What can I do as a flyboy to better prepare myself and family for self defense in light of recent events?

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 19:25:31 -0500

My wife and I have become increasingly nervous about recent events and have had discussions turn to how to protect ourselves and loved ones.
I grew up hunting and shooting for recreation so I am familiar with firearms and gun safety but have no tactical or self defense type of training. The issue that I have is that a CCW permit doesn't give me very much mileage for self defense in my day to day activities. I work on base where personal weapons are prohibited so naturally my to and from work also leaves me weaponless. The CCW would give me protection on the weekends however.
My wife tells a different story, she is a mother who runs many errands out and about. She also works part time so it wouldn't be a stretch for her to carry. She has had very little training other than what I have, with my limited ability, to give. I know that CC classes all must meet the minimum state requirements as far as basic training and knowledge but my understanding is that they are very basic and are very short and vary considerably from one place to another.
I know that I have the ability to seek out the Master at Arms at work and get some more training and then it's only to qualify the basic side arm. I am curious if there is another avenue beyond that in which I can participate. What have you trigger pullers done to supplement your training? What can non trigger pullers do to get more/better training? What options are there for civilian or formal military training?

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 2 at 2015 7:42 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 19:42:54 -0500

Step one: breathe, relax. Your odds of encountering a terrorist are on par with your odds of encountering a shark on a mountain who speaks French, hugging it, and immediately getting stuck by lightning.

Step two: no further steps are necessary.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Dec 2 at 2015 7:46 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 19:46:41 -0500

Simply put. Range time.

1) Pick a gun she is comfortable with, and shoot it. LOTS. Then shoot it more. Then some more. Then more.

a) Revolvers are great "starter" weapons, for the pure reason they are "point and click" weapons. You pull the trigger and they go bang. If they don't, pull the trigger again. Repeat as needed. There is no "clearing." You get 5 shots. With a .357 mag, you can use .38 instead at the range.

2) Take classes. Concealed carry. Range. Outdoor. Indoor. etc.

** No guns in the Purse. NO GUNS IN THE PURSE.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Dec 2 at 2015 7:56 PM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 19:56:42 -0500

My only advice is to research a company / group called United States Concealed Carry Association. Then decide what you need / want to do. I am not endorsing them, but my experience has been 100% positive, and I've learned A LOT about CC.

Regardless, PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!!!!!

Response by Maj Jeff Dodd made Dec 2 at 2015 8:37 PM

Maj Jeff Dodd — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 20:37:05 -0500

Take Krav Maga classes if you can find a school near you. I did it for a year before I moved and felt my confidence boosted to defend myself against edged weapons and even firearms attacks. The school was run by an active LAPD firearms instructor (and USMC combat vet) and was awesome. He would offer extra firearms classes outside the Krav Maga curriculum to anyone who was interested in learning to use firearms to defend themselves better. Bottom line is you have to be willing to spend considerable time and your own money to learn the skills that will give you a fighting chance in the event you are attacked. I say this after spending 8 years as a USAF Security Forces member (Master at Arms in Navy speak) and not feeling adequately trained to defend myself and family based on the USAF training I had received over the years. Buying a safe full of AR-15's and handguns won't keep you and your wife safe. Knowing how to fight and defend yourselves while changing your mindset to be more alert to your surroundings is the smart play. Taking a few defensive firearms courses will help out also in giving you piece of mind. My two cents.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Dec 2 at 2015 8:38 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 20:38:17 -0500

Most instructors teaching basic carry classes also teach advanced classes and they are not very expensive. You don't have to stop with the basic class. The more training the better. Most ranges are also not very expensive. There is a beautiful facility in my area that only charges $5 to shoot all day. The most expensive thing is the ammo and that depends on what you are shooting. You don't need expensive ammo for practice.

Response by SGT Dana Williams made Dec 2 at 2015 9:56 PM

SGT Dana Williams — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 21:56:57 -0500

In-home, the best is a compact shotgun ... or a pistol with frangible (shot) rounds. At close range they are deadly, but will not hit an unintended target outside the immediate area. For personal carry, any type of weapon you, or wife, are comfortable and proficient with.

Response by PO2 Wesley Wilson made Dec 2 at 2015 10:26 PM

PO2 Wesley Wilson — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 22:26:35 -0500

The first problem you need to address is awareness of your surroundings. I carry everyplace I legally can. I avoid places that do not allow me to carry. Learn the law for your area.
Join the NRA membership has benefits that go way beyond what most people see or understand.
Get your wife a good instructor, you get one also. Become so familiar with your weapon that you can use it without thought. Next always think, the best weapon you will ever have is always with you it lives between your ears.
Live firearms safety, teach it and preach it.
Never think you know it all, be willing to constantly learn.