Massad Ayoob's Blog, page 3

STAY COOL DURING SUMMER SHOOTING

When the outside temperature gauge on my vehicle registers 108 degrees as it did here recently, I pay attention. We Americans are going through a nasty heat wave all over the country. I’ve always preferred outdoor ranges to indoor, but this summer I’m limiting my “gun in the sun” time as best I can. I’ve […]

HOW LARGE A FIREARM DO YOU NEED?

Here’s an article I wrote almost 20 years ago for Backwoods Home magazine. It’s still relevant today, and I’ll tell you why. I live in an area where deer are hunted in dense vegetation, and a sporting hunter is only likely to have a long shot if they stake out a power line. The deer […]

A GREAT LAWYER PASSES

I was saddened to learn that Roy Black had passed away a few days ago, at 80. I first met him in 1983 during a high-profile manslaughter case, the trial of Miami Police Officer Luis Alvarez. His autobiography, “Black’s Law” (not to be confused with Black’s Law Dictionary which everyone should have anyway) focuses on […]

R.I.P. JOHN BENNER

The Grim Reaper continues to decimate the ranks of great firearms instructors. My old friend John Benner, founder and head of the Tactical Defense Institute in Ohio, has passed. With a long and distinguished record in law enforcement and SWAT, John’s school hosted many of today’s leading instructors and of course, he was a great […]

A VERY POPULAR PISTOL

When a firearm becomes hugely popular, there are generally good reasons. I’ve carried a Glock 19 for much of this year. Here’s why, from GUNS magazine where I’ve been writing the Handguns column for many years now.

A GREAT AMERICAN WHO SHOULD BE MORE FAMOUS

I enjoyed heck out of researching and writing about Holt Collier. I  hope you’ll enjoy reading about him. It appeared in my Ayoob Files series in American Handgunner magazine.

R.I.P. BIG AL

A friend and a truly great lawman has passed. Our mutual friend Jeff Chudwin informs us that Al Kulovitz died peacefully after a long illness. Al began his career as an evidence technician with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office headquartered in Chicago. As you might imagine from the location, he worked a great many homicides. […]

WHEN A LAWYER SAYS “I DON’T CARE IF YOU GET ARRESTED”

I frequently hear attorneys say, “I don’t care if my client gets arrested, I care that my client doesn’t get convicted and sentenced to a long term in prison.” Easy for them to say. They’re not the one sitting behind bars, perhaps with some of the most dangerous individuals in the community. They’re not the […]

UNDERSTANDING WHEN TO USE DEADLY FORCE

A few years ago I did an interview with Alpha Koncepts on when to use deadly force in defense of self or other innocent parties, and how such things should be handled in court. Less than 50 minutes, and you can listen to it here if you’re so inclined:

WHY CHOOSE 1911 – ONE MORE TIME

IIRC we’ve discussed this topic in the past in the 18-year history of this blog, but I’m reminded of it because I’ve been carrying a 1911 .45 auto, my favorite for many decades now and my preferred carry on duty for 43 years as a sworn police officer.  I’m wearing it now partly because it’s […]