COURSE DESCRIPTION

 SYLLABUS & LESSON PLAN

Module 1 – Pistol Knowledge and Safe Gun Handling (Duration – 1 Hour)

Learning Objectives: Upon successful completion of this training module and practical exercises, participants should be able to:

• Identify the principle parts of a semi-automatic pistol and revolver, their nomenclature, types of action, and demonstrate how they function.
• Name, explain, and adopt the NRA rules for safe gun handling.
• Demonstrate and explain how to handle firearms in a safe manner.

Module 2 – Child and Unauthorized Person Access Prevention (Duration – 1 Hour)

Learning Objectives: Upon successful completion of this training module and practical exercises, participants should be able to:

• Explain the importance of preventing children from accessing firearms without proper supervision.
• Identify 3 ways that children can be prevented from accessing firearms.
• Assess the various ways that child access can be prevented and determine which ways are best suited for them
• Describe the value or importance of “redundancy” in any security regimen.
• Resolve to implement an effective child access prevention strategy with respect to firearms under their control.
• Appreciate the inherent value of gun proofing kids in addition to kid proofing guns.

Module 3 – Ammunition Knowledge and the Fundamentals of Pistol Shooting (Duration – 2 Hours)

Learning Objectives: As a result of this training exercise, candidate instructors must be able to explain:

• The different components of a pistol cartridge.
• The firing sequence of a cartridge.
• Rimfire and center-fire cartridges.
• Cartridge designation & identification.
  • Pistol ammunition components.
  • Proper ammunition storage.
  • The major types of cartridge malfunctions and how to handle them safely.
  • Cartridge malfunctions
• Safe Gun Handling Rules
  • Fundamentals of Pistols Shooting – System Manipulation, Grip-Breath Control-Sight Alignment & Adjustment-Trigger Squeeze-Follow Through.
  • Make ready / Make safe, Presentation (4 point quick draw) Strong Hand/Weak Hand, Dominant Eye, Support hand firing, Nomenclature, Carry positions, Transitions, Two Handed Standing Position, One-Handed Standing Position, Weaver and Isosceles Positions, Bench-rest Position, Optical, Electronic Sights & Laser Sights.

Module 4 – The Use of Deadly Force and Conflict Resolution (Duration – 3 Hours)

Learning Objectives: Upon successful completion of this training module and practical exercises, participants should be able to explain:

• The “OODA Loop” theory and how it relates to a person’s ability to react and respond to violent encounters.
• How and why the OODA Loop theory should be considered when participating in combat training drills.
• Jeff Cooper’s system of color codes that describe levels of tactical awareness.
• How body language and eye contact can prevent and/or de-escalate potentially confrontational situations.
• What conduct is justified when engaging a violent armed attacker, and how the reasonable person standard is applied. (Case studies: Rodney Piears, Harold Fish)
• Justification Theory under the competing harms doctrine.
• What less than lethal force options may be available, and when might they may be appropriate.

Module 5 – Handgun Shooting Positions (Duration – 2 Hours)

Learning Objectives: As a result of this training exercise, participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to safely and accurately shoot a handgun from bench rest, two hands standing, and one hand standing positions.
• Properly score a pistol target.
• Explain the basic guideline for purchasing a pistol.
• Gear selection, brand reliability, and placement
• Proper training habits with a full kit for scenario preparedness
• Shoot, Move, Communicate
• Shoot house Instructor Orientation

Module 6 – Range Firing and Pistol Cleaning (Duration – 2 Hours)

Learning Objectives: As a result of this training exercise, candidate instructors  must be able to:

• Shoot targets safely from the 3 basic positions.
• Hit the silhouette area of a B-27 target 36 times in 36 attempts; 12 rounds each at 6 feet, 10 feet, and 15 feet, while performing at least 1 safe reload at each distance.
• Identify the materials and process needed to clean a pistol safely.
• Clean a pistol safely.

ADULT AUDIENCE LEARNING THEORIES AND TEACHING CONCEPTS

1. Factors that influence civil litigation, case law, and agency policy as it relates to firearms training standards and the use of deadly force.
2. Instructional methods specific to long term retention of material.
3. How to organize, plan and conduct safe and effective firearms training.
4. Adult learning theory as it applies to public speaking, classroom presentation, and motor skill development.
5. How to develop course of fire, tactics and techniques specific to concealed carry situations.
6. Coaching principles and effective on – line instruction techniques.
7. The most common mistakes shooters make and how to correct those errors.
8. Understanding advantages and disadvantages of concealed carry options.
9. Advancing the fundamentals of marksmanship for concealed carry.
10. Firearms safety in the office, home, and vehicle.
11. Concealed carry handguns – advantages and disadvantages.
12. Holsters and carry systems – advantages and disadvantages.
13. Equipment selection considerations.
14. Optional carry positions.
15. Optional equipment (flashlights, impact weapons).
16. Safe loading and unloading for concealed carry.
17. One-handed and two-handed drawing and re-holstering techniques.
18. CQB techniques for violent encounters.
19. Sighted and unsighted shooting techniques.
20. Dominant and support hand shooting techniques.
21. Justification of multiple shot techniques.
22. Identification and engagement of multiple threats.
23. Shooting while moving.
24. Engaging moving threats.
25. Identification and utilization of cover and the difference between cover and concealment.
26. Tactics and techniques in and around vehicles.
27. Diminished light techniques.
28. Firearm inspection and maintenance.

ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION

Instructor candidates will be evaluated on; oral presentation skill, lesson plan development, live fire evaluation and testing, interactive force-on-force assessment, and overall safe weapon handling.

• PISTOL QUALIFICATION: Hit the silhouette area of a B-27 target 36 times in 36 attempts; 12 rounds each at 6 feet, 10 feet, and 15 feet, while performing at least once safe reload at each of the three distance markers.
• Receive an acceptable MINIMUM score OF on a Basic Pistol Shooting Course examination.
• Receive a passing score on an examination covering child access prevention, conflict resolution, and applicable state Law.

Equipment / Gear Requirements:

• Approved eye protection must be worn at all times when down range or when the Range Safety Officer/Instructor tells you to put on your eye protection.
• Approve ear protection must be worn at all times during live fire training exercises.
• Optional: Your own personal “load-out” equipment may be worn on the range or during force-on-force role play. Typically, this gear will include a helmet, a ballistic vest, a Camelback (water hydration system), a tactical belt (with ammo pouches), elbow pads, knee pads, a pistol holster and carbine sling.
• Force-on-force scenario role play is very important when undertaking reality-based training. You are encouraged to purchase OR bring your own reliable, metal Airsoft replica pistol, assault rifle, compressed air, electric battery charger, and at least 1,000 Airsoft bb’s.
• A digital recording device, camcorder, laptops are welcome and encouraged for note taking and future study purposes.

Peace Officer Standards Training Commission (P.O.S.T.)

Our instructor cadre consists of active duty and former sworn law enforcement professionals who bring exceptional qualifications to bear as POST Commission accredited instructors.