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CCM InterviewCCM: Was there a specific incidentthat caused you to carry a gun?WALT: There’s not a specific incidentthat caused me to carry a gun, but everyday you listen to the news and see wherepeople are carrying out their daily livesand end up being in harm’s way. Justlast summer, my daughter, Mindy, and Iwere going into a sporting goods placein Wisconsin and we encountered a guywith two Pit Bulls in the back of a pick-upthat were not on a leash. As we got closeto the truck, both of the dogs came to theback of the truck, standing up, growlingand barking at us. This was an instanceof an innocent, small town and I thoughtthose dogs were going to come out ofthe truck and attack us. Watch the newsalmost any day and you can hear aboutsimilar things happening. I am also fullyaware of the armed attack that happenedat a restaurant in Killeen, Texas a fewyears ago.CCM: Have you ever had to useyour firearm in a defensivesituation?WALT: I have never had to pull myfirearm on an animal or a person. But Iwould do it in a heartbeat if I had to.CCM: What training methods doyou employ? Do you have anyrecommendations?WALT: I’ve done some close quarterspractice, and that was shown to me bytwo different brothers-in-law who arepolicemen as some of the training thatthey do. I’ve also set up several metaltargets at varying distances and shotat them for speed and while aimingcarefully. I’ve also done some shooting inthe prone position, kneeling position andsitting position like if I was in a vehiclehaving to shoot through the window of thecar. I’ve also done some practice whereyou run and shoot at the same time. I’vedone some shooting with the right handand with the left hand as well in case onehand was injured. I think shooters shouldnot be restricted with just one method ofemploying their weapon.CCM: How long have you carrieda concealed weapon?WALT: I’ve carried a concealed handgunfor a little over five years. I just renewedmy license a little over a year ago.CCM: What weapons do youcarry?WALT: I carry a variety of weapons.One is a Para-Ordnance 3-inch barrellight double action .45, which is calledthe Carry. Another one is a Smith &Wesson 340 PD Airlite in .38 Special,and it equipped with Lasergrips fromCrimson Trace. And for a while, I carrieda Beretta 92F 9mm and it also hadLasergrips. I really like using the laser.I’ve done some fishing in Wisconsin andin other northern locations, and althoughit isn’t concealed, I carry a Smith &Wesson Model 460 XVR in .454 Casullwhere there might be grizzly bears andblack bears.CCM: What type of ammunitiondo you carry?WALT: I really like the WinchesterSilver Tip rounds. I also carry FederalHydra-Shok.CCM: What concealment holstersdo you use?WALT: I use a Mitch Rosen ankle holsterwhen I carry the .38 Smith & Wesson.When I carry the 3-inch Para-Ordnance,I also use a Mitch Rosen Tito Revengecross-draw holster, this time on mywaistband.CCM: What do you do for a living?WALT: I’m a physical education teacherand coach for Jackson Middle School inNorth East Independent School District inSan Antonio, Texas. I teach six classes ofphysical education 45 minutes long eachday. I also coach football, basketballand track after school with seventhand eighth graders. We teach quitea bit of health and nutrition, physicalfitness, strength and flexibility. All this isgeared towards making the kids morephysically fit and more able to lead ahealthy lifestyle.CCM: Do you have any advice forour readers?WALT: I have been a strong member ofthe NRA for many years. I go shooting atleast once a week, where I practice withnot only handguns, but with shotguns andrifles, too. I would advise all shooters tobe active politically in the sense that theyknow what is going on in their state andcommunity as far as guns and shootingare concerned. There are plenty ofpeople in our society who want to take allfirearm rights away from us and we can’tlet that happen. All of us certainly needto be aware of what’s going on with thepolitical process in our respective states.We also need to promote the sport ofshooting to other people, because mostfolks who are against guns have probablynever had a positive experience wheresomeone took the time to educate themabout guns and shooting. You can takesomeone with you and teach them thebasics, starting with a small caliberweapon and then work your way up tobigger things. Some people who didnot grow up in a shooting environmentare sometimes more intimidated by thewhole thing. These are the people whowe need to get on our side. It may take alittle work on our part to know what ourpolitical representative’s views are, butnot letting them be vague on the subject.Research their records, and find out ifthe politicians we think are gun friendlyactually live what they are preaching. Concealed Carry Magazine www.usconcealedcarry.comVolume 4 - May/June 2007