Why should I or anyone else care that you’re carrying a firearm become routine or even comfortable?
Many of us had to take some type of training course in our journey to lawfully exercise our 2nd Amendment Right to carry a concealed handgun. The constitutionality of forcing us to obtain such a permit or license inflames many of us, me included and that is a dissertation for another time. In my state of Michigan we are required to take what is commonly known as the NRA’s Personal Protection in the Home prior to applying for our county-by-county issued, statewide recognized Concealed Pistol License.
The NRA’s “PPITH” is a very good course when taught correctly by an NRA Certified instructor. The course is an overview of defensive shooting skills, use of deadly force, strategies for responding to a violent confrontation as well as pistol, ammo and holster selection tips.
In the opening segment of the NRA’s “PPITH” several minutes are spent discussing the four levels of awareness. Unaware, aware, alert and alarm. The most important aspect of yours and others safety at home or out in public is to remain aware and alert to your surroundings! Notice my use of the two words in the center of the “awareness” spectrum. Those of us with formal training under the tutelage of Uncle Sam have learned the corresponding color codes of tactical awareness. Also known as Colonel Coopers Color Codes. Condition White, unaware. Condition Yellow, aware. Condition Orange, alert and Condition Red, alarm.
In our busy lives, the majority of people I observe, and hopefully you will to after reading this article, go about their daily travels in condition white. As in instructor of the NRA’s “PPITH” and other disciplines, I refer to condition white as victim mode. Criminals, not surprising happen to know this too.
As your comfort level with carrying a firearm increases, naturally your level of awareness decreases. I myself am guilty as charged. Soon after I was asked to contribute to this publication and needed to provide my own topic, I errantly left my residence one morning without my favorite warm weather firearm, additional magazines and tactical flashlight. As fast as I remembered I forgot my Glock 26, two spare magazines and Fenix PD 32 tactical light this article began writing itself.
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