Bottom line up front I am for "constitutional carry" and against any kind of mandated government training protocol being required to exercise your right of self defense. Besides the obvious argument that you cannot regulate a natural right, I also believe that mandated training gives gun owners a false sense of security. Many will go to the required concealed carry training every 5 years (which they may or may not have done on the internet) and call it good. It is painfully obvious who those folks are. These are the folks that show up for a reclassification shoot with a compact 1911 that they cannot manipulate under even mild stress. These are folks that have supposedly been carrying a firearm for self defense on a daily basis for at least 5 years.
I am however a huge advocate of training. It is incumbent that responsible concealed carriers seek out training. There are 5 different areas where this training should be focused.
1. Defensive Handgun Training: This is a no brainer. However the key word here is "defensive." Target shooting is fun, competition shooting is fun however they do not necessarily prepare the concealed carrier to react appropriately in the context of a self defense shooting scenario. The responsible concealed carrier should seek out realistic training from reputable instructor.
2. Hands on skills or Defensive Tactics: Although the most common distance at which self defense shootings happen are 9-12 feet they don't always start out that way. Often the concealed carrier may need to disengage or get untangled from an aggressor before they can employ their firearm. This training should also include weapon retention training. I am not necessarily talking about martial arts per se but I am talking about training to help you defend yourself when a gun may not be available or may not be a viable option. Concealed carriers need to seek out these classes and participate to the best of their ability.
3. Medical Training: I have long been an advocate of medical training for the lay community. It is the single most important self defense skill one can possess. Even more important than using your firearm properly. Medical training can be used in almost every facet of your life. It can be used in the context of your family life, at a car accident or on the range. The more members of the general public that possess basic life saving skills the better odds there are that my family will be safe should I not be in the area.
4. Legal Aspects: Concealed carriers need to learn what happens in the legal aftermath of a self defense shooting scenario. Training on applicable laws, how to interact with law enforcement, and how to deal with the various legal scenarios that may result. It is imperative that concealed carriers understand the awesome responsibility that is incumbent upon them when they choose to carry a firearm in public.
5. Avoidance: Managing unknown contacts and how to avoid compromising situations is also very important. Get training on recognizing pre assault indicators. Learn how to react to strangers if you may be stuck in an environment that supports violent criminal activity.
Training does not always have to be formal training in front of an instructor. Reading books and articles on these subjects, listening to podcasts or even just visualizing how we would react to certain situations are all viable training models.
Mandated training will not prepare you to react to a dynamic critical incident, but you can be prepared should you choose to be.
I am however a huge advocate of training. It is incumbent that responsible concealed carriers seek out training. There are 5 different areas where this training should be focused.
1. Defensive Handgun Training: This is a no brainer. However the key word here is "defensive." Target shooting is fun, competition shooting is fun however they do not necessarily prepare the concealed carrier to react appropriately in the context of a self defense shooting scenario. The responsible concealed carrier should seek out realistic training from reputable instructor.
2. Hands on skills or Defensive Tactics: Although the most common distance at which self defense shootings happen are 9-12 feet they don't always start out that way. Often the concealed carrier may need to disengage or get untangled from an aggressor before they can employ their firearm. This training should also include weapon retention training. I am not necessarily talking about martial arts per se but I am talking about training to help you defend yourself when a gun may not be available or may not be a viable option. Concealed carriers need to seek out these classes and participate to the best of their ability.
3. Medical Training: I have long been an advocate of medical training for the lay community. It is the single most important self defense skill one can possess. Even more important than using your firearm properly. Medical training can be used in almost every facet of your life. It can be used in the context of your family life, at a car accident or on the range. The more members of the general public that possess basic life saving skills the better odds there are that my family will be safe should I not be in the area.
4. Legal Aspects: Concealed carriers need to learn what happens in the legal aftermath of a self defense shooting scenario. Training on applicable laws, how to interact with law enforcement, and how to deal with the various legal scenarios that may result. It is imperative that concealed carriers understand the awesome responsibility that is incumbent upon them when they choose to carry a firearm in public.
5. Avoidance: Managing unknown contacts and how to avoid compromising situations is also very important. Get training on recognizing pre assault indicators. Learn how to react to strangers if you may be stuck in an environment that supports violent criminal activity.
Training does not always have to be formal training in front of an instructor. Reading books and articles on these subjects, listening to podcasts or even just visualizing how we would react to certain situations are all viable training models.
Mandated training will not prepare you to react to a dynamic critical incident, but you can be prepared should you choose to be.
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