tonight because evil is invited in through complacency or naivety.  In Missouri approximately 2% of our population has taken a Concealed Carry class.  That means we as trainers have a lot of work yet to do in teaching individuals and families about how to be safe.  

If you as a trainer are not including a situational awareness piece in your CCW courses you are short changing your students.  Massob Ayoob has some excellent information on situational awareness in his several books as does the late Jim Cirrilo in his two books.  If you haven't read these two giants in the self defense field, and the information they have pass along, you are short changing your students.  

Always be in a Yellow alert level, constantly scan your mirrors when stopped in traffic, know what to look for per attack behavior in others, and have a challenge boundary around you and your loved ones when in public.  If you want to learn more go by my web site at www.SafeShoot.com and click on the Course and Cost tab.  Order the Situational Awareness DVD.  Take notes and please  use the information in your class room if you aren't already doing so.  Yes, we are in business and probably competitors.  Just remember we are in the business of saving innocent life.  As much as we can let's work together towards that good end.  

God's Blessings to you all and Merry Christmas!  P.S. Happy חנוכה to our Jewish brothers and sisters.