When engaging with our students in class, or talking to random shooters at the range, its always interesting to hear their respective reasons for firearm ownership. More often than not, we get responses that somehow always lead back to the same answer: to protect self and loved ones from those crazies that we see on the evening news!! Our next immediate question to all of those guys is this: if you are protecting your loved ones in a life or death situation, then what exactly is their role? What should they be doing in these situations? If you haven’t had those conversations with your loved ones….the wife…the kids…the hubby, then how just exactly efficient is your self protection process?
How many times a month are you at the range honing in on your defensive pistol techniques? If you have a firearm for protection, we at PSA strongly suggest that you consistently practice with your EDC and all other firearms used for personal protection. As you’ve read several times here on our blog…..safe and effective familiarity with your firearms IS KEY! What’s more, if you are protecting loved ones (family members, friends, etc.) then serious conversations and training sessions should be had with them as well….not necessarily with (or about) your firearm, but they have training to be done as well!!!!
“If I am the one with the gun, then why do they need to train?” Well buckaroo, if you have a firearm and you have to use it (God forbid that ever happens to any of us…), those that are close to you and will be close to you at that time, should have a clear and concise plan of action, just as you do. If you carry a firearm to protect your loved ones when you are out-and-about, it is a good idea to have a plan in case you have to brandish that firearm. For instance…when my wife and I are out, we have planned, practiced, and prepared for the worst. If I have to use my personal defense firearm in a defensive situation and she is present, she knows that she needs to get as far as possible away from me as soon as possible, and attempt to seek help. Why you may ask should she get away from me if I have the firearm?…?… Well smartypants… if I brandish my firearm in a defensive situation, the bad guy will immediately turn his attention to me. Thus, she should get away from me as soon as possible. Likewise, in a defensive situation, the bad guys will most likely be looking for any movement. Pulling my firearm from a concealed position will undoubtedly cause attention to be drawn to me. So once again, our plan is to have her as far as possible away from me.
Personal defense by way of firearms entails more training than those sessions conducted at the range. Personal defense with firearms is a subject that should be approached with the care and diligence that is most definitely deserving. If you carry or own a firearm for personal protection for you and your loved ones, it would behoove you to have these types of conversations.
***If you are unfamiliar with firearms and want to learn more, PSA strongly suggests that you find, enroll, and attend a comprehensive and reputable firearms safety course. Firearms safety is all of OUR responsibility.
We want to thank you for taking out the time to stop by our lane at the shooting range!! We hope that you enjoyed your stay and hope that you stop back by early and often to catch up on all PSA updates! We truly hope that we were able to hit the target, and if you ever have any questions please don’t hesitate to shoot them our way!! We look forward to shooting the breeze with you soon again!!
And as always….remember to watch your six and stay low!!!