International Personal Self-Defense Blog by Robb Hamic

Negligent Security in the United States. A "disaster waiting to happen."

August 1, 2009- As the economy continues to deteriorate, an increasing number of New Mexicans are becoming the victim of crimes on commercial properties, gas stations, grocery stores, parking lots, restaurants, night clubs, bars, apartments, property management, hotels and every conceivable other place that people operate for profit. Business owners have a distinct duty or standard of care to protect their customers, tenants, residents and invitees from injury, crime, danger and risk. A risk assessment is the first step in determining potential risks. Business owners are not good about performing risk assessments or the measures that are required to provide adequate security.

Don't be the victim. Contact me if you have been injured. I may be able to help.

robb@callsummit.com

Property Managers and owners- this is for you!

Countless property managers have been surveyed to determine details of their risk assessment and property security programs. The results were very disappointing because of the apparent lack of understanding of premises liability and negligent security issues on the part of those managers responding to the survey.

The survey results indicate that the overwhelming majority of property managers and owners would not be able to successfully defend litigation for negligent security. The plaintiff would probably be successful in demonstrating that, at best, there was a minimal attempt to identify risk. A negligent action would result in injury.

The surveys were sent to property managers for commercial properties. The properties included apartments/condominiums, office buildings, hotels/motels, retail stores/malls, manufacturing/assembly facilities, and industrial parks. The results of the surveys reported:

• Fifty-seven percent of the respondents had not conducted any type of risk assessment for their properties. The remaining respondents had conducted some form of risk assessment within the previous two years.
  • The property manager or an independent security consultant conducted the assessments. The analysis tasks included the identification of security risks and vulnerabilities existing within or on the facility property and inspection of the facility to identify actual or potential security vulnerabilities resulting from the facility design or maintenance. Only one survey conducted reported meeting with local law enforcement officials to identify the crime problem within the area.
  • None reported meeting with adjacent businesses to identify common security risks and vulnerabilities or meeting with staff members and tenants to identify their security knowledge and concerns.
  • The minimal actions of the security consultants to identify potential risks bring into question their professional knowledge of premises liability and negligent security claims. This identifies the necessity to ensure that the consultant has the skills and knowledge to best meet your needs.
  • One property reported that a consultant had conducted a risk assessment but there was no written report of findings. The plaintiff’s attorney will certainly directly state or imply that there was a “cover up” of risks on the property.
• More than half of the respondents reported that security instructions, policies and procedures had been compiled but were not readily available to staff members.

I will sell 9mm ammunition by the case (Austin, TX)

July 30, 2009- Austin, TX- I have a surplus of ammunition.  9mm FMJ 115 grain.  $499 per case of 1000 plus shipping.  E-mail me with interest- robb@israelicombatshooting.com.  

How do I get a concealed handgun license (CHL) in Texas?

July 29, 2009- Austin, TX--     How do I get a concealed handgun license (CHL) in Texas?  This is a question that I receive a lot.  People want to learn how to meet the state requirements so they can carry a gun to protect themselves.  I think that it is a good idea for people to get and maintain their CHL licenses for personal protection and I have written a guide below.  Click on the link below to apply online:

TX DPS Fees: 

Standard ..........................................................................................................$140.00

Senior Citizen (60 or older) ..............................................................................$70.00

Indigent..............................................................................................................$70.00

Active or Retired Peace Officer........................................................................$25.00

Active or Retired Judicial Officer.......................................................................$25.00

Retired Federal Officer.....................................................................................$25.00

Felony Prosecutor ...........................................................................................$0.00

Other Prosecutor (not prosecuting felony cases) ..........................................$140.00

Active Military ..................................................................................................$0.00

Veteran ...........................................................................................................$70.00

