When society breaks down, visibility turns into vulnerability. Wealth, influence, or affiliation can become a target on your back. And history shows us, over and over, that those who survive chaos aren’t the loudest or the proudest—they’re the most discreet. From the Depression-era United States to Nazi Germany, Maoist China, and today’s politically fractured America, the same rule applies: Security begins with blending in.

Chainmail, Stab Vests, and Ballistic Armor: Three Different Answers to the Knife Problem. Photos of German SEK officers in medieval-like chainmail aren’t cosplay—they’re a very rational response to a very specific threat: close-range knife attacks. When you zoom out and compare German special police units, London’s Metropolitan Police, and typical American law enforcement, you see three distinct armor philosophies shaped by very different violence profiles and legal environme

A recently circulated video shows an individual explicitly declaring violence against people based on political affiliation. The statement — “If you are a Republican on TikTok and you want to interact with me, you deserve to die. You deserve to be shot…” — is not hyperbole or heated talk; it is a public threat that removes fundamental barriers to violence and signals a willingness to act.

Is the tourniquet the single most important medical item in your EDC medical kit? It seems like it's become the common belief among many concealed carriers, tactical shooters, and even first responders. Tourniquets have been heavily promoted as a must-have — often portrayed as the gold standard in trauma response.

Today, “Eddie Would Go” has become more than a saying in surfing circles. It represents a mindset shared by lifeguards, first responders, and anyone who must make life-or-death decisions under pressure. It’s not a formal protocol — there are no steps, checklists, or standard operating procedures. It’s a moral compass, a cultural standard that challenges us to rise when the moment demands it.

“South Africa isn’t a different world anymore. It’s a glimpse into our near future — if we’re not prepared.” A Preview of Our Future?...

On a Saturday in Traverse City, Michigan, an emotionally disturbed man entered a Walmart and began attacking random people with a small folding knife. Within moments, eleven people were stabbed, ranging in age from 29 to 84—including a Walmart employee—before the attacker was confronted and isolated by armed citizens in the parking lot.

On August 11, 2025, a horrific scene unfolded in the parking lot of a Target store in Austin, Texas. A 32-year-old man with a documented history of violent crime, mental health issues, and prior arrests, opened fire, killing three innocent people: a 24-year-old Target employee collecting carts, a 65-year-old man, and his 4-year-old granddaughter.

As security and executive protection professionals, our work depends on accurate threat assessments. Whether we’re conducting advance work, building travel risk profiles, or advising clients on safety in unfamiliar environments, we must have a clear and truthful picture of the risks. But a disturbing trend is making that job harder: official crime statistics can no longer be taken at face value.

On a busy evening in downtown Cincinnati, chaos erupted. Videos quickly surfaced online showing a man in a white T-shirt being thrown to the ground and repeatedly kicked. Nearby, a woman was struck so hard she lost consciousness. Dozens watched. Many filmed. But only one person called 911.

In a political environment already strained by division, another disturbing example of rhetorical escalation recently resurfaced to help us illustrate where we are as the American Empire decays. Jeffrey Miller, chairman of the Erlanger-Elsmere Independent School District in Kentucky since 2016, posted the following: “I’d be ok with the NRA if these psychos were just once the victims of a mass shooting. WINK WINK: please shoot Republicans.

As we stand on the precipice of significant social, political, and technological changes, the future of protection and personal security may look very different from what we know today. While we cannot predict with certainty exactly how the landscape of violence and conflict will evolve, the trends we’re already seeing indicate that we are on the cusp of a major shift.

Discover why lasers should be treated as a serious use-of-force concern. Learn how lasers pose a threat and how to protect against them.

If you're watching closely, you’ve seen the trend: political ideology is turning violent, and people in power are being hunted—not debated. This isn’t some theoretical “what if.” The threat environment has changed, and if you’re a public-facing figure, business owner, or leader, you are no longer shielded by your title, neighborhood, or good intentions.

This post is a repository for firearm-related statistics citing their sources to help us fact-check information regarding crime, gun use, defensive gun use, suicides, and gun ownership

Why do I need to know the mechanical offset on my rifle? Find out what it is and why it affects shooting close range and barricades.

For self-defense, we are all naturally attuned to certain behaviors and body language cues. Over time, our instincts allow us to recognize when someone is shifting from a neutral stance to one of aggression or potential harm.

How can we prepare ourselves to respond to an Active Shooter scenario?

We review Jim Cirillo's book on gunfighting and post the seven secrets to winning a gunfight.

We have to think hard about our training. At first we need to focus on the mechanical part of shooting. But our training can't end there.