28 Jan 03

I just returned from Memphis, TN where I did a program at Tom Givens' wonderful indoor range. Tom is a well known trainer and works with many local police departments.

He indicated that it is not uncommon for officers there to carry autoloading pistols with the chamber empty. When they step to the line the draw, chamber a round, then reholster. Then they signal that they are "ready."

We can thank our "friends" in the movie industry for this, just as we can thank them for making movie after movie where the hero runs around with a pistol in his hand and his finger continuously wrapped around the trigger.

It seems, in all the action thrillers, the heroes are constantly making their pistols click and clack. It must add to the drama for the benefit of the people who watch this sewage. When Tom asks officer why they are carrying pistols with no round in the chamber, the sheepishly answer that they "saw it in the movies." Tom stays busy!

On the same theme, I just received a message from a friend in the theater of operations in the Mideast. He reports that, even in forward areas, soldiers and civilian contractors alike are still carrying empty guns around, because they are ordered to do so "Clearing barrels" are everywhere.

Fortunately, my friend pays no attention to such stupid rules, and neither do his men.

"Any fool can make a rule, and every fool will follow."

/John