New and experienced gun owners alike all face the risk of becoming complacent and not training their skills for the time they may be needed... Classes deter that complacency!
The Myths:
I don't really need training right? When the time comes to use my firearm, my instincts will take over and I'll know what to do right?
WRONG! Sure, we want there to be about 20% of your instincts that take over, but only the parts that give you enough adrenaline and courage to use your firearm defensively. Anything more than that, and you run the risk of letting your physiological responses take over such as auditory occlusion (muffled hearing), loss of fine motor skills (lack of dexterity in your fingers/hands), or visual impairment (tunnel vision or over-focus). Training your skills on an acceptable cadence prior to using your firearm gives you much more of a foundation to work from should you find yourself in a dangerous situation.
I shot a handgun when I was a kid, so I know what I'm doing and don't need to worry about it right?
Nope, sorry. Your hands have grown considerably since you fired a handgun or rifle as a child, and it's unlikely that you shot enough to develop muscle memory at the time. Even if you did, your hands are now larger which means that muscle memory is no longer as relevant considering this change in your hands. It's also likely that you may have fired a smaller handgun. Shooting handguns as an adolescent serves many purposes, but unfortunately long-term muscle memory and adrenaline-impeded ability is not one of them.
Training is super expensive, and I don't want to spend a ton of money to go do basic handgun training.
Sorry, wrong again! Think about what you spend your money on for a moment. How many cups of coffee, trinkets, Amazon purchases, etc. have you bought in the past month or so that easily pushed over the $100 - $150 mark? The chances are pretty high! So, if cost is the reason you're not wanting to take a class, encourage yourself to remember that training is generally not expensive in comparison to some of the things we choose to spend our money on.
Alongside this, remember that handgun training is not just about shooting. It's an overall approach to teaching the fundamentals of shooting a firearm. It's also about allowing a trained instructor to oversee everything you're doing, and having that instructor provide professional corrections based on how you are performing. The best news of all this is that you get to keep what you learned and practice it later!
Reasons People Don't Take Classes:
There are other people there, and I'm embarrassed or nervous to take a class around other people.
I understand! It can be difficult for some to have others around while they take a class. Remember though that you spent many years of your childhood and teenage years in a formal education system of some kind, right? You may be surprised at how seamless a classroom environment is for you with the right instructor! At Fox Shots Defense, we're very understanding of this apprehension and have taken steps to make sure you feel comfortable, safe, and can openly ask questions without feeling embarrassed or ridiculed by ANYONE. Remember that many people don't know as much as they might think about guns, so you're likely sitting right next to other people that have many of the same questions!
It's Dangerous right?
The short answer, no. With the right safety measures in place and a quality instructor that is passionate about the safety of their students and reputation, it is very unlikely that you will have any safety issues during your class. While firearms training is inherently dangerous on some level, so are many of the things you do every day! Knowing that, it's much more responsible and safety to simply know of the dangers and deter them as much as possible. That's your instructor's job!
What Makes Fox Shots Defense's Classes Different? Well, here's a quick list!
Safety is the top priority of any class. I would rather stop a class altogether because of a safety issue than to continue the class for convenience or profitability purposes. Students who behave in an unsafe manner during my class are forced to leave after limited warnings; no questions asked.
There is no "death by PowerPoint" in my classes! I have condensed the material down for you on paper so you don't have to sit and listen to me yak about things that you can easily read at a later time. Yes, it's important (that's why I give it to you!), but I have found that trying to teach everyone a vast amount of information is overwhelming for some, slows down others, and is generally not needed in this day and age. You come to class for the parts an instructor is required for (advice, familiarization, confidence-building, live fire, etc.); not to hear me go on and on about the history of the handgun...
I have had lots of firearms instructors, and I can tell you that I have had great ones and certainly a few not-so-great ones (bless their hearts...). It is far too common for instructors these days to let their arrogance or need to "show off" get the better of them. You didn't come to class to see me do pistol tricks or show how well I can shoot. It is expected of me to be able to shoot properly, and I don't get points for being a great shot; only point deductions for being a bad one!
I STAY your instructor after the class! Have questions? Send them over! Want to talk about holsters or a problem you're having on the range? Want to discuss situations that you fear and how to approach them? Email me at jake.johnson@foxshotsdefensellc.com, and I will be happy to help! If I don't know something, I will either find the answer or get you in touch with someone who does!
Let's Wrap It Up Here...
Folks, training is important. We need to be proficient with a firearm if we're going to carry one or even fire it at a range. Safety, a training routine that fits your lifestyle, and a great foundation of fundamentals are VERY worth the investment.
Come take a class with Fox Shots Defense and I'll prove it to you!
Comments