S1 Ep1: Home Security & Home Defense - Why Do People Ignore Home Security?

Tim Schmidt and Michael Martin will walk through a home security checklist at Tim’s own house to identify weak points. You will discover how to create layers of security around your house to ward off criminals and still ensure emergency first responders can help you in a crisis.

If you are serious about protecting your family at home, you need to know the right tools to do so. We’ll review various types of firearms that are effective for home defense — from AR-15s and shotguns with ghost ring sights to handguns. Plus, we’ll review proper firearms storage practices.

We say it a lot at the USCCA: “The best gunfight is the one you are never in to begin with.” As a responsible American gun owner, you want to stay physically, legally, financially and morally safe. Creating a good personal protection plan will help you achieve that goal.

This video reviews the 3 options you have when facing a threat: Avoidance, Escape, and Defense. We’ll also use the Cooper Color Codes tool to improve your situational awareness enabling you to detect and AVOID possible threats. This tool will teach you to stay safe by staying in “Condition Yellow”.

Living in “Condition Yellow” is just the beginning. You should always assess your environment for potential dangers and look for key advantages. Wherever you find yourself, learn to use barriers, and use cover and concealemnt to defeat attackers, and plan your escape routes before facing a dangerous threat.

Firearms can be a great equalizer, but your concealed carry permit isn’t a blank check. Tim and Michael explain the three things your concealed carry permit is NOT when it comes to your safety. Remember, there are costly and potentially life-changing legal consequences when you decide to draw your gun.

The law is not a simple thing for gun owners. At the end of the day, the law is applied by people. People who bring their own interpretations and biases with them. This video will focus on key legal concerns for gun owners across the country.

What types of concealed carry laws govern your state? Do you understand the difference between shall-issue states, constitutional carry states and may-issue states? This video covers the different types of concealed carry laws and the concept of reciprocity. Find your state laws with the USCCA’s Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map.

When does the law say you can use force? This episode will provide a clear definition of both reasonable force and deadly force. We’ll walk through various scenarios to help learn how to apply these different rules and concepts to actual self-defense situations.

We’ll review the essential rules you should follow when defending your home and how rules governing home defense like Castle Doctrine Laws vary from state to state. We’ll run through the important do’s and don'ts and what to do if you even just expose your firearm to a threat.

This video will dive into what happens when the police arrive, and when you can expect to be read your Miranda rights. We’ll walk through the investigation that follows and how prosecutors will look at a case, and the factors that go into deciding when to press charges.

This video dispels the myths of Castle Doctrine laws and what stand your ground actually means for a responsibly armed American. Castle Doctrine comes from the concept that your home is your castle. Therefore, your right to defend your home is different from your rights in a public space.

Choosing a firearm might seem intimidating at first, but this video will remove the anxiety and shed light on what you can expect. Tim and Michael will guide you through what to look for and how to determine the firearm that is right for you and your needs.

This video breaks down essential gun terminology and helps remove the confusion and worry that come with buying a firearm. We will cover everything from revolvers to semi-automatic pistols and explain their basic parts and how they function. You'll have everything you need to shop with confidence.

How do you know if you choose the right firearm? Understanding what kind of firearms are available is the first step, but the real magic happens when you actually get your hands on the gun. Is the gun pointing right for you? Are you comfortable with the recoil and size?

After finding the firearm that best suits you, now you have to determine the best way to carry it. Tim and Michael run through the various types of holsters available to you. They will review the strengths and weaknesses of each holster so you can make an educated decision.

This video will give you a quick overview of the common top 10 mistakes gun owners often make. Tim Schmidt and Michael Martin have years of experience inside the concealed carry community, and both have seen these mistakes happen over and over again with concealed carriers.

When buying a firearm avoid picking the one someone else thinks you should have or that just looks cool. Think about how you intend to use that gun. How are you going to carry it? What is your physical size? What is the weather like where you live?

Many gun owners think: “I have a gun. That is my protection plan.”

Thinking a gun is all you need, makes you an easy target and dangerous liability. Deadly force is a last resort. Aside from your weapon you need to live in “Condition Yellow” to detect and avoid threats.

Picking the wrong holster is one of the most common reasons people stop carrying their firearms. You need a holster you are confident carrying daily. It should be specifically made for your firearm and must safely cover the trigger. We’ll review exactly what to look out for when choosing yours.

Taking a concealed carry class is not enough training. Your self-defense training should never end. Every day is a training opportunity. Even if you don’t hit the range daily, what stops you from running through self-defense scenarios? Could you find 10 minutes for some solid dry-fire training at home?

Self-defense training is more than just putting holes in a target. If you need to draw your firearm in self-defense, the focus shifts to balancing speed and your ability to accurately shoot your target. Self-defense situations are rarely perfect scenarios. You need to train for a dynamic environment to really prepare.

Ignoring possible legal and financial aftermaths of self-defense is like playing Russian roulette with your future. There’s no guarantee that prosecutors or a jury will see you as the ‘good guy’ with the gun. Perception is reality in our legal system. Prepare for the worse with a legal defense plan.

Self-defense ammunition and practice ammunition are not the same. When it comes to self-defense ammo, hollow-point bullets tend to be the norm. Not all ammo loads the same, if you want complete confidence in your gun, make sure you test the self-defense ammo in your firearm before you carry it.

When you carry your firearm for self-defense you’ll want to know exactly what to expect if you need to draw it. Swapping out your firearms and holsters can be a recipe for disaster. This video shows you how to build consistency into your carry routines and develop stronger self-defense instincts.

Your firearm might be tough, but it still needs to be properly maintained. The same goes for your ammunition. These are expensive, critical tools for self-defense that will fail if not maintained & cleaned properly. Avoid the trap of lazy gun maintenance and learn how to create a solid cleaning routine.

Do you know your state’s laws? Every state is different when it comes to firearms, self-defense and concealed carry laws. Plus, federal and local laws add an extra layer of confusion. But at the end of the day, you have to do your research to protect yourself and your rights

This video shows you what to expect when going to a gun range or shop and some of the general rules and proper etiquette needed to feel comfortable while you are there. Lastly, Tim touches on the importance of research and preparing ahead of time to ensure the best experience.

Many gun shop visitors make the same mistakes when shopping and handling guns at the store. Tim and Martin go over the clear rules and expectations you should follow when shopping for a gun. They’ll review the universal safety rules and simple etiquette for interacting with staff and customers.

This video runs through what to look for when you visit an outdoor range. You'll learn the difference between a hot and cold range and the best choices for eye and ear protection. You'll learn to interact with the range safety officer (RSO), and how to properly approach a range.

Just like outdoor ranges, indoor ranges have their own unique qualities. Michael visits an indoor range and shows you what to expect when you arrive. He'll explain how the “double door” safety system works and when to put on your safety gear, and much more!