If you have a gun and you have a concealed carry permit, do you always carry your gun?
If no, then why not?
I spent this past weekend taking a 2-day combined pistol/shotgun class from a living legend in the firearms training industry — Tom Givens.
Today, I want to share with you some advice from the man himself.
If you don’t know Tom, you’re in for a treat …
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Introducing Tom Givens …
If you go to the website of Tom Givens at Rangemaster.com, you might not get the full picture of why learning from Tom is so special …
There are a couple things that make Tom special in my mind, that to be honest, I didn’t fully appreciate until spending a weekend with him:
1. His age and experience — (he retired after 25-years in police work and has been working in firearms instruction for about 40 years)
2. His body of knowledge — Tom is basically a walking history book. He appears to NEVER stop learning (even after 40 years of teaching other people) and with a background in Law Enforcement he’s had the benefit of reviewing–literally–hundreds of violent crimes.
3. Where he is located — Tom is in Memphis Tennessee. Why is that special?
What You Should Know About Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis has a per capita violent crime rate about 2.5 times that of Los Angeles.
It’s consistently ranked in the top 10 most violent states.
In 2014 the murder rate — 168 homicides — was even higher than 2013. And 2013 was no “peaceful” year either. In addition to the murders in 2013, the Memphis metro area logged:
>> 617 Forcible Rapes
>> 3,466 Robberies
>> 9,165 Aggravated Assaults
All total, there were 14,199 violent crimes in the Memphis metro area. In other words, violent criminals victimized people 39 times a day — every day, 365 days — in the year 2013.
Tom Givens likes to joke, “We tell people, try this, and they come back a couple of weeks later, ‘Hey it works.’”, referring to the ‘crime laboratory’ known as Memphis.
Now, imagine someone who served as a police officer for 25 years in a violent area like Memphis, TN. Think he might have some experience?
Now imagine that same person then retires, and starts teaching people for another couple decades–think you might be able to learn something from a guy like that?
Darn right you can, and it will probably save your life too.
Tom Givens Students have NEVER lost a gunfight
While most people look for a “badass” SEAL Team 6, Delta, Black Ops, Commando, Ninja who has been in a lot of gunfights to learn how to defend themselves with a gun … don’t you think it’s just as important to look at learning from guys who have had their STUDENTS succeed in gun fights?
Afterall, maybe the guy can survive a gunfight but who says he can teach YOU how to do that?
Here’s an interesting fact …
Tom Givens has had over 60 students who have been in self-defense shootings. Not one of those students has ever lost. That means 100% of them used what they learned from Tom to successfully defend themselves and won.
Which Brings Us To Todays Topic, Why You Should ALWAYS Carry Your Gun …
I’ll let Tom speak here …
“Most of you have heard me mention 62 wins/zero losses/3 forfeits. At last count (Jan 2015) we have had 65 students involved in defensive shootings that I know of. These are students who have reported back to the school or have been reported to me through law enforcement channels.
Of those, every single one who were armed at the time of the event won their fight (62 wins). No student of ours who was armed at the time has been killed.
However, three students found themselves in need of a defensive handgun and did not have one.
All three were killed in separate street robberies. In the last incident, the victim had handed over his wallet and cell phone and was standing there with his hands in the air when he was shot in the face and killed. These are the three forfeits.”
In other words, don’t give up your chances of winning the fight before you even get in it.
If you have a gun for self defense, then carry it.
“Molon Labe!”
Caleb Lee
Couldn’t agree more. I go nowhere without my weapon, even if it’s just out to the barn. I don’t fly on airplanes. If I can’t drive, I don’t go. If a store says “no guns”, I go elsewhere, they don’t need my business. I’ve finally even got my wife to ‘never leave home without it’. Yes, I know they can be a pain, but for me it’s not an option. Anyone who is authorized to carry, is a fool if they don’t. Sorry to be so blunt, it’s the absolute truth. Practice, practice, practice. That is, after you learn the proper use of the weapon. That comes first. Don’t practice mistakes, practice perfection.
By the way, why does the photo show the person with his finger between the back of the trigger and the trigger guard? In my mind this can be very dangerous. When seconds count, getting the finger out from behind the trigger could get you killed.
Marty you’re absolutely correct — that’s a HORRIBLE example of trigger finger discipline — that finger should be straight and indexed alongside the slide of the handgun.
HELL. I CARY 24/7 . I AM ALWAYS ARMED . I ANSWER THE DOOR WITH A PISTOL IN HAND .
