In-person learning provides an opportunity to work with experienced instructors, while they provide positive feedback to improve skills. That interaction is needed to encourage students to become comfortable and confident with their firearm. Online or classroom only classes do not address your feelings when you shoot the gun, manage recoil and the shooting errors that occur during the firing process. Shooting is 90% mental and 10% physical.
In-person learning can improve student performance by conducting diagnostic drills and taking corrective actions. In Defensive Handgun 1.0 we guide students through a hands-on practice session, in a classroom, with defensive shooting fundamentals - not target shooting fundamentals. After lunch we conduct live-fire range drills. The first time a student fires their gun it’s one on one with an instructor. We have the student aim into the berm with no target. Instructors guide the student through 18 rounds in two or three magazines. This interaction between the instructor and student is crucial in the learning process. Shooting a firearm is stressful for many.
The following are benefits of attending a Defensive Handgun 1.0 live fire training class.

• Finger on the trigger -Instructors say “finger off the trigger” 30 to 50 times in a training class. Placing your finger on the trigger, when you’re not ready to shoot is a safety issue. For many this issue is corrected at the 1.0 level.
• Shooting grip - Gripping the gun wrong can affect your accuracy and operation of your handgun. Managing your grip during the recoil process is vital for follow up shots. When students fire their handguns in class instructors identify weaknesses and provide tips to strengthen your grip. Students see the results immediately.
• Anticipation or flinching - The most common shooting error for shooters is anticipation. The mind focuses on recoil and noise of the gun being fired. Shooters tense their grip and arms in a reflexive action due to fear or an attempt to counter the recoil action. This results in your shot hitting the target in a low 6 o’clock position. We address this issue in a live fire class by placing dummy rounds in your mags with live rounds, conducting a combination for dry fire and live fire drills, or placing our finger on your trigger finger to make you concentrate on not anticipating.
• Trigger press - New shooters have a tendency to jerk or slap their trigger when they shoot. Other issues identified are:  too much or too little finger on the trigger, not pressing straight to the rear, squeezing the whole hand, healing, thumbing and not resetting the trigger. These errors can be spotted by your instructor and he can coach you to improve your performance.
• Sighting – There are three techniques used in sighting. Precision shooting, use of both front and rear sights with eye focus on the front sight. Combat shooting when you’re looking at your threat or target and index your front sight center mass. Point or instinctive shooting when you don’t see your sights. When you train live-fire you can read your target and evaluate your performance.
• Stance – New shooters have a tendency to lean back when they shoot. Once the first shot is fired the shooter is pushed back on their heels and have to stop firing to adjust their stance.

Whether you own a handgun for home defense or personal defense you should take advantage of a training class where you fire your handgun. Experienced instructors will identify any shooting errors and guide you through the process to improve. You don’t know what you don’t know until you take a class. 
​Train to be your own hero!

​NO, not even close.

Most Concealed Carry Classes cover safety and shooting fundamentals such as; stance, grip, trigger control, sighting and breath control. Some classes cover the laws pertaining to carrying a handgun and use of force laws, malfunction clearing and cleaning. Once the class is over these newly learned skills are rarely practiced.  Most students never really become comfortable and confident with their chosen handgun. Students perform simple shooting drills with instructors coaching students with shooting drills to improve marksmanship. Shooting is static with no movement to develop basic skills. The majority of shooting in these classes involves precision shooting, using both front and rear sights.

In my Defensive Handgun 1.0 Class I introduce students to life safety skills and tactics that are essential in surviving a life threatening encounter. In my Defensive Handgun 2.0 Class you learn tactics and techniques to survive. Students are taught how they will react when they are under a high level of stress when faced with the risk of serious bodily injury or risk of death. Those techniques are different than when gun owners target shoot. It's essential that gun owners continue their training past the initial concealed carry class. There is so much more to learn.

​Train to BE YOUR OWN HERO

When you arrive at my Strategic Movement Class in Brunswick, I meet you at the door to process you into our training site. You will be searched for any live rounds, knives or any other items that could cause injury. Your bags are searched and your firearm(s) are safety checked to ensure they’re unloaded. You, your bags, firearms and magazines are all marked with a visible marker that they have been cleared. I inform you that if you have to leave our training site your marker will be removed at the door, when you return you will be searched again then given your marker back. When everyone is in, I lock the doors to restrict entry into our sterile training area.

Once class starts, I briefly cover some administrative issues then we discuss our emergency action plan, what happens if something goes wrong. We discuss responses to different situations, identify students that have med training, location of med kits and roles and responsibilities. We then discuss safety protocols for the training session.

