FBINAA Associate Magazine Oct/Dec 2021

Continued from "SAF Retention", on page 27 The first five-second test would be done with the holster in this state—a locked Sentry device above closed SLS. One clear benefit of the Sentry device, though, is its ability to be disengaged when more immediate access is needed. In this state, the SLS can be rocked forward and down, clearing the way for the firearm to be drawn (and effectively operating as a Level II Retention Holster). If holster passes three stages of testing and the officer can still draw the firearm from the holster with no impediment, then this would qualify as a Level III Retention Holster. While the SLS system requires the thumb to push the strap down and away, the ALS lever simply rocks back. As you draw, your thumb hits the lever allowing for a very fluid draw movement. This ALS lever is all but hidden by the gun when it is holstered. The ALS alone, though, is only a Level I Retention device. Safariland makes an ALS Guard that, when engaged, prevents proper operation of the ALS lever. With an ALS Guard, these holsters will withstand Level II Retention testing. What’s important to note about both the Sentry device and the ALS Guard is that the additional protective measures can be engaged or disengaged at will. This allows for officers to have more immediate Level I access for routine movement, or when a firearm might be needed quickly. Yet a simple activation of either device will add additional protection for anyone who has to move through a crowd or who would be working in close proximity to others. LEVEL V RETENTION HOLSTERS Level III holsters have to pass the test three times. The locking devices should present a logical path to an unobstructed draw, and that path will provide a guide for the order that the retention devices are tested: primary, secondary, and tertiary. But consider this example. A holster with an SLS would be a Level II Retention Holster. Add an Sentry device to the SLS de- vice, and it becomes a Level III. Add an ALS device behind those, and there’s a fourth step required to defeat the active layers of protection: Level IV Retention. Building a 6360RDS holster with an ALS, and an SLS with a locking device would provide exceptional Level IV Retention. While such a holster design is protective—both to outside elements and unwanted access, it still provides the wearer with immediate ac- cess to the firearm, when needed. The muscle memory developed through training provides the immediate and unimpeded access that officers require when drawing their firearms. Even when all of these devices have been disengaged, Sa- fariland’s holster are designed to grip the gun unless it is drawn straight up. This directional momentum is easily achieved by the person wearing the holster, and cumbersome from any other angle. Safariland’s retention systems have set the bar for reten- tion holsters. The best part is that their test can be repeated and validated by anyone wearing one. And the holsters have proven themselves in the field, and proven why such a dedication to security is needed in the first place. About the Author: David Higginbotham is a writer and editor who has worked for numerous outdoor publications. He holds a Ph.D. in English from Florida State University and taught writing for more than a decade before stepping out of the classroom and onto the range. He currently lives in Fort Smith, Arkansas with his wife Emily and 12-year-old son, Thomas. He’s the Scoutmaster of a Scout troop and an avid outdoorsman.

Continued from "FBINAA Charitable Foundation", on page 31

What can you do as individuals and chapters to assist us as we seek to increase the assistance we offer to members? The simplest answer is to participate in our fundraising programs. You may already know of many, but here they are in a nutshell. • Travel contests. Each year we offer a getaway vacation to Hawaii, courtesy of our first private sector Foundation board member Ed Fuller. Donating $20.00 to the Foundation earns you an entry into the drawing for this trip. The Hawaii contest has raised nearly $106,000 in the last five years. In the recent past we have also offered exotic trips to a remote hunting and fishing lodge in Montana ($9800.00 raised) and a week at a luxury home in the British Virgin Islands ($21,000 raised)! • For three years we have benefitted from a Virtual Yellow Brick Road run. This idea originated with the daughter of an FBI official assigned to the Academy. For a nominal entry fee, you can re- ceive a unique shirt and bib for running or walking a virtual YBR in your area. Chapters can receive extra recognition for member participation. VYBR proceeds have reached nearly $xxxxxxxxx • Another newer fundraiser is the Angel campaign. For a dona- tion of $250.00, you will receive a commemorative unique Angel Supporter challenge coin. The coin is marked with the year of your donation. $42,000.00 has been raised through the Angel campaign to date. • The 50K Challenge is primarily designed for corporate support- ers. Sponsors can order customized challenge coins promoting the Foundation and the company. Know a company that benefits from its association with the NAA? Encourage them to invest in the 50K Challenge. Nearly $18,000.00 has been raised by the 50K Challenge so far. A 2019 golf tournament raised almost $24,000.00 and a CZ- USA rifle donation earned $7800.00 for the Foundation. As you can see, our fundraising efforts have been very successful, but at the same time they are barely keeping pace with our core relief and scholarship expenditures. To sustain and hopefully grow these programs, we need additional help from both members and corporate supporters. Please help us in these efforts. One final thought: Consider bequests and other options for tax-deductible giving in consultation with your tax advisor. Your best source of information about the FBINAA Charitable Founda- tion is our website: www.fbinaafoundation.org . For more informa- tion about any of our efforts, contact the Foundation at info@ fbinaafoundation.org or your section representative on the Foun- dation Board. Their contact details can be found on the website. You have another critical role to play in the work of the Foundation. Be very aware of members in your chapter or ses- sion (NOTE: current dues-paying members only) who may need assistance. As we know, our members are self-reliant individuals often too proud to ask for help. Let us know when help is needed, and we will work hard to assist if we can.

Thank you!

Board of Directors FBINAA Charitable Foundation

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