I recommend Active Self Protection!
Looking for additional opportunities for education in personal self-defense? Active Self Protection is a great resource for educating yourself on legal and moral self defense. Check this channel out and let me know what you think.
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Paying attention to the basic rules of firearm safety – ALWAYS, will prevent incidents like these. So let’s review!
ALWAYS! Keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction.
ALWAYS! Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
ALWAYS! Keep your firearm unloaded until ready to use.
“Accidents” don’t happen. Negligence, ignorance, incompetence – THAT is what happens. If you find yourself in a class or have an “instructor” that doesn’t make it painfully obvious that they demand that you follow these safety rules – you need to walk out and find a better instructor. If you see them not following these rules – run from the area immediately. Don’t wait and become the victim.
While these rules seem obvious. A new firearm owner will go through a three step process of absorbing these rules.
PHASE ONE: undisciplined muzzle and finger
You will find yourself unaware of the direction of the muzzle, AND the location of your finger.
This is not unusual – it is actually the norm. All first time gun handlers go through this initial phase of handling. It is why I start every student with inert firearms to practice firearm handling. There is a lot going on in the mind new to gun handling and manipulation. The brain is working to create new myelin paths and information is being stored at an amazing rate. This however, is also a time where the focus that is placed on tasks, minimize focus on muzzle direction and trigger discipline. This all leads to the muzzle pointing places that are not safe, as well as the finger finding its way into the trigger guard. Being corrected is part of the learning process.
PHASE TWO: disciplined muzzle, undisciplined finger
You will find that while you verbalize the rules of safe gun handling while practicing manipulating your gun – you will have less brain energy spent on the actual manipulation and have more awareness of your muzzle. Again, this process is due to your brain creating new and stronger myelin paths learning and creating muscle memory. Due to the fact that the muzzle is easily seen, it is the second discipline to come in line. Unfortunately, the finger lags behind as it may continue to find itself inside the trigger guard during the manipulation practice. Repetition, vocalization of the rules while practicing, and consistent correction will lead to rapid learning and moving to the next phase. It is a process. It takes time and practice to be successful. Stay positive! You will get this.
PHASE THREE: disciplined muzzle and finger
Once you have experienced successful manipulation of the firearm, and have practiced the process with the vocalization of the rules multiple times – you will then begin to be able to focus more brain power on your finger. Be careful though, while focusing more energies on the finger location while practicing – don’t allow yourself to forget about the muzzle. Slow down, repeat the process, talk yourself through the rules as you go. Do not bypass any one of the phases of learning by going shooting your gun at a range without first being able to consistently follow these rules.
Barrage of Shots firearms training works with a student to successfully complete all three phases before heading to the range.
Have you gone through a training program and were rushed?
Do you feel that you could benefit from further practice to be certain of safe gun handling?
Sign up for one of my classes. I will work with you until you are comfortable and competent in your gun handling. Then we will work with you on fundamentals of shooting. Be safe, then work the fundamentals.
Wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Safe Thanksgiving Holiday – and I hope to see you at the range.
Tim Barrage