Decision To Own A Handgun
For years I've taught a handgun "SAFETY" class. Not license to carry. Not self defense.
My class teaches how to handle, load, unload, stand, hold, aim, shoot, SECURE, and clean a handgun. Two hours of classroom with high end airsoft, then one hour on the range with 6 different handguns in multiple calibers. I have a 100% success rate so far!
Most of my students are women with little or no experience. Most are looking for a self defense option.
Here are some helpful tips I've learned over the years:
SAFETY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING - GET SAFETY INSTRUCTION FIRST
1. SHOOT BEFORE YOU BUY - most often someone hauls off and buys a handgun only to find they can't operate it or shoot it competently. Find a place that rents handguns or seek out an experienced shooter who will let you shoot MULTIPLE types of guns in MULTIPLE calibers. Just because it's small and your favorite color doesn't mean one can operate it. Usually, the smaller it is, the harder it is to shoot and the more recoil it has.
2. DO NOT CHOOSE IT FOR YOUR WIFE - again, too many times a husband has chosen a handgun for a wife. First, it wasn't HER decision. Second, what a husband THINKS a wife can or should shoot often times turns out to be NOT what she can or should shoot. See #1.
3. KEEP IT SIMPLE - for new, inexperienced shooters a complex firearm with several features can be overwhelming. "Gun guys" typically give too much information and too many options to new shooters. It's like driver's education: don't discuss heel and toe shifting/cornering until someone learns which is the brake and which is the gas.
4. CONFIDENCE and COMPETENCE matter more than anything else. Caliber, size, revolver, semi, etc. are all less important than "Can I shoot this accurately, quickly, and confidently?". Six misses with a larger caliber aren't as good as 2 accurate hits with something I'm comfortable with.
5. IT MUST BE FUN and PRACTICED - if it's not FUN and COMFORTABLE to shoot, no one will practice regularly. Practice is ESSENTIAL, not optional. The proverbial momma lion and maternal instinct will not just kick in under HIGH STRESS and perform well. Under high stress we fall back to some limited measure of how we've practiced.
Hope this helps someone.
Examples of a typical class:
For years I've taught a handgun "SAFETY" class. Not license to carry. Not self defense.
My class teaches how to handle, load, unload, stand, hold, aim, shoot, SECURE, and clean a handgun. Two hours of classroom with high end airsoft, then one hour on the range with 6 different handguns in multiple calibers. I have a 100% success rate so far!
Most of my students are women with little or no experience. Most are looking for a self defense option.
Here are some helpful tips I've learned over the years:
SAFETY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING - GET SAFETY INSTRUCTION FIRST
1. SHOOT BEFORE YOU BUY - most often someone hauls off and buys a handgun only to find they can't operate it or shoot it competently. Find a place that rents handguns or seek out an experienced shooter who will let you shoot MULTIPLE types of guns in MULTIPLE calibers. Just because it's small and your favorite color doesn't mean one can operate it. Usually, the smaller it is, the harder it is to shoot and the more recoil it has.
2. DO NOT CHOOSE IT FOR YOUR WIFE - again, too many times a husband has chosen a handgun for a wife. First, it wasn't HER decision. Second, what a husband THINKS a wife can or should shoot often times turns out to be NOT what she can or should shoot. See #1.
3. KEEP IT SIMPLE - for new, inexperienced shooters a complex firearm with several features can be overwhelming. "Gun guys" typically give too much information and too many options to new shooters. It's like driver's education: don't discuss heel and toe shifting/cornering until someone learns which is the brake and which is the gas.
4. CONFIDENCE and COMPETENCE matter more than anything else. Caliber, size, revolver, semi, etc. are all less important than "Can I shoot this accurately, quickly, and confidently?". Six misses with a larger caliber aren't as good as 2 accurate hits with something I'm comfortable with.
5. IT MUST BE FUN and PRACTICED - if it's not FUN and COMFORTABLE to shoot, no one will practice regularly. Practice is ESSENTIAL, not optional. The proverbial momma lion and maternal instinct will not just kick in under HIGH STRESS and perform well. Under high stress we fall back to some limited measure of how we've practiced.
Hope this helps someone.
Examples of a typical class:
