1. "4 Rules" handout cards Bring extras for those who did not bring them to the workshop. 2. Guns and holsters to illustrate

Transcription

1 Table of contents Recommended equipment & supplies... 1 How to use this lesson plan... 1 Preparing for this workshop... 2 Instructor conversation in the classroom... 2 Trainee Takeaways Recommended equipment & supplies ITEM 1. "4 Rules" handout cards Bring extras for those who did not bring them to the workshop. 2. Guns and holsters to illustrate drawing from the holster In the video we used a Glock 17 with a Blackhawk paddle holster, and an M&P Shield with a Fobus paddle holster. 3. Plastic training gun Used to illustrate the unsafe practice of sweeping other shooters. 4. Dummy training rounds Appropriate calibers for demonstration guns. We prefer the type with bright colored "bullets", as they are highly visible. 5. Computer with large screen For viewing Core Concept technical training videos. Computer must have a browser capable of playing YouTube videos. 6. High-speed Internet connection Must have enough bandwidth to play YouTube videos smoothly. How to use this lesson plan This lesson plan is derived from the script used to film the New Shooter 101, Workshop 109 episode. Want to help a group of trainees learn the basics of handgun operation? You can practice by watching the episode on our website, while following along with the "instructor conversation" dialog in this lesson plan. After class, send your trainees home with the Trainee Takeaways at the end of this document. New Shooter 101 Helping America learn to shoot safely Page 1 of 15

2 Preparing for this workshop ITEM 1. Test Internet connection. Make sure the YouTube video will play smoothly on your computer. 2. Set up target to show safe direction. 3. Unload all guns and make them safe to handle before trainees arrive. 4. Double-check there are no live rounds in the room. Instructor conversation in the classroom 1. In this workshop you ll learn how to get ready for a Live-Fire Practice Event. Many shooting ranges offer these events, where you'll learn to shoot in all kinds of practical self-defense situations. 2. As we begin this workshop, all guns are unloaded and safe to handle. The only ammunition present will be Dummy Training Rounds. The target shows us the safe direction to point our guns. Hold up a dummy training round. Point to safe direction. New Shooter 101 Helping America learn to shoot safely Page 2 of 15

3 3. Let's start with our safety rules. Rule 1. Treat every gun as if it is loaded. Rule 2. Keep your gun pointed in a safe direction. Rule 3. Index your trigger finger until you are on target. Rule 4. Be certain of your target and what is beyond it Where is our safe direction? 4. Can you please check these guns to make sure they are unloaded and safe to handle? 5. Shooting at targets at an indoor range shooting lane is valuable practice. But it doesn't give you any experience shooting in practical situations. In our next workshop, we're going to a Live-Fire Practice Event at a local shooting range, and shooting with the beginners group. What we'll talk about today lays the groundwork for this. Use "Four Rules" rack cards. WAIT FOR ANSWER Trainees clear the guns that will be used in this workshop. In the video we used an M&P Shield and a Glock 17 to demonstrate drawing from the holster. WAIT FOR ACTIONS New Shooter 101 Helping America learn to shoot safely Page 3 of 15

4 6. Here is what today s workshop will include. Drawing your gun from the holster. Acting as a Safety for another shooter. Learning the role of Instructors and Range Safety Officers. Practicing some basic Range Commands. 7. Knowing how to draw from the holster is required at most live-fire events. Let's start by watching a video that shows you how to do that. This is our Core Concept 7 video, called "How to present a handgun from the holster". 8. Let s practice what we saw in the video. We're going to learn how to draw from outside-the-waistband hip holsters. We recommend that new shooters start with this type of holster, because they are safe and easy to use. 9. Let's start by putting on the holsters. These are called paddle holsters. The big flat part fits inside your pants, and the outside part locks onto your belt. PLAY VIDEO Play Core Concept 7 video on laptop computer. In the video, the Instructor demonstrates with a Glock 17 and paddle holster. Trainees use M&P Shield and Glock 17 with paddle holsters. WAIT FOR ACTIONS New Shooter 101 Helping America learn to shoot safely Page 4 of 15

5 10. Now load your guns with dummy training rounds. Operate the slide to load a round into the chamber. Now place the gun into your holster. 11. Keep your gun in your holster while I demonstrate the moves. One two three four five. (We hear the click of the trigger releasing) Now count backwards to re-holster. Four three two one. 12. Can you tell me why we put our nonshooting hands on our chests? 13. Now I'll call out the steps and you make the moves. One. Move your non-shooting hand to your chest, and at the same time grip the gun with your shooting hand. Two. Lift your gun straight up and out of the holster, while keeping your trigger finger indexed. Three. Rotate your gun toward the target, while keeping your trigger finger indexed. Four. Join your hands together and push the gun toward the target, while moving your trigger finger onto the trigger. Five. Align your sights on the target and press the trigger until it releases. WAIT FOR ACTIONS In the video, the instructor demonstrates with a Glock 17 and paddle holster. GOOD ANSWER: To prevent sweeping your hand with the gun. In the video, trainees use M&P Shield and Glock 17 with paddle holsters. WAIT FOR ACTIONS New Shooter 101 Helping America learn to shoot safely Page 5 of 15

