This community PlanetScale package for Laravel adds an artisan pscale:migrate command to your Laravel applications. This command helps you manage database migrations using the PlanetScale API, a process which varies slightly from using the built-in migrate command.
During a deployment, you’d run the following command instead of migrate which does everything necessary to update your database’s schema:
phpartisanpscale:migrate
Why is this needed?
You might wonder why this command is needed instead of directly using the migrate command.
According to the package’s readme, PlantScale handles migrations in a different way that you’d typically see with databases:
PlanetScale has alot of advantages when using it as your application’s production database. However it handles your database and schema migrations in a somewhat unusual way.
It uses branches for your database. A branch can be production or development…
This package uses PlanetScale’s Public API to automate the process of creating a new development branch, connecting your app to the development branch, running your Laravel migrations on the development branch, merging that back into your production branch, and deleting the development branch.
To get started with this package, check out the package setup instructions on GitHub at x7media/laravel-planetscale.
Related:
Speaking of PlanetScale and databases, Aaron Francis published MySQL for Developers. We’d highly recommend you check that out to improve your database skills.
Longtime Slashdot reader Esther Schindler writes: When you learn a new tool/technology, you need to create a sample application, which cannot use real in-house data. Why not use something fun for the sample application’s data, such as a Star Wars API or a data collection about World Cup contests? Esther Schindler, Slashdot user #16185, assembled a groovy collection of datasets that may be useful but also may be a source of fascinating internet rabbit holes. For those interested in datasets, Esther also recommends the Data is Plural newsletter and the website ResearchBuzz, which shares dataset descriptions as well as archive-related news and tools.
"Google Research maintains a search site for test datasets, too, if you know what you’re looking for," adds Esther. There’s also, of course, Kaggle.com.
Christoph Rumpel has an excellent guide, Everything You Can Test in Your Laravel Application, of scenarios you’ll likely need to test on real applications.
Belly bands exist in a weird space where they are not only holsters but an entire support system unto themselves.
In the last few years, belly bands have innovated and expanded outside of cheap neoprene fabric.
Belly bands have come a long way.
If you’ve used a belly band before and dedicated it’s not for you, I get it. I was there too. However, times and holsters have changed.
Today we will look at the most innovative, useful, and downright comfy belly bands on the market.
Belly bands may still not be your bag, but let’s take a peek at the best belly bands out there so you are making an informed decision about your carry options.
Belly bands are useful for a number of situations. I like a good belly bend when I’m in a situation where a belt isn’t viable. When I exercise, I typically turn to a belly band.
I can carry and conceal it comfortably with my running shorts and an ancient T-shirt.
When you’re running, you might not be able to use a traditional holster. That’s where a belly band comes in…
There aren’t many situations where I can’t wear a belt, but a belly band is a way to go when I can’t. I say that as a dude, but the dudettes in the audience might have plenty of situations where their style of clothing clashes with a belt.
On top of that, there are deep concealment requirements that might depend on your choice of clothing. This includes formal wear and a dislike of tuckable holsters.
Little tough to carry with a traditional belted holster…am I right, ladies?
A belly band allows you to carry in numerous unconventional clothing options and in unusual and usual positions if necessary.
Belly bands might not be an everyday carry option for everyone, but they are an efficient and effective tool to keep in the box.
7 Best Belly Bands for CCW & Exercising
1. Galco Underwraps 2.0
The Underwraps 2.0 is a classic belly band design and one of the few classic designs I’d recommend. It’s almost like a Batman belt than a belly band.
(Photo: Galco)
It’s chock full of pockets. First, it has a left and right-side leather holster pocket. You could carry two guns, but this seems more aimed at accommodating left and right-handed shooters than going akimbo.
The leather holster pockets come in different sizes, so ensure you have the right size pocket for your gun. They range from pocket pistols to the mighty CZ P-09.
Outside the leather holster pockets are two extra pockets for accessories. You can dump your spare magazines, a light, a knife, a tourniquet, or whatever else and carry it in the Underwraps 2.0.
(Photo: Galco)
These are elastic pockets and not leather, so they can fit a wider variety of items.
The main downside is that the leather pockets are not designed to accommodate guns with optics. You are stuck with iron sights, and if you’re like me, you might not have a purely iron sight carry gun anymore.
The Galco Underwraps 2.0 gives your midsection a huge secured by rough and tough hook and loop. It’s a rugged design that can be positioned strongside for cross-draw or appendix carry.
If you want a classic design, the Galco Underwraps 2.0 is one of the best.
2. Blackhawk Stache N.A.C.H.O.
The Blackhawk N.A.C.H.O. combines a conventional belly band with a detached holster, it’s designed to work with the Blackhawk Stache series of concealment holsters and accessories, but it will likely work with any modern kydex appendix rig.
(Photo: Blackhawk)
N.A.C.H.O. stands for Non-Conventional Adaptive Carry Holster Option.
The N.A.C.H.O. has a 1.5-inch scuba webbing integral holster mounting section. You strap the clip of the holster over the 1.5-inch integral belt. Its design accommodates guns in the Glock 19 size range and smaller.
Can’t go bigger than this, unfortunately.
Since you bring your own holster, you get the retention, proper fit, and trigger coverage you want. This ensures the gun is properly tucked away and easy to draw.
Alongside the holster section, you get four elastic pockets. Two pockets are 3 inches wide, and two are 3.5 inches. You can pack everything in this belly band.
The system allows you to use a kydex holster, granting a certain amount of safety that traditional belly bands don’t offer. (Photo: Blackhawk)
A wallet, knife, tourniquet, cell phone, and beyond. It goes from a holster to a means to carry your entire EDC.
Complaints-wise, I wish it had more of a Velcro backing. It’s somewhat short and doesn’t inspire much confidence if you’re carrying a full load and running around.
It will likely hold just fine, and I haven’t had issues, but it is a weak point worth addressing.
The N.A.C.H.O. gives you lots of room to stash your goods besides your gun and holster. It can be worn in nearly any position you want, and since you are bringing the holster, and will accommodate both left and right-handed shooters.
3. Crossbreed Modular Belly Band 2.0
Crossbreed is the king of the hybrid holster, and they’ve been making belly bands for years. The latest 2.0 model has some minor functional differences from the original but dedicated improvements.
This belly band comes with a molded Kydex shell of your choosing. You must choose the right shell for your gun and accessories when you order. This is one of the few times I’ve ever seen a company ensure your belly band holster was weapon-light-ready.
(Photo: Crossbreed)
I’m a big fan of the advantages a molded Kydex shell offers. This includes better retention, a consistent draw, and overall better safety.
The holster attaches via hook and loop and is secured even more when the band wraps around the holster. Shooters who carry different guns can order separate shells for an easier carry option.
(Photo: Crossbreed)
On top of that, Crossbreed includes a large pocket for a wallet, phone, tourniquet, or whatever and two small pockets for magazines.
The band itself is made from an antimicrobial polyester jersey material for comfort and breathability. It will still be a little muggy, but there is an attempt for comfort and cooling.
Modularity rules, especially in the gun world. Changing the gun I’m carrying depending on my style of dress or situation is valuable, and the Crossbreed belly band makes that a reality.
Plus, I can carry with a red dot and light without much concern, either. That can take you a long way if need be.
What do you think of the Crossbreed Modular Belly Band? Rate it below!
Readers’ Ratings
Be the first to rate this!
Your Rating?
4. Alien Gear Low-Pro Belly Band
Alien Gear holsters have produced belly bands for quite some time, but the Low-Pro is the first to integrate a kydex holster. A polymer rig molded specifically for a gun adds a higher degree of retention, safety, and an easy draw.
