On Sept 11-13 we will be hosting Tom Givens of Rangemaster and "Southnarc" of Shivworks for a 2.5 day, 20 hour combined skills course that will teach handgun, unarmed and knife skills. If you are one of the people who keeps asking me "when will you run another AT weekend?", this class is for you. It is very similar in format to an AT weekend with roughly equal emphasis on gun skills and tactics/unarmed/knife training. Tom and Southnarc are only running 2 of these classes in the US this year. This is a very special training opportunity that we highly recommend for graduates of our Defensive Pistol Skills courses and anyone at or beyond the CHL level. Cost is $400. We still have slots available in this course.
We have a new youtube channel. I've posted several videos there, including the Shooting Gallery segments featuring my Airsoft training at the 2005 Polite Society conference, video of me getting Tasered at a trade show (to win a free T-shirt), older IPSC stage videos and a few other odds and ends. Subscribe and get notified about newer videos as I add them.
https://www.youtube.com/krtraining
At IPSC and IDPA matches in San Antonio recently, two different shooters shot themselves in the leg while drawing. In both cases, the root cause was the shooter putting his finger on the trigger before the muzzle was in a safe direction.
Drawing a pistol safely at high speed cannot be mastered without doing a lot of slow speed, dry fire practice, preferably in front of a mirror where you can see what you are doing. In a correct and safe draw, the trigger finger does not touch the trigger until the gun is gripped by both hands, and the muzzle is pointed at the target - what we call "step 3" or our "ready position". In our classes we emphasize keeping the finger off the trigger when at "ready" and only putting the finger on the trigger when you intend to shoot and are moving the gun from "ready" to a firing position (position 4). It takes 3000 or more reps of slow dry practice to make correct trigger finger placement during the draw an automatic action that happens whether you think about it or not.
Those who only practice drawing when attending our classes or on match day risk the same kind of negligent discharge that resulted in both of these shooters taking a bullet in the leg. You cannot go fast safely until you understand what a safe technique is, and you can do it safely at slow speed. Trying to run before you can walk in this case can get you seriously hurt.
Equipment issues played a role in these shootings: one shooter was using a 1911 style pistol. These guns are normally carried "cocked and locked" with the hammer back and thumb safety on. In order for the 1911 shooter to shoot himself, he had to take the safety off during 'step 1' of the draw, as he established his grip on the pistol, and then put his finger on the trigger as the gun came out of the holster, before the gun got to our "step 2" which is the first point in the draw where the muzzle is guaranteed to be clear of all body parts. When drawing a 1911 style pistol, the safety should not come off until the gun is at position 3 (ready position) and should ONLY come off AFTER the person has made a decision to shoot and is moving the gun to a firing position.
The other shooter was using the Blackhawk SERPA holster, which has been banned by many shooting schools. The problem with the SERPA is that the user must press a lever with the trigger finger to release the pistol, and if the shooter does not practice indexing the trigger finger along the slide (away from the trigger guard) as the gun comes out of the holster, the natural flow of body movement is to continue curling the trigger finger as the gun comes out. That movement can obviously lead to the trigger finger pressing on the trigger way too early in the drawstroke. There have been multiple self-inflicted gunshot wounds at multiple schools all over the US, all a result of the design of this holster and the failure of holster users to put in sufficient slow dry practice to master the complex movement and fine motor skill of operating this holster while drawing. I believe that the number of schools banning this holster has reached critical mass and that prohibition of this holster has now become an industry "best practice", so KR Training now prohibits the use of the SERPA holster in our classes in the interest of preventing student self-injury.
For those running the shooting sports for Cub Scouts, here is the link for the junior shooting program offered by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. The boys can meet the qualifications at camp, but you will need to submit the scores to receive the patches. They also get a one year membership free. http://www.nssf.org/JRUSA/
USPSA has announced the creation of the new Scholastic Steel Challenge program. http://www.scholasticsteelchallenge.com/
KR Training plans on coordinating with USPSA to get SSC events going in this area.
The NRA Foundation has provided TSRA with funds to support five $2,000 scholarships for Texas students to attend universities, colleges and schools this fall. The due date is August 1, 2009. TSRA and NRA will be proud to support five of these students in their educational efforts. Click the underlined link for details.