6 14. Now count backwards to re-holster. Four. Re-index your trigger finger and pull the gun back close to your chest. Three. Move your non-shooting hand to your chest, and while keeping your trigger finger indexed, pull the gun back over the holster. Two. Rotate the gun so that it points down in alignment with the holster, while keeping your trigger finger indexed. One. Re-holster the gun slowly, while keeping your trigger finger indexed. 15. So why are we repeating so many times about keeping your trigger finger indexed? 16. Now let's do it again. Start by operating the slides on your guns so they will go CLICK when you press the trigger. Then place them back into the holster. Now repeat the exercise. I want you to count out the steps while you're doing it. WAIT FOR ACTIONS CORRECT ANSWER: So you will actually do it. Trainees perform the exercise and count out the steps: One Two Three Four Five CLICK Four Three Two One WAIT FOR ACTIONS 17. Do you have any questions? WAIT FOR ANSWER New Shooter 101 Helping America learn to shoot safely Page 6 of 15

7 18. The next subject I want to cover is how to act as a Safety for another Shooter. All of our Live-Fire Practice Events follow this protocol. The easiest way to explain how this works, is by demonstrating it. 19. Live-Fire Practice Events usually start with warm-up exercises. You ll draw your gun from your holster, shoot at the target, then re-holster. When you re the Shooter, you ll be working in partnership with another participant, who will act as your Safety. Let me show you how this works. 20. #1, you re going to be the Shooter. Put your gun in your holster. Now imagine you are standing at the firing line, ready to draw and shoot. #2, you re going to be the Safety. Stand one arms-length behind the shooter. The correct length is so you can touch them on the shoulder if you have to get their attention. Make sure you stand on the same side as their shooting hand, so you can clearly see the gun and holster. WAIT FOR ACTIONS New Shooter 101 Helping America learn to shoot safely Page 7 of 15

8 21. As the Safety, your job is to keep your eye on their gun at all times, and watch for any safety issues. If you see a problem, touch the shooter on their shoulder and use one of the basic Range Commands that we ll cover in a moment. 22. Now let s talk for a moment about the officials present at a Live-Fire Practice Event. 23. Range Safety Officers, called RSOs for short, are experienced shooters who are trained in firearms safety. Their job is to keep everyone safe while shooting. The Lead RSO is the highest-ranking official at the event. Instructors are specially trained RSOs who provide verbal directions to the shooters at the firing line. Both Instructors and RSOs maintain control of events by issuing verbal commands, which are called Range Commands. New Shooter 101 Helping America learn to shoot safely Page 8 of 15

9 24. Now let s learn some basic Range Commands. These are the commands used to maintain a safe shooting environment. You ll hear them any time something unsafe is happening. There are also other Range Commands that you ll learn later. 25. The first basic range command is CEASE FIRE. This command is generally broadcast to all shooters, and is intended to stop all shooting activity. When you hear CEASE FIRE, stop what you are doing immediately. Index your trigger finger and point your gun downrange, which is your safe direction. Then wait for further instructions from the Range Safety Officers. New Shooter 101 Helping America learn to shoot safely Page 9 of 15

10 26. The next three commands are usually used by a Safety to notify a Shooter of an unsafe condition. STOP is the same as CEASE FIRE. It means stop whatever you are doing, index your trigger finger, point your gun downrange, and wait for further instructions. MUZZLE DIRECTION means your gun is pointed in an unsafe direction. INDEX means your finger is on the trigger when it should not be. 27. Now let s practice these Range Commands. I ll play the part of the Shooter, and you will be the Safeties. I ll demonstrate some safety violations, and you stop me with a range command. At an actual Live-Fire Practice Event, there would be RSOs present to make sure the Safeties are doing their jobs. 28. INSTRUCTOR DEMONSTRATES (Basic Holster Exercise finger on trigger after shooting) 29. INSTRUCTOR DEMONSTRATES (Basic Holster Exercise turns to ask a question, sweeps other shooters) 30. INSTRUCTOR DEMONSTRATES (Basic Holster Exercise shirt prevents gun from holstering) In the video, we used a plastic training gun to demonstrate unsafe moves. Use plastic training gun. CORRECT RESPONSE: INDEX Use plastic training gun. CORRECT RESPONSE: MUZZLE DIRECTION Use plastic training gun. CORRECT RESPONSE: STOP New Shooter 101 Helping America learn to shoot safely Page 10 of 15

