This post was originally published here.
There are several key factors to consider when evaluating your defensive setup. The obvious thing is the need for a gun. On top of that, we have our extra magazines, possibly a knife, and for the diehard, even a tourniquet. A popular accessory for handguns today is the addition of a weapon light. These can be very useful, and many have exceptional brightness. An item that is often overlooked, however, is a handheld flashlight. Modern technology enables flashlights to offer excellent brightness in compact packages. Today, we’re going to look at why you need to carry a handheld light.
Identify Your Target – Handheld Light
The biggest challenge we face in defensive scenarios is low light. The ability to see a target, or identify potential threats is one of the cornerstones of safe shooting. You must be able to identify your target. And in low-light situations, both outside and inside, it may be difficult to distinguish a good guy from a bad guy.
While weapon lights are popular and valuable, they’re not the optimal tool for use when searching. The primary reason is that they’re attached to your gun. In short, to illuminate something, you need to point your weapon at it. And in high-stress situations, it’s best not to muzzle anybody who isn’t truly a threat.
Safely Search
The use of a handheld light allows us to safely search and identify targets in the dark without having to point our gun at them. There are countless techniques to use the handheld light in concert with a handgun. With a variety of methods at your fingertips, you’re sure to find one that fits you best. While I won’t go into great detail, I will say that you need to train to master these skills.
Beyond its use as a tool to aid in search, it also possesses characteristics of a weapon. The very bright light shining into a person’s eyes causes a flinch reflex, which can temporarily reduce their night vision. A blast of high-lumen light into the eyes of a subject will burn off a substance called visual purple. This, in turn, reduces their ability to see in low-light situations. While I don’t categorize a flashlight as a weapon in and of itself, it is a valuable tool in the entire package.
How Bright?
There is considerable discussion regarding the number of lumens your light should have. My personal belief is that if you could get a 12 billion-lumen flashlight, you should take it. We want as much power and brightness as possible in our flashlight. I will also say that you should not count on the flashlight built into your cell phone. Yes, I know they are handy, but a dedicated light is the tool of choice.
The side benefit of carrying a flashlight is that you will find yourself using it all the time. It can help you find lost keys, a misplaced cell phone, or that French fry that you dropped under your seat. I have come to rely on my flashlight more than I ever believed possible. I use it all the time, whether it’s in the middle of the day or the middle of the night.
Handheld Light
So, while weapon-mounted lights are a solid addition to any gun, I suggest you make certain you have a handheld light for searching. This handy little tool can help you avoid a horrible tragedy by making sure you know what you’re looking at.
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