We’re back bringing you yet another awesome episode of TacticalPay radio! This week, we’re lucky to have not just one, but three guests (Zach, Jarrad, and Paul Markel from Student of the Gun on the show. As you’ll hear, they all had a lot of insights to share on self defense.
Professor Paul G. Markel is the founder and president of Student of the Gun… and a former U.S. Marine, police officer, bodyguard, and firearms instructor. He’s authored articles and books on law enforcement and use of force, sport shooting, and other firearms-related topics. Jarrad Markel, a pro MMA fighter and expert website designer, is the C.O.O. of Student of the Gun. Zach Markel is Student of the Gun’s “shipping ogre” as he is responsible for all the behind-the-scenes work at SOTG. Together they (along with other members of their team)
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Episode Highlights
- What martial arts are most important for “the street”.
- why the term “unarmed” doesn’t mean what you think it means.
- Which SOTG course is the most popular download.
- How MMA differs from some self-defense techniques.
- Plus so much more!
Featured on the Show
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Industry Spotlight
Student of the Gun
Student of the Gun is a family run business which is located on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi founded by Professor Paul G. Markel. Their main goal is to provide their customers and visitors with “education, enlightenment, and enjoyment.” Student of the Gun produces a TV show, podcast, and website (with gear and downloadable instructional courses) that focus on firearms safety, instruction, and awareness, and self-defense.
Their courses and content aren’t really designed for specific skillsets or experience levels (“novices” or “beginners”) because they feel that SOTG represents a lifetime journey. You can always learn more to get the most out of your firearms! Their podcast is up to 743 episodes as of this writing, and continues to cover all sorts of topics around firearms, gear, and more. The SOTG network boasts so many great videos, giveaways, and opportunities for finding the best gear that it’s impossible to cover it all in just a few paragraphs.
In addition to free training and access to in-depth articles, SOTG also offers a membership opportunity for folks who want to join their growing firearms community. Site membership offers unlimited access to the SOTG article vault, special partner discounts, access to their public radio vault, access to private groups, and more. Needless to say, there is something for everyone at SOTG and that has helped them continue to be successful and grow within the firearms industry.
TacticalPay Featured Community Organization of The Week
Each week, we select and recognize a “TacticalPay Featured Community Organization of the Week”. Created to showcase a community organization that is doing important work related to the firearms community, we our team select one organization each week from hundreds of local clubs, shooting groups, hunting and wildlife organizations, education and advocacy organizations, and other firearms related community organizations. The featured organization is selected by our show’s producer, so if you know of a community organization that you believe is doing excellent work on behalf of the broader firearms community that you’d like to see recognized, drop us a line.
This week, we’ve got a great one for you!
National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF)
This week, we’re highlighting an awesome organization, the NSSF or National Shooting Sports Foundation. With more than 12,000 members, the National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry. To be a member, you have to be involved in the industry in some way and we represent manufacturers, distributors, retailers and ranges. They run the SHOT Show, the world’s largest business-to-business gathering for our industry, by far.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation, has long advocated for effective solutions to prevent access to firearms by criminals, children and the dangerously mentally ill. They run programs that make a real difference.
NSSF has led the way in improving the FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) through our FixNICS® initiative that has reformed the law in 16 states and improved the quality of disqualifying records.
The Don’t Lie for the Other Guy program helps firearms retailers prevent illegal straw purchases and is conducted in cooperation with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Project ChildSafe has distributed more than 36 million free gun locks since 1999, through more than 15,000 partners, motsly law enforcement agencies, such as sheriff’s departments.
Their partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is building public education resources for firearms retailers, shooting ranges and the firearms-owning community.
Operation Secure Store is a comprehensive joint initiative with ATF to help Federal Firearms Licensees make well-informed security-related decisions to deter and prevent thefts.
So, needless to say the NSSF is doing WONDERFUL work and we say keep it up!