Safety and Confidence with firearms
Mindset and Situational Awareness
Firearm and non-Firearm Defense
Law and Legality of Self Defense
Earn your Concealed Carry Permit Certification
Homework that will require about 10 minutes a day.
Watch our Classes and Training page to see upcoming class opportunities.
Although these are "gun classes", the emphasis is personal safety, not shooting. Long before a physical confrontation, there are usually warning signs if you know what to look for. It is best not to have to fight, but if it comes to that, you are your own best weapon, and everything else is just an extension of that. We will train your body and mind to react to danger efficiently and effectively regardless of age and physical condition. Learn how to make the most of what you have!
Regardless of whether you have a handgun, rifle, shotgun or no firearm for protection, these classes will build your knowledge and skills.
Live fire range sessions may be inserted between or during classes, depending on the needs of the students
These classes will not be too advanced for you. They are designed for anyone with little or no knowledge of self defense and firearms.
After completing the three Novice Classes, you will know
basic danger avoidance skills
how to start thinking like a defender, not a victim
how to operate and shoot your defensive firearm safely
what to expect while learning self defense, and that you can do it regardless of age and physical condition.
how to choose the right firearm(s) for your specific circumstances.
Understanding the Self Defense Mindset
Introduction to Situational Awareness
Introduction to Firearms - Naming the parts and understanding what they do
Beginning gun safety
How to choose a defensive firearm - What to consider BEFORE purchasing.
Role play ("Scenario") training for assessing potential danger
Homework - Reading and Situational Awareness Drills
Safety: Spot the violation. The Story of the Ghost Bullet
Firearms handling: Safe Load, Safe Unload, Locking the Slide the easy way
Safely dealing with stoppages (also called "malfunctions") - What to do when your gun goes "click" instead of "bang"
How to to shoot accurately
Basic Shooting Stance
Situational Awareness 2: Check the Hands
Mindset: Training and practicing for defense vs. target shooting.
Mindset: Using his advantage against him.
Verbal de-escalation 1: Strangers
Introduction to Firearm retention and disarms: What to do if someone tries to grab your gun. This is a basic introduction to the concepts. There will be more practice in future classes.
Homework - Reading, situational awareness drills and firearm dry practice (at home with no live ammunition).
Safety Review
Shooting accurately under pressure - (This may be done with Lasers, Airsoft or Live ammunition, depending on facilities, student abilities and weather conditions)
Situational Awareness 3 - Doors, Windows and Walls
Disassembly and Cleaning of Firearms
Firearm Retention and Disarming 2
Choosing a holster or sling
Now that you have learned to be safe, it is time to learn to be dangerous.
After completing all five classes you will:
understand the principles of mindset, avoidance, escape and self defense.
know how to defend yourself with a firearm.
know that you can do these things under pressure, because you will have already trained them under pressure.
Have an established home practice program that you can use whenever you feel a little bit "rusty".
Understand the self defense laws of Wyoming and the legal concepts behind use of deadly force. (Due to the condensed nature of the classes, most of this will be in homework, with a question and answer session)
Gun and training safety review / refresher
Gun Handling for defense vs. Shooting range gun handling
Mindset discussion and drills
Standard and Non-standard shooting positions
Drawstroke (handguns) / Unsling (long guns)
Introduction to verbal de-escalation
Homework
Understanding the Criminal Mind 1 - How are victims chosen and why.
De-escalation 1 - Talking your way out of "it" with strangers.
Defense against contact weapons 1
principles of defense when knives/hammers/baseball bats are involved
how will these attacks likely unfold (review of video footage)
how to evaluate whether a technique is going to work and when it won't
how to create the distance that you need.
Verbal scenario practice
Homework
Understanding the Criminal Mind 2 - Planning
Moving off the line of attack
Passing Corners and Doorways
De-Escalation 2 - How to know when talking isn't going to work
Scenarios - De-escalation or Shooting under pressure
Homework
Types of violence
Scenarios
Mugging
Disarm
Retention
Force on Force - Student vs. Student games with Airsoft guns.
Aftermath
Dealing with Law Enforcement immediately after defending yourself - How to not get shot
Communicating with Law Enforcement (and what not to communicate before you speak to an attorney)
Homework
Safety
Flinch prevention
Recoil Management
Follow Through
Accuracy
Draw Stroke
Timed Drills
This is the "Final Exam" for the Mama Bear program.
Live Fire Qualification (NRA)
Timed live fire drill (5x5)
NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Written Test
Scenario based judgement testing
Predatory Behavior
Types of Violence
Disarming - handgun and long gun
Retention