Concealed carry and home defense encompass much more than being able to run the gun and shoot straight. As with any other aspect of shooting, one is not born with tactical knowledge apropos to defending oneself in the home or workplace.

The FIRE Institute offers a course in personal firearms tactics - which refers to civilian Earth People using firearms in the context of everyday life. This means, for most intents and purposes, in the home or work place. No assault teams, chest rigs, vehicle ambushes, or zombies.

Interestingly, however, it DOES involve working with a team; namely, those people who are most likely to be with one if trouble finds them. Maybe your "team members" can do nothing more than get down and stay out of the way ... but that has to be worked out. They were not "born with it," either.

A course description follows:

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PERSONAL FIREARMS TACTICS
FOR HOME AND WORKPLACE
Next Course Date: July 18-19, 2009
AT THE PITCAIRN-MONROEVILLE SPORTSMAN’S CLUB - (25 Min. S.E. of Pittsburgh)

There is unquestionably more to defending one's self, home and family with a firearm than knowing how to shoot a gun. Defense is more than shooting; it involves factors and considerations which will either give you an advantage or place you at a disadvantage in those few moments when a violent confrontation is either developing or in progress. No matter what kind of a shot you are, it is your ability to recognize and solve commonly encountered problems and make decisions which will determine whether you control the situation and survive, or lose control of the situation and are seriously hurt or killed.

This course is for those who have previous, formal training in marksmanship and gun handling, and are now ready to learn the skills and methods necessary to deal with tactical problems commonly encountered in and around one's home, work-place and neighborhood. This is not a course on how to shoot. We assume students in this course have been well-grounded in gun-handling and marksmanship skills.

Nor is this a "personal protection" course designed to teach one how to avoid trouble. The course assumes that trouble has found you in your home, car or workplace, and you must now proceed to use your weapon to solve a life-threatening problem. This is a "nuts-and-bolts" course about problem solving and decision making. Covered topics include:

• Basic tactical principles which should guide your decision-making in a dynamic scenario. There will be specific exercises designed to allow students to work with each principle.
• Preparation of others who will likely be around. Spouse, children, siblings and co-workers can either help or make things worse. We discuss how to prepare them to at least not be in the way.
• Working with a partner. Operating in conjunction with a friend, acquaintance, spouse or co-worker, as opposed to acting independently of one another. This includes advance planning, communicating, moving, covering and assisting
• Dealing with architectural and natural barriers and obstacles without exposing yourself to unnecessary danger (doors, windows, hallways, corners).
• How to recognize and effectively employ cover and concealment during an armed altercation.
• Discussion of weapon selection for various home, work and street environments.
• Shooting in proximity to other people. When shots are fired, confusion erupts.
• Dealing with the police. What they need to know, what you need to do.
• Putting the shooting principles taught in firearms courses into practice. This course involves several simulation exercises and a good deal of shooting.

Course Format and Hours: The course runs two days, from 10:00 a.m. to about 6:00 p.m. each day. We begin with a discussion introducing applicable principles, followed by a series of short lectures and exercises designed to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed. Most lectures occur on the range. There are discreet "units" on particular problems (e.g., dealing with doors), both "cold" and live-fire exercises, and several tactical simulations, short and long. Most exercises will be followed by discussion among instructors and students about the choices they made during each exercise. In recognition of the fact that many spouses have no interest in learning how to shoot and will not carry a weapon, we allow non-shooting spouses to participate in this course with a shooting spouse. Non-shooting spouses will participate in all exercises (except square-range shooting exercises), and must have the same safety equipment as course participants who will be handling weapons. All students will have the opportunity to (but are not required to) bring their spouse or significant other to the afternoon of the second day to observe some of the outdoor exercises pertaining to coordination of effort between family members. Minimum instruction time will be 15 hours. There will be a certificate for those who complete the course.

Weapon Requirements: Students may use whatever firearm they expect to have available at home or in the workplace. Each participant must have the requisite level of formal instruction with each weapon they intend to deploy in class. It is recommended students bring whatever holster and spare magazine(s) they use for concealed carry. Ammunition requirements are 600 rounds of hand-gun ammunition, or 500 rounds of carbine, rifle or shotgun ammunition and 100 rounds of hand gun ammunition. No armor piercing, incendiary or tracer ammunition is permitted.

Instructor: The RM will be Peter Georgiades. Mr. Georgiades has been instructing in firearms and personal defense since 1995. In recent years he has emphasized contact-distance defense in all of his courses. Mr. Georgiades is certified to instruct by the NRA (rifle, pistol, shotgun and personal protection), the State of Arizona (CCW Instructor - Certificate No. 8769268), and is a member of the International Ass'n. of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI). He is graduate of the Gunsite Academy Law Enforcement Carbine Instructor Certification Course, Marksman's Enterprise 3 day instructor courses for both carbine and pistol, the "Contact Weapons Defense Instructor" course from OSG (Steve Tarani), and several instructor seminars by Giles Stock. He has trained extensively with some of the foremost firearms and personal defense instructors in the U.S. An active judo practitioner and competitor, he currently holds the rank of Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt), USJI verified.

Class Size: This course will be limited to eight students. A small class allows more time for each student to work in each of the exercises and simulations, and to fully participate in discussions.

Prerequisites: This course assumes students have been previously instructed, and have kept current. In order to enroll in this course, one must have completed at least one hand-gun course of a minimum three days duration (21 hours of instruction) from a recognized firearms school or instructor. In addition, if the student intends to use a rifle or shotgun in the course, he or she must also have at least one course in that discipline, of at least three days duration (21 hours of instruction). Courses which qualify include, but are not limited to, courses from PFDC, Fire Institute, Gunsite Training Center, Gunsite Training Academy, Marksman's Enterprise, Cumberland Tactics, Peregrine Enterprises, Ken Hackathorne, Larry Mudgett, etc. Obviously, there are far too many qualified schools and instructors to list here. Please indicate your prior training experience on the enrollment form, and we will contact you if there are any questions. Likewise, if you have any questions, please contact us for assistance. Please note that NRA basic courses, LFI-I and military basic training do not fulfill this requirement.

Cost: $255. (There is a $25 discount for members of any host club.) This includes instruction, range fees and course materials. It does not include any personal gear, ammunition or meals (there is a snack bar at the range).

Equipment Requirements: Ear protection; eye protection; baseball-style cap with bill; carry-holster with spare magazine pouch and at least one magazine (a speed-loader with carrying pouch for revolvers); flashlight that you would keep in your bedroom, car or office, and a “dummy” training gun (“red gun” or “blue gun”) to match whatever weapon you will deploy in the course. As with any outdoor firearms course, wear substantial shoes, bring rain gear and something (non-alcoholic) to drink. An easy-to-use camera is a good idea, as there will be opportunities for other students to photograph you in various exercises.

Physical Requirements: This course is designed to assist YOU to make decisions. Your physical condition is one of the factors you must take into account. Therefore, we will work with you in whatever condition you are in. You should, however, notify the Instructor of any particular disabilities you may have, and we expect you to refrain from attempting any exercise that is beyond your physical capability or presents a risk of injury to you or others.

Enrollment Information: A more complete list of equipment requirements, as well as enrollment instructions and forms will be sent upon request. Directions to the range appear on the web site. Payment