There are those that would have you believe that you are safer if your firearm is more complicated and there are those, I am one of them, who argue steadfastly against that assertion because the primary purpose of your firearm is self-defense or the defense of others.

Traditional handgun and flashlight combination techniques, place the off-hand in contact with the firing hand and result in the firearm being pushed out in front of the body much more significantly than the high-compressed ready, thereby reducing your retention ability, increasing your exposure around corners, and also causing your muscles to fatigue faster.

Simply put, the LRT-SASS is an AR-15 on steroids. It is larger in size, larger in caliber, and heavier in weight.

Most departments do not keep firearms "qualification" scores, opting instead for a pass/fail system. They reason that it's better if plaintiffs don't have access to the written history of marginal performers for possible use in a lawsuit.

This sounds like good risk management advice, but it's not.

I've been using frangible ammunition exclusively at Valhalla for almost four years now. We've been through several different brands and experienced some interesting results along the way. Let me share some of them with you.

The phrase “Reality-Based Training” conjures up myriad images for the average law enforcement officer. It could mean working out in expensive interactive shoot houses, performing under stressful conditions in realistic scenarios, or simply training with your uniform on. The fact is that all of these things, and much more, can be part of a good Reality-Based Training (RBT) program.

All of the experts agree that America will experience more “active shooter” situations in schools in the near future. Anti-terrorist strategists will also tell you that Muslim terrorists are planning to take over American schools then rape and slaughter our innocent children.

What can you, an ordinary first responder, do to prepare a response to a school shooting or hostage situation at one of your local schools? Plenty.

Last May, I had the opportunity to shoot the Smith & Wesson M&P pistol for the first time. The guns were brought to the Valhalla Training Center by Chuck Buis of Blackhawk Products Group to be used in a Serpa CQC Holster demonstration that he was giving to some visitors from the press.

As part of that event, I was able to spend some time getting to know the pistol. I liked it a lot. And ever since, we have had six M&Ps that have served as the primary range guns at Valhalla. They have performed very, very well.

In January, I attended my 10th SHOT Show. Each year I always seem to leave the show with a couple of interesting items test and evaluate for personal or professional use.

One of my favorite items from this year’s show was the Night Ops Weapons Light, a compact and versatile light designed to be mounted on the utility rail of a pistol, rifle, or shotgun.

Weapon-mounted lights (WMLs) are a point of controversy for some, myself included. I am not of the opinion that it is a great idea to turn a gun into a flashlight, or vice-versa, in general practice.