NO I AM NOT SCARED , I AM WARY. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE EVIL ONES WILL SEEK TO DO HARM TO “WE THE PEOPLE” . I LIVE BY THE CONSTITUTION , I BELIEVE IT WAS WRITTEN WELL AND WITH GOOD FAITH AND KNOWLEDGE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE UNTED STATES OF AMERICA AND ITS PEOPLES IN MIND .
SADLY THE ONES THAT SEEK TO DO US GREAT BODILY HARM HAVE NO……. NO MORALS AS HUMAN BEINGS AND ARE GAINING COURAGE AT THE HANDS OF POOR LEADERSHIP OF THIS ONCE GREAT NATION .
MISSOURI PASSED CCW , AND MADE A LAW ABIDING CITIZEN AS I CARRIED CONCEALED WAY BEFORE THAT .
I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GET A FIREARM , TAKE TRAINING AND GET THEIR CCW.
PRACTICE ,PRACTICE , PRACTICE TOO NOT ONLY AT THE RANGE BUT IN YOUR HOME
TOO. BECAUSE OYU NEED THE MUSCLE RETENTION OF KNOWING WHAT TO DO ,WHEN TO DO .
It seems that Tom Givens is a excellent instructor. I,m sure that there are many othe people like me who would like to hear what he has to say but can’t attend his class. Has he considered putting out a pamhlet?
Rob McLaughlin , I don’t know if my last post went thru or not (it doesn’t appear so). I had the wrong link anyway. Check out the site below for Tom’s book. It’s has a lot of good information in it. He has also written many articles for various magazines. If you think you might be interested in taking a class from him you can check out his schedule at http://www.rangemaster.com. He teaches all over the country. I’ve taken many classes from him and was one of his instructors for almost 10 years.
http://www.rangemaster.com/fighting-smarter/
The only time I don’t carry is when it is illegal! It is illegal to carry on school grounds, and post offices! As far as Target and Starbucks, I’ll never step foot in their door. Even though there is a sign on the credit union we use I carry anyway. It is concealed and if they want my business they’ll put up with it. If they tell me I can’t carry there then I’ll take my business elsewhere!
My pastor taught me how to shoot, and more importantly, about gun safety. He’s my go-to guy whenever I have a gun problem, or a shooting problem. I always carry my gun. I have a Springfield Armory 9mm Sub Compact XD that goes everywhere with me. It’s my hope that I will never have to use it, but the way things are going. who knows. I practice quite a bit, and keep my weapon clean and oiled. I also keep it loaded; it isn’t much good to me unloaded.
Now,we here in Florida have the added threat of Coyotes attacking little Dogs as there being taken for a walk by their owners ! while I love wildlife,I also love my DOGS A Yorkie,A Maltese,& a Toy Poodle. Here in Florida,Pets are considered “Property” & I’m doing nothing more than protecting my property.
Yikes!
Mike, I live in Florida too. I walk my two Shelties at night, and take a stun gun with me. I haven’t heard of any coyotes in the New Port Richey area, but I feel safer with the stun gun in my hand.
I also live in Florida. When I take my two Shelties for a walk at night, I carry a stun gun. I haven’t heard about any coyotes in the New Port Richey area, but I still carry the stun gun. I feel a lot safer with it in my hand.
I, too, am a retired law enforcement officer and weapons instructor. I never go anywhere without a concealed handgun on my person. I refuse to enter a “gun-free zone” and I’m not shy about notifying a business of my choice to spend my money elsewhere. (The only exception for me is a trip to the clinic and even then I spend as little time as possible there and only relax a little when I’m armed again.) You only become the victim of a homicide once so you need to be prepared all the time. This week’s tragedy again illustrates that a sign on the door banning firearms is not going to protect you from someone who is committed to carrying out an evil act. So, buy the largest caliber handgun you can shoot proficiently and can conceal in relative comfort, get training in its use and then never leave home without it!
it was vert intrested
I have had my CCW for something like 10 or 12 years. At first I rarely carried a gun. But about 8 years ago I reassessed my situation in light of world events and decided not carrying was foolish. I now carry at all times. If there is a fair or concert that denies me my right I do not attend. Period. I consider it un American to do that. If a business posts a sign saying no guns allowed I go elsewhere. Sometimes I simply ignore it as I am carrying “concealed” and it is not a felony to ignore it in my state…..
