Integrity or "When someone asks you to do a bad thing"

The other day my van needed to be towed to the shop due to a sudden electrical problem.  As the tow truck driver was hooking my vehicle he was reading the CCW class advertising I have on my back window.  We got into a discussion about concealed carry.  The driver advised he always carried a fire arm in his truck but he had little time to take a CCW course. He then asked if I would give him a "quickie" course for $200.  My reply to him was to define a "quickie" course.  His response: "I'll give you $200. cash right now if you will sign off a  CCW course completion certificate for me".

My response was a simple no I can not do that.  It is illegal and you will be missing out on some very important information, at the minimum; use of force decision making skills and a basic understanding of our state's defensive force laws.  The driver rolled his eyes, completed his work, and we were off to the garage.  My fear is the tow truck driver may eventually find a trainer who will simply sign him off in exchange for cash.

This brief conversation got me to thinking about how important integrity is; especially in the world of defensive fire arms.   If you are a trainer you have a huge responsibility to pass along the most complete and current information you can to those who are trusting you to pass along life saving skills to them and their families.

That means reading the books written by Ayoob, Cirrillo,or Grossman; watching the tactical and skills DVD's produced by Suarez, attending shooting clinics at Front Sight, Thunder Ranch, and others; hone your skills by attending a IPSC or IDPA shoot.  And, at the end of each book, DVD, or program incorporating the fire arms skills you learned into your CCW lesson plan.

If a trainer does a "short" course or simply teaches just basic pistol skills the CCW student is not getting the full measure they think they have paid for.  Any one can learn to shoot a fire arm.  It takes some work to instill the decision making skills to use a fire arm defensively.

The student who completes a CCW class also has the same responsibility to read, view, and participate in hands on learning about the defensive use of fire arms.  Sources of after class training and information should be something the student (hopefully) obtained through a credible CCW trainer.

We expect integrity from those we interact with; from our elected officials all the way to the grocery store clerk.  As trainers and CCW permit holders we need to mirror the integrity we expect to receive from others.

The importance of carrying a gun 100% of the time..........

This is the title of an article written by Mark Walters as The Ordinary Guy columnist for Concealed Carry magazine.  The link is long and if it doesn't take you to the article a Google search should get you to the column as well.  After reading the article I was taken back to this time last year when a wannabe Grinch showed up in my driveway as a car jacker.  Some of you that have shared a class room with me have heard this story.  For others here are the details and "The Importance of Carrying a Gun 100% of the Time".  

It was a very cold Missouri December night during the week between Christmas and New Years, 2009.  I had picked up my then 15 year old daughter from a church activity at 9:30pm and we were  1/2 block from home.  As I slowed to turn into our driveway I noticed a homeless type fellow walking on the side walk. Not entirely unusual as there is a large church based food bank about six blocks north of us.  I observed him to be wearing a long tan cowboy type duster on a slender 6'2" frame.  His shoulder length graying hair spilled out from under a flat brim black Wyatt Earp type western hat.  His collar was turned up against the cold, his outer cover buttoned up to his chin and his hands shoved deep in his pockets.

As I pulled into our driveway (70' long going to a detached garage) I scanned my rear view and side view mirrors to watch the fellow walk past our house.  Instead I saw him turn down our driveway.  Only this time his coat was open and his right hand was under his coat about arm pit level.  I gunned the engine and made a quick u-turn across the drive way so the head lights on our van now illuminated the intruder walking towards us.  As Ayoob would say the intruder was "chin over chest" and advancing in an aggressive body posture.  He stopped about 20' feet in front of us, confused since he was now "in the spotlight".  I exited the vehicle and stood behind the driver’s door.  I drew my Glock 19 and yelled at the fellow to stop where he was at and take his hand slowly out from his coat.  

I could see the expression on his face change to one of confusion and his body posture change to a defensive manner.  I yelled at him a second time to take his hand out of his coat and show me his palms.  He did so and I asked him (in a firm voice) what he wanted.  He asked, "Is this the food bank".  My reply was obviously not and to keep walking another six blocks north.  He simply said, "OK" then turned and left the property.  I called the police department with a description of the fellow but didn't hear back from them concerning any further contact with the intruder.  