We discuss the four firearm safety rules and discuss that in this class rule #1 will be violated. We have been told never to point a firearm at anyone unless you have to defend yourself. Sighting a paper target is different than sighting a person. Real life encounters occur in different lighting conditions, distances and your attacker will be moving. You have to get over the psychological hump of pointing a real gun at another person. You want to experience that in a safe training experience first, not the first time defending yourself.

Topics of discussion throughout the day cover your mindset, preparedness, firearm skills, tactics and your gear. We discuss a number of home defense and ccw tactical consideration to keep you safe and make good decisions under stress of a real-life encounter.

You will be shown and practice simple weapon retention and disarming techniques. If you conceal carry you should know how to retain your firearm if someone is trying to take it from you. Real-life encounters often happen within 3 feet and are over in 3 seconds. Disarming and ambush techniques are vital in an active shooter response if you do not have a firearm on you. Handgun and rifle skills are taught.

We will discuss the principles of low light tactics and the use of flashlights. Since many encounters occur in low light conditions you have to be able to manage your defensive firearm in dark environments. Your use of your weapon mounted light or handheld flashlight can be a game changer.

Before we start skill building practical exercises, we discuss how you conduct a threat assessment in the home, workplace and public areas you frequent. At the conclusion of this discussion we begin skill building exercises for the rest of the day. My power point presentation and discussions usually take an hour the rest of the day is all hands-on developing skills and confidence.

Students entering my training area are searched and marked. When we begin our skill building exercises everyone is confirmed safe by me, my adjunct instructor then the person standing on your right and left. We confirm you are marked clear with a ribbon; your firearm and magazines are clear and marked and students confirm instructors are clear.

Students will be instructed on their conceal carry draw stroke and how to move off the X. When confronted with lethal force you should move to cover or shoot while moving off the X. Taking a lateral step is not moving off the X.

Students are paired up and given the opportunity to react to their partners threat level. Your partner will walk into a room normal or with weapon in hand. You experience the need to look at the hands, a rapid draw stroke, moving off the X and dry fire. We discuss sheltering in place using knowledge of tactical angles to pick your position. You will then practice simulated sheltering in place scenarios where you will point your firearm at the intruder. This training is called situational inoculation, I am putting you in situations you could encounter in real life.

Throughout the day you will be taught how to approach a room, techniques to enter that room and search for an intruder. Tactics to exit an active shooter situation and move safely with your firearm and to engage the shooter if needed. You will be shown how to move down a hallway or a stairwell. Your first choice should always be call 911 and wait for the police to arrive, however I believe in worst-case training.

You will be treated with respect and given the opportunity to learn these skills in a relaxed setting. I use students positioned as role-players so you experience what works and what doesn’t.

I hope this blog post gives you a better understanding of what happens in my Strategic Movement Class. I’m frequently told by students they look at their home or workplace differently after taking this class.
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Train for the best outcome
Peter
 

Most basic handgun training courses cover safe gun handling and fundamental skills. Students pick up their handguns from a table or learn draw stroke from open carry holsters. Shooting from a static position close to targets is common in these classes. Classes may cover laws pertaining to carrying a concealed handgun and use of force laws. Safety and accuracy, while building confidence are goals at this level. Most gun owners that take a basic skills class do not further their training by taking other classes to enhance skills. Skills that are necessary in a defensive firearm response to an active threat. 

Taking a basic course then target shooting on the range is not enough preparation to successfully survive a deadly force encounter. Unfortunately, most ranges are not going to allow you to work on your conceal carry draw stroke, turn lights down to work on your low light skills, move around obstacles and shoot on the move. Skill building training on use of cover, moving off the X, close encounter shooting and learning life safety skills are attained by completing a training course with an experienced instructor. Feedback from an instructor crucial to improve your skills.

Once you have mastered your foundation skills apply those skills in the context of personal protection. Reacting to a threat that is close to you, a surprise to you with risk of death or serious bodily injury is stressful. Your mind and body will react differently than your target shooting fundamentals and mindset. Do not assume you are “trained” by taking a concealed carry class. These skills are perishable that require regular dry fire or live fire practice.

Most defensive shooting incidents are over in seconds. Muscle memory training enables you to react on autopilot when confronted with a lethal threat. That response is achieved by repetitions in training and survival mindset.
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Is advancing your handgun skills necessary after taking a firearms safety course or a basic handgun class? Yes.