The Texas State Rifle Association (http://tsra.com) is pleased to announce that they have three $1000 scholarships available for the coming semester.
For information follow this link: Texas A&M Tubb Scholarships
KR Training Shooting Team captain Roy Stedman was recently promoted to the rank of Grand Master by the US Practical Shooting Association. Roy won the Open Division of this year's Space City Challenge and has been a top finisher at many national and international level matches. Congratulations Roy!
For those who are NRA Pistol Instructors: After many years of requests to NRA Training from grassroots instructors, NRA has finally changed the NRA Basic Pistol Course curriculum to be an 8 hour course, with the 2 hour module on one-handed shooting skills now optional. There will be a new Basic Pistol student book out very soon that includes updated fundamentals. We'll start using the new book in our Basic Pistol 1 and 2 classes as soon as it comes out.
Wondering where all the ammo has gone? This analysis is one of the best I've read.
http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig10/mattis1.html
Governor Perry signed SB 1188 by Senator Estes (HB 267 by Rep. Bonnen). This bill harmonizes Texas state law with federal law and allows Texans to purchase long guns in states beyond those contiguous to Texas. Goes into effect Sept. 1, 2009. A summary of all new Texas gun laws can be found on this TSRA page.
From Joe Schram: Spanish Oak Hunt Club and Kennels will be conducting their annual Snake Avoidance Training on August 22nd. There is usually a Vet present to administer the Rattlesnake Vaccine to your dog at the same time. If you plan to use your dog to hunt, this is an excellent way to save your dog’s life. Between the snake training and the vaccine, there is a good chance your dog can not only survive a snake bite, but avoid one altogether. If you plan to use an E-Collar on your dog and have not “Collar Conditioned” him/her yet, it is recommend you do so before taking the snake avoidance training. For full details, contact Keith Barr at: keith@spanishoakhuntclub.com
The Central Texas Combatives Training Group is proud to welcome Guro Marc "Crafty Dog" Denny to his first seminar in the Lone Star State in 14 years. This seminar will be held near Fort Hood and led by DBMA Training Group Leader SFC Gus Reina (welcome home from Iraq!) a strong military presence is anticipated. This will be a two-day seminar offering guided instruction in the application of Dog Brothers Martial Arts. Areas of focus will include: "Die Less Often" Defense against a Knife Attack and Accessing Weapons. Dog Brothers Stickfighting, Introduction to Kali Tudo (TM). There will be limited space available, secure your training reservation today! Saturday & Sunday: $175 Either Day: $100 Sticks, "Blue" Training Pistol, Knife Trainer, and forearm and eye protection are recommended.
Date: Sat & Sun August 1-2 Location: Killeen, Texas Contact: Steve Miles Phone (254) 289-6250 Email: Steve@ppckilleen.com
The July 2009 eJournal is up on their website http://www.armedcitizensnetwork.org/Network_7-2009.pdf
It features a lengthy interview with Massad Ayoob.
The Tactical Conference will be back at the US Shooting Academy iin Tulsa for 2010. The dates will be 24-25 April 2010. To take advantage of the space at USSA, there will be even more trainers offering blocks at the 2010 event. Karl Rehn and others from the KR Training team will once again be running Airsoft force on force scenarios. If you wish to attend, e-mail rangemaster.tom@gmail.com . He will send you a registration form and a USSA liability waiver. Phone registrations will not be accepted. This event will fill months in advance. Register early to avoid disappointment.
Also the latest Rangemaster newsletter is available online http://rangemaster.com/newsletter/2009-07_RM-Newsletter.pdf
Pro-gun scholar David Kopel wrote a great online article for the New Ledger about concealed carry in national parks, gun laws and travel within the U.S.
http://newledger.com/2009/05/guns-in-parks-the-hoplophobes%e2%80%99-travel-guide-to-the-united-states/
I also have a new youtube channel that includes videos of my performances with various bands, including Leannasaurus Rex, recently voted "best band" by the readers of the Bryan/College Station newspaper.
https://www.youtube.com/karlrehnmusic
video play list from Texas Reds Festival June 20 2009 - Karl plays with Kathy Ross band and with Leannasaurus Rex
regards,
Karl, Penny and the KR Training crew