Gun Class Mistaken Identity

People often have mistaken ideas about what good gun training is. Some think it involves a "safety class." Others believe it is all about the handgun carry permit. And still others think it is about how to shoot at the most fundamentally mundane level ever.

One thing people will say, when they hear you teach firearms classes, is something along the lines of "like a handgun safety class." Look, there's a reason that virtually nobody takes the NRA safety classes. 8 hours - 6 of it in a classroom, then only two hours and 50 rounds fired??? Not my idea of fun. Not to mention that the NRA shoots itself in the foot each time they help Negotiate our Rights Away. Every class I teach has a heavy emphasis on safety - but there is also (safe) fun, as well!

Possibly the most common reply people make when they find out I teach gun classes is something along the lines of needing to take the carry permit class. I agree with them that they should, and add that they should then call me to teach them how to fight with the handgun. The look is amazement - how can there possibly be a class after the permit class??? Then a summary of the permit class, and a quick overview of mine, and they are astonished. Things that have not yet been though race through their minds.

The final major mistaken idea is that I teach something so fundamental and mundane. "Oh, I know how to shoot." Is the reply. Of course you know how to point the gun and pull a trigger. This is about consistently hitting what you aim at. This is about practical applications of marksmanship. This is about fixing the stoppage in your gun before the bad guy stops you. This is about proper use of cover and concealment. This goes a bit beyond point and shoot at a can in the back yard, Skippy.