by Kristen Williams
Special to the MLN
It’s 2 a.m. on a Tuesday, and you wake from a deep sleep to noises in the house that don’t belong. Your dog is fidgeting and nudging you, and your partner is still fast asleep. You’re suddenly wide awake and your senses are keener than usual. You quietly shake the person next to you as you listen to identify the noises. You reach for your: a) gun; b) flashlight; c) baseball bat; d) a and b; e) diaper. By the time you have whatever you reached for in your hand, you see a shadow outside your window and the noises inside your house are getting closer to your bedroom. You whisper loudly to your partner, “Call 911.” As the saying goes, “when seconds count, the police are minutes away.” What’s your next step? Do you have a plan for this? Let’s come back to this later.
Overnight on Nov. 21, there was a string of burglaries around Mesquite, Nevada. Several businesses and churches were victimized. You might think it was lucky that no one was at those locations when that happened. But was it lucky for them, or for the burglar? What’s your mindset?
Burglary, by definition, is an illegal entry into a structure with the intent to commit a crime within it. You feel victimized and violated after the fact. Robbery, on the other hand, is characterized by the added human element – the criminal attempts to take something (by fear or force) from a person. The day after the burglaries, our excellent Mesquite Police Department had a suspect in custody (believed to be the lone culprit) who was also wanted for armed robbery and home invasion in Las Vegas. What if someone had been at one of those offices when the break-ins occurred? Well, if that person was a well-trained concealed carrier, this burglary could have been – best case – thwarted robbery, worst case – someone gets injured, or even killed.
Notice I said “well-trained” concealed carrier. If you do the bare minimum to get your CCW permit and actually carry a handgun, will you be confident enough to use it? If so, will the outcome be in your favor? Or are you just carrying to make yourself feel safer?
Without good training and ongoing practice, carrying a firearm may actually be putting you (and other innocent people) in more danger. I’m 100 percent for your right to keep and bear arms. I just want you to do it responsibly and give yourself the very best chance at prevailing in a life threatening situation, and that involves training.
Did Someone Say Training?
I have been shooting since I could reach the trigger of Dad’s primary home defense pistol – which was around age six – but my training started well before that. Yes, gun safety starts in the mind of a child. I developed a healthy fear of firearms as a little girl. Dad not only told me, but showed me, what guns are capable of by letting me watch him shoot.
By the time I was allowed to hold and shoot a gun, I knew it was still not safe to do without his supervision. As I aged and grew, that healthy fear became respect, and I started shooting competitively at the junior version of Dad’s matches that I had witnessed (and worked) so many times.
Fast forward to today. I have continued to train throughout the years, including carbine, shotgun, and intense defensive pistol training. Until my first class at Gunsite Academy (arguably – though I’ve never known anyone to argue – the world’s premier firearms training facility), I didn’t know what I didn’t know. None of us ever will.
I am committed to lifelong learning, and that applies to my firearms training as well. As long as I am able, I will continue to train. Of course it’s fun, so that helps. I get this from Dad, I’m sure, as he’s still going to Gunsite – with an enviable frequency – in his 70’s. By the way, he’s a Field Editor of Shooting Illustrated, so perhaps writing and editing runs in the family as well.
I’ve been fortunate enough to complete numerous weeks of different levels of training with a variety of weapons systems at Gunsite Academy in Paulden, Arizona (www.gunsite.com). Alumni are all considered family at Gunsite, and I consider the owners, as well as many of the instructors and staff there, personal friends.
I was recently given the opportunity to bring friends and family out to get the “Gunsite Experience” in a specialized course. I’ve been working with the women who run Defense Preparedness Training, the Women’s Defensive Weaponry Club, and the WDW Training Center in Mesquite, in their mission to teach and empower local residents in the arts of self-defense, including CCW and other firearms instruction. So, naturally, I extended the offer to Peggy Pope and Becky Hoff, and they jumped at the chance.