11 31. Now suppose someone s gun jammed on the firing line. What would the RSO say to stop the shooting? 32. You don t have to be a range official to issue any of these commands. All shooters should consider themselves to be safety officers. If you see something wrong, speak up loudly. This is how you can help keep everyone safe. 33. Are there any questions I can answer before we wrap up this workshop? 34. In conclusion, what do you think were the most important things we covered in this workshop? CORRECT RESPONSE: CEASE FIRE New Shooter 101 Helping America learn to shoot safely Page 11 of 15

12 TAKEAWAYS Trainee Takeaways THE FOUR BASIC RULES OF GUN SAFETY 1. Treat every gun as if it is loaded. When you see a gun, always assume it will fire if you pull the Trigger. 2. Keep your gun pointed in a safe direction. 3. Index your trigger finger until you are on target. If it has a Safety, assume the Safety is off and in the Firing Position. Do not touch the Trigger until you have unloaded the gun. For semi-autos, assume there are Rounds in the Magazine. Also assume there is one in the Chamber. For revolvers, assume there are Rounds in the Cylinder. Always follow these assumptions, regardless of what anyone else tells you Until you personally have unloaded the gun and make it safe to handle. A safe direction is one that will stop a bullet if accidentally fired, for example a brick fireplace, or a hill behind your house. Most directions are not safe if the gun fired accidentally. Never point your gun at people or animals. Or anything else you would not want to destroy. Keep your index finger pointed along the side of the gun we call this indexing. Make a point of showing others that your trigger finger is Indexed. New Shooter 101 Helping America learn to shoot safely Page 12 of 15

13 TAKEAWAYS 4. Be certain of your target and what is beyond it. THE FOUR BASIC RULES OF GUN SAFETY If you have to use your gun to defend yourself, you must think carefully before you take any action. Are you certain this person intends to harm you seriously? Do you think you are about to lose your life? When you fire, you will miss one or more shots. Where will they hit? Are there innocent bystanders in the line of fire? DRAWING YOUR GUN FROM A HOLSTER 1. One. Move your non-shooting hand to your chest, and at the same time grip the gun with your shooting hand. 2. Two. Lift your gun straight up and out of the holster, while keeping your trigger finger indexed. 3. Three. Rotate your gun toward the target, while keeping your trigger finger indexed. 4. Four. Join your hands together and push the gun toward the target, while moving your trigger finger onto the trigger. 5. Five. Align your sights on the target and press the trigger until it releases. Purpose of moving your hand to your chest is to prevent from sweeping it with the muzzle of the gun. In a defensive situation, you are ready to fire at this point if you have to. The most important thing is to concentrate on your front sight, and not let anything else distract you. New Shooter 101 Helping America learn to shoot safely Page 13 of 15

14 TAKEAWAYS Now count backwards to reholster. 4. Four. Re-index your trigger finger and pull the gun back close to your chest. 3. Three. Move your non-shooting hand to your chest, and while keeping your trigger finger indexed, pull the gun back over the holster. 2. Two. Rotate the gun so that it points down in alignment with the holster, while keeping your trigger finger indexed. 1. One. Re-holster the gun slowly, while keeping your trigger finger indexed. DRAWING YOUR GUN FROM A HOLSTER It s OK to look down to see if you are aligned. Take it slow, as there is no advantage to be gained by re-holstering quickly. HOW TO ACT AS A SAFETY FOR ANOTHER SHOOTER 1. Stand one arms-length behind the shooter. 2. The correct length is so you can touch them on the shoulder if you have to get their attention. 3. Make sure you stand on the same side as their shooting hand, so you can clearly see the gun and holster. If you see a problem, touch the shooter on their shoulder and use one of these basic Range Commands to correct them: STOP MUZZLE DIRECTION INDEX New Shooter 101 Helping America learn to shoot safely Page 14 of 15

15 TAKEAWAYS HOW TO ACT AS A SAFETY FOR ANOTHER SHOOTER 4. As the Safety, your job is to keep your eye on their gun at all times, and watch for any safety issues. If you see a safety issue, use one of these basic range commands to correct them: STOP MUZZLE DIRECTION INDEX 1. Range Safety Officer or RSO OFFICIALS PRESENT AT A LIVE-FIRE PRACTICE EVENT Range Safety Officers, called RSOs for short, are experienced shooters who are trained in firearms safety. Their job is to keep everyone safe while shooting. 2. Lead RSO The Lead RSO is the highest-ranking official at the event. 3. Instructor Instructors are specially trained RSOs who provide verbal directions to the shooters at the firing line. BASIC RANGE COMMANDS 1. CEASE FIRE or STOP Stop what you are doing immediately. Index your trigger finger, and keep your gun pointed downrange, which is your safe direction. Then wait for further instructions from the Range Safety Officers. 2. MUZZLE DIRECTION Means your gun is pointed in an unsafe direction. 3. INDEX Means your finger is on the trigger when it should not be. New Shooter 101 Helping America learn to shoot safely Page 15 of 15