National Carry AcademyThe Value of Training
August 9, 2016
Jeff Cooper once said, ‘Owning a handgun doesn’t make you armed any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician.”
It’s a phrase I believe in, and a phrase I’ve tried to follow since I’ve begun concealed carrying. The phrase itself is referring to the fact that having a handgun is great, but knowing how to use it is what makes you armed. This was a reference to people becoming trained with their firearms, and becoming masters of their chosen self-defense platform.
A new concealed carrier is likely to take their state required concealed carry class and after that the most training they get is the occasional target practice. The reason most people do not seek training is simply the “It won’t happen to me attitude.” The reason this attitudes exists is because, A. It hasn’t happened yet, and B, It really will most likely never happen. The truth of the matter is that self-defense events rarely have a shot fired, but when shots are fired, wouldn’t you want to be the best you can be behind the weapon?
I am not a fear monger and will tell you now it’s unlikely you’ll ever have to use that firearm in a defensive situation. However, why do I carry a gun in the first place then? Because there is a .001% chance that I may be forced to go to my gun to save my life, and the lives of my family. I believe this is the same reason most people carry a firearm every day.
Training
Training with a reputed instructor can give you the foundation you can build on to be a better gunfighter. A square range isn’t enough to learn the basics of self-defense. While the basics of marksmanship are an important skill set to have, it does not prepare you to defend yourself. Training is going to give you a fair critique of your own skills and have someone who can sit there and say, “That isn’t the best way to do it,” and teach or, at least, give you a different perspective when it comes to shooting.
Training is what teaches you the skills to practice. Even one defensive pistol course can give you a ton of different skills to practice, and things to learn. Training also gets you behind your gun, on a range that should involve firing from cover, drawing and firing, magazine changes, and firing with one hand, and your weak hand. Things you can’t do at most ranges.
A basic defensive handgun class affords you the opportunity to actually test your gear and gun as well. You can see how your weapon runs, and how your holster works, and it can give you a new look at what equipment you use, and if it is the right for you.
You can take the things you learn in class, and take them home and practice most of them with dry fire. You can attempt to replicate the same conditions with targets, varying ranges, and your everyday carry gear and do it all dry. This allows you to keep your skills sharp. Make no mistake about it, these skills are perishable, and if they aren’t regularly practiced you are wasting your training.
Instructors
First off, finding a good instructor is paramount. A good instructor should have a few things to be considered capable. The first is liability insurance. If an instructor doesn’t have liability insurance he or she does not care for their students and is not serious about the profession.
The instructor should have some form of certification. This isn’t just to ensure he or she knows what they’re doing, but to make sure they’re serious about their position. A certificate of instructor training can come from the United States government, an organization like the NRA or a reputed firearms school like Gun Site. These certifications do not prove your instructor is a good one, though.
Reputation is what proves an instructor is good at his or her job. New instructors might not have a good reputation or a bad reputation and this is a tricky proposition for students. For this situation you need to trust your gut, and examine how much the instructor focuses on safety, on teaching, and how attentive they are to your needs and the needs of others. If you think an instructor is unsafe, do not be afraid to address the instructor about it. Too many instructors go unchecked and we get groups like VODA, who willfully point guns at each other in their ‘training.’
Nancy Thorne is founder and principal of Thorne Business Research. With more than 30 years experience as an information research and writing professional in small business, trade associations and large corporate environments. She has expertise in writing blog posts, articles, newsletters and reports for a diverse group of clients in a wide variety of industries. Prior to becoming an independent writer and information professional, Ms. Thorne held research and analytical positions with Bank of America and Citicorp and was a licensed teacher of English.
The Value of Training
August 9, 2016
Jeff Cooper once said, ‘Owning a handgun doesn’t make you armed any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician.”
It’s a phrase I believe in, and a phrase I’ve tried to follow since I’ve begun concealed carrying. The phrase itself is referring to the fact that having a handgun is great, but knowing how to use it is what makes you armed. This was a reference to people becoming trained with their firearms, and becoming masters of their chosen self-defense platform.
A new concealed carrier is likely to take their state required concealed carry class and after that the most training they get is the occasional target practice. The reason most people do not seek training is simply the “It won’t happen to me attitude.” The reason this attitudes exists is because, A. It hasn’t happened yet, and B, It really will most likely never happen. The truth of the matter is that self-defense events rarely have a shot fired, but when shots are fired, wouldn’t you want to be the best you can be behind the weapon?
I am not a fear monger and will tell you now it’s unlikely you’ll ever have to use that firearm in a defensive situation. However, why do I carry a gun in the first place then? Because there is a .001% chance that I may be forced to go to my gun to save my life, and the lives of my family. I believe this is the same reason most people carry a firearm every day.
Training
Training with a reputed instructor can give you the foundation you can build on to be a better gunfighter. A square range isn’t enough to learn the basics of self-defense. While the basics of marksmanship are an important skill set to have, it does not prepare you to defend yourself. Training is going to give you a fair critique of your own skills and have someone who can sit there and say, “That isn’t the best way to do it,” and teach or, at least, give you a different perspective when it comes to shooting.
Training is what teaches you the skills to practice. Even one defensive pistol course can give you a ton of different skills to practice, and things to learn. Training also gets you behind your gun, on a range that should involve firing from cover, drawing and firing, magazine changes, and firing with one hand, and your weak hand. Things you can’t do at most ranges.
A basic defensive handgun class affords you the opportunity to actually test your gear and gun as well. You can see how your weapon runs, and how your holster works, and it can give you a new look at what equipment you use, and if it is the right for you.
You can take the things you learn in class, and take them home and practice most of them with dry fire. You can attempt to replicate the same conditions with targets, varying ranges, and your everyday carry gear and do it all dry. This allows you to keep your skills sharp. Make no mistake about it, these skills are perishable, and if they aren’t regularly practiced you are wasting your training.
Instructors
First off, finding a good instructor is paramount. A good instructor should have a few things to be considered capable. The first is liability insurance. If an instructor doesn’t have liability insurance he or she does not care for their students and is not serious about the profession.
The instructor should have some form of certification. This isn’t just to ensure he or she knows what they’re doing, but to make sure they’re serious about their position. A certificate of instructor training can come from the United States government, an organization like the NRA or a reputed firearms school like Gun Site. These certifications do not prove your instructor is a good one, though.
Reputation is what proves an instructor is good at his or her job. New instructors might not have a good reputation or a bad reputation and this is a tricky proposition for students. For this situation you need to trust your gut, and examine how much the instructor focuses on safety, on teaching, and how attentive they are to your needs and the needs of others. If you think an instructor is unsafe, do not be afraid to address the instructor about it. Too many instructors go unchecked and we get groups like VODA, who willfully point guns at each other in their ‘training.’
Nancy Thorne is founder and principal of Thorne Business Research. With more than 30 years experience as an information research and writing professional in small business, trade associations and large corporate environments. She has expertise in writing blog posts, articles, newsletters and reports for a diverse group of clients in a wide variety of industries. Prior to becoming an independent writer and information professional, Ms. Thorne held research and analytical positions with Bank of America and Citicorp and was a licensed teacher of English.