Shooting school
Today, we just finished up our last Introduction to Defensive Pistol Class for 2009. It was a glorious day in America: the weather was gorgeous, the brass cartridge casings were glinting in the air and nobody pointed a gun at me!
The class is offered by our local Boone County (Indiana) Sheriff’s Department as a sort of “driver’s ed” for gun permit holders. Indiana is a very handgun-friendly state in terms of licensing but there is no requirement for training. While I strongly believe in the right of honest citizens to own firearms, I will add that there is also a moral imperative for the permit holder to seek out professional training.
I mean, after all, you were required to climb into a dual-control car and drive the bored phys-ed teacher around prior to getting your license, right? You should likewise take some type of professional instruction before sticking that pistol in your underwear drawer.
The Defensive Pistol class began about 12 ago and was developed by then-lieutenant Ken Campbell of the Sheriff’s Department. Now, Ken is the high Sheriff, a nationally-known firearms trainer and the demand for the class has never been greater.
It is interesting to note that gun permit applications in our county have increased 37% since our current president was elected. Though liberal pundits might dismiss these people as the “stubbornly clinging to their guns and religion,” (see candidate Obama’s speech at a San Francisco fundraiser two years ago for more) the faces of those “clingy” citizens looked pretty much like normal, decent, everyday folks to me.
I have been part of the instructional staff since class number two and it is wonderful to see people transform from literally shaking at the thought of firing a handgun into someone who can effectively shoot and manipulate the pistol while under various forms of training stress. Somehow we manage to help the students reach that self-reliant and safe place after only 16 hours of instruction.
But we also preach for them to continue their education. This training class only scratches the surface of the weighty responsibility of carrying a firearm for personal protection.
Therein lies the point, already made, of this posting: if you carry a weapon for personal protection, it is your duty to seek out training and continual refresher practice. We’d love for you to take our class when it resumes next year but regardless, find a reputable instructor and learn the right way to safely store, load, handle and ultimately fire a handgun in life-or-death situations.
Remember, owning a piano doesn’t make you a musician. It’s the same with guns.
Wisconsin Smallmouth Bass Fest 2010: Epilogue
Smallmouth bass, the hard way
Berea Forest and snakebite medicine
Who is the handsome guy with all the gray hair teaching the course? I thought is was Sheriff Ken, but he looks so much older (and wiser).
Nice commentary.
Ken
I was a student Sheriff Campbell’s class this past weekend. I highly recommend this course to anyone who owns a handgun, whether a true beginner, or a seasoned shooter with no formal training. You will learn something from this course! There is so much information given to you in 16 hours of training. I know I can speak for the entire class, we had a great time, and it was a lot of fun. Thanks guys!
Nice photos and commentary of this past weekend’s defensive pistol class. I was a student without any previous formal training and now highly recommend this experience to anyone wanting to own a handgun. Sheriff Campbell, Brent and Brian were all excellent instructors and we all had a blast learning essential handgun skills. Thanks to all three of you.
I also attended this class with my wife and can honestly say it was a Fantastic experience. I have had “some” training, she had none, and I was a little nervous going into the training. I can’t speak highly enough of the training, the attitudes, the professionalism and the skills that were represented by all our trainers.
I was very excited to be able to go, and we found ourselves talking after both days about all the training we received, and various aspects of the things we had learned. I think the skills we learned were very well planned out, and built upon the previous skills in a way that kept my interest without overwhelming me.
I know there is much more to learn, and there is a ton of responsibility regarding this topic, but the team presented by Ken Campbell, Brian Stevenson and Brent Wheat did an outstanding job pushing us in the right direction.
Thank you all. I’ve been looking for this type of training for a long time and it was perfect for what my wife and I needed at this time. You’ve really stretched my mind and I’m looking forward to another positive training session like this.
… now it’s time to tackle the knitting.