I believe in carry 24-7. I even sleep with it and its comforting to have it at my fingertips. If I have an intruder, he better have hospitalization. He will need it definitely. I keep it unloaded with just a magazine of 6 rounds. I trust no one after dark at all. In the daylight, maybe.
I just got a new Springfield mod 2 .45 ,my xd was a little too big to carry fulltime . my wife who is a nurse ,used to healing people got her C.C. and is all so armed except at work . She told me that after caring for so many bad people that would hurt you for nothing ,that she will always carry and shoot to kill, so she wouldn’t have to patch them up!!! Who ever thought the world would get to this point ,that good people have to carry a gun in everyday life . But it is what it is ,and we have to take care of our gun rights and vote out whoever tries to take away our freedom to carry and have firearms !!!
Never liked the phrase “it is what it is”. It is too defeatist. Try “It is what I make it”, that is way more positive, and acknowledges my responsibility. Try it on for size Dan.
My apologies for jumping ahead of Ray Lloyd,wanted to say”Dan and I would make excellent neighbors,we would be triple protected,When I speak as you do people think I should be disarmed,arrested and jailed for premeditated murder,without firing a shot.I also wonder your thoughts about addiction ,especially drug addiction,personally I feel its their CHOICE and person on a”high trip”is highly unpredictable,most people say they should be hospitalized and treated,NOT,not jailed,paid for by who(?)Tax payers?An”ad” on local”TV”,refers to all addictions as a decease(?).Your wife being a nurse,how does she look at those,who are on a”drug high”.Thank you and have a good one.
I didn’t coin this phrase but I use it all the time when talking about the carrying of firearms, it goes as follows; “NEVER LEAVE YOUR CAVE WITHOUT YOUR CLUB. I.E., NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT YOUR GUN! I agree with you 100%, if you have a concealed carry permit, FOR GOD’S SAKE USE IT! In todays world of political correctness it’s best to go with the attitude of KILL OR BE KILLED! THIS ATTITUDE IS EVEN GOING TO BE MORE PREVILENT AS THIS LIBERAL REGIME INVITES MORE AND MORE MUSLIMS INTO OUR COUNTRY! The Muslims don’t give a DAMN about you, they’d just as soon shoot you as look your way…….
Most all banks will not allow you to enter their establishment with a gun. Do they have a way to know that you are carrying? If not,carry it in anyway. Imagine what you would feel like if you were offered the chance to give up your money or your life between the bank’s door and your car. Do they have an armed guard to escort you out to your car? I’ve never seen one to this day. Carry always or some other fool will take advantage of you and yours.
I legally carry all the time too, with one exception! I am retired military and if I plan on entering any military post, I cannot have my weapon on me or in my vehicle. Sad to say, 20 years of military experience with various weapon systems and once I retire, I am no longer trusted to carry a weapon. If that is not bad enough, military personnel cannot carry on post unless they are in a duty situation that requires them to be armed. We all know what happened at Ft Hood, Tx. If just one soldier was armed, many lives and injuries could have been prevented. The news media and powers to be don’t care about the statistics that prove armed citizens do in fact save lives. They only care about politicizing that one instance some nut decides to use a firearm to injure or kill someone.
You weapon is like a parachute…. If you need one and do not have one…
Chances are, you will probably never have the need for one again!
The only times I don’t carry are when I legally can’t, military bases, court houses, etc. If a private facility is posted no concealed carry, I don’t need to go or spend money there!
One correction. …Memphis is Not a State….lol…..i love Toms work hes a great Man
LOL. good catch!
Caleb, If you want us to take your article seriously you may want to ditch the photo! The finger in the trigger guard behind the trigger. And is that dude really sticking the gun in his pants with out a holster? There are some of us trying to model responsible gun ownership and carry! There are NO accidents just negligence’s!
Agreed … I gotta talk to my web person who set that photo up.
Sorry, but I just don’t buy it.
3 students out of 65 killed in street robberies? That’s nearly 5 percent! If the other 62 wouldn’t have carried their guns, there would have been even more students killed? LOL Sounds like a dangerous course.
I’m not saying that street robberies don’t happen, but these numbers are a joke.
Thems the facts whether you believe it or not.
Memphis TN is in the top 3-5 murder cities of the US every year — and Tom Givens has trained hundreds (thousands?) of students in his career. And out of those hundreds (thousands?) 60 plus have been the intended victims of violent crime. The only ones that were harmed were the few not carrying their guns.
Contact Tom Givens and tell him you think he’s a liar.
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