Dear GW, I am looking to take my shooting to the next level. I want to get out and take some serious combat style class. What should I look for? Gun-ho Dear Gun-Ho, There are actually a lot of instructors who will take your money and give you the benefit of their combat experience, be it on a battle field or on a computer screen. If you want the real deal, you need to ask. There are some awesome instructors out there, and I had the honor of meeting one recently. He is the real deal, former Marine, former LEO, smart and funny! I’ve also met some who teach “tactical Read More »
Archive for the ‘Firearms Instruction’ Category:
Gun Whisperer – You Have Questions, We Have Answers
April 30, 2013 In Firearms Instruction, Gun Shooting, Gun Whisperer, NRA Certified Trainer, Training Leave a Comment
Dear Gun Whisper, I’m interested in trying competition shooting but don’t know how where to find information. What can I do? Signed, wanting to show off Dear Show Off, Competition can be a lot of fun, and gives you a chance to see how you stand next to your peers. There are multiple types of competition, USPSA, IPSC, Cowboy Action… You can look on the web for a club hosting a competition near you. One reference that explains competitions and may help you to choose a style is the book by International Shooting Champion Julie Golob SHOOT. You can find it on Amazon and Read More »
Handguns and High Heels
April 25, 2013 In Children and Guns, Firearms Instruction, Girls and Guns, Gun Safety, Lynne Finch-Charlesworth, Training Leave a Comment
As a woman who shoots, it is amazing to me how often I hear “you don’t look like the type”. Those of us who shoot came to it for our own reasons, some from fear, some for fun. We come from all different backgrounds, professions and age groups. We are young, old, short, tall, skinny, full figured, … What we share is a love of the sport and often a strong sense that we are valuable and empowered. We are smart, we are strong, and we enjoy having fun. Many of us are professional women, educated, productive, and caring. We are sisters, wives, moms... I have heard it so Read More »
Who’s in Your Safety Circle?
April 18, 2013 In Firearms Instruction, Gun Safety, Gun Shooting, Lynne Finch-Charlesworth, Training Leave a Comment
What is a safety circle? That is your personal perimeter, your “on guard” zone, no one should enter your safety circle without your awareness. The diameter of your circle may vary depending on your location, but a general rule of thumb is 21 feet, which is the distance an average person can close on you in about 2 seconds. For those of us who are challenged estimated feet, it is about two car lengths in any direction. You safety circle is especially important in public places like parking lots where so many bad things; robberies, car jacking, etc., can happen. Most people will pass Read More »
When is a Finger Just a Finger?
March 5, 2013 In Firearms Instruction, Firearms Possession, Gun Safety, Gun Shooting, Lynne Finch-Charlesworth, NRA Certified Trainer, Traveling Leave a Comment
Apparently not when it is being pointed in a “threatening” manner, implying a gun, by a six-year old. Once again, Zero Tolerance triumphs over Common Sense. A Maryland First Grader was suspended for pointing his finger and saying “Pow”. He was also forced to pay a visit to a counselor. Gee, what is the penalty if instead of “Pow” you say “Pull”? Would you be forced to visit a zoo and watch animals releasing noisy noxious fumes into the air? Just to be clear, we are talking about the index finger here. How many of us grew up outside from dawn to dusk, running Read More »
Gun Whisperer – You Have Questions, We Have Answers
February 28, 2013 In Firearms Instruction, Firearms Possession, Gun Safety, Gun Shooting, Gun Whisperer Leave a Comment
Dear Gun Whisperer, I went to the range to practice last weekend and couldn’t hit my target for anything! With ammo so expensive, I hate just throwing it away without seeing any value in my practice. What can I do? May as well be Shooting in the Dark Dear Shooting in the Dark, We all have days when we go to the range and feel like we are wearing oven-mitts. First, give yourself a break! Next...take a deep breath and reset, just like re-booting your computer. Start with the fundamentals, where are your feet, are your knees flexed, is your body in the correct position, Read More »
Training for the Way You Live
February 21, 2013 In Firearms Instruction, Firearms Possession, Gun Safe, Gun Safety, Gun Shooting, Lynne Finch-Charlesworth, Traveling Leave a Comment
Instructors are always saying things about training for real life. And we should. However, it had never been brought home to me the way it was recently. I took the Defensive Firearms Coach certification training from I.C.E. Training Services, the same folks who bring us Combat Focus Shooting courses among others. The training was tough, but that is another story. The focus was on being able to train students, regardless of their skill level, to respond efficiently to an imminent home invasion with the possibility of a lethal threat. Simply put, what do you do when someone is Read More »
Gun Whisperer – You Have Questions, We Have Answers
February 19, 2013 In Firearms Instruction, Firearms Possession, Girls and Guns, Gun Safety, Gun Shooting, Gun Whisperer Leave a Comment
Dear Gun Whisperer, Can you offer some suggestions on how I can relate better to female students in my gun classes? It has gotten back to me that I’ve made some women uncomfortable, and I can’t see <expletive deleted> why, but that is what I’m told. Signed, F&%(*$*)% Great Instructor Dear Sir, First, profanity is often a substitute for a poor vocabulary, or a sign that you just don’t care. Either way…Miss Manners would tell you to stop and so would I. A gun class can be intimidating for someone who is new and it is helpful if the instructor comes across Read More »
Feet, not just for picking your teeth!
February 12, 2013 In Firearms Instruction, Firearms Possession, Gun Safety, Gun Shooting, Lynne Finch-Charlesworth Leave a Comment
Ok, bad joke, but it probably got your attention. Feet are very much on my mind right now. I recently discovered a new Safety Rule. ALWAYS wear shoes when handling your firearms. Some of you are thinking, “Duh” and some are wondering “why?”. Recently I was removing a Henry .22 rifle from its soft case (it was unloaded, cleared and cleaned) so I could put it in the safe. It slipped. I’ve been well trained not to grab my guns if they fall, let them go (you never know). Well, it went, and landed on my foot. My first thought was “I hope I didn’t damage the Read More »
Who should teach you to shoot?
December 20, 2012 In Firearms Instruction, Gun Safe, Gun Safety, Gun Shooting, Lynne Finch-Charlesworth Leave a Comment
You have made the decision that you want to try shooting. Yeah! Welcome, we are a friendly group. But, who do you ask to help you navigate your entry into this world? Your significant other? Neighbor with 50 guns lovingly displayed who goes to the range once a year? A friend who shoots at least once a month? Do you send your kids to the neighbor who barely graduated high school for tutoring? Do you send your child to the person who played piano 30 years ago and still has one collecting dust for lessons? You probably would say NO, you would send them to someone who had the Read More »