Pope and Hoff are both certified NRA instructors, so they were already experienced and skilled shooters. But they were about to take those skills to new levels, and learn many more. Of course, Dad received the same invitation, so while he and I were enjoying a custom carbine and pistol course, Pope and Hoff were experiencing a specialized course that included all the elements of Gunsite’s flagship week-long “250 Pistol” class, condensed into three intense, action-packed days.
Dad and I rented “The House on Gunsite Road,” a well appointed VRBO so close to Gunsite you could walk to class. Dad brought his entourage from southern California – namely, Mom and my aunt and uncle, which made our return from each day’s instruction that much more of a treat. They’d spend the day exploring Prescott, Arizona or the nearby winery, and join us after class for some relaxing adult beverages, and the house had plenty of rooms for us all to have a comfortable stay.
Pope and Hoff opted to stay at a hotel around eight miles away, so they could decompress in their own rooms, do their homework in private, and process the lessons they’d learned each day. Though we saw one another on lunch breaks, we still touched base by phone or in person at the house to share our experiences each evening – giggling may have occurred.
Founded in 1976 by Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper, Gunsite just celebrated its 40th anniversary. They continue to teach the Modern Technique of the Pistol, and apply the same technique to other weapons systems. The courses all cover the “combat triad” – marksmanship, gun handling and mindset, and no matter how many times you go and how many classes you take, you’re going to have a “Gunsite epiphany” in one of those areas. That epiphany could be as minor as a tip toward better trigger control, or as dramatic as a life-changing adjustment in your defensive mindset. I’ve had both, and many more in between.
I’ve been developing a defensive pistol course to offer in Mesquite through Pope’s and Hoff’s business, Defense Preparedness Training. I’ve been working with them on the curriculum because the instruction will be a group effort. Now that they have experienced Gunsite for themselves, we’ll be moving forward with that course and others in the coming months. I asked for permission from Gunsite to use portions of their materials and some of their methods in our courses, and I was honored to get their blessing. We look forward to bringing it to the community, and will continue to encourage everyone who can to make the trip to Gunsite for their world class courses.
Got Your CCW – Now What?
“Owning a handgun doesn’t make you armed any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician.” – Jeff Cooper, founder, Gunsite Academy
Whether you’ve taken, or plan to take a CCW course to get your concealed carry permit (we offer them once a month), I strongly urge you to follow that up with more training and ongoing practice. In addition to the course(s) mentioned above, we currently offer beginners and brush-up shooting classes as well as “firing line” training, so you can just come out and shoot while we help coach you. You’re going to want to practice from concealment, right? Consider our CCW Practical Application course.
What about situational training? Remember that scenario from the beginning of this article? Evil doers have entered your home and it’s decision time. If you haven’t thought about it and you don’t have a plan, this situation may not go well for you even if you answered a) or d) to the “what do you reach for” question. You need a plan. We can help get you to the point of developing one for yourself or even work through it with you to determine what would be best for you in different scenarios with personalized, private training.
Pope and Hoff’s original mission was to empower women and provide a safe space for learning lifesaving skills, both armed and unarmed. We continue to do that, because that vision hasn’t changed. But we work with all people who seek to be responsibly armed citizens, and maybe have some fun while they’re at it. Giggling not required.
For more information, visit www.DefensePrepTraining.com, or call (702) 346-6149.
Kristen, with all due respect for what you do…Don’t you think that “training” someone to handle a hostage situation or think that they can…is a little irresponsible? What type of mental health training do you possess that warrants you teaching this particular activity? Hostage situations are extremely volatile and the average Joe or Josephine isn’t equipped with the knowledge or training to handle a hostage situation. Even if you’re a sharp shooter, you never face off on a hostage situation with a gun.
The experts (trained police officers) say,”Even if the hostage-takers give up, they may have killed hostages during the negotiations. Often, hostages are killed either accidentally by police or intentionally by their captors during an assault. There have even been cases in which the hostage-takers were granted their demands, but they killed a hostage anyway.