​Building confidence handling your firearm is not enough, you must build confidence in proven defensive shooting techniques and confidence is your tactics. When faced with a threat of serious bodily injury or risk of death you must believe in yourself. Confidence comes from repetitions in training and feedback from instructors. 

Being confident involves; your mindset, training your body, mastering firearm skills, tactics and your preparations. When you purchase your defensive handgun practice the way you'll respond when faced with a potential lethal threat. During my time managing an indoor range I observed most customers target shooting, not practicing defensive shooting. Learn how the mind and body react to threats and adapt your practice. Target practice with defensive shooting fundamentals so you'll be better prepared. 

The way you deal with stress can be the difference in surviving or becoming a victim. Research has shown untrained gun owners are ineffective in real world situations involving anxiety, fear and fast paced encounters. Most shootings involve the good guy reacting to actions of the attacker and are over in 3 seconds. Training and practice conditions the mind and body to react when threatened. Confidence in skills will lessen your stress level. Over my law enforcement career, I dealt with many high-risk situations in my patrol duties and SWAT role. Through my training real life situations felt like a training exercise. Minimize stress by building muscle memory in movement and skills, participate in scenario training with simunitions or airsoft and control your pulse rate when faced with a threat.

Training with a professional instructor is a commitment of time and money. SRT Instructors are willing to share extensive knowledge and real-life experiences, while teaching students skills and tactics. Feedback from an instructor identifies skill levels, helps to improve and identifies how your skills will be applied in your response to an active threat. You don’t know what you don’t know.

Once you have identified a potential threat through active situational awareness you must commit to action. Knowledge of good tactics and firearm skills can be a game changer. Movement to put a barrier between you and your attacker, movement to cover or position of concealment, use of tactical angles, unconventional firing positions, sheltering in place and planning your defense against a right-handed attacker are all examples of tactics.

Being prepared to defend yourself means you conduct a threat assessment of your home, workplace and if you attend a public event. Play the “What If” game. Identify different threats and plan to defend yourself to each threat. Identify improvised weapons, routes of escape, shelter in place locations, how you would barricade and how you would attack your attacker.
 
SRT training classes will build your confidence in your shooting skills and life safety skills. I learned at the early age of 11 that there are people in this world that want to take what you have, victimize you or seriously hurt your or take your life. When I was 11 my father was a Portland Police Detective and a couple guys that had a problem with my father placed a bomb under our porch and touched it off. On another occasion we had a bullet fired into our house. In my 33 years of law enforcement I saw many acts of violence and met many victims. Don’t be a victim! Train to be your own hero.
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Stay Safe & Aware.

 The fact that you have a gun in the home for defense purposes is not enough to ensure your safety. The fact that you took a firearms training course or visit your local range once or twice a year is not enough. Mastering skills while under stress is the recipe for winning deadly force encounters. 

What is a simple shooting exercise to develop skills? In my DH 2.0 course I instruct students to move up on a barricade and fire from standing and kneeling from both sides of the barricade. They start 4 feet away from the barricade, move into position and fire the designated number of rounds. They repeat this drill a number of times then they watch the next student perform the drill. 

The technique in barricade shooting is simple. If the bad guy is targeting you stay off your cover, if the bad guy is targeting someone else rest on your cover to take a more accurate shot. Stress and adrenaline is the reason you rest on cover to stabilize your shots. If you're staying off cover aim through the barricade and and get your sights or red dot, obtain your proper stance, right foot forward staying behind your cover, then roll out by pushing up on your left toes, aim and fire. First time you roll out aim low to pick up a low lying threat or you can quick peak if you're unsure where the bad guy is . There is more to it than that such as, don't cast a shadow, sound discipline, identifying cover/concealment and more...

Students understand proper position and use of cover pretty quick. When you add a complex shooting drill involving movement, multiple firing positions, round counts or multiple targets they forget the basics, at first. Stress, competition, multi-stage courses of fire, multiple firing positions, concealed draw stroke, low-light and cold weather can all be a part of complex shooting drills. The more you shoot complex drills the better you get.

The two students in this video are advanced shooters. They can shoot accurately and can manage their handguns with no issues. The first complex use of cover drill found their skills lacking. They both looked at the target then sighted. Both their positions on the barricade were not what we had practiced. This video highlights what happens if you don't master skills. 

I see this all the time in my training. These students in this video are above average shooters. I see the same thing in my law enforcement courses because gun owners or officers don't train enough to master these skills while under stress. Both these students addressed these issues after this video was taken. Awesome job guys!
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