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After Vegas shooting anniversary, we are closer to a federal bump stock…
Michelle R. Matisons Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityJust over one year ago on Oct. 1, 2017, people watched in horror as a Las Vegas gunman open fire on a large crowd gathered for a country music concert. This incident is now known as the United States' deadliest mass shooting committed by an individual. Of course, it didn’t take long for gun control reformers to seize on the moment and call for stricter gun safety laws, such as stronger background checks. Another agenda item is the banning of firearms enhancements, like bump stocks. The Vegas shooter used 12 bump stocks to enhance his weapons, and the devices are now under greater public scrutiny.
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Exploring California’s new transparency bills
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityCalifornia Gov. Jerry Brown signed two law enforcement transparency bills into law on Sept. 30, marking a historic new era for in law enforcement in the Golden State. At a time when police and community relations are at best tenuous, a law like this can go a long way to assuage public concerns about safety and civil rights. The two bills in the spotlight will increase access to law enforcement records and body camera footage.
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Front sight focus or point shooting: Which is better?
Mike Ox Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityThis is a can of worms that divides the shooting world almost as much as the 9 mm vs. .45 debate. No matter which side of the debate you’re on, you’ve probably got some valid points…and some that aren’t so valid. So, today, we’re going to dig into which of these is the best…for self-defense, for competition, and for fun. But first, let’s define terms. Front sight focus shooting is where you focus on the front sight and let your target and rear sight get blurry. There are several names for "point shooting," including "threat focus shooting," "combat focus shooting," "instinctive shooting," "hip shooting," "unsighted shooting" and more.
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Justice Department sues California over brand-new net neutrality law
Michelle R. Matisons Science & Technology"Net neutrality" is more than just a catchy phrase referencing internet accessibility; it is the principle of equal treatment of all internet data. As it stands now, companies can favor certain data, content, and websites over others, which is a violation of First Amendment free speech protections, according to net neutrality advocates. In order to avoid these data and content manipulations, states have passed laws, as California did Sept. 30. The California law, which would go into effect Jan. 1, 2019, is one of the strictest in the country. This is why it didn’t take long for the federal government to announce a lawsuit against the Golden State.
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Violent crime down in US amidst criminal justice budget debates
Michelle R. Matisons Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityThe official U.S. crime rates released annually by the FBI are highly politicized numbers that various stakeholders cite for many reasons. According to Ames Grawert, senior counsel at the Brennan Center, the newly reported 2017 statistics lead to a conclusion that, "Concerns about a widespread crime wave appear overblown." The 1990s involved a notable violent crime wave that reinforced the Clinton-era drug war and mass incarceration policies. Today’s decline in violent and property crimes clash with the Trump administration’s criminal justice goals, which are mirroring the mass incarceration fervor of the ‘90s.
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Speed vs. accuracy in training and self-defense
Mike Ox Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityThere’s a continual debate in the gun training world between whether you should train accuracy or speed. It’s a great question, but most people presume that the answer is either-or. It shouldn’t be. Let’s start by talking about what "accuracy" and "speed" are. They are 100 percent dependent on the context. And the context is completely different between an IDPA match and a self-defense situation. Frankly, you don’t know what the situation is going to be when you find yourself in a fight for your life where you need to use your firearm.
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Workplace violence is a challenging HR compliance issue
Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementIt’s not a topic that anyone wants to think about, but companies should be preparing workplace violence prevention and response plans. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), workplace violence can include verbal abuse and threats, physical assaults, and homicide. Employees, customers and clients, and visitors can be the perpetrators or victims of workplace violence. While over 2 million American workers a year report being a victim of workplace violence, OSHA notes that millions of other incidents are never reported.
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The advent of mobile forensics
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityMobile usage has outpaced all other platforms. Therefore, it is only natural that mobile forensics has become an integral part of criminal investigations. The recovery of digital evidence or data from a mobile device under forensically sound conditions needs more than sophisticated technology. It also requires advanced mobile forensics training for law enforcement officers. In many cases, mobile digital evidence is critical to a conviction. But the lack of trained officers in this area thwarts that process.
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First of its kind: Housing for homeless vets at the Cabin in the Woods…
Miranda Y. Brumbaugh Civil & GovernmentOne of the most concerning issues for military veterans is homelessness. Whether vets are struggling with mental health issues or simply don’t have the funds for a home, one state is offering a solution. The Togus Veterans Administration Medical Center in Chelsea, Maine, has recently opened the Cabin in the Woods project. Thanks to this new project, 21 veterans now have their very own home. However, this initiative is dedicated to providing homeless veterans in Maine more than just a home.
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HIV/AIDS program cuts to pay for immigrant child detentions
Michelle R. Matisons Civil & GovernmentAmidst the news about the controversial practice of locking up immigrant children whose parents are not U.S. citizens is the looming question of who will pay for these detentions. Corrections facilities already face overcrowding and harsh conditions, and now we are seeing how the Trump administration plans to pay for all this: shifting funds from programs essential to some Americans’ lives, including HIV/AIDS programs. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides myriad social service programs and also pays for the more than 13,000 children held in U.S. immigration detention facilities.
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