From the initial assault through the first hours of negotiations, hostage-takers can be extremely volatile. They’re usually angry about whatever perceived injustice has led them to take hostages, and they are filled with adrenaline following the excitement of their attack. Angry, excited people with guns are not good for hostages. The negotiator should never argue with a hostage-taker and never say no to a demand. Instead, the negotiator should use delaying tactics or make a counter-offer. Above all, the negotiator should keep a positive, upbeat attitude, reassuring the hostage-taker that everything will eventually work out peacefully.”
That expert advice not only doesn’t say you should square off, it says it’s never a good situation.
Kudos for the rest of what you do though, people who carry weapons should absolutely be trained to handle them and respect their power.
Teri, thanks for your input on hostage negotiating. I’ve neither been trained nor do I train others to handle hostage negotiations. The only place it’s mentioned is (not in the body of the article) in the cutline on one of the photos from Gunsite as a reference to the target in the simulator. The targets are made that way to add stress to the training so you keep your cool and make the shot necessary to solve the problem. It’s a training tool. So, to answer your question – no, I don’t think any of the training we provide is “irresponsible.” Quite the contrary. And thanks for the kudos. If you have any interest in target or defensive shooting, other self defense, or just further curiosity about what we’re teaching and whether it’s responsible, we would love to see you in one of our classes!
Very well said and thanks for clearing that up. I have Ohio Police officer training and worked in the 80’s as an armed security guard for the Navy Finance Center in Bratenahl, Ohio…a federal military installation, we were trained by ex-secret service men, and we were WELL TRAINED in guns, rifles, PR24’s, and hand to hand self defense, I’ve even shot assault rifles (WAY too much destructive and fatal power there). I have been to some of the WWDW self-defense training, covered it for the paper and was quite impressed with it. As for joining a club….My hubby and I enjoy shooting in the desert, I carried a gun for several years…I’m good with what I already know and I’m not saying that I know it all….I certainly don’t but I’m still interested in other things that don’t involve guns. I know as much as I want to know about them. With the picture and the caption that says, “Kristen saving the hostage” I was just concerned that people didn’t get the wrong idea of what you ladies are trained for and equipped to teach.
According to my very knowledgeable husband, who has has extensive firearms training over a span of more than 50 years, your article lacks substantial facts. An individual who wishes to own a firearm, be it a pistol, rifle or shotgun, needs to understand a variety of answers to,perplexing questions prior to the purchase of said firearm. Failure to adhere to the warrior mindset, color code of awareness, mental preparedness for the aftermath of a confrontation, as well as proficiency in he manual of arms all enter into the scenario. You failed to mention any of the above.
Gunsight is an excellent facility, but if you want complete training in both firearms and hand to hand combat, as well as knife fighting, rappelling and climbing at an extremely reasonable price, I suggest Frontsight in Pahrump. For the best firearms training in the country, you would have to attend the Sig Sauer Academy in New Hampshire.
With respect to the picture listed in your article under Becky Hoff doing square range drills. I noticed that the shooter failed to lean her body forward from above the waste to absorb the recoil of the firearm.
It makes no difference what shooting stance one chooses to use, recoil control and the ability to fire a second controlled shoot to the vital chest area is basic training when a pistol is being used for self defense.
The average encounter will last between 2.5 and three seconds with a CDC report that only 20 present of the rounds fired will have hit the intended target.
Weapon control and proper shot placement only can take place with proper training.
Wow I can’t believe this newspaper printed anything good about guns. I agree anybody that wants to carry a handgun needs way more training than a CCW course and almost anyone can get an NRA instructors certificate for $250 and a 2 day class this doesn’t make someone qualified to teach safe gun handling or even proper stance while shooting. Southern Utah Practical Shooting Range in Hurricane has advanced CCW training for $99 and free Utah CCW course along with it. SUPS also has USPSA pistol matches 1st and 3rd weekends of the month that will teach you how to run and gun with your pistol. Mesquite even has a USPSA and ICORE matches on the 2nd and 4th weekends at the Smokin Gun Ranch. You really want to learn how to use your gun under stressful but safe conditions try one of these ranges. The Range Safety Officers will be happy to show you how.
