Training, training, and more training. I agree with the above poster. After some basic NRA courses in safety and handling,,do a four day class ato a refutable firearms training school. It may be the most important thing a gun owner can do. Unfortunately there are too many oeople out there who think owning a gun is all they need to do, that when the SHTF they will rise to the occasion. They couldnt be more wrong.
Think about it when you first got your drivers license... Yes you were authorized to drive but did that make you a responsible, experienced driver? Of course not. This is the same... Lives are at stake. Never stop training, never stop learning. Look into Frontsight in Las Vegas, you can get a course for $75 to $150 bucks for four days, Gunsite in Arizona about $1200, Clint Smith's Thunder Ranch, ICE with Rob Pincus, Suarez Intl with Gabe Suarez Force on Force training...awesome!) Massad Ayoob Group, Yavapai with Louis Awerbuck, Sig Sauer Academy in Epping NH. I am sure i amiisingba few, but these are some of the foremost academies in the world. I am certain there is stuff more local to you, and that is fine, but if younwant the best you may have to travel and make a mini vacation out of it. I found a more complete list here:
Ray's Huge List of Firearms Training Schools
I personally have done Frontsight here in Nevada, even before i was a Nevad res when i lived in NYC i came out here. You would be hard pressed to find someone who wasnt vey happy with the training they got there. There is a lotof negative stuff on forums about the place due to their marketing strategy, as they do alot of mass emailing and sell certificates for the classes, and got into some trouble for a real estate time share deal he wanted to develop a few years ago. But i will guarantee most if not all the negative remarks come from people who have never trained there.
I will say that it is not a boot camp mentality at all, instructors are very friendly and overly helpful. After taking serveral courses ther i am looking forward to training elsewhere for diversity. I like Rob Pincus a great deal, and Mas Ayoob. Clint Smith, Gabe Suarez, Louis Awerbuck and Gunsite are all very highly regarded. Gunsite is the place that started it all. Col. Jeff Cooper who is considered the father of modern defensive pistolcraft started the place almost 40 years ago, but from what i have heard is they are 1911 elitists. Dont know how true that is. Anyway, Frontsight has about 400 students on 20 ranges twice a week. They do Fri to Mon, and Mon to Thurs.
As an aside i am not affiliated with their staff, do not work there etc... I have just had amazing experiences there and would love formpeople to try it before criticizing it based on internet forum BS. MY 2 cents.
Good luck regardless. And never stop training.
One last thing... If George Zimmerman attended any of the schools i have listed Trayvon would be alive today. They teach more than safe gun handling and marksman ship... They teach self defense law basics and emphasize avoiding conflict.
If you are going somewhere you think you need a gun, then dont go.
Anyone feel free to PM me if you have any comments or want more info on my experience at Frontsight