Fingerprints: $10 +/-

CHL Training/ Range fees:  $150-600

Ammunition: $25-30 per box of handgun rounds

1.  Make sure you meet the Texas state requirements.  Non-residents may also apply but must receive training in Texas.    

GC $411.172. 'ELIGIBILITY. (a) A person is eligible for a license to

carry a concealed handgun if the person:

(1) is a legal resident of this state. for the six-month period

preceding the date of application under this subchapter or is otherwise

eligible for a license under Section 41 1. I7 3(a);

(2) is at least 21 years of age;

(3) has not been convicted of a felony;

(4) is not charged with the commission of a Class A or Class B

misdemeanor or an offense under Section 42.01, Penal Code, or of a

felony under an information or indictment;

(5) is not a fugitive from justice for a felony or a Class A or Class

B misdemeanor;

(6) is not a chemically dependent person;

(7) is not incapable of exercising sound judgment with respect to

the proper use and storage of a handgun;

Our soldiers need the newest and most effective techniques for fast shooting.

July 23, 2009-     I am doing extensive research into shooting methodologies of elite military and law enforcement units, Internationally.  I am a firm believer that our soldiers and elite units need to get the best and most efficient training so that they can win engagements.  I recently read the published US Army Field Manual- FM-3-23.35, Training with pistols M-9 and M-11 (public). 

I was disappointed because there are better techniques that work under stress and pressure.  I am concerned that the combat training that our troops receive on pistol deployment may not be enough for what they face on today's battlefield.  Tactics and techniques should evolve over time and today's dangers require a faster evolution.  Is our enemy fighting with more dynamic tactics than our forces employ?  

Section II. COMBAT MARKSMANSHIP

After a soldier becomes proficient in the fundamentals of marksmanship, he progresses to advanced techniques of combat marksmanship. The main use of the pistol is to engage the enemy at close range with quick, accurate fire. In shooting encounters, it is not the first round fired that wins the engagement, but the first accurately fired round. The soldier should use his sights when engaging the enemy unless this would place the weapon within arm's reach of the enemy.

2-7.     TECHNIQUES OF FIRING

Firing techniques include the use of hand-and-eye coordination, flash sight picture, quick-fire point shooting, and quick-fire sighting.

    a.     Hand-and-Eye Coordination. Hand-and-eye coordination is not a natural, instinctive ability for all soldiers. It is usually a learned skill obtained by practicing the use of a flash sight picture (see paragraph b below). The more a soldier practices raising the weapon to eye level and obtaining a flash sight picture, the more natural the relationship between soldier, sights, and target becomes. Eventually, proficiency elevates to a point so that the soldier can accurately engage targets in the dark. Each soldier must be aware of this trait and learn how to use it best. Poorly coordinated soldiers can achieve proficiency through close supervision from their trainers. Everyone has the ability to point at an object. Since pointing the forefinger at an object and extending the weapon toward a target are much the same, the combination of the two are natural. Making the soldier aware of this ability and teaching him how to apply it results in success when engaging enemy targets in combat.

    (1)     The eyes focus instinctively on the center of any object observed. After the object is sighted, the firer aligns his sights on the center of mass, focuses on the front sight, and applies proper trigger squeeze. Most crippling or killing hits result from maintaining the focus on the center of mass. The eyes must remain fixed on some part of the target throughout firing.

    (2)     When a soldier points, he instinctively points at the feature on the object on which his eyes are focused. An impulse from the brain causes the arm and hand to stop when the finger reaches the proper position. When the eyes are shifted to a new object or feature, the finger, hand, and arm also shift to this point. It is this inherent trait that can be used by the soldier to engage targets rapidly and accurately. This instinct is called hand-and-eye coordination.

    b.     Flash Sight Picture. Usually, when engaging an enemy at pistol range, the firer has little time to ensure a correct sight picture. The quick-kill (or natural point of aim) method does not always ensure a first-round hit. A compromise between a correct sight picture and the quick-kill method is known as a flash sight picture. As the soldier raises the weapon to eye level, his point of focus switches from the enemy to the front sight, ensuring that the front and rear sights are in proper alignment left and right, but not necessarily up and down. Pressure is applied to the trigger as the front sight is being acquired, and the hammer falls as the flash sight picture is confirmed. Initially, this method should be practiced slowly, with speed gained as proficiency increases.