Miriam, Jesse, we see your comments, spelling amiss, thank you for your insight. Gunsite is an excellent experience and a top-notch training academy, the simulation house and desert wash was exceptional, this learning, the home invasion and the wash for those who are 4-wheeling plus survival techniques training for desert enthusiasts, is something the public must think about, what if?
Frontsite we plan to visit soon and surely they are a fine gun training academy.
We had the opportunity to meet the owners of Gunsite at a dinner along with Kristen & family, dad & mom and aunt & uncle, what a thrill. They are absolutely terrific people, all of them, and they made me and Becky feel as family, that’s the way they are.
What Kristen is doing, what’s in her heart, as ours, is to help people learn to defend themselves, to expect the unexpected as does our coach John Hughs, we hope to get through to all, especially women. Kristen is an exemplary writer, is a more exemplary shooter and a dear friend, as is John.
Every class, every time we teach we receive hi-marks and countless compliments; I have them. There’s a lot entailed in what we do, we think outside of the box, we care and they appreciate it. That’s what makes us.
As far as the Smokin Gun Ranch goes (it’s the Smokin Gun Range) I refer many people to the range as a public place to practice shoot.
As far as Becky Hoff’s shooting goes, its waist, Mister. To note, she almost beat the one person on a competition shoot-off by just one shot, she came in 2nd. The person that came in 1st is a retired police officer, he shot every round in the middle of the intended target through the entire course, bar none! She did it, she came in 2nd! You can check with Gunsite on that one! She did exceptionally well and we, both Kristen and I are very proud of her.
My name is Peggy Pope and I am very proud of what we are doing, I am very proud of our people and what we stand for and our accomplishments back us up.
Kristen is a top-notch gun handler and a top-notch writer and a member of our staff and a #1 instructor, she’s that good. If you have any qualms, please feel free contact me at 702-346-6149 or meet me in person.
In closing, Kristen’s father is one of the Field Editors of the NRA’s Shooting Illustrated and I and Becky are extremely proud to know them both, along with their extraordinary family, including the owners with Gunsite.
Hold all political agendas aside, please!
Peggy it’s truly sad that you can’t distinguish between postings.
Neither Miriam or I have used the words Smokin Gun Ranch or the Smokin Gun Range. The verbiage that you have referenced came from another response by another person.
We have almost no experience with the Smokin’ Gun Range, and thus no opinion of it, either pro or con.
Since you enjoy dropping names allow me to add one for you.
Have you ever heard of Dr. Ignatius Piazza? It’s certainly not a common name, not one that is commonly mentioned in the news or at the dinner table.
Dr. Piazza is the founder of Front Sight Firearms Training Institute. That in itself is a major accomplishment. But more importantly he is only one of two people in the United States to ever reach the status of “Four Weapon Combat Master”.
To be trained by his staff or asked to attend one of his instructors’ training 5 day courses is truly an honor.
Sorry, Peggy, we weren’t trying to upset you or put anyone down. We just thought people should know that there are many options, many fine training centers. I do find it interesting that you felt the need to bolster your position by pointing out that my brilliant, well educated husband is a poor speller. Surely that wasn’t really necessary.
Jesse and Miriam,
Thanks for the feedback. As for my article lacking substantial facts, I thought it was long enough as it was and didn’t need to be all encompassing. I did not detail the curriculum plans for our course nor the course(s) at Gunsite, so I had no need to mention Cooper’s color code or anything else. I I think there might be follow-ups, though! 🙂
As for Front Sight, I’m eager to attend a class there this year. Though their marketing strategy is questionable in my opinion – including the hype of Piazza – it seems they’ve come a long way since the first “resort” days. I have heard and read good things about their instruction, and am always eager to learn. I would absolutely LOVE to make a trek out to Sig Sauer Academy one day! And if you haven’t attended training at Gunsite Academy, I highly recommend it.
Please don’t disregard the title of the article. I don’t profess to know everything – not even close.