PracticalTactical.com

Whatever you do, do not practice strings of dry fire.

There is a company selling an overpriced magazine-and-laser combo that lets you press the trigger repeatedly to activate a laser “point of impact” indicator. While we are strong advocates of both dry fire training and laser cartridges, we warn all of our clients: never practice more than a single shot from the holster using a laser cartridge (and the same goes for using a laser cartridge on a double‑action pistol).

If you want to practice anything beyond that single cold‑bore shot, you must use live ammunition in a safe, controlled environment. Practicing strings of fire without managing real recoil and muzzle flip will build terrible habits and can seriously degrade your shooting skills.

Please let us know your thoughts on this!

Government Shutdown Update – No CCW Delays Reported
We’ve begun hearing back from students who attended our CCW class earlier this month, and so far, the government shutdown doesn’t appear to be causing any delays in permit processing or background checks. If you typically receive immediate approval on your NICS checks, you can expect your CCW background check to clear within 4–6 days.

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We have 3 seats left for the Oct 4th Nixa Class. This is an all-inclusive CCW course (you CAN bring you own equipment if you want but it is not required). Our Nixa classes are capped at 6 people so this is about as small as it gets before becoming a private class. Take advantage of it. Link is in the comments.

Toledo Man Faces New Felony Gun Charge Despite Previous Self-Defense Acquittal

A Toledo man who was acquitted of homicide three years ago now faces new criminal charges related to a firearm discovered during a traffic stop. Jeff Vonte Garrett, an Army veteran and former special deputy in Indiana, was previously found to have acted in self-defense in a 2022 shooting case that nearly resulted in prison time. Since then, Garrett has legally maintained possession of his gun as a source of protection.

Recently, during a traffic stop while he was driving home to Indiana from visiting family, Garrett was pulled over by a Lucas County sheriff’s deputy. The officer initially alleged the vehicle was stolen, but Garrett explained that the plates on the car belonged to the person from whom he had purchased the vehicle and that he was in the process of transferring the registration to his name.

When asked if he had a firearm, Garrett, drawing on his law enforcement experience, immediately disclosed that he was carrying a gun. Despite Ohio being an open carry state, the officer charged him with improper carrying of a firearm, which is classified as a felony. Garrett attempted to clarify that he holds a valid concealed carry permit and a lifetime membership, but the officer did not accept his explanations, leading to his arrest and felony charge. This development has been criticized by Garrett’s attorney, Josh Williams, who argues that Garrett’s Second Amendment rights are being infringed.

The legal basis for the charge relies on an Ohio law that prohibits transporting a loaded gun in a vehicle if it is accessible to the driver or passenger without exiting the vehicle. However, Williams points out a critical exemption: individuals with valid concealed carry licenses, including non-residents with permits from other states, such as Garrett’s Indiana CCW, are exempt from this restriction. This exemption has been recognized by Ohio since March 2024.

Williams is actively preparing to defend Garrett once again in municipal court and is also collaborating with gun rights organizations to pursue legislative changes preventing similar cases in the future. Currently, Garrett is out on bail but faces the possibility of up to one year in jail.

Lifetime concealed carry permits are not always recognized or reciprocated by other states because many states require periodic renewals that include a background check every five years. Since lifetime permits bypass this renewal process, states that prioritize ongoing vetting through background checks may choose not to honor lifetime permits issued by other states, considering them inconsistent with their safety or regulatory standards

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When examining the anatomy of a defensive gun use, it’s important to break it down at the most granular level. Many people are surprised to learn just how fast a violent encounter can unfold. Research shows that a person with a firearm already in hand can fire in roughly a quarter of a second. Likewise, studies and law enforcement training (commonly referred to as the “Tueller Drill”) demonstrate that an attacker armed with a knife or blunt instrument can cover 21 feet in about 1.5 seconds or less.

Now consider this: if it often takes more than a single round to stop a determined aggressor, the challenge of drawing, presenting, and accurately firing your pistol against a fast‑moving attacker—with nothing more than your reaction time—approaches near impossibility for the average, untrained defender.

The good news is, you can dramatically improve your survivability with structured practice and proper training. Reaching that level of skill is more achievable than most people believe.

Curious how you’d perform under these circumstances? Contact us for a free 1‑hour dry fire lesson and measure yourself in the .

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A Joliet, Illinois mother acted in self-defense during a late-night home invasion, shooting and killing an intruder after hiding with her baby in a closet. Police say the man broke in forcibly, entered her bedroom, and was armed with a screwdriver. The mother, who did not know the intruder, armed herself and fired a single shot when he approached. Illinois law permits the use of reasonable force, including fi****ms, to protect oneself and others in cases of imminent danger inside the home. Police are investigating, and the mother is cooperating fully with authorities[1].

Understanding your local laws is vital: in Illinois, homeowners have the right to defend themselves from violent intruders, especially when their lives or the lives of loved ones are threatened.

Woman fatally shoots home invader in Joliet, Illinois, police say Joliet police said the woman shot the suspect in the head after he forced his way into her home Friday night.

Is anyone interested in a low cost dry fire class for general marksmanship? It's actually easier to diagnose problems with a laser than it is at a range. On paper you just see where the hole is, with a laser you see why it went there when you wanted it to go somewhere else. If so I'll setup a class. You would use your own pistol. We'd probably also pair it up with a part 2 live fire version to look for improvement with live rounds.

Stop putting it off... The laws in Missouri just changed a few months ago and CCW applications are going to get flooded as word spreads.

Never want to take a background check again in a gun store?
No Problem. Come to Wildly Unique Guns by Mountainside Outfitters THIS SATURDAY at 8:45AM and qualify for your CCW! It's $50+ your ammo, bring your own gun or rent one there.

NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED

Learn self-defense laws, firearm safety, and shooting best practices — and leave qualified.

📍 Register at PracticalTactical.com/ccw-rsvp-fordland
📞 417-222-7635 (24/7) | 417-429-3140 (Mountainside Hours)
✅ Walk-ins welcome!

Protect your rights. Gain the skills. Do it all in one day.

CCW RSVP Fordland — Practical Tactical Fordland CCW RSVP Saturday 9:00AM-6:00PM$50 + $20 STORE CREDIT Mountainside Outfitters12337 State Hwy UFordland, MO 65652417-429-3140 15 Minutes outside of Springfield!Jump on 60 EastAnd Follow The Signs! No More Background Checks in Gun StoresBypass Local Open Carry Restrictions in MO No More 10 Da...

We will be holding a CCW class at Mountainside Outfitters this weekend! If you've not been there before, it's worth going just to see the store. Class starts at 9am, walk-in's are welcome but secure your spot now to guarantee a seat (Literally... we don't always have enough chairs). No previous shooting experience is required and in case you haven't heard, once you get your CCW, you no longer need NICS checks at the store. Sign up today, call or email us with any questions. https://www.practicaltactical.com/ccw-rsvp-fordland
Almost all of our group CCW classes are on Saturday's but if you need to do it on a weekday, Sunday, or even across two days, call us and we will get you taken care of.

CCW RSVP Fordland — Practical Tactical Fordland CCW RSVP Saturday 9:00AM-6:00PM$50 + $20 STORE CREDIT Mountainside Outfitters12337 State Hwy UFordland, MO 65652417-429-3140 15 Minutes outside of Springfield!Jump on 60 EastAnd Follow The Signs! No More Background Checks in Gun StoresBypass Local Open Carry Restrictions in MO No More 10 Da...