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After
some scrambling to locate a classroom, another GGC-sponsored NRA Basic
Pistol
Safety Course was taught on April 16th and 17th, 2005 by Jerry
Klein. The corporate office space used for the last class was no
longer available and numerous venues were investigated, however, none
were available or deemed viable. This resulted in the classroom
instruction taking place in the basement of Jerry's home. Jerry was
assisted by fellow GGC club member Rick Stickle, a formal pistol
competitor in the U.S. Military. The students got a real treat as Rick
passed on some "tricks of the trade" learned from many hours of training
and competition. In addition to conveying his knowledge and experience,
Rick brought in one of the pistols he used in competition for "Show and
Tell."
There
were five students (plus a former student attending as a refresher) in
the class. The classroom instruction started at 9:00am and finished up
at around 5:00pm; range instruction was held the following day between
9:00am and noon. The course consists of lecture, a video and "hands-on"
instruction, including:
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Safe
firearm handling |
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Pistol
parts and operation |
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Ammunition
and its function |
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Shooting fundamentals and an opportunity to develop them on the
range |
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How
to select, clean and store a firearm |
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Review
of various activities available to help participants develop and
improve their shooting skills. |
 The
video reinforces the lecture material and the hands-on instruction is an
opportunity to learn the finer points of safe handling, grip, loading
and unloading, sight picture, shooting stances and range safety rules.
Often, this is the first time the student has ever handled a firearm. At
the conclusion of the classroom instruction, the students took an
"open-book" exam to reinforce what they learned. Everyone scored very
well on the exam, and the review of missed questions further reinforced
the material.
 The
following day we met at On Target in Severn, MD for range
instruction and live-fire. On Target is an indoor range, so weather
wasn't a factor. Rick and I instructed one student at a time and allowed
an hour for each pair of students. The students put into practice the
skills they learned the previous day, firing at paper plates from 7 and
15 feet (and more if the student was confident in their ability).
Everyone was "on the paper" from the first shot! Each student fired a
total of 50 rounds, 25 from a revolver and 25 from a semi-auto. There
were "ear-to-ear" grins on everyone's faces, the satisfaction of a job
well done (and it was FUN!).
 I
would like to take this opportunity to extend my appreciation to Rick
for taking the time to provide invaluable instruction, as well as
generously providing the use of his Sig Sauers. I would also like to
thank John Habert and Mark Walter, both GGC Club Officers
for lending me their revolvers. Thanks, guys. Without your support,
these classes wouldn't happen!
Remember: Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction; always keep
your finger out of the trigger guard until ready to shoot; always keep
the gun unloaded until ready to use.
If
you're interested in taking the GGC-sponsored NRA Basic Pistol Safety
Course, contact Jerry Klein at: Training@GoddardGunClub.Org
See
you at the range! |
