This is a three-day course. Enrollment cut-off is Tuesday, July 10.

This is a very practical, nuts-and-bolts course on how to extricate oneself from a sudden, close assault or attack, by two of the best instructors in the U.S. After the courses on how to load, manage and present your pistol, this is what you need to know to make effective use of the thing.

The course description is as follows:
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The most likely forms of life-threatening confrontation occur at close quarters (e.g., a mugger shoves a gun or knife into your face; someone tries to grab your arm or lapel and pull you away; you are stricken from behind; your way is blocked in a parking lot, elevator or narrow hallway). You may imagine that because you are armed, and because you have pistol training, you are equipped to deal with such encounters. In truth, there is a vast difference between the skills required to deploy a weapon at a distance where an adversary cannot put his hands on you, and deployment in close quarters. Unless you have prepared for an attack at “contact distance,” there is a high probability you will be injured, or overpowered entirely, before you can present your weapon.

The F.I.R.E. Institute is bringing two nationally known and respected trainers, Randy Cain and Ben Salas, to Pittsburgh to present a course on how to more effectively deploy a concealed weapon to cope with a sudden, contact-distance encounter. It is a specialized form of firearms training, intended for both law enforcement and private citizens, and incorporates the latest methods and thinking on the subject. Topics covered include:

•Weapon retention techniques. These include retaining your weapon against attempts to disarm you while your gun is in its holster, in your hands, and while grappling on the ground.
•Immediate action drills and "sudden attack response options" with a firearm, at conversational distances and closer.
•Movement to defeat an adversary's line of attack.
•How to deploy your weapon in very close quarters, while under stress.
•How to use elbows, knees and other body parts to create time and distance, so as to enable you to access to your firearm.
•Techniques to control distance in the event of a long range (6-8 feet), Close Range (contact distance) or Extreme Close Quarters (in his clutches) contact weapon attack.
•How to quickly recognize whether a contact weapon attack is lethal or less-than-lethal.
•Ground techniques, such as escapes and reversals, which will allow you to regain your feet and take control of an attack.
•Methods to gain immediate control of an assailant armed with a contact weapon (knife, club, screwdriver, etc.), in realistic contact weapon situations.

Randy Cain is the Director of Cumberland Tactics, Inc., a professional shooting school providing mobile training throughout the United States. He has nearly two decades of professional firearms training experience. He holds a very rare "Instructor Certification" with Yavapai Firearms Academy where he served as class coordinator for 10 years. He is also a current Rangemaster at the prestigious Gunsite Academy in Arizona, and a member of the National Training Team with Operational Skills Group. Mr. Cain is a registered NRA Police Firearms Instructor, and has served both as a police officer and as a police SWAT team member and Training Officer.

Benjamin Salas is a full-time law enforcement and military trainer, having been tasked with the development and implementation of operational skills to state, federal, and international accounts. He has trained those at the Department of Justice, Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security. A former police officer, Benjamin is currently certified by the State of Georgia P.O.S.T. as a Detention Officer, a Peace Officer, a General Instructor, and a Specialized Instructor in Defensive Tactics. Benjamin also has 22 years extensive experience in Filipino Eskrima, Indonesian Silat, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Chinese Kenpo, and International Style Kickboxing.

Equipment and Attire: Comfortable, loose-fitting, non-restrictive clothing that you can move around in. Loose-fitting street clothes or BDU’s are fine; but wear a belt that will support your holster. Bring your duty holster or carry holster. You will also need the following REQUIRED equipment: Ear protection and eye protection; Hat or cap with baseball style bill; 500 rounds of Ammunition; Three magazines (two speed-loaders with carrying pouch for revolvers); Holster/carrier for extra magazine or speed-loaders. A "dummy” training gun is also required.

You may wish to bring the following, but they are not required: Soft drinks or water to drink while down on the range; knee and elbow pads; a camera; light gloves; a ground cloth or shooting mat; a backup firearm. Bring any gear appropriate to the weather at the time of the course. It can be cool here in September (high around 50) or hot (high in the 80's). The course will proceed rain or shine.

Physical Demands: This course will be tailored to the aggregate physical capacity of the specific group. The techniques employed are designed to be practical and useful, which necessarily means they must be useable by those in average physical condition who are without martial arts background. All training exercises are designed so students can proceed at their own pace. If you have a physical condition which makes an exercise or technique difficult for you, you are expected to advise the instructors and refrain from attempting that particular exercise.

Time Commitment: The course is three full days, from 10:00 A.M. to about 6:00 P.M., with a lunch and periodic breaks. Total instruction time is a minimum of 24 hours. A certificate of completion will be awarded to those who satisfactorily complete the training.

Training Prerequisite: To enroll in this course, one must have completed one hand-gun course of a minimum three days (21 hours) duration, from a recognized firearms school or instructor. There too many recognized schools and instructors to list here. If you have a question whether prior training satisfies the prerequisite, contact Peter Georgiades at the FIRE Institute, at the address or number listed below. (LFI-I and military training do not fulfill this requirement.)

Class size: The course will have not less than 14 participants. If there are not 14 registered participants 30 days before the first training date, the class will be cancelled and any tuition paid up to that time will be refunded in full.

Participant Safety: There are certain principles of safety which will be stressed, along with range rules you must follow. These safety rules will be strictly enforced by the instructors, as well as by management and employees of the Gun Club and the FIRE Institute. If there is any indication the violator is indifferent to a safety violation, or if a violation is repeated, the responsible party will be discreetly asked to leave the course. There are no exceptions and no compromises in this regard.

Location: The course will be at the Pitcairn-Monroeville Sportsman’s Club, 25 minutes East of Pittsburgh, Pa. Driving instructions will be provided to those who enroll.

Cost: $450.00. Fifty percent payment is required at the time of enrollment, and the balance by the course date. There is also a $24 range fee, payable to the host club on the first day of class. Tuition is non-refundable after July 12, 2007. However, if the course is cancelled all tuition will be refunded immediately.

How to enroll: An enrollment form is available at www.fireinstitute.org, along with a description of our credentialing requirements. You can also request forms by mail by calling the FIRE Institute, (412) 381-8035, or by sending your postal address by e-mail to fireinstitute@greystonelaw.com. If you enroll, directions to the training site and other specifics will be returned to you by mail, with your enrollment confirmation. People are enrolled on a first-come-first-served basis, according to when course materials are received by the FIRE Institute.