We have provided this class before, and we are getting more requests to do it again. The purpose is to let women become familiar with guns they might use for self protection."This is something that deserves encouragement. Now if the sheriff would only muster volunteers once a month for long gun training and tactics, he'd have a ready-made, well regulated citizen militia to count on in times of disaster.
He said many women want to know more about guns for that purpose and many lack knowledge of firearms.
"The class teaches women how to use a gun and not be afraid of it," the sheriff said.
Kind of like the way things oughtta be.
[Via Carl S]
These classes are sometimes a good way to introduce women to handguns... depending on who is teaching it and, of course, what they teach.
ReplyDeleteI'm a certified NRA handgun and self defense instructor, as well as a chief range safety officer. The major complaint I have with NRA courses, and many others I've taken over the years, is the almost total lack of encouragement for students to engage in long term, regular and structured practice of either gun handling or tactical exercises! Outside of a suggestion to go shooting once a month, there's basically nothing.
I teach (and have written a small book on) the importance of regular dry fire and tactical exercises, especially for novices and even more especially for women.
A class or two, with little or no help setting up ongoing practice to develop skills that will become muscle memory is mostly a waste of time. And people without those skills won't gain much from going to a range and shooting because they will much more likely practice bad habits.
You fight as you have trained. Helping women get over their fear of guns and understand the theory of self defense is only the bare bones beginning.
Let's help them learn HOW to defend themselves effectively and proudly!
Tell us more about your book...got a link to a more detailed description? A way to order?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your interest! :) The booklet is not (at this time) designed to be used alone, but as a supplement to my (or any) handgun and self defense classes.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to specific instructions for home and range practice of skills learned in the class, the outline goes into detail on preparing and practicing a home defense plan, learning and practicing situational awareness (specific to women, but useful to anyone), and various dry fire and tactical exercises I have found essential.
The emphasis is on planning and practice of drills that are meaningful and yet simple enough for the average person to carry out on a regular basis - with the emphasis on gaining the assertive, fighting mindset without which the best plans (or weapons) in the world are completely useless.
This, of course, requires that the student be prepared to take full responsibility for herself and commit to taking the time and effort required to develop that mindset and the muscle memory gained from regular practice of skills so that she WILL be able to defend herself and her children successfully if and when the time comes.
It is my goal to reach every woman possible with this challenge - and see to it that they have the tools they need to prevail.
I have attended handgun and self defense classes for years, but that vital ongoing practice is hardly mentioned, much less taught. That is the greatest deficiency I find in the NRA (and other) courses on self defense, especially for women.
I'll send you a copy of my booklet in email. I'd be delighted to hear what you thought of it. Perhaps it would be worth developing into a book. Time will tell.