Preparing and training for everything?
I would like to say thank you to the readers of my column who email me with comments, questions and concerns. I enjoy corresponding with you and appreciate your thoughts and opinions.
After my article titled, “What’s in your Arsenal”, a reader emailed me questioning one of the statements I made about why I felt an Ar-15 made an excellent self-defense weapon. Now you have to understand, when I say self-defense, I mean it exactly how the Arizona law allows defense of my life or the life of another.
The reader questioned a statement I made about the AR-15 being a great close-range weapon and when needed it can also reach out and touch.
Understandably, the use of lethal force from a great distance rubbed the reader the wrong way.
This interaction made me look into the thought process of people but mostly of those responsible gun owners who carry for self-defense.
When I prepare for the protection of my family or for that matter, anyone I see in a life-threatening situation, I prepare for everything. I prepare for what I can imagine happening and also everything I can’t imagine happening. For example: some people carry a medical kit in their vehicle for self-application or to help someone else in case they were to come across an accident scene. How many carry rappel gear in case that involved vehicle ended up 100 feet over an embankment?
If you had the training and knowledge to help those victims, wouldn’t you feel terrible if you couldn’t get to them? Yes, I know, there is a limit to this way of thinking. I don’t carry scuba gear in case the involved vehicle was submerged in a lake.
The summation that I’ve drawn is that most responsible gun owners who carry for self-defense or the defense of another, don’t think outside the box. That normal everyday box where we imagine what could happen to us, but we don’t consider the unimaginable. Like taking a long-distance shot in self-defense or during the defense of another.
I teach a defensive pistol class that is very popular. I believe that this class is well liked because the intermediate level students that enroll in it are taught ways to use their firearm like they’ve never imagined. That’s training with the unimaginable in mind. Scenarios are presented to the student where they have to get out of their comfort zone and do things they never imagined. Why? Because the scenario presented forced them to do so.
Another intermediate class has students firing AR-15 style rifles at close targets, 10-20 yards and then addressing targets at 100 plus yards. Why?
Because the scenario presented forced them to do so. A scenario that was once unimaginable.
The scenarios I present are not far-fetched John Wick type situations, they could and have happened. Most people just don’t imagine that it could ever happen to them, or in front of them.
There are things that I do and I recommend all gun owners who carry for self-defense do, to better prepare themselves for whatever might come their way. From small preparations to much larger that take more commitment to training.
For instance, a smaller and easy task is getting an Arizona CCW permit. I RV a lot, and my Arizona permit allows me to carry in some parks where firearms are prohibited. Not only that, but Arizona has reciprocity with 37 other states. Meaning, you can conceal carry in those 37 states. Some states having some restrictions. Check our website for further information. That’s an easy one, sign up and expand your concealed carry area.
Larger preparations take time, effort and lots of training. You must train for these. I stress on my students that they should know their skill level. I cannot respond to a life-threatening situation without knowing my skill level, or I might do more harm than good. Do not train beyond your knowledge and skill level but take training to expand your knowledge and skill level.
Prepare for everything, even what you can not imagine ever happening.
If you would like the USCCA guide to “Imminent Danger” give us a call or send us an email.
NEVER STOP TRAINING!
Oz Johnson/Lead Instructor, NRA Certified
Karin Johnson/Operations Manager
J-G-T.com
[email protected]
602-410-7355