    c.     Quick-Fire Point Shooting. This is for engaging an enemy at less than 5 yards and is also useful for night firing. Using a two-hand grip, the firer brings the weapon up close to the body until it reaches chin level. He then thrusts it forward until both arms are straight. The arms and body form a triangle, which can be aimed as a unit. In thrusting the weapon forward, the firer can imagine that there is a box between him and the enemy, and he is thrusting the weapon into the box. The trigger is smoothly squeezed to the rear as the elbows straighten.

    d.     Quick-Fire Sighting. This technique is for engaging an enemy at 5 to 10 yards away and only when there is no time available to get a full picture. The firing position is the same as for quick-fire point shooting. The sights are aligned left and right to save time, but not up and down. The firer must determine in practice what the sight picture will look like and where the front sight must be aimed to hit the enemy in the chest.

2-8.     TARGET ENGAGEMENT

In close combat, there is seldom time to precisely apply all of the fundamentals of marksmanship. When a soldier fires a round at the enemy, he often does not know if he hits his target. Therefore, two rounds should be fired at the target. This is called controlled pairs. If the enemy continues to attack, two more shots should be placed in the pelvic area to break the body's support structure, causing the enemy to fall.

I am not 'Monday quarterbacking' this FM or the tactics by any means.  I think that I can do better.  I give soldiers more 'tools for their toolbox' that they can use under stress in the common situations that they are encountering overseas- TODAY.

~Robb Hamic

robb@israelicombatshooting.com

 

This is not a drill..

This is not a drill!  

We all know that the states CHL/ CCW license requirements and training is geared towards legal issues and basic gun safety. It is good that basically anyone who qualifies can get a license but then there is the matter of why we want to bear arms and conceal our handguns. Violent attacks. 

In violent, stressful situations we all revert down to our lowest level of training. Is yours enough? Seriously- have you practiced and attained muscle memory of a full gun deployment (however you carry it) under stress and pressure? If not, how can you be certain it will work in a dark place when a thug is running at you with a knife? 

I am a firearms instructor and I am a published author. I write for IALEFI Magazine and other LE Training publications. I train military units, entire police agencies, instructor cadre and private citizens. I am a NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor in many disciplines but my main specialty is Israeli Combat Shooting. Don't let the word 'combat' scare you. If someone attacks you- it is combat, believe me. 

Check out my system, blog and website. I have included a lot of video, pictures and articles about self-defense. Receive training in a well-rounded system designed for everyone from trainers who have survived violent confrontations on the street and battlefield. My system is well suited for women, men, police and military. No experience necessary.  

In addition, we have surplus supplies of bullets and sell our students plenty of rounds for our training, at reasonable prices. I know that everyone is concerned about having enough rounds to practice- this takes the worry out of it. Training is provided locally in the places listed below and by seminar or class in the US. 

Please contact me with your interest. 

Robb Hamic, President Summit Self-Defense 

robb@israelicombatshooting.com 

Blog: http://www.personalselfdefense.info 

Websites: http://www.israelicombatshooting.com

http://www.taostactical.com 

http://www.summitselfdefense.com 

Offices in Austin Texas, Albuquerque New Mexico and San Francisco California

Seminars and classes given to groups, individuals, military units and law enforcement agencies on-site in the U.S. 

Excessive use of force by security/ law enforcement and their over-reliance on weapons

July 22, 2009- Austin, TX-- I review a lot of use of force incidents as a law enforcement/ military and security trainer. Most military engagements are usually pretty strait forward. There is a lot of gray area when security and law enforcement officers deal with the public and resort to use of force. All departments have a use of force continuum or 'ladder,' but it is not followed in countless incidents.

