G&A - Good article on how to prepare for gun school.

Wambli Ska

https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/how-to-prepare-for-gun-school/466217?utm_source=WhatCounts%20Email&utm_medium=AMO12%20Months%20engagement&utm_campaign=AMOb

Good article on "How to Prepare for Gun School".  I'm a huge believer in formal training and over the last few years I was lucky to attend and audit a lot of classes from basics to advanced.  One of the most frustrating things I saw was the quantity of people that pay a LOT of money for school and then show up unprepared.  In the courses I'm certified to teach we actually reserve time to check on students to make sure they are both not just ready but "capable" of taking the class without drawing everyone down.  When I was teaching my Jeep was habitually carrying 3-4 sets of electronic muffs and at least 300-500 rounds of 9mm and .45 ammo, as well as holsters, batteries, hats, shirts and all sorts of other gear.

But it's not just equipment.  The article has some great pointers on attitude and engagement.  Simple things that I thought were obvious are actually an endemic problem such as "come with an open mind", and a single student that shows up to show everyone that he/she knows more than the instructor can ruin the experience for everyone.

Anyway I'm interested in your guys take on the article and any experiences you can share.

Wambli Ska

As one example of failure to do your homework...

I attended an advanced handgun class which involved a lot of movement, both horizontal and vertical.  One of the students was a gentleman in his late 60 with BIG mobility issues.  I will give him credit because he REALLY tried to keep up but whenever the drill included getting down to the ground he needed help getting up.  Something that I'm sure was very uncomfortable (maybe even embarrassing) for him and a huge drag, time wise, on the class.

The class description and documentation are VERY specific on the expectations and requirements, but he never read past the headline.  His shootings skill were decent enough for the class, but knowing his physical limitations and if he had actually taken the time to understand what the class entailed, he should have known that he was never going to complete this class (and he didn't).

Now, I'm not in any way trying to discriminate against anyone based on age or capabilities.  But there is always a different way to skin this cat.  And I'm also not saying that he didn't have a use for advanced skills, everyone does.  

But, instead of a group class he could have easily taken the same amount of money and contracted an instructor for personal training for a few hours and gotten what he needed AND MORE in an environment where the training could have been totally tailored to him and his level of capabilities and mobility issues.

Talking to an instructor is the easiest way to end up with a most useful experience.  The good ones enjoy a challenge and will not have any issues working with folks with requirements that are "out of the box".

Freezer

I can understand that.

 Maybe they should advertise courses tailored for senior citizens. I have two steel knees, I can't run or kneel. I look like a baby giraffe trying to get off the ground! My shoulders and hips hurt, but I'd love to take a class on self-defense considering my vulnerabilities.

Wambli Ska

Freezer said:

I can understand that.

 Maybe they should advertise courses tailored for senior citizens. I have two steel knees, I can't run or kneel. I look like a baby giraffe trying to get off the ground! My shoulders and hips hurt, but I'd love to take a class on self-defense considering my vulnerabilities.

Training can be adapted to just about anyone.  For the average cost of a group class you can usually get a few hours of personal training with a good instructor.  I worked with a 85 year old grandma that needed a walker to get around stores and malls, her favorite hangouts.  Let’s just say she would now be a very poor choice in the victim selection process of a BG.  She now has a few advantages over the average thug.

And the best part of getting older is that you basically tip the scales way to your side with any jury seeing the incident as self defense!  👍👍