One of the most common questions I get in class is about the value and application of weapon mounted lights (WML).
Here are some thoughts on the topic, from an article I did for Backwoods Home magazine in 2011.
My opinions and recommendations on the matter have not changed since.
Your comments are welcome in commentary here, as always.
Back to you soon with from-the-show-floor coverage of new firearms, ammo, and accessory introductions at the NRA annual meeting in Indianapolis. I hope to see some of you there.
Your 2011 article is the clearest, most concise discussion of this topic I’ve yet found. I was glad of the refresher.
I bought a picatinny mounted light for my S&W M&P after practicing how I would react to an intruder with nobody in the house at night. Previously, I only had had that opportunity to do it during the day, and when I realized I couldn’t see anything, and didn’t want to turn on lights when looking for an intruder, I mounted the light. Never had to use it, really. But it does the job in practice.
I hadn’t thought much about having a separate unarmed light for searching, will add that to the gun safe. Thanks!
I go with white plus laser (instant on combo) mounted plus separate hand held ‘white’ light.
And since we are on the mixed subject of ‘indoor’ and ‘gun’ … we add electronic muffs if time permits (for me & the Mrs). We can amplify hearing while protecting hearing & communication.
Another recommendation of Yours Truly (Mas, not me, lol). Although I think I had ear protection bedside before I heard Mas bring it up, it is hard to say given how long I have followed his work.
Many years ago, I read that advice and the muffs have been at bedside ever since.
This is off-topic but the Florida Senate has just approved a bill to allow teachers to be armed in schools. The bill now goes to the Florida House where it is expected to pass. If it does so, the Governor is expected to sign it. So, by passing the Senate, it has a good chance of becoming Law.
The Anti-American Media (AAM) is throwing a hissy fit as you might expect. This story is a fair example:
https://www.newsweek.com/teachers-guns-florida-senate-bill-parkland-1404495
The Florida legislature did the right thing on that, IMHO.
Growing up, a good number of the cars in the school parking lot had guns inside, both students and teachers. Don’t recall any school shootings during those years. Of course, every teacher had a paddle and wasn’t scared to use it. That’s before we became enlightened.
Unfortunately the approved bill requires excessive training (more than double that of police officers) and is dependent on school board approval, which means that effectively it allows nothing, because between school boards saying no, and the hoops required to be allowed to carry as school staff, nothing will be gained.
@ Sian – I agree, its not ideal. Nevertheless, if it goes into law, it will be a step in the right direction.
School boards that move to deliberately block armed teachers will be sticking their necks out (something bureaucrats hate to do!). If another mass-murder happens in one of their schools, the fact that they blocked armed teacher will work against them in the lawsuits that will surely follow.
As for the heavy training requirements, that can be met by those teachers who are determined to be ready to protect the lives of their students and themselves.
Finally, the mere fact that armed teachers MAY be present could act as a deterrent to the next nut-job. If these nuts follow their standard pattern, they will avoid schools now and move on to shoot up some other “No Gun” zone.
So, if this does become law, I am hopeful that it will do some good despite being a less than ideal implementation of concealed carry by armed teachers.
Great piece, Mas. As true today as it was in 2011. It never hurts to have a refresher. For me, it boils down to this: A weapon mounted light is no longer a light. It’s a deadly weapon.
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