From the moment I did the drive way u-turn to when the fellow was walking quickly off the property the way he came in; the incident probably lasted two minutes or less.  When I got back in the vehicle my daughter was sitting there with wide eyes and a big grin on her face.  She looked at me and said, "Dad was that your police voice?"  I replied I guess it was and her comment was, "That was cool!"   I didn't think so and the adrenaline rush didn't quit till well after this old man's bed time!  

There are two points I want to make with this post.  First you will react to a dangerous situation how you train and rehearse for it.  I've been retired from law enforcement almost as long as I was in it.  After all the years of not being used all the alert and  reaction skills came back in a split second  in response to a perceived threat. Secondly, be armed when ever and where ever you can legally be so.   

God’s Blessing to you all during this Christmas Season!

Stress Training improves Safety Skills

Last night I enjoyed an evening with the USPSA group at our local Pioneer Gun club.  As a trainer, and many of you are in the same situation, I watch a lot of people shoot each month but I don't get myself behind the trigger as much as I used to.  I didn't know anyone there (which was probably a good thing) nor did I share with any one my back ground.  I just went in as "Joe Citizen" shooter looking to be a better shooter.  My feeling is if a person brags going into a friendly competition they will be eating crow going out.  After my rusty performance last night I barely out shot the "crow".

One of the stellar performers last night was an 11 year old boy.  He was shooting an old  Ruger .22 semi auto in a Uncle Mike type of holster (he's my kind of budget shooter).  He has been shooting with his Dad in the USPSA practices for several months, went through the drills quickly, had all the right safety moves, and seemed to be right on with his shooting.  It was great to watch a Dad working with his son.

I ran through the evening's drill in a little over 90 seconds; most every one else got through in about 60 seconds.  The "kid" was zipping around like Peter Pan.  The course involved firing 26 rounds,  around two different barricades, two reloads, and firing around hostage targets to hit what ever center of mass the card board assailant target had exposed.  Points were made by where the rounds landed on the assailant and big point deductions for hitting a hostage.  The shooter moves as quickly as safety and personal dexterity allows.

Two modern day experts whose opinion I trust; Massab Ayoob and Jim Cirillo, both emphasize the value of competition shooting towards self defense.  Competition shooting (what ever program you want to get involved in; even bowling pin shoots at the local public range) gives us two big advantages.  First you will be a better shooter going through the stress of a self defense situation and secondly the stress of competition ingrains safety into your subconscious.  I was called once for putting my hand in front of the muzzle and sweeping the ceiling (old Police habits die hard).  And of course the third reason for getting involved is the fun of  shooting with people from all sorts of back grounds.

Competition shooting, involving even mild mental or physical stress, will prepare you for the stress of a self defense shooting and hone your range safety skills during your range time with students.  Get involved and stay active!

I had so much fun I think I'll go back next month!

Holiday Vigilance

Several days ago the jury working on the Dr. Petit family murders in Connecticut came back with a death sentence for the animals that tortured and brutally murdered this husband and father's wife and two daughters in front of him.  My sympathy and prayers go out to Dr. Petit.  

I sit here in my home at peace and taking a break from a spirited game of "Wits and Wagers" with the family I love so much.  I am at peace but still vigilant.  Our shrubs are kept low, exterior lights are on including the motion sensors, the intrusion alarm system is on, and...........my wife and I are both presently armed under our cardigan sweaters.  

Earlier today we welcomed friends and neighbors who stopped by to chat or run an errand.  No one knows my wife and I both carry at home nor did our varied guests notice when I opened the door to greet them I also scanned the street and side walk. We live in a comfortable house in a nice quiet neighborhood.  The police department is about six blocks away.  Our neighborhood probably shares many things in common with the Petit family and probably the one you live in also.  I pray that when evil passes by our home it will not stop as it did with the Petit family in Connecticut.  

