21Dec04

Camera comments from one of our instructors:

"We teach DTI students well regarding the types of words and phrases that need to be used and those that need to be avoided. Hence, the instruction to shout 'Drop your weapon!,' whether we see one or not, and th e strict admonition to never use any kind of derogatory language.

By the same token, we must now start to think about how we will look on the ' silent movie' that will likely result from ubiquitous surveillance c ameras that will invariably witness our incident. For example, after a suspect is down, we surely don't want to do anything that could be construed as spontaneously celebratory (eg: pumping a fist). More importantly, we want to make sure that, when we are forced to engage, we move both laterally and away fr om the threat. We can then successfully argue that our only goal was personal

disengagement."

Comment: Well said. I'm uncomfortable with the thought of being vi deoed every minute of every day, as I'm sure I look pretty foolish sometim es, but we all need to assume that a movie is going to be made from any violent event in which we find ourselves. All students of the defensive arts need to be constantly reminded of this. The movie needs to confirm that we are, in fa ct, the good people we claim to be.

/John

21Dec04

A friend who owns a music store in PA recently sent me a viola case. I too k it to a local upholstery shop and asked them to rip out the insides and install a foam lining, which they were happy to do. They also installed a carrying strap.

My RA-96, w/stock folded and 30-round magazine inserted, fits into it perfectly, along with a spare magazine.

Excellent for low-profile travel, no motel clerk has ever given it more tha n a casual glance. For one's "car gun," this is a goo d way to go. Tennis racket cases, baseball bat cases, and Lacrosse racket cases all work well t oo, but the viola case is hard on the outside, and the foam lining holds everything tight and well cushioned. Recommended!

/John