Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals, USCCA Edition

by Michael Martin

Written by Michael Martin, Chief Instructor for the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), "Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals," is a comprehensive guide for anyone considering owning or carrying a firearm for self defense. The book is a complete guide to understanding conflict avoidance & situational awareness; handgun & shotgun basics; shooting fundamentals; the physiology of violent encounters; the legal aspects of using deadly force (including knowing what to do in the aftermath); and a complete guide on gear, gadgets, and ongoing training. The book is a comprehensive, easy to read manual with rich graphics and diagrams, printed in full color.  This USCCA Edition was commissioned by Tim Schmidt, founder of the United States Concealed Carry Association.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, How To

245 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Joe Krakovsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals' is just what the title says. Although this book is basically what a Concealed Carry class is, without the gun play, it only cost $20.00. The thing is, whether you plan on 'packin heat' or just need some good advice for avoiding crime, this book is for you. On a serious note, This book is well written, has plenty of illustrations, contains product reviews, and cleared up many misconceptions that I had.

For instance, say you and a buddy were out duck hunting, got your limit, stopped for a couple of beers on the way home, and then decided to clean your guns (over a couple more beers) while your too-good-for-you wife started cleaning your kills. While in the process of cleaning the aforementioned shotgun, it goes off being as you had forgotten to unload it, shooting your friend in the leg. Will your home insurance cover it, being as you were drinking as well as being a dumbass? Maybe. Will you go to jail? Probably not. It was, after all, an accident.

Now consider that you were out there duck hunting as stated above, only when you get home you find a home invader in your home. He has beaten and bound your wife and is in the process of trying to rape your young teenage daughter. You grab that shotgun and as he is fleeing out the back door you fire some birdshot in his direction. You don't know if you hit him but it sure scared the hell out of him. You call 911 as you are checking on your family. Everyone is upset and in tears. The cops show up (5 or 10 minutes later) and are most sympathetic to your tragic event as you are spilling your guts. While your wife and daughter are being treated and maybe taken away in the ambulance, you find yourself being handcuffed and hauled away as you ask yourself, "WTF?"

The problem is, if it isn't bad enough that the laws seem to favor the bad guys, the bad guys know the law better than you. Do you know that simply being silent does count and that if you don't say the magic words, "I invoke my right to remain silent" they can continue to question you for hours. Although you can defend yourself and loved ones, you, being the good guy, have to play by certain rules while the bad guys have none. Even though you are emotionally upset by what the child molester was doing, you were not allowed to shoot at him while he was fleeing. You had a loaded gun in your car. Maybe you had one too many beers. Maybe you were yelling racial slurs about the attacker. The cops searched your house, saw your Rambo poster and DVD collection of Dirty Harry movies, and cases of ammo you bought years ago on sale, and your red MAGA hat which profiles you to some as an enemy. Unknown to you, everything you said to the 911 dispatcher and the cops was being recorded, not only to catch and prosecute the bad guy, if caught, but also to do the same to you if the prosecutor so wishes. And the prosecutor doesn't morally care who he prosecutes, his job is to prosecute. So you go to jail, because it is easier to prosecute you than go look for the bad guy. Believe me, I know. And if you did happen to shoot the bad guy, your home insurance may not cover it when he sues you.

There are many topics about firearms and self defense covered in this book. Advice is given too. If you are in a situation where you may have to shoot you yell, "Don't hurt me!" or something at your attacker before you have to shoot. The reason being that witnesses will remember your warning, just like the criminals that yell, "Don't shoot!" or "I can't breathe!" as they are beating down a cop so they can get their gun.

If you do come across this book and page through it, I am sure that you will find some topic that catches your eye. I just hope that it is advice that can save your life. 

By the way, some of my past blog posts on my profile page have self defense topics. 

[Charles Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accessible and informative, this book covers all the basics for concealed carry and home defense, by (1) developing a personal and home protection plan; (2) outlining the basics of self-defense using a firearm; (3) going over the fundamentals of shooting; (4) covering the legal issues that arise in self-defense; (5) laying out what you must do in the aftermath of a violent encounter; (6) introducing you to the requisite gear and gadgets; and (7) providing a series of basic and advanced practices to hone your skills at the range. Highly recommended.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really great book. I've owned it for a few years now. I've been putting it off, because I read SO MUCH text booky stuff that when I get a chance to read recreationally, I want it to be recreational. It isn't a large book. There are plenty of pictures/diagrams. The font is a lot larger than I was anticipating. All of these things made it easier to read despite everything else. This was not a book about tactics per se or any such other nonsense. This was a book more about physiology, philosophy and psychology and how these things should influence your decision-making skills and teaches you how to make fewer mistakes. Yes, there are some drill suggestions. There are also some simple tests that you can perform to demonstrate what's being discussed. I've met the author and attended a couple of his presentations. He heads up his fire battalion in a Minnesota metro area and is a class guy. I'm really glad that I read this book!

[David Engel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good manual for what physiological effects stressful defensive situations create and how to function during such emergencies. Good introduction to handling firearms. Good place to start if considering CCW.

[JJ Cylk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was part of a CPL class. Went through it in a day. It is a fantastic background book. Plenty of examples of what you need to know and what you need to do.
I’ll be keeping this book on my shelf rereading it plenty of times. Until I have the book memorized or I’m dead.

[Scott Holstad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty solid. I've referred to this book many times since it's been out. Recommended.

[Andrea Strickland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful knowledge for those of us who want to be prepared and defend ourselves if necessary.

[Tom Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good and thorough book