Tragically, evil will stop at someone's happy home tonight because evil is invited in through complacency or naivety.  In Missouri approximately 2% of our population has taken a Concealed Carry class.  That means we as trainers have a lot of work yet to do in teaching individuals and families about how to be safe.  

If you as a trainer are not including a situational awareness piece in your CCW courses you are short changing your students.  Massob Ayoob has some excellent information on situational awareness in his several books as does the late Jim Cirrilo in his two books.  If you haven't read these two giants in the self defense field, and the information they have pass along, you are short changing your students.  

Always be in a Yellow alert level, constantly scan your mirrors when stopped in traffic, know what to look for per attack behavior in others, and have a challenge boundary around you and your loved ones when in public.  If you want to learn more go by my web site at www.SafeShoot.com and click on the Course and Cost tab.  Order the Situational Awareness DVD.  Take notes and please  use the information in your class room if you aren't already doing so.  Yes, we are in business and probably competitors.  Just remember we are in the business of saving innocent life.  As much as we can let's work together towards that good end.  

God's Blessings to you all and Merry Christmas!  P.S. Happy חנוכה to our Jewish brothers and sisters.  

 

New Indoor Range and New Instructor Mentoring Program

One of my favorite quotes is from a sign I saw at a gun range:  

"The Sound you hear is the Sound of Freedom". 

 In a few days (once the final lighting is installed on Wednesday) the new Trainers Indoor Range will be ready to use.  The 10 lane range is located at the Inter State Storage Cavern at I-435 and 23rd Street at the edge of the Kansas City and Independence, Missouri city boundaries.  The cave entrance is the first cavern on the left as you pull into the drive from 23rd street.  

It is a gated entrance and you will need to get a key from the Independence Square class room lock box to gain access or other arrangement with me.  To keep everyone's schedule organized, use of the range will be by reservation only.  Call me at 816-353-6826 to schedule the range and I will give you the lock box combo number.  Please call me before you utilize the facility for a tour and I'll show you where the light switch is at (another very important detail when in a mine).  

The range is available seven days a week from 0700-2200hrs.  Later this week I will put  a small bumper sticker size sign on the gate that says, "www.SafeShoot.com".   

The range time costs $10. per student and I'll include the target for either the Kansas or Missouri CCW students.  I'm flexible on time but it is assumed the CCW instructor can normally complete their course of fire with students  in 60-90 minutes.  There are no hand washing or restrooms in the facility but, if there is enough use, the budget may be able to afford a porta-potty.  The porta potty may acquire the  nick name; Sasquatch  Hunting Lodge.  

The facility is an old lime stone mine which was closed in the 1960's.  The entrance and the gun range is in an area that has been minimally developed.  The other entrances of the cavern have been converted over to commercial storage and small business use.  

My Independence Square class room is also available to instructors for a small rental fee and includes props appropriate to a CCW class.  Hand gun rental is also available.  Also ask about my CCW Instructor Mentoring Program for new CCW trainers.  This is a very inexpensive investment that will save you hours of curriculum development time plus will get your program started right away.  

Hopefully the availability of these inexpensive training facilities will alleviate a difficulty faced by many area firearms instructors.  I've heard from so many CCW trainers what a difficult time they have had trying to find a place to teach a class and then trying to shoe horn into a noisy public range for the CCW course of fire.   

According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, as of 10-31-10, there were 116,254 CCW permits issued in Missouri (9,255 in Jackson County).  Compare that to the nearly 6 million people living in Missouri and that means there is still a lot of business out there folks.  Our basic intent in teaching a CCW class should be to impart self defense skills to individuals and families.  By working together we can accomplish that goal.   

My Contact Info:

Bruce Luedeman

Ph# 816-353-6826

bnmluedeman@sbcglobal.net

www.SafeShoot.com   

A CCW Instructors Responsibility

Recently I had a conversation with a CCW instructor who has been teaching for about two years.  He was lamenting as to why the State of Missouri requires 8 class hours of training and he could only come up with about 5-6 hours of information.  He said he starts his class at 8;00 am and usually ends around 3:00 pm.

