Episode 104 with Amanda Suffecool

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Rob- Introduction- Welcome to episode 104 of Self-Defense Gun Stories.  This podcast is for people who might want a firearm for self-defense, and for those who already have one.  I’m your host, Rob Morse. We have firearms instructor Amanda Suffecool with us as co-host.

Hi, Amanda.  How have you been?

Amanda- Hi, Rob.  We just had our fundraising event. We raised enough to support our programs for more than 6 months of the year. That covers our firearm education program called Realize Firearms Awareness Coalition. We also got a grant from the NRA to support our Woman’s Day On the Range program.  They are giving us a gun, ammo, targets and supplies. This really helps…

Rob- Please introduce our podcast to our new listeners.

Amanda- Each week we study three new examples of armed defense. What should we do if we were in their situation. Our first story took place last week in Miami Gardens, Florida.  Here’s what happened.

Rob- First story-  Are you armed at home?

You hear a loud thump from the front of your house. It is midday and you wonder if there was a traffic accident on the highway nearby. Then you hear it again and again. Your two kids are screaming. Someone is trying to break down your front door. You shout for your children to come to you. They are 10 and 3. They follow you to your bedroom and you tell them to stay there. The robber keeps banging and kicking at your door. You grab your shotgun. After a dozen attempts the door gives way. The robber comes face to face with a loaded shotgun. He runs. You call police.

Amanda, it seems this mom did a lot of things right.

Amanda-   the best way to win the confrontation is to avoid the confrontation.  She retreated, and then provided the defensive plan – should she have to use it.

Rob- Did the homeowner have the right to use lethal force and to press the trigger?

Amanda-  I think this was a WIN above all.  He was gone, she was safe, her kids know that MOM will defend but does not need to take (the final action) unless and until it’s called for.

Rob- Do you talk about this with your students?

Amanda- Our second story happened last week in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Rob- Second Story-  Are you armed as you drive and to shopping after work?

You’re buying an iPhone. You found the seller online. You agree to meet after work. You drive up and start the sale. You examine the phone. You want it so you count out the cash. Then the seller pulls a gun out of his pocket and tells you to give him all your money. You hand it over. You also draw your firearm and shoot the robber. Then you run.

Later, you call police. They arrest the robber as he sought treatment at a local hospital.

Amanda-   This is one where the shooter-defender is once again having to defend their position.  Because once they fire – they are going to have to tell the police WHY they were in fear for their lives.   In this case it’s easy – there was an untrustworthy lowlife pointing a gun at you.

Rob- What would you tell your students to do in this situation?

Amanda-  Only one bit of advice – maybe two.  Aim better,

Rob- When do your students learn where to aim, and maybe how to shoot a target that is only a few feet away?

Amanda- Shooting at 5 yards is easy. 50 yards is hard, and half a yard is hard too. You don’t want to hand your attacker your gun. You don’t have time to use the sights even if you could.

and then call the police first.  First one to the phone gets to tell ALL the story, and not be on the defense.

Our third story happened last week in Arnold, Missouri.

Rob- First this break.

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Rob- Third story- Are you armed at work in the afternoon?  

You and your family own a pawn shop. The store is in the southern suburbs of Saint Louis. You have construction equipment chained up outside and the usual flow of customers. A young man comes in and walks up to the cash register. He draws a gun and demands the cash. You’re armed. You and your family are always armed. You draw and shoot your attacker until he drops his gun.

You retreat into the back of the store and call police.

Rob- That is a lot to think about.

Amanda- That is why you take a class. That is why you go to the range. You also have to listen to this podcast so you review your plans.

 You must have a business defence plan.  Who does what. When do you – if you get that ‘something is wrong’ feeling – notify others working in the store and HOW.   Have a code word, code sentence.

Amanda-   We use “Hey Rob, forgot to tell you – uncle Ed called.  Call him back” Uncle Ed, bless his heart, has been dead since the 70’s.   

Exit-  Rob- That wraps up this episode. Amanda, thank you for helping us today.  Where can we learn more about you?

Amanda- You can find me at eye on the target radio radio. I have two radio programs and I instruct on the weekends.

Rob- You can share your thoughts with us by leaving a message on the podcast facebook page.  

Amanda-  We share this podcast with you for free.  Please share it with a friend and give us a rating on I-Tunes and Stitcher.  We’re also available on Google Play Music.

Rob- I think the next time we talk will be at the NRA convention in Dallas.

I’m Rob Morse.  We’ll be back next week with more Self-Defense Gun 

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