3 Questions With S.W.A.T. Magazine TV’s Rob Pincus

Share UPDATE: Rob’s new book “Combat Focus Shooting: Evolution 2010″ is now available! (Click the link to buy it from him directly – no middle man.)

The issue of self defense is particularly significant these days. And the recent events at Fort Hood, Texas, highlight the danger of the world we live in (see Political Correctness is Killing Americans). Thankfully, the U.S. has some of the most professional, well-equipped and highly trained first responders in the world. But they can’t be everywhere and response times can vary. Unfortunately, those first few precious moments can mean the difference between life and death for you and your loved ones. I recently caught up with Rob Pincus (Owner of I.C.E. Training, host of The Best Defense and S.W.A.T. Magazine TV, (Premiering in January, 2010) to pick his brain about a few issues. Rob and his team have trained with numerous law enforcement agencies as well as military units (including U.S. Army Special Forces and the U.S. Navy Seals). Comments and criticism are welcome. RHM: 2nd Amendment advocates are very vocal about “no gun zones”, arguing that having such zones (a) lets potential criminals know that they are facing an unarmed public and (b) leaves them defenseless. Do you think this was the case at Fort Hood? Rob Pincus: I absolutely think it was a component. This guy probably had a couple of agendas that we’ll learn more about as time goes on, but he certainly was interested in taking as many people with him as he could. He chose a target-rich environment, a target that represented what he apparently detested (deployment center for U.S. soldiers fighting against Islamic enemies) and an environment that he knew to be poorly defended. RHM: What advice do you have for people who live and work in areas with very strict gun laws on law-abiding citizens (i.e. school zones, military posts, etc.)? Rob Pincus: Its tough to come up with one answer that fits everyone. I travel constantly and I spend a fair amount of time in places where carrying a gun simply is not an option (airports, Europe, Manhattan). But, you have to realize that the gun (or the knife, or the taser) is just a tool. It’s the person’s ability to plan, recognize when to employ the plan, and be skilled enough to work the plan, that leads to survival. Thinking about what could happen, what should be done, and how to do it is the key. The specifics change with each venue. That said, there are always subtle, improvised weaponry that can be carried or staged in any environment. I recommend Mike Janich’s book “Forever Armed” for a thorough discussion. RHM: For those who may be afraid of guns themselves but want to be able to protect themselves and loved ones, can you recommend one or two non-lethal alternatives? Rob Pincus: The hooked wooden cane is the ultimate go-anywhere clandestine defensive tool. It is relatively easy to learn to use efficiently, even in close quarters, and you can take them everywhere: banks, planes, museums, Europe, etc. I’ve carried wooden canes a lot. If you’re not inclined to invest the time to learn how to use the cane or are self-conscious about the appearance, you really can’t beat the civilian version of the Taser. I’ve taken a chest shot from the Taser C2 and I would put my faith in it to stop an unexpecting attacker if I had time and space to use it – which is essentially the same time and space required to access and use a defensive firearm. Thanks to Rob for his time. Below is the trailer for S.W.A.T. Magazine TV, premiering in January 2010.

Related Posts:

• Political Correctness is Killing Americans
• VIDEO Q&A From a Recent Lecture
• Dominican Muslim Strikes Out at Jihad
• What is the National Security Strategy (NSS)?
• David Ratowitz for U.S. Congress
• Fire Janet Napolitano – Hire My Dad!
• Is Cuba a State Sponsor of Terrorism?