I encourage CCW students to give me a call if they have a post class questions regardless of who they took their class from.  Unfortunately I'm hearing many comments from students about an instructor showing them how to shoot but not talking about how to carry a concealed weapon or use of force decision making.  Many CCW instructors shooting back ground consists simply of hunting experiences and hunter education classes.  A hunting experience focus and a defensive firearm focus are two completely different universes.

Some CCW instructors make up for their lack of defensive shooting back ground by hiring a gun friendly (and knowledgeable) attorney or a police officer (with teaching experience) to come into class and talk about use of force decision making.  I commend those instructors for doing that.  Those instructors that simply do a Basic Pistol Course and simply show a video on use of force decision making are doing their students a disservice.

If a CCW instructor does not have a significant law enforcement back ground or actual military close quarters combat experience then that instructor needs to do the next best thing and avail him or her self of classes and writings that will make up for that lack of experience.  When a CCW student leaves the class room at days end they should go away with three items from the instructor that will continue to allow the student to learn.

The first item is a list of credible web sites that give reliable information on use of force laws locally and on the  national level as well as concealed carry techniques and common sense tactics.  Secondly the student should leave the class with a bibliography of appropriate Decision Making/Use of Force  books.  Any publication  by Cirrillo, Ayoob, and Kevin Jamison's Missouri Law and Self Defense are good books to start off with.  Thirdly is the name and phone number of a criminal defense attorney the student can call with legal questions.

I would suggest a CCW instructor study these same authors and become very familiar with the concepts they are trying to pass along.  If a CCW instructor is lacking in defensive shooting tactics then make the investment and attend any one of a number of national defensive tactic shooting  schools.  For a CCW instructor I would recommend making the financial investment and traveling to a program put on by Massad Ayoob, John Farnham, or the firearms  instructor development work shop by Tom Givens in Tennessee.

For a technical shooting skills work shop any program by Gabe Suarez, Rob Pincus, George Harris (Sig Saur Academy) or Marty Hays (Seattle Fire Arms Academy) will benefit the instructor and subsequently all they teach.  I've not attended these programs but they come highly recommended.  Avoid the tactical/swat type shooting programs.  Those skills are not relevant to the average CCW student.  Avoid an instructor that shows up on his web site wearing a muscle shirt and their base ball cap on back wards.

Yes, a CCW instructor can make a few or a lot of dollars depending on how hard (and smart) they want to work.   However, a CCW instructors first responsibility is imparting defensive and decision making skills to keep families safe.  If a CCW instructor is not willing to put forth the effort to acquire the intellectual and technical skills  to do that then I would kindly suggest they take up selling used cars or running a hedge fund for a living.

Changes to Missouri and Iowa CCW Permit laws

Bad news (it could be worse) for Missouri and very good news for Iowa.  For Missouri no changes from our present way of doing things.  Three bills this year were introduced in the Missouri Legislature concerning extending our permit from 3 years to 5 years and lowering our age for CCW Permit qualification from age 23 to 21.  These simple changes would have put us in line with other states protocols.  There were also some other positive requests to expand our Castle Doctrine Law.  While legislative support seemed to be enthusiastic, when all was said and done,  none of the bills made it out of the committee session for a legislative vote.  Kudos to the Western Missouri Shooters Alliance (WMSA) and others for their efforts this year.  Please go by their web site for more information at: www.wmsa.net  

Good News for Iowans (and those of us that like to visit Iowa)!  A long fought for "Shall Issue" system for Iowa was recently signed into law.  For many years Iowans wanting to carry a fire arm for self defense had to endure a blatantly discriminitory "May Issue" system.  The extra good news is Iowa will allow  reciprocity for Missouri CCW permit holders.  Caution:   The law doesn't go into effect until Jan. 1, 2011.  

For more information on the Iowa CCW permit process please go by the nice folks at Iowa Concealed Carry at   www.iowacarry.org  To read a copy of Iowa's new Shall Issue law google Iowa SF-2379.

If any one has more information on the recent CCW events in Missouri and Iowa please leave a comment. Thanks!