In late February 2016, the NRA will convert its Basic Pistol course to a blended learning format, where most of the course (7+ hours) will be taken online, and the course is completed (and a certificate issued) after the student attends a range session run by an NRA Certified Pistol Instructor. The Basic Pistol course …
Continue reading ‘Initial Impressions: NRA’s new blended learning Basic Pistol course’ »
On February 6th, 2016 I worked as a range officer for the Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) Winter Regional match held in College Station each year. The match is based on the classic Steel Challenge format: 5 plates, 5 runs, throw out the slowest run, fastest total time wins. One SASP stage called “Go Fast” …
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This April 2015 article about a man shooting himself in the bathroom of a Chick-Fil-A that popped up on multiple Facebook feeds today got me thinking about open carry. Let me explain… The biggest practical benefits of the legalization of open carry in Texas come from no longer having to worry about getting in trouble …
(guest blog post submitted by assistant instructor Dave Reichek) Yes, there IS such a thing as an accidental discharge! We had one on the range during an advanced pistol class this weekend. I’ve read opinions that there is no such thing as an accidental discharge, only negligent discharges. In general, I find this is mostly …
Starting January 1, 2016, open carry of handguns will be legal in Texas, making us no different from 44 other states in which open carry was already legal. Expectations Based on social media postings and media articles, it appears these things are going to happen: Some permit holders who have not been carrying concealed on …
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the main band I played with was the Ken Ragsdale Orchestra. We were a 7 piece “little big band” (keys, bass, drums, trumpet, alto, tenor, bari). All 3 sax players doubled on clarinet. Ken played bari & clarinet, led the band and booked the shows. We worked a …
Continue reading ‘In memory of Ken Ragsdale, Austin music icon’ »
(This post is contributed by assistant instructor Dave Reichek. For those interesting in training similar to what is described below, we (KR Training) will be hosting a combo course with Dr. Aprill on June 6-7, 2015 called “Unthinkable: Concepts and Techniques for the Gravest Extreme“, taught by Dr. Aprill, Caleb Causey of Lone Star Medics, …
Continue reading ‘Establishing a Dominance Paradigm – Thoughts and Observations’ »
The past 2 years, I have had the opportunity to participate in SouthNarc’s (Craig Douglas) “Live Scenario-Based Experiential Learning Clinic”, which is basically a force-on-force exercise using Simunition FX, live role players, and ambiguous situations that test the participants’ tactics and decision making skills under extreme stress. The exercise is limited to 12 participants, who …
Continue reading ‘Polite Society 2014 – Southnarc Force on Force AAR’ »
I recently attended the CSAT Civilian Response to Active Shooter course, taught by Paul Howe and his assistant Nick, at the CSAT facility in Nacogdoches, Texas. The 3 day course taught the core skills necessary to correctly identify and neutralize active shooter threats, provide life-saving medical aid, and perhaps most importantly, link up with arriving …
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On several of the blogs I read, people often refer to the “4 rules of gun safety” and quote the rules defined by Jeff Cooper of Gunsite. They are All guns are always loaded! Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy! Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights …
Col. Jeff Cooper once wrote that “owning a gun doesn’t make you armed any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician”. From Wyatt Earp to Rex Applegate to Charles Askins to Bill Jordan to Jim Cirillo to Jeff Cooper to Tom Givens — the message is consistent: under stress you will do what …
Rep. Burnam has introduced a bill to address the “Utah CHL loophole” that allows instructors to teach the Utah carry permit class in Texas, and for Texas residents to carry in Texas on a Utah permit – thus avoiding the additional time and expense of getting a Texas CHL. http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/01/01/2738055/burnam-files-bill-in-legislature.html The way I would have …
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