I recall a recent incident in Austin where a Travis County Constable used a Taser on response to the verbal resistance from a older lady. The incident made national news and illustrated the fact that a greater degree of force was used on this elderly woman to meet the threat she posed to the Officer. This occurrence wasn't necessarily uncommon, it was just 'caught on tape.'

The generalized use of force ladder for most agencies is the same. When you are confronted with a resistive person and you have determined that you must use force you start with your presence. A good strong presence may deter further escalation of force. Next is verbal action or commands. Many people comply with commands. Then there is empty hand control or force on force. OC spray/ chemical spray and Taser often are on the same level, which is the next greater degree of force. Impact devices, such as an expandable baton, is the next level. Finally, deadly force is the final level of force that may be used in permissible situations.

Many police or security officers skip many of the levels of force and go strait to Taser or OC Spray in confrontations when the situation could be handled with a lesser degree of force. "Good hand to hand techniques are essential for an officer to use the least amount of force necessary to control a situation," says Rob Hamic. This is the area where officers receive the least amount of training and have the least amount of confidence, thus moving to weapons instead of handling people with their hands.

Officers can seek out additional training because most departments offer no advanced or ongoing training after the police academy. Seriously. It astounds me that officers are not prepared to deal with the very situations that they encounter on a daily basis. Confidence comes from practice and muscle memory. If you wear a badge, you owe it to the forth (4th) amendment to use the least amount of force to take a person into custody or defend yourself or a third party. Why use a Taser on a 70 year old lady when you can easily take her down and put her into handcuffs, if that is what you need to do?

Security is in a different category all together. Most officers receive very little empty hand techniques in the small amount of basic license training. Ongoing training is all self-initiated and it is pretty had to afford training on $8 hr. It is sad because many good officers want continual training but they can't afford it in terms of money or time. The security company bears responsibility because they know the low level of training that the officers have when they contract with business to provide security. They often sell a different package than the actual guard who arrives on the scene to provide the service. The customer (business) say that they want good security but they often choose the lowest bidder and that is sometimes from an unlicensed or illegal security company. These companies can make lower bids by not paying certain insurance costs (worker's compensation, general liability, vehicle), taxes and other expenses; improving their margins by as much as 30%. This is how a bad company can under bid a good one. There is not much profit is doing security the right way.

The people to suffer or get beat up are sometimes completely innocent of anything except running into an inexperienced and scared officer who doesn't know how to use his/her hands and resorts to a higher level of force. Law Enforcement and security have a duty to do the right thing and have a reasonable standard of care that must be followed. People who are injured may seek damages and there are attorney's that specialize in negligent security, improper use of force and other liability issues.

Make a comment below or e-mail me.

Negligent and inadequate security in the United States

July 22, 2009-- I have been contacted by many people (victims, attorney guards and security companies) regarding the issue of negligent or inadequate security on the part of businesses in the United States. In my opinion, it has always been a problem but with our worsening economy it is becoming more of a problem. People are getting hurt on properties that have a long history of violence and the owners/ managers are well aware of the risks posed to customers and employees. The customers and employees are almost always unsuspecting.

Inadequate Security/Negligent Security

Inadequate security or negligent security cases involve the failure of business proprietors, such as mall and shopping center operators, apartment and residential rental housing owners, hotels and motels, restaurants, etc., to implement reasonable and ordinary security measures for the protection of their customers from crime when necessary for the protection of the customers. As a general rule, business proprietors are not liable for crime occurring on their property. However, if there has been a pattern of crime on and about the business property, or if the nature of the business makes it peculiarly susceptible to criminal activity, the law will impose upon a business owner a duty to implement reasonable security measures designed to prevent or deter future crimes. Such measures may include increased or better lighting, security guards, better or additional locks, perimeter protection and overall improved maintenance of the business property. A breach of this duty is called negligence.

