Articles by semperverus

The Gun That Preserved the Union in the American Civil War

The total years between the end of the American Revolutionary War in 1783 (the civil war when British colonialists fought British soldiers, also known as American Patriots fighting American Loyalists to the Crown) to the beginning of the American Civil War in 1861 (when American Northerners fought American Southerners) were 78; a time of merely 3 generations.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Celebrating 250 Years: Learn About the American Revolution ]

Within that span, the gun, Brown Bess—popularly used in the 18th-century conflict (1775–1783)—evolved into the Springfield Model 1861, used in the 19th-century hostility (1861–1865).

[ Read the SemperVerus article, The Heavy, Long Gun That Won the American Revolutionary War ]

The primary difference between the Brown Bess and the Springfield Model 1861 is the transition from a smoothbore, flintlock musket with limited accuracy to a rifled, percussion-cap musket with significantly increased range and precision.

Always Carry. Always Alert.

Responsibly and lawfully concealed carrying a firearm all the time, every day, for enhanced protection provides the ability to effectively and instantly defend against deadly threats.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, 12 Reasons to Responsibly Carry a Defensive Gun Every Day ]

The crucial matter, whether in personal self-defense or as a volunteer on a church security team, is to be constantly ready. Just as the Israelites were in the Bible’s Old Testament, armed and ever watchful for enemy attacks while they rebuilt Jerusalem’s city walls:

Paul Harvey: If I Were the Devil

Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005, Paul Harvey (1918–2009) was a famous American journalist and commentator for ABC News Radio known for his distinctive voice, conservative viewpoint, and unique daily sign-off: “Paul Harvey…[LONG PAUSE]…Good Day!”

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Paul Harvey: God Made A Farmer ]

From 1951 to 2008, his broadcasts on over 1,300 radio stations and his writings syndicated to 300 newspapers reached a massive audience, estimated at up to 24 million people per week. He passed away in 2009 at the age of 90.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Free Online Educational Resources to Grow Your Spiritual Knowledge ]

On April 3rd, 1965, in the lead-up to Holy Week that year and in the tradition of The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, Mr. Harvey’s broadcast commentary was titled, “If I Were the Devil.” It was a satirical rallying cry for Americans to change their moral direction and social mores. Now, decades later, it also speaks to the importance of the five principles of SemperVerus (Stay True to What Is Right) living—Prepare, Aware, Be, Know, Do—and the 17 virtues of the SemperVerus Brotherhood.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, The Reality of God is Plain Enough ]

In his remarks, he alludes to events in the Bible in such passages as Genesis 3, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, and Isaiah 5:20-21.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Statue of Billy Graham Unveiled in Statuary Hall of US Capitol ]

Listen to the broadcast and read the script below:

Active Killer Advice Compendium

A valuable online reference resource is the Active Killer Advice Compendium on the Active Response Training website.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, A List of Active Killer Incidents at Houses of Worship and Religious Schools ]

The website’s owner, retired police officer Greg Ellifritz, says, “People want to know what tactics and strategies will help them prevail should they be present during an active killer attack in a public place. I’ve been writing about the topic for almost two decades. Other folks have been studying the problem for even longer than that. I’ve written 400 articles about active killer attacks. I’ve linked to over 1000 more articles on the same topic written by other authors. This is a compilation of the best of all that writing.”