Expect to spent 6 hours in the classroom learning the necessary legal and practical aspects of carry.
Expect to spend about an hour on the range. The range exercise may need to be done at a separate time or location, but we typically do it immediately following the class.
I recommend you have some handgun experience before you take this course. If you are not familliar with your handgun, I suggest you consider taking my Introduction to Handguns Course.
This course will add knowledge and skills for all levels of shooters, from novice to expert.
Rental guns are available if you do
not yet have your own gun. Rental fee is $20 and includes ammo for
the shooting exercise.
Most recently, I recieved Instructor certification
from the Amercian Association of Certified of Firearms Instructors (AACFI)
to teach the Minnesota Permit to Carry Course. Since I first became
involved in firearms training in 1988, I've also recieved training several
other agencies and organizations. Check out my
resume for a detailed list.
I'd say pretty well. I've had a Minnesota permit since 1998 (see below) and I've been carrying contiuously since 1988. Thanks to my law enforcement and civil rights background, I am familliar with criminal investigations and the tactics police and prosecutors use to pursue a conviction in self-defense cases. I regularly research current and appellate court cases involving self-defense, and stay on top of administrative issues with the BCA and Minnesota Sheriffs.
While I may be knowledgable in this area,
I won't lie to you (again, see below) and claim to know everything.
If you have a question I can't answer, I'll use every available resource
I have to help you find the answer.
Yes I do. I've held a Minnesota permit
since 1999. I've also held permits four other states, and even a
foriegn country. I got my first carry permit in 1988 while stationed
with the US Army in Panama.
You might as well ask me what sort of underwear you should be wearing. It's an equally personal decision.
I am of the opinion that there is no perfect gun for everyone. What's right for me might not necessarily be right for you. Unlike some instructors, I won't lie to you and say that "_______ is the best handgun," or "_______ is the best ammunition" just because it's what's best for me.
I will, however, give you some information
about how to make that decision yourself. In my class, I teach students
what criteria to use when selecting a defensive handgun, as well as what
the options are. Ultimately, this is a decision you have to make
for youself, based on your personal needs.
As unpleasant as it is, this question comes up quite a bit. The late Darryl Mulroy, founder of PlusP Technologies, was fond of claiming if you hadn't "Done it" you weren't qualified to teach self-defense. He likened this to a "virgin teaching sex."
While I certainly respected Darryl, I have to disagree. A good instructor can just as easily draw on the experiences of others, as on his or her own.
The unpleasant answer, in case you really want to know, is "yes" - or, more appropriately, "Yes, but..." During my time in the Army, I participated in combat operations in Panama and the Gulf War. During my career in law enforcement, I've had to draw my weapon while on duty many times. Personally, I don't consider this all that relevant. Using a firearm in military combat, or even as a police officer in the course of your duties is not exactly the same as having to defend youself from a suprise assault as a civillian. I'm not convinced that these experiences make me a better instructor.
I believe what makes a good instructor is the ability to learn from experience - whether it be your's or someone else's - and pass that knowledge on to your students. I have been doing this since 1988, and I want to put that experience to work for you.