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After You Shoot: Your gun’s hot. The perp’s not, Now What?
By Alan Korwin
Book Review: Reviewed by Chris Knox

FirearmsCoalition.org

Manassas, VA --(Ammoland.com)- During a typical state-mandated defensive firearms class there comes an hour – usually during that sleepy time after lunch – where the instructor gives some obligatory advice on what to do should you ever be forced to use the skills you’re learning.

Generally the advice comes down to two points:

• Call 911
• Don’t Say Anything

The reason you call 911 is to demonstrate your human concern and compassion for the dirtbag whose chest you just ventilated as he threatened you or your family with death or grievous injury, and so that you can get police officers on-site to investigate a homicide or physical assault – an act that you just carried out.

So as a potential felony defendant, you are now expected (if not strictly legally required) to call the police and speak into the police recorder, ever keeping in your adrenalin-charged mind that “anything you say will be used against you.”

After You Shoot: Your gun’s hot. The perp’s not, Now What? – By Alan Korwin

Alan Korwin, principle author of the indispensable Gun Owner’s Guide series of books, has earned a reputation as a guy who thinks creatively and speaks his mind. In his latest project, After You Shoot, he tackles the issue of how, after defending yourself with lethal force against a criminal attack, you need to be prepared to defend yourself against the criminal justice system, starting with how you notify the authorities. According to Korwin’s sources, about half of the convictions arising out of self- defense incidents stem from unwise statements made in a frantic 911 call. With sometimes startling insight, and a sharp sense of the ironic, Korwin explores different paths through the treacherous legal terrain that can face anyone who uses deadly force in self-defense.

Just as there is no single, universally correct combination of the “right” gun, caliber, and carry rig to guarantee a successful defensive outcome, neither is there a single set of “right” after-action procedures or magic words to say that guarantee you won’t be arrested and face a trial. After You Shoot explores possible options, some of them controversial. Korwin is not shy of controversy, and proves it in his book by airing a broad variety of knowledgeable viewpoints, a few of which hold that some of Korwin’s approaches are all wet. As with other “holy wars” in the field – 9mm vs. .45 ACP, revolver vs. automatic, shoulder holster vs. belt holster – this debate is unlikely to ever be completely wrapped up. But there are important points to be raised, points that a defensive shooter needs to keep in mind. The book is, in many ways the overdue opening round of what could be a long conversation.

The conversation starts with fundamental rights, focusing on what Korwin calls the Adnarim Statement. Word game buffs will notice that Adnarim is Miranda spelled backwards. The crux of the Miranda warning is that “anything you say will be used against you” (Korwin always italicizes that last, very important bit). The Adnarim statement literally turns the Miranda warning around. It is an assertion of Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights saying, in effect, “I have a right to remain silent and not to be searched, and I choose to exercise those rights.”

The mindset of the Adnarim statement is in sharp contrast to the Miranda warning, which amounts to permission from the investigators to be silent. Korwin cites lawyers who have printed the warning on the back of their business card for their clients to use if arrested. The idea is to cause police to back off and not try to lead the defensive shooter to say something incriminating.

But the Adnarim statement isn’t unanimously accepted by experienced firearms lawyers as a good idea. A defensive shooter who presents the card to an investigating officer and clams up, says the contrary view, is likely to antagonize on-scene cops, and a possible red flag for a prosecutor who would rather see a civilian dead than using deadly force in self-defense.

Korwin’s out-of-the-box thinking only begins with the Adnarim statement. Needing an example of how to professionally handle the aftermath of a shooting, he looks at the policies developed by police, a very straightforward process that protects the shooting officer from the press, open microphones, and his own very human urge to talk that may come along with such a traumatic event . He offers a solution that, combined with the Adnarim statement, could be practical, but, like a home defense plan, it needs to be put in place well in advance of a defensive encounter.

As a defensive planning guide, After You Shoot fills an important gap in any gun owner’s library. Korwin flags specific risks that face the defensive shooter, and suggests strategies to mitigate or avoid those risks. Just as there is no single ideal gun for every situation, neither is there a single legal approach that is right for every person or situation. Like any good defensive book, After You Shoot lays out the problems to be solved in clear, common-sense language. If you keep or carry a gun for self-defense, you need this book.

After You Shoot: Your gun’s hot. The perp’s not, Now What? By Alan Korwin Publisher: Bloomfield Press ISBN: 978-1-889632-26-1 List Price: $14.95 Format: 160 pages, trade paperback found here

About:
The Firearms Coalition is a loose-knit coalition of individual Second Amendment activists, clubs and civil rights organizations. Founded by Neal Knox in 1984, the organization provides support to grassroots activists in the form of education, analysis of current issues, and with a historical perspective of the gun rights movement. The Firearms Coalition is a project of Neal Knox Associates, Manassas, VA. Visit: www.FirearmsCoalition.org

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Gun Voters & Practicing Politics
By Chris & Jeff Knox

FirearmsCoalition.org

Manassas, VA --(AmmoLand.com)- Conditions have lined up for 2010 to be the year of the perfect electoral storm. But in order to create the kind of storm the Republic needs, one that cleans out an insubordinate and defiant Congress, GunVoters and pro-rights activists need to get organized.

