By Kelsey N. DeClark, USCCA Certified Instructor, Certified Range Safety Officer
Women’s Programs Director and Owner of COMMAND PERFORMANCE FIREARMS AND TRAINING LLC
We are proud to offer our WOMEN’S SELF-DEFENSE HANDGUN FUNDAMENTALS Class as part of our regular course offerings. Many ask, “how is it different from our regular class?”
Probably the best way to answer that question is by first looking at who takes the class and pondering…
Why would somebody prefer a women’s only class?
Why are there women who would not take a class if it was co-ed?
What is their usual level of experience with guns?
Is there a fear or anxiety related to guns?
Do they fear pain while shooting?
Is there somebody in their life that is encouraging this, or to the other extreme, insisting they take a class?
How much incorrect information about guns and their operation have they acquired, and how has it affected their approach?
Do they wonder if they could hurt another person?
And there are some basic logistical questions, like why is the Women’s class longer?
Why does it cost more?
Does it cover the same material?
OK… our Women’s classes are mostly women who prefer to take a women-only class. Some sign up just because it is the next available, but most want the women-only experience. Here is what some of them tell us, and what we observe…
Some expect to be embarrassed by their lack of knowledge and experience and do not want that, or to slow the class down while they struggle.
Most have zero experience with handguns. A few have a little experience shooting many years ago like when they were a kid and their grandfather took them rifle shooting.
Some expect it to be painful, as they have heard so much (incorrect info) about “kick” or recoil.
A few have a bad experience with a gun as a victim of a robbery, assault or “accident.”
Some have had a husband, boyfriend or other male attempt to teach them shooting with bad results. Some choose a Women’s class because they know that that person will not be allowed in! (they cannot observe either the class or the shooting portion)
A few need accommodations and patience for some issue such as arthritis, Parkinson’s, inability to stand for a prolonged period, vision, and many other issues. They correctly assume that we can work with them at their pace to find the right gun for them.
For years the mainstream media and the Left have been bombarding the public with lies about guns — how they should be treated, handled and feared. Inevitably some of that has soaked in, so many women deep down see the gun as evil, inherently dangerous or just plain unnecessary. They need to learn and see for themselves that guns are very safe, and that they are in total control of what the gun does. Guns are life-saving tools that are a necessary part of a woman’s self-defense system.
They have also been bombarded with fake statistics that supposedly prove that you are more likely to be killed with our own gun than to prevent a crime, or that gun accidents kill more kids than anything else. When the Left/news media tell you anything about guns, it is almost certainly wrong.
It is good to have a serious attitude about taking actions that might result in the death of another person. In fact, we believe that people are made in God’s image and that it is only as a last resort that lethal force should be used. But each woman must also recognize that their life is of value, and that there are people dependent on them. They must love themselves enough to consider themselves worth protecting.
Something needs to be said about the very dangerous reasoning of a few women that their husband/boyfriend will take care of them, if needed. Of course, that is silly on its face, and that “protector” generally has little or no training themselves. Further, they cannot be expected to be standing next to you 24/7. And what if they are shot? Then who is left to fight?
So, our (“regular”; “co-ed”) SELF-DEFENSE HANDGUN FUNDAMENTALS Class is largely a matter-of-fact presentation of handgun safety and types/function, ammunition selection, shooting fundamentals, self-defense strategies, FL law, and more. Our WOMEN’S SELF-DEFENSE HANDGUN FUNDAMENTALS Class covers much of the same information but does so with a sensitivity to the emotional aspects of overcoming fear, deadly attacks, lethal force, a bad history with guns and more. As such, it is exactly what some of the ladies want and need.
The classroom portion is held on a Saturday morning from 9:00am – 1:00pm. Shooting is scheduled for that afternoon and that Sunday afternoon, at time of registration. The class itself, including the live-range portion, is $150. Women who do not have a gun or want to get a different gun (or have been told to use their husband’s/boyfriend’s gun – really bad idea!) can try our guns and we supply 50 rds of ammo for another $45. Also, Private training packages are available so that you can continue not sharpen your skills.
All our classes are individual live-range training. So, you are one-on-one with the instructor for our entire 50-shot session. This is largely unheard of in the area, as most classes include only a few shots, with a small-caliber gun, in a group setting. Depending on the availability of the students and how the schedule is laid out for the day, I typically schedule two students at once. Our shooting course is basically two parts, so I take the first student through part 1, then the second, and then back to the first student for part 2, and so on. This method allows each student time to rest physically and emotionally, if needed. This process usually takes more time than the regular co-ed class, and we allow for that. There is no shooting skills test, and each student who successfully demonstrates safe handling of the gun receives a Certificate of Training. This Certificate allows you to apply for the Florida Concealed Weapons and Firearm License (Carry Permit).
One bonus is that our company utilizes as much as possible a second instructor to observe and notice issues that I might not see. I am proud to have my husband, Paul W. DeClark, as a seasoned instructor and observer in our classes. He is co-owner of our company and our Chief Instructor. He has numerous Instructor Certifications from the UNITED STATES CONCEALED CARRY ASSOCIATION, and numerous civilian, law enforcement and security Instructor Certifications from the NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION. He is a former police officer and possesses State of Florida Security Licenses: “D” Security Officer; “G” Statewide (Security) Firearms; “MB” Security Agency Manager; “DI” Security Officer Instructor; “K” Firearms Instructor.
You can register for the class on this website, or just call 941.504.9525. Paul handles all the scheduling. He can answer questions and take your registration over the phone. This is easier simply because there is more information we need to exchange than can be done with the website portal. When you register with your credit card, you are given the shooting time options that are for the Saturday afternoon or Sunday afternoon of the class weekend. Earlier registrants have more options, as times are filled in order of registration.
I look forward to working with you in our Women’s class, or in our “regular” class, which I co-instruct.
Feel free to emai me with questions or comments: kelsey@commandperformance.info
Our next WOMEN’S SELF-DEFENSE HANDGUN FUNDAMENTALS Class is June 1.