Violent crime rates are rising and there is no shortage or predators in the U.S.!

Negligent security also happens when a security provider is hired by a business and does not perform their job. In many cases, security guards have injured people through negligence which involves not being trained. In some cases, security guards have received no training and they hurt people. Security company owners choose to employ guards who have poor criminal records or a history of violence. People ho are injured by security guards often have the following causes of action: negligent hiring, negligent retention, negligent training and negligent supervision.

It is important to mention that the business has total control over security, its practices, hours assigned, duties, man-power, directives, etc. and that many businesses are scrimping on security to make more property at the expense of their customers.

Have you been hurt in a Negligent Security type of incident? If so, I would like to hear from you. robb@callsummit.com

Have a plan when it comes to self defense.

July 21, 2009- Austin, TX--     You better have a plan if you are forced to defend yourself.  Your enemy has a plan and they are counting on you losing the fight.  Unfortunately, the bad guy chooses when and where the fight will take place in most situations and if forced to defend ourselves we must respond.  Certainly, it is best to use any weapons if you have them available and according to the level of force that is being presented against you.  The number of opponents also has a large impact on your response.

Here are some simple rules for self defense.

- Same or better weapons (if possible).  If someone presents a knife in an attack and you have a gun, go to it for self defense if you feel your life is in jeopardy.  

- Act fast and first if possible.  Many attacks start out as attempted robberies or with some sort of verbal escalation.  If you feel threatened and you feel that the opponent is setting you up for an attack- act first.  Be decisive and dominate the fight.

- Raise your level of aggression.  Fights aren't nice and don't allow yourself fear.  Get mad and attack.

- You are using bad tactics if you are fighting fair.  You didn't choose the fight but be prepared to end it.  your odds of losing get worse the longer that you are engaged, so end it as fast as possible by any means possible.

- Use simple tactics.  Combat is usually a strait line endeavor.  Move away or deflect incoming threats and then move towards your objective in the most destructive and violent manner possible to defeat your attacker.  

The only way to overcome violence is with a greater degree of violence.

There are many styles of martial arts and self defense.  I don't think that any one style is the best or fits every situation.  I suggest that people find a system that is continually evolved and updated according to actual results in fights and confrontations.  Don't hesitate to check out other systems and cross-breed your style.  Get into better shape and concentrate on cardio exercise.  Fights are stressful and are exhausting.  Be prepared.

Robb  Hamic

Self-defense instructor

512-284-0087

robb@callsummit.com    

Don't let your concealed carry handgun permit just be a 'piece of paper.'

July 6, 2009-     Too many people go through the minimum amount of training that it takes in most  states to get their concealed carry permit but receive no further training.  Most people have not been exposed to violent, stressful situations where they have had to respond in self defense.  I personally think more people should carry guns but I think we could all use more training.

Muscle memory is a vital component in doing anything on a competent 'unconscious' or conscious' level.  Muscle memory occurs somewhere around 2000 repetitions, good (proper) or bad.  In stress, we all revert to our lowest level of training..  Will your training be enough?

All kinds of people are involved in deadly force situations these days.  Women, men, police officers, corrections officers, security guards or military personnel.  Some violent situations are very clear cut such as attacks, home invasions or being in the wrong place at the right time.  Different situations call for active thinking and proper response in less than a second.  I will ask again.. Is your training enough to get you through an attack on your life?  

If not, see me or one of my instructors..  We do seminars Nationwide for law enforcement, military and large groups.  If interested contact a school directly or me on my cellular phone: 512-284-0087. 

Austin School
2900 N. Quinlan Park Rd
Suite 131- B-240
Austin, Texas 78732
512-284-0087 (mobile)

Albuquerque School
2825 E Broadbent Parkway NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107
505-463-7820 (mobile)

San Francisco / Bay Area School
1460 E. Cotati Ave.
Rohnert Park, California 94928
707-477-4899 (mobile)

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