Concealed Handgun Classes
In our classes you will not spend time taking open-book tests to prove that you are able to name the parts of a revolver, or a semi-automatic pistol or a cartridge, as is done in many courses that are based on the NRA Basic Pistol curriculum.
Please understand that the NRA Basic Pistol classes are good learning tools, and certainly have their place. And you may also wish to note that I am certified to teach the Basic Pistol course. But I choose not to. My Concealed Handgun course is based on the NRA Personal Protection curriculum, which I am also certified to teach. I consider this curriculum to be far more relevant to the defensive use of a handgun.
Students who wish to take this class are expected to be familiar with, and have some experience in shooting, handguns. We will present material that will help elevate a person’s skill level, but this is not a class structured for people who have never shot a handgun. The “Personal Lessons” discussed below are the best way for non-shooters to quickly gain the skill set needed for this class.
The defensive use of a pistol is significantly different from hunting or target shooting. The basic marksmanship skills apply to all of these endeavors, but self defense applications bring in additional, crucial elements — such as dealing with multiple attackers, shooting under extreme stress and firing at a more rapid pace, while simultaneously maintaining accuracy and complying with the laws that govern the use of deadly force.
In our class we will spend the majority of our time on material designed to keep you from being killed and to keep you from going to prison for an unjustified shooting. We’ll be discussing “real world” risks and “real world” solutions. And we’ll be discussing these topics from the perspective of the private citizen, not from a military or law enforcement point of view – because private citizens operate under different “rules of engagement.”
Listed below is a summary of the topics that we cover in our concealed handgun classes.
* Firearm Safety Rules
* Louisiana Restrictions on Concealed Carry (Where you can and cannot legally carry)
* Louisiana Laws as They Apply to the Use of Deadly Force (When are we allowed to legally shoot someone)
* “Real World” Application of Deadly Force Statutes
* Situational Awareness Concepts
* Avoiding Potentially Lethal Confrontations
* Victim Selection Concepts (How to avoid being targeted as a victims)
* De-escalation Concepts
* Scale of Force Considerations
* Less-Lethal Self Defense Options
* Training Concepts and Skill Sets Needed for Defensive Use of a Handgun
* Mindset Issues That are Essential to the Defensive Use of Deadly Force.
* Principles and Techniques Involved in Physically Stopping an Attacker (How do we quickly stop a determined aggressor)
* Anatomical Shot Placement (Where should we aim when we shoot at an attacker)
* Aftermath issues (Emotional, legal and financial after-effects)
* Limitations of Self Defense Handguns (What are the inherent shortcomings of handguns, and how do we overcome them)
* Criteria to Consider When Buying a Self Defense Handgun (Pros and cons of various makes and types of handguns)
* Defensive Handgun Ammo Criteria (Recommendations on specific brands of ammo)
* Pros and Cons of Various Holster Styles and Other Concealed Carry Options (purses, fanny packs, etc)
* Cleaning and storage of handguns
* Fundamental shooting techniques (Defensive grip, stance, marksmanship, trigger control)
* Live-Fire shooting exercise (~50 rounds)
Please note that you do not need to own a pistol to take this class. I have plenty of guns available for you to use at no charge. In fact, we strongly urge students considering a gun purchase to wait until they have taken the class to buy a new handgun. You will probably be a lot better qualified to assess the suitability of a particular pistol after you have taken this class. All you really need to bring with you are a notebook and pen, one box of ammo, and an open mind.
Whether you bring a handgun to the class, or shoot one of mine, everyone will be expected to shoot a “service caliber” weapon. This means revolvers will be .38 Special or larger in caliber, and semi-automatic pistols will be 9mm or bigger. This requirement wll be waived for students with medical conditions that preclude the firing of a service caliber weapon.
Classes for first time applicants last nine hours (as required by state law) and cost $85 *.
Classes for renewal students cost $65 *
* Tuition includes the range fee for the indoor (air conditioned) range that we use for the live-fire portion of the class.
The minimum age for a Concealed Handgun Permit in Louisiana is 21, but this age restriction does not apply to taking my classes. Many of our students are teens, accompanied by one or both parents. It may also be of interest to note that in a typical class, 30% – 40% of students are women, and in almost all cases the first-time female shooters do exceptionally well at end of the day.
This class is typically taught once per month. Persons who would like to be added to our notification list, and receive emails as dates are selected for upcoming classes, can call either of the telephone numbers listed on our “Contact Us” page.
Personal Lessons
Personal lessons for individuals can be scheduled, on a limited basis, at very nominal prices. These tutorials are recommended for students who have little or no experience in using a handgun. This is a helpful, very beneficial preliminary step for inexperienced shooters prior to their taking the Concealed Handgun Permit course. Lessons are also available for the more experienced shooter who wants coaching on a specific technique, or is having problems with a specific aspect of pistol shooting.