Thursday, December 13, 2012

The Prepared Concealed Carrier

First off, as a former police officer, I am a big fan of Concealed Carry. I am concerned at the lack of training and discretion a lot of CWP Holders show. I have seen veterans and current military with no concept of OPSEC (Operational Security) or Need To Know. Having a CWP (Concealed Weapons Permit) doesn't make you an instant bad ass, cowboy, or member of the Big Boys Club. Hopefully what it does do is help you to be prepared to survive a bad situation that you cannot avoid and to look after your family at the same time. NO ONE except a spouse, roommate, or a police officer in the performance of his or her duties needs to know you have a CWP, a gun, what type of gun you have, or where it is. The only exception would be the owner of a private residence (In South Carolina, check your local laws) if you are requesting permission to enter.

In South Carolina, pointing a firearm (at someone) is a felony with a ten year imprisonment penalty. Presenting a firearm (opening your jacket, pulling up your shirt, etc) carries five years. If you show or tell the wrong person your firearm, several things can happen. Among them are; 1) They'll know to hit you from behind with a brick instead of to step in front of you with a knife. 2) They're a little crazy, mad at you, jealous of you, want to bounce your girlfriend, or owe you money and they call the police and say, "Joe Patriot just pointed a Glock 17 at me and said he was going to kill me! He's here now with the gun!" The police show up, have exigent circumstances, draw down on you, ask if you have a gun, and lo and behold, its a Glock 17! Guess who is going to jail?

If someone gets the draw on you during an armed robbery, do you really want your dumb ass buddy saying, "Do something, Joe! Shoot the sumbitch!". No one needs to know.

There are people who will rob you to take your gun! Don't give up your tactical edge. Get rid of the Glock Hat, Gadsden Flag T-shirt, and NRA decal on your car. Don't advertise and don't make the police more nervous than they already are!

That said, there are a few things, IMHO, any CWP holder should carry besides a firearm and extra ammo.

1) Their CWP (You can't legally carry without it on your possession in most states)

2) Handcuffs or Zip Ties (Many a police officer has been killed by a dead guy. If you have to shoot someone, handcuff them, even if they appear deceased! If you had the right to defend yourself, then you have the right to make a Felony Citizen's Arrest.)

3) Cellphone (If you have to use your firearm, and have to leave the scene to call the police it makes things a lot more difficult)

4) Illumination (Basic Firearm Safety: Don't shoot what you can't see and positively identify. A good tactical flashlight works well to disorient an aggressive person as well as as an impact weapon, Kubaton, or on pressure points. I recommend a Fenix Tactical LD22.


5) ICE (In Case of Emergency contacts. We don't always win and sometimes we win on the streets and still go downtown).

6) Bug Out Bag with First Aid Kit including blood clotting agents and large bandages (You might not save your assailant on the street, but trying might save you in court).

[I]©Rock Cowles. www.PreparationMForum.com[/I]

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Taxes Taxes Taxes (Shared)

At first I thought this was funny... then I realized
the awful truth of it.
Be sure to read all the way to the end!

Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table
At which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.

Tax his cigars,
Tax hi s beers,
If he cries, then
Tax his tears.

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won 't be done

Till he has no dough.

When he hollers,
Tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid.

Put these words
upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me to my doom...'

When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (42 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Inter est Charge s

IRS Penalties(tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Sales Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service
Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax < BRVehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax

Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and
our nation was the most
prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest
middle class in the
world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What the hell happened? Can you spell 'politicians'?


And... I still have to 'press 1' for English.

Twisted Faces - Caricature Art from Rock Cowles

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