BOOK NOW

Tag: news

  • Florida’s Open Carry Era Blog

    Florida’s Open Carry Era Blog

    Weapon Wisdom • Firearms Training

    Florida’s Open-Carry Era: Why Training Matters More Than Ever

    Oct 29  ·  Written by Jamie Anderson

    When Florida first moved to permitless carry in 2023, our team noticed something right away: people who never imagined owning or carrying a firearm suddenly wanted training. Now that open carry has been expanded, that wave has only grown. Our Firearm Safety and Fundamentals classes are filling up with new shooters, longtime gun owners, and everyone in between.

    Even though many Floridians no longer “have to” get a concealed carry license, they still do. Why? Because they’re starting to realize the real risk isn’t just who else is carrying—it’s carrying without training. At Weapon Brand, we’re not pro-gun or anti-gun; we’re pro-training. If you choose to own a firearm, you owe it to yourself and everyone around you to know how to use it safely, responsibly, and under stress.

    Firearms skills are perishable. They fade without reps. Our instructors—many with decades of experience in law enforcement, military, and competition—still train regularly and still say, “I could use more reps.” Going to the range once in a while isn’t enough. Real confidence comes from a combination of classroom work, range time, and scenario-based practice.

    Weapon Retention: The Skill Most People Skip

    Here’s a hard truth most people don’t think about: many of our instructors choose not to carry every day—not because they’re anti-gun, but because they know how easy it is to lose control of a firearm if you’re not trained to keep it.

    If a criminal is training regularly to take advantage of others, why wouldn’t you train regularly to protect yourself, your family, or your staff? Weapon retention is one of the most critical classes a firearm owner can take. If you’re carrying a gun but have never practiced keeping it during a struggle, you’re taking a serious risk.

    Statistics are sobering: many officers who are shot in the line of duty are shot with their own firearm. Even with extensive training, some large departments have hit rates well under 50% at close distances. If that’s the reality for professionals, it should be a wake-up call for the average concealed carrier or open carrier who rarely trains.

    Where You Still Can’t Open Carry in Florida

    Even with changes to Florida’s laws, there are still key locations where carrying—open or concealed—remains restricted. Violating those rules can bring serious legal consequences. Examples include:

    • Courthouses and courtrooms
    • Police stations, jails, and detention facilities
    • K–12 schools and school grounds
    • Polling places during active voting
    • Certain government buildings and official meetings
    • Airport terminals and secure areas
    • Private property with “No Firearms” or similar signage

    Laws and local rules can evolve, and interpretations can vary by agency. That’s why we tell every student: do your homework. Read the statutes, ask questions, and when in doubt, err on the side of caution. At the end of the day, the responsibility lands on the person carrying the firearm.

    A Real-World Reminder About Responsibility

    Recently, while flying back to Florida, we went to check a firearm according to the rules— locked case, unloaded, declared, the whole process. The airline staff and even a TSA agent gave us instructions that weren’t actually correct. They suggested options that could have put us on the wrong side of federal regulations if we had followed them.

    That moment reinforced something we tell every class: you cannot assume that the people enforcing the rules always know the rules. If something goes wrong, it’s still your name on the paperwork. As a firearm owner, you’re the one who has to understand the law, the policies, and the process well enough to protect yourself.

    Community Training and What’s Next

    Weapon Brand partners with the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) to host free community education events throughout Florida. These sessions cover topics like:

    • Home defense and threat identification
    • Women’s personal safety and awareness
    • De-escalation and situational awareness
    • Securing your home or business
    • What happens legally and emotionally after a self-defense incident

    For those ready to go deeper, we’re rolling out training pathways that combine:

    • Firearm Safety and Fundamentals
    • Weapon Retention
    • Drawing and Firing from Concealment
    • “Should I Shoot?” — decision-making, law, and aftermath

    We offer group and private training in Florida, New York, and Ohio. No politics. No judgment. Just clear, grounded education that helps people make better choices with powerful tools.

    Florida’s open-carry era doesn’t have to be something to fear—if we match increased access with increased responsibility and training. Whether you carry daily, keep a firearm at home, or are just beginning to explore the idea, our message is the same: don’t go it alone, and don’t wing it.

    Get trained. Stay humble. Protect your community. Always Be Your OWN Weapon.

    Written by Jamie Anderson

  • Workplace Safety

    Workplace Safety

    Weapon Wisdom • Workplace Safety

    When Safety Gets Real: How One County Is Leading the Way in Employee Protection

    Jun 24  ·  Written by Jamie Anderson

    What if one phone call could change the way you think about safety—at work and at home?

    That’s exactly what happened to Brian Anderson-Needham, co-founder of Weapon Brand. He was hours away on a work trip when he received a chilling whisper from his wife at the time: “I think someone’s in the house.”

    She hadn’t called 911. She called Brian. She was frozen.

    Later, they learned their home had once belonged to a drug dealer—and no one had ever changed the locks. Someone still had a key. It could’ve ended in tragedy. Instead, it became the reason Brian dedicated his life to making sure no one else feels that helpless again.

    That mission is now at the core of Weapon Brand’s work—and the guiding force behind an 8-part personal safety series for Pinellas County employees. These trainings are anything but theoretical. They’re interactive, deeply personal, and built on lived experience. We aren’t teaching fear—we’re building preparedness.

    What Makes This Training Different

    Let’s be honest: most Zoom trainings feel forgettable, compliance-driven, and disconnected from real life. Weapon Brand’s approach is the opposite. We teach people how safety works in the real world—with tangible, applicable skills that apply beyond the office.

    Here are the five core competencies we covered:

    1. Situational Awareness
      Small habits like walking with purpose, making eye contact, and ditching the phone near parking lots can prevent escalation before it even begins.
    2. Smart Home Security
      From reinforcing strike plates with 3-inch screws to removing pick-me-up items outside, these cost-effective changes drastically reduce the risk of unauthorized entry.
    3. Mental Rehearsal
      By visualizing threat scenarios and rehearsing responses, employees build confidence and reduce panic—even before action is required.
    4. Legal Use of Force
      Understanding when and how much force is justified keeps employees safe and legally protected. We teach the balance between de-escalation and necessary defense.
    5. Home Defense Planning
      Getting caught off guard is not a plan. We guide employees through simple, actionable steps— assigning roles, setting up safe rooms, and establishing emergency code words.

    Why It Matters for Employers, HR, and Risk Teams

    Training like this isn’t an optional extra—it’s a strategic investment in:

    • Employee wellness and confidence
    • Workplace violence prevention
    • Legal duty-of-care and liability reduction
    • OSHA, insurance, and risk management compliance
    • Team trust, retention, and culture

    When people know their safety matters, engagement transforms. Pinellas County experienced it first-hand—and so can your organization.

    What’s Next?

    We’re wrapping up the series with Virtual Self-Defense Training—real-world tactics delivered virtually, accessible to all ages and abilities.

    These aren’t quick fixes. They’re skills that last.

    Ready to bring real-world safety training to your employees or agency?
    Let’s make it happen → WeaponBrand.com

    — Jamie Anderson