The time to start is now.

Just as my friend, noted author and radio host Dave Ramsey says about saving money, it’s never too early to get involved in politics, but it’s better to get involved late than not to get involved at all. Whether you’re reading this in May, or next October, you need to take action.

There are many ways to participate in the political process and all of them are important. The first, and most fundamental, is to vote. Make sure that you are registered to vote and that you show up on Election Day. Dismiss the excuses. I’ve heard them all and they are all lame.

“Voting conflicts with Opening Day.” Do you want to keep your “sniper” –uh- deer rifle? Get a mail-in or absentee ballot.

“They draw jury pools from voter registration rolls.” We need more gun people on juries. Besides, most states draw jury pools from driver license rolls.

“I don’t want to be on a list.” You’re already on a passel of lists. Deal with it. Don’t cower. Stand up and take your country back.

“My vote won’t make that much difference.” Nonsense. America entered the 21st Century with the closest Presidential election in history in 2000. That and other momentous elections have been decided on razor thin margins. Comedian Al Franken won a Senate seat by 312 votes. A few votes can make a huge difference.

As important as it is to vote in the November general election, it is even more important to vote in the primary. In many districts, the primary is the real election. With a smaller pool and a lower turnout your vote has more effect. If you follow the primary campaign, you’ll develop a feel for the issues, and you’ll get to know the candidates. The world of politics is a small town and you’ll see the same faces. Last year’s losing legislature candidate could be next year’s winning county commissioner.

Voting matters, but your vote matters more when you bring votes with you. Not only do you need to make sure you’re registered, you need to make sure that the people around you are registered as well – your family, friends, club members, guys at the range. When you find a candidate you can support, you can help that candidate get elected by talking to your friends. Just telling a friend that you know a candidate who is running, that you think he’s a good guy, and suggesting that he deserves their vote can make a huge difference, especially in a tight race.

An extra step you can take is to become a Deputy Registrar and register voters yourself. In some states you have to take a class, but in others you simply fill out a form, swear an oath to abide by the rules and grab a stack of forms. Every gathering of gun people is a gathering of potential GunVoters. Gun shows, matches, club meetings, all can benefit from the added dimension of registering voters. Contact your county clerk for details.

If you follow the primary campaigns and get to know the players, and like to meet people and network, you may want to take the step into the wider world of party politics. Political parties are built around precincts, which are the very lowest political subdivision. If you look at the very bottom of your general election ballot you will probably see a few names running for the office of Precinct Committee Member. It’s not unusual to have several blank spots. Quite often membership on a precinct committee can be yours for the asking.

What party you choose to join is up to you, but it is a choice not to be taken lightly. Both major parties richly deserve the contempt they receive, particularly from the independent voters. But the system is rigged to favor the parties. The Libertarian Party is a great movement, but regrettably, has demonstrated little ability to put candidates in office. Few other “third” parties are worth consideration.

All political parties should be well-salted in their rank and file with GunVoters, so make your choice and run with it. The precinct committees manage all their party’s political activities in their neighborhood. Pitching in and helping can create goodwill and can give you a level of influence that might surprise you.

The precinct committees also have a great deal of influence on candidates and the campaigns they run, as well as on the politicians once they are elected. “All politics is local.” So said past-master politician Tip O’Neill. The precinct committees are not only a source of volunteers for campaigns, they are also sounding boards for new issues. Every politician picks a few bellwether constituents from their district to provide feedback and advice as to what the folks at home think.

Regardless of how distasteful, boring, or frustrating you might find our political process, it is what we have and ignoring it won’t make it any better. As a matter of fact, ignoring it will make things a lot worse.

Order Neal Knox – The Gun Rights War today and receive a free subscription to the Knox Hard Corps Report newsletter. Go to www.NealKnox.com

Copyright © 2010 Neal Knox Associates – The most trusted name in the rights movement.

About:
The Firearms Coalition is a loose-knit coalition of individual Second Amendment activists, clubs and civil rights organizations. Founded by Neal Knox in 1984, the organization provides support to grassroots activists in the form of education, analysis of current issues, and with a historical perspective of the gun rights movement. The Firearms Coalition is a project of Neal Knox Associates, Manassas, VA. Visit: www.FirearmsCoalition.org

Filed under: Gun Rights News by Ammoland No Comments »