Beyond integrating a polymer rig into the belly band, they’ve taken a few steps to innovate the design.
(Photo: Alien Gear)
The Alien Gear Low-Pro is a minimalist design with a thin belt to help reduce the overall size and weight of the rig. On top of that, the minimalist belt setup keeps things from getting hot while wearing.
This would be the perfect rig for exercising at the gym and going for runs.
On top of the low-profile design, the holster also features an innovative cant design. It’s worn at an appendix position but positioned a bit more horizontally than vertically for an easy and quick draw. You have fewer cover garments to defeat for a quicker draw.
It’s a belt-free carry option that is perfect if you live in states where the temperature and humidity often make regular belly bands a sweaty mess. Sadly, the holster shells don’t offer light-bearing options and are not red dot friendly.
Alien Gear makes tons of holsters. They likely have an option for you. They have a long history and diverse shell options, so everyone has access to a little of everything.
5. Clip & Carry Strapt-Tac Belly Band
If you’re like me, you look at belly bands and the temperature outside and feel a resounding sense of dread. I live in Florida, and as a well-insulated American, I run hot.
Belly bands often only add to that heat with their large elastic designs.
Instead of having several inches of the band to add a layer of insulation to your torso, it has a 2-inch-wide strap that makes up most of the band. Where the gun is supported, you have your typical much wider portion to protect the gun from you and you from the gun.
(Photo: Clip & Carry)
This rig requires you to bring your own holster and works with traditional kydex IWB designs.
A 1.5-inch or so integral strap lets you clip your holster into place, and boom; you’re ready to carry. The clip attaches to the strap and slides into a pocket for maximum retention.
There is a standard, and an appendix version, with the difference being the appendix version has a long pocket and strap to accommodate side car holsters. The belt portion is quite adjustable, and there are a number of size types. Due to the unique, minimalist design, you can carry it in nearly any position.
Sure, you have strongside and cross-draw with a heaping of appendix. You can also carry Air Marshal style with the rig up and under your arm, almost like a shoulder holster.
Obviously, the downside is no reloads, no handcuffs, no flashlight, just a gun, but that’s all you need most of the time.
6. Desantis Sky Band II
Companies have long-designed belly bands for the concealed carrier, and these are aimed at the armed citizen…mostly.
Desantis produces the Sky Band, which from the beginning, was aimed at offering law enforcement a deep concealment option.
(Photo: DeSantis)
The Sky Band II mixes traditional belly band design with a modern holster take. Each design comes with a molded kydex holster shell. This offers you the better retention possible, the quickest draw, and the safest method of carrying with a belly band.
The band itself is 5 inches wide to support a duty-sized firearm, and it’s made from surgical-grade elastic. Its elastic offers lots of support and comfort for a heavy gun and a ton of accessories.
The Sky Band 2 comes with a handcuff pouch, an elastic pocket, and three magazine pouches. You can almost carry a full loadout in the Sky Band II, and the supportive design ensures it won’t weigh, slip, slide, and go limp on you.
The downside is that 5 inches of wrap mean 5 inches of a hotter-than-average part of your body. You’ll get sweaty fast, especially if this is your summer carry option.
Me in the summer.
This is the way to go if you need to carry a full loadout.
The Sky Band II holds nothing back and provides a solid carry option for those who want more than a gun on hand.
7. PHLster Enigma
The folks at PHLster might not like me calling the Enigma a belly band because it’s really not, but it serves the same purpose. It’s a beltless carry option that does wrap around your body.
This system isn’t an elastic band but more of a belt that wraps around your body and is secured via something akin to a belt buckle.
(Photo: PHLster)
The belt is made from nylon and is designed to be rugged and durable. It can fit up to a 46-inch waist and is easily adjustable. An optional Sports Belt expands the waist to 50 inches.
The Enigma then allows you to attach your holster of choice, although PHLster sells the Enigma Express with an included holster if you so choose.
It works with the Dark Star Gear holster lineup too!
PHLster’s holsters work with the Enigma, but so do JM Custom Kydex, Henry Holsters, Holsterco, KSG Hoslters, Dark Star Gear, and more. If you want a light-bearing model, make sure you purchase the Light Bearing Enigma.
The Enigma comes with a leg leash that fits over your thing to keep the Enigma centered and in place. This beltless design is aimed at appendix carry but gives the user more control of the holster’s placement.
Because there is no belt, not buttons, or buckle to contend with, you can change the angle and height easily to get it just right.
The PHLster Enigma is named correctly as it’s not really a belly band, but kind of at the same time. It’s the model I’d suggest if you had to ask me to pick my absolute favorite.
It’s one of the best belt-free carry options out there.
Final Thoughts
Belly bands can be a very useful tool to have on hand. They tend to be fairly comfortable and easy to carry with them in odd situations.
Deep concealment isn’t for everyone, but sometimes it works.
While they might not be ideal for everyday carry, they work great when you need a belt-free solution.
What’s your favorite belly band holster? Let us know in the comments below!For more on concealed carry, check out our Concealed Carry Guide.
This package adds a php artisan pscale:migrate command to your Laravel app which can be used instead of the normal php artisan migrate command when using a PlanetScale database.
Installation
Via Composer
composer require x7media/laravel-planetscale
Configuration & Usage
Login to your PlanetScale account and get your Service Token and Service Token ID from the organaization settings. Also take a note of your organization name and production branch name as well for the next steps.
Add the following database level permissions to your Service Token for your app’s database:
create_branch – Create a database branch
delete_branch – Delete a database branch
connect_branch – Connect to, or create passwords and certificates for a database branch
create_deploy_request – Create a database deploy request
From the database settings screen on PlanetScale, click the checkmark to enable the “Automatically copy migration data” settings. Select “Laravel” from the migration framework dropdown and it should fill it “migrations” for the migration table name. Then save the database settings. This will allow migration status to be synced across PlanetScale database branches.
Setup the following enviroment variables in your app with the appropriate values:
PLANETSCALE_ORGANIZATION=
PLANETSCALE_PRODUCTION_BRANCH=
PLANETSCALE_SERVICE_TOKEN_ID=
PLANETSCALE_SERVICE_TOKEN=
Additonally yuou’ll need to make sure your database name is set under:
Then customize the values in the config. NOTE: If you take this approach we STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you still use enviroment varibles or some other secrets storage at least for your service token and service token ID for security.
Replase the php artisan migrate command in your deployment script or process with this:
php artisan pscale:migrate
NOTE: The pscale:migrate command supports the same options are Laravel’s built in migration command, and will pass those options along to it when it gets to that step in the process.
FAQ’s
Why is this necessary?
PlanetScale has alot of advantages when using it as your application’s production database. However it handles your database and schema migrations in a somewhat unusual way.
It uses branches for your database. A branch can be production or development. You’ll want to use a production branch for your app in production because that afford you extra features like automatic backups, however you cannot perform schema changes directly against a production branch. Instead you should create a new development branch based on your production branch and perform your schema changes on that than merge that back into your production branch just like you would do with your code in Git.
This package uses PlanetScale’s Public API to automate the process of creating a new development branch, connecting your app to the development branch, running your Laravel migrations on the development branch, merging that back into your production branch, and deleting the development branch.
Are there any notable limitations to PlanetScale’s branching?
Yes, there is one BIG caveat. That is branching and merging is for schema only. So you will need to seperate your schema migrations from your data migrations. Use this to run your schema migrations and run your data migrations seperatly against your production branch.
An alternative method is to demote your production branch back to a development branch, then you can mix schema and data migrations. Then when that is finished promote the branch back to a production branch. But that is currently a manaual process. I have however made a request with the PlanetScale team to make a slight change to their API that would allow this demote-promote process to be automated, and if that change is made I will update this package. However I ultimately have no control over if or when that will become possible.
Change log
Please see the changelog for more information on what has changed recently.
I am feeling quite bamboozled by this whole "ban TikTok" thing. I was fully on board, but I actually hadn’t read the proposed bill. Silly little me thought that when Congress said they wanted to ban TikTok, they just meant they wanted to ban TikTok. But of course, this is another onion of a bill with little Easter eggs hidden throughout. And these are some pretty scary Easter eggs.
There are actually two proposed bills, but the one we’re talking about is called the "RESTRICT Act." It has support from both parties as well as the White House. And it’s basically a Patriot Act for the internet, as Greg Price on Twitter put it. It gives the government the authority to go after anyone they deem a national security threat. Which could mean actual terrorists, sure. Or it could mean the sad white kid in the basement who excels in the art of meme-making. Either way, the government would have access to basically anything they own that connects to the internet.
The penalties for a violation range from 20 years in jail, $1M in fines, and/or seizing your property. All just because we want the Chinese Communists to stop subverting our youth with half-naked dancing girls. I guess that’s too much to ask.
None
— (@)
The bill also allows the White House, through the Commerce Department, to ban social media, gaming, and payment apps. Meaning they can ban video games, video game companies, and might even have the power to go after crypto.
The bill also refers to the ability to ban transactions. The term "transaction" is defined as a "current, past, or potential future transaction." Basically, anything Uncle Sam wants it to be.
None
— (@)
But wait, there’s more! All the hullabaloo around TikTok is because it poses an imminent threat from China, a foreign adversary. But in this bill, a "foreign individual" can also be an American citizen! Yaaaay!
None
— (@)
None
— (@)
And for the cherry on top, any details about each usage of the act is exempt from FOIA. Just cuz. So as much as I hate to agree with the Libertarian Party on anything, it seems they got this one right. You can check out their whole Twitter thread for yourself. And let’s hope this bill doesn’t pass.
><><><><><><
Lily is a Zoomer college dropout who somehow landed a writing gig here at LwC.com. In her spare time, she enjoys going for runs, touching grass, and occasionally tweeting tweets for fellow tweeters.
Facebook doesn’t want you reading this post or any others lately. Their algorithm hides our stories and shenanigans as best it can. The best way to stick it to Zuckerface? Bookmark LouderWithCrowder.com and check us out throughout the day! Also, follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
If you want to become a Python web developer, the importance of learning Django and Flask plus other frameworks can never be overemphasized. There is no better way to learn than working on projects using web frameworks.
In this three-part tutorial series, I will walk you through the process of building a weather app using three Python frameworks: Django, Flask, and Streamlit. We will start with Django, and if you have been following my project tutorials on Django, this will be an easy ride for you.
Then, for the very first time, I will be creating Python projects using Flask. We will learn this in part two. In the final part of this series, we will see how to create this same application using Streamlit, and have it hosted on Streamlit Cloud for others to use.
A Weather Application
A weather application enables users to get real-time weather information on cities they select. Using powerful web frameworks like Django makes building such an app a fairly easy job for Django developers. All we need is a public API to get real-time information.
We will use the OpenWeatherMap API. So, if you have not already done so, head over to the website and register to get an API key. The API key enables us to benefit from the services rendered by OpenWeatherMap. Make sure you keep your API key safe. We are going to follow best practices for using the API key.
Getting Started
Follow these five steps to set up Django on your system.
Create a folder for this project using any name of your choice and cd into it.
Create a requirements.txt file to store the module versions
pip freeze > requirements.txt
Then, fire up the local server using the command python3 manage.py runserver to check if everything was installed successfully.
Creating Django project and app
Run this command in your terminal to create a Django project:
django-admin startproject weather .
Don’t forget the dot to create the project in the current directory. The mange.py file is used the execute some Django commands. So, let’s use it to create Django app.
python3 manage.py startapp app
Feel free to use any name of your choice. I briefly explained the function of those files inside the project and app folders. Check it or the documentation if you want to learn more:
We have to let Django know that a new app is created. We will do this in settings.py file. Open it and scroll down to INSTALLED_APPS, and add the name of the app.
We import the modules we will use, including the API key.
Then we create a function with a city parameter. This function uses the requests module to get weather information of a given city using the API key. We select only the items we need; and wrap them in a dictionary. We are going to import this function to the views.py file.
Can you see how we use the API key without exposing it?
Creating Views
Open the views.py and let us add in some code.
from django.shortcuts import render
from .weather import getWeather
# Create your views here.
def index(request):
try:
if request.method == 'POST':
city = request.POST['city']
context = getWeather(city)
return render(request, 'home.html', context)
else:
city_weather = {}
context = {'city_weather': city_weather}
return render(request, 'home.html', context)
except:
return render(request, 'error.html')
It’s a good practice to create a separate file for the weather information and have it imported into views.py file.
This makes your code neat and readable.
The index() function uses the try statement to make sure the code runs without errors. It checks if the request method was POST, if so, it retrieves the city name and passes it to the getWeather() function.
Finally, it renders the result on the home.html web page. But if there was an error. The error.html web page is displayed.
Registering URLs
Let’s create and register the urls.py file. This file registers all URLs created in the app folder.
from django.urls import path
from .views import index, error
urlpatterns = [
path('', index, name='home'),
]
We also have to register the application URLs. Go to your project-level folder and open the urls.py file.
from django.contrib import admin
from django.urls import path, include
urlpatterns = [
path('admin/', admin.site.urls),
path('', include('app.urls')),
]
Creating Templates
Last but not least is templates. Create a templates folder, then go to the settings.py file under the TEMPLATES section.
Django syntax makes it easy to dynamically write to web pages. If you check back on weather.py, you will notice the return results wrapped in a dictionary were dynamically written to the web page using the form.
The form with the action=dot signifies the current URL. The csrf_token protects against malicious attacks.
Finally, the error.html file.
<!-- extends is for inheriting from the base.html -->
{% extends "base.html" %}
{% block content %}
<div class="row justify-content-center my-5">
<div class="col-md-5">
<h1>Page Not Found</h1>
<p>Make sure you are connected to the internet or you are entering a valid city name</p>
<a href="{% url 'home' %}" class="btn btn-secondary">Home</a>
</div>
</div>
{% endblock %}
The {% url ‘home’ %} is another way to refer to the home.html web page. Remember the ‘home’ in the urls.py file? Let’s now test the project on the local server. Run python3 manage.py runserver to open the local server.
Conclusion
We have successfully come to the end of this tutorial. We have learned how to create a weather app using Django. The full code is available on my GitHub page.
You have undoubtedly learned many things that can help you while working on projects. Watch out for the second part of this series, where I created the same app using the Flask framework.
What is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Explorer’s Guide?
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Explorer’s Guide originally came within a bundle package in 2017. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Explorer’s Editionbundle included the game, an explorer’s map, and the guide. The e-guide is a 96-page PDF walkthrough with information on gameplay mechanics and the world of Hyrule that beginners will find helpful and veterans might find interesting.
What is interesting about this free PDF version is that it is missing pages 73-84, which included sections about “Horsing Around,” “Hyrule’s Wild Side,” “Fiercer Foes,” “The Many Faces of Hyrule,” “The Four Tribes,” and “Great Fairy Fountains.” The reason for the omissions are not known, but Polygon has ruled out that it is for spoiler reasons. Perhaps it’s just an error from Nintendo that might be fixed later.
If you did not get the physical guide back when it was basically free with the game, the price has been inflated quite a bit from its $60 bundle cost, if you could still manage to find it new from reputable stores. The physical version sold out some time ago, although you could still find it for reasonable prices at some second-hand markets.
The timing of the release seems to be clear: At this point, most people will probably not be looking to buy the guide to play a six-year-old game. More than likely, the strategy seems to be to get people hyped about the upcoming Zelda game and get people to finish The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
As promised, Nintendo has showcased 10 minutes of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of Kingdom gameplay — and it’s a useful preview if you’re wondering just how the developers will improve on Breath of the Wild‘s formula. Most notably, producer Eiji Aonuma notes that fusing objects plays an important role in the game. You can build stronger weapons, and even craft vehicles like powered boats and hovercraft. Enemies can use fused weapons too, though, so you can’t assume that a favorite combat strategy will work.
The demo video also shows a way to reach the floating islands above Hyrule (by using a recall ability on an elevator stone), and what happens if you fall or jump off. You have full control all the way down, so you can glide to distant areas or plunge quickly toward the ground. Many mechanics appear familiar, so you won’t have to relearn the fundamentals.
And yes, Nintendo plans to cater to Legend of Zelda devotees with special edition hardware. The company is releasing a Tears of the KingdomOLED Switch (shown below) for $360 on April 28th, weeks ahead of the game’s May 12th launch. You won’t get a copy of Tears, unfortunately, but you will get lavish artwork on the Switch itself, the Joy-Con controllers and the dock. If you already have a Switch, you can also buy Tears-edition Pro Controller ($75) or carrying case ($25).
Nintendo
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/watch-10-minutes-of-legend-of-zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-gameplay-145613610.html?src=rssEngadget
The importance of quality education and training when it comes to firearms ownership and operation is absolutely paramount. Many who are new to firearms feel it can be daunting and have a lot of questions. Particularly those who consider making everyday carry a part of their lifestyle. For this reason, we introduce Langdon Tactical and its video training series and comprehensive resource.
Langdon Tactical Change the Game
Quality, thorough, thoughtful, and well-designed training content to serve firearms owners across the full spectrum of experience is important. However, no single platform has truly hit the mark.
This is where Ernest and Aimee Langdon enter the scene with designs to change the game. They are the president and vice president of the renowned firearms customization outfit Langdon Tactical Technology (LTT).
The Backstory
Ernest’s background includes 12 years of active-duty service in the United States Marine Corps. Additionally, he has more than 30 years of competitive shooting experience. His competitive accolades include a Grand Master rating in USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association). Likewise, he has accreditation as a Distinguished Master in IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association). Finally, he has ten National Championships and two World Speed Shooting titles.
Aimee is a global business professional with more than 16 years of accomplished professional business development, sales, and marketing experience. She has podiumed three times at The Tactical Games—twice in first and once in second place at the 2021 Nationals. While leading Business Development and Operations for LTT, she trains at a grueling pace and is an energetic and dedicated mom.
This couple not only helms the day-to-day business at LTT but are also the masterminds and producers behind LTT Discover. LTT is renowned for customizing and converting exceptional stock firearms platforms into extraordinary competition-quality enhanced guns. LTT Discover is a groundbreaking firearms education and empowerment platform.
Free Video Series and Comprehensive Training Resource
As noted in the mission statement of the LTT Discover website, the completely free video series and comprehensive training resource is “…aimed at bringing forth great information and resources to better guide and educate those looking to own a firearm without intimidation or demanding perfection.”
The curriculum is guided, based on experience level and keynotes distilled from the unique backgrounds and perspectives of both Aimee and Ernest. Likewise, it draws insight and contributions from influential pillars and experts in the 2A community. As a result, the series serves as a very inclusive, welcoming, well-rounded resource.
I recently navigated the series and website myself. Having experience with what else is (and isn’t) out there, I feel LTT Discover is genuinely a refreshing new approach. Even the most well-trained and experienced in the firearms community should find great value throughout.
I recently had a chance to chat with the founders about their journey together. We discussed the inception of the LTT Discover platform and learned what is in store for the community. Specifically as it applies to the future of firearms education and training.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
How did you two meet each other?
AIMEE: We worked together at a robotics company for six years. We both started new chapters personally and professionally and found each other romantically.
What’s life like between the business, family, and training? How do you juggle it all?
ERNEST: Balance. We are constantly balancing family time, work time, and personal time and sometimes we fail all the way around. But fitness and nutrition are pivotal components of our family unit. We are active together and love to cook.
AIMEE: Outside of our personal shooting training, we attend other classes and courses with other instructors to continue to learn from other people.
I understand the Discover platform was partially developed because of your experiences training together. What’s that dynamic like at the range?
AIMEE: Have you ever tried to teach your spouse something? HA! We shoot together all the time and as a couple, manage it better than most.
ERNEST: In all the years we have been going to the range, we can count on one hand the number of times we silently packed up and left the range. Learning when and how to instruct as well as how to be a student while separating the relationship is something we have figured out.
AIMEE: It’s tough to teach and be corrected all the time. However, separating the emotion from the task often helps. And sometimes, he just needs to be reminded, “positive reinforcement helps too,” or “hey, can we just shoot today?”
ERNEST (laughing): Sometimes, I just need to keep my mouth shut.
What were some of the main motivations or “aha! moments” that led to you beginning to consider developing LTT Discover?
ERNEST: We began to develop Discover as we found a missing gap in education and information available for people who are not tactical, LE or related to the LE/MIL community. Being business owners, we are often asked for direction, information and/or training. As we started to get bigger, more people were asking for assistance. We were looking for places to send them.
AIMEE: Guilty by association, the assumption was that early on, I was just as proficient and experienced as Ernest was, and the reality is, at that time, I hadn’t even touched a handgun before we got together. The “Carry Journey” component of Discover was created based on many gun owners’ first-time experiences around firearms or in making the decision to own a firearm while also incorporating health and fitness as a more complete mindset.
Being in the tactical industry, it’s often assumed or impressed upon others that if you are going to own a firearm, you have to do things a certain way and if you don’t, then you shouldn’t even own a firearm. It’s very intimidating for millions of people and many of the gun owners today.
Who is LTT Discover for?
ERNEST: LTT Discover is for everyone—those thinking about firearms ownership to those who own firearms and who carry every day.
When it comes to the 2A space and industry, how important is community and community building to you, and why?
Aimee: Community and Community building is huge, it’s very important to us. We believe a community provides real and raw emotion, tied to being caring and helpful to individuals in a positive way.
A strong community provides a safe place where people can seek information and ask questions without the fear of being belittled or made fun of because they don’t understand and/or are new and don’t know things that some people consider common knowledge.
Ernest: Being a part of a community makes people feel comfortable to ask a question, agree OR disagree, and be guided by trusted and real individuals from a real raw perspective, position or experience background.
What has the initial response to LTT Discover been since its launch?
AIMEE: We are blown away by the positive response from Discover. We have received so many thanks and “ah-ha’s” from men and women alike who feel like the information is proficient, straightforward, and not intimidating. Many enthusiasts who are gun owners have been able to use it as a tool for friends and loved ones to share information and thoughts from real individuals.
As a closing question, what are your personal hopes and dreams for the impact that LTT will have on the industry and the public at large?
AIMEE: As a brand, we hope Langdon Tactical will be a resource not only for products and training (as it is today) but also as an educational resource that provides a welcoming community guiding people to be more confident, self-reliant, and empowered as individuals.
Thank you, Aimee and Ernest, for sitting down to share this exciting new resource. I expect it will help grow the community in a much-needed way. And I’ll definitely be watching to see what comes next.
This article was originally published in the Personal Defense World April/May 2022 issue. Subscription is available in print and digital editions at OutdoorGroupStore.com. Or call 1-800-284-5668, or email subscriptions@athlonmediagroup.com.
Recommended: 
