Firearms Training is serious stuff and firearms safety must be taken as an absolute. We need to train to our own abilities. Some of us can run up and down the range all day long while others are winded on the first course of fire. Too often firearms training is viewed as a macho thing where everyone has to man-up and no pain-no gain. Or there is a competition to have the coolest, newest gear. These conditions make it uncomfortable for timid persons or inexperienced students. Regardless of experience and ability every student deserves respect, understanding and guidance and a stress-free environment.
Yes, there is a point in training when the student has experience and is ready to create a stressful environment to let the student start to understand how challenging it is to shoot effectively under stress – when you are winded, the adrenaline is flowing like an angry river, tunnel vision reduces your vision, your auditory system fails and you lose fine motor skills (operating a gun requires a lot of fine motor skills). This is an important part of training; however it takes time and practice before a student is ready for a stressful environment. Crucially, the student must be able to feel safe when the stress level increases.
Our training is adapted for shooters of all physical abilities and shooting skills. We often teach brand new shooters, many of whom have never touched a gun and have been taught to be afraid of guns by the media and politicians who have their own power grabbing agenda to demonize firearms and destroy the Second Amendment. From our perspective, it is extremely gratifying to take a student who starts the day at the range afraid of guns and work with them resulting in the new shooter feeling empowered by conquering their fear and knowing that they are on a path to personal self-defense.
We train to be prepared for a gun fight but knowing when to not shoot is all important. If you carry a firearm for self-defense, you have to be the most polite person around. You need to take positive action to avoid conflict. You must be ready to de-escalate a situation and ready to retreat. Going to your gun is the -I am out of options- option, Escape is better than shooting. Shooting is better than death.
We recognize that concealed carry for self-defense is not the only reason citizens have firearms. A great many want a firearm in the home for defense of family. Unfortunately, far too many citizens think that training is not required since the only time the gun will be used is to defend against a break-in or threat in the home. All those who think this way are misguided. If you pick up a gun for defense, regardless of the location, you had better be well trained for the situation. Without training, you can easily point the gun at family members or perhaps shoot at the bad guy and miss with the bullet then travelling through the wall potentially hitting a family member in another room or a neighbor walking in the street. Training and knowledge of firearms and critical.
Training is not just about learning to shoot and move with a gun. It needs to include more including an understanding of the capabilities of the firearms along with learning to look for cover and how to command noncombatants to stay clear.
A vital part of self-defense is understanding the law. You must understand legal storage and transportation requirements. You have to know how to legally carry and know the rules when traveling between states. The need to know when it is legal to show your gun or draw your gun. You need to understand the difference between concealed and open carry and where you can do either of both.
Many citizens believe that the “Castle Doctrine” allows you to shoot and kill anyone who in illegally in your house or on your property. Don’t count on it – even in the most gun friendly states. The same thing goes for the “Stand-Your-Ground” laws. In most states you still have a duty to retreat if it is safe to do so. Safe retreat is a better option than taking a life. However, staying alive is your prime directive when you have no choice but to defend yourself.
If you own a firearm, you must train and you must understand the law!
