Sensei is a believer!

[tricolordad]

To make a long story short, we have (and possibly had) a no guns policy due to a senior student's paranoia at our dojo, but on Saturday, Sensei came over from the dark side. He just bought 4 new semi-auto handguns and is looking for a revolver. Since I was one of two non instructors to attend class, he and I worked one on one and while we were stretching, he asked me a few shockers.
1. q: Why do you carry? a: Because I am a father and I can't always protect my kids with martial arts. A man standing 10 feet away with a gun cannot be disarmed physically and a man who points a gun at my kids will not point it elsewhere unless I draw mine, too.

2. q: have you had trouble with other people? A: very rarely. Most people choose to talk big about it when I'm gone. Some just don't understand. Some are just plain stupid.

In short, he has never held a gun until last week when he took a CCW class in Minnesota and wants to start. He also wants to know about holsters. I offered to take him around to the LGS's and ranges and help him find a good fit for him. I referred him to Sand Creek Firearm Training. Greg is a great instructor and a stand up guy. Maybe I can introduce Sensei to a few pumps and the Mosin.

 

[lsmurphy]

 

[tricolordad]

Lolz thats always one of the first comments people make regarding guns vs martial arts.

 

[Hoganbeg]

Congratulations! It appears the universe has selected you to lead your instructor on his first few steps to continuing wisdom. As you have inferred, firearms are, in fact, just another addition to the ever growing array of tools useful in the martial (meaning war) arts. So, there is really no philosophical difference between the stick, knife, sword, firearms, explosives, etc.

Once he has assimilated the function and use of the hand gun, he should be well-positioned to put together a course of study incorporating both armed and unarmed defense, along with smooth transitions from one to the other. The key here is to make sure he gets proper training beyond the basics of safety and function.

His first task as an instructor might be to find a way to reconcile the apparent dichotomy of moving into an attacker for empty hand techniques vs gaining distance as stressed in firearm training. I believe a true master will readily see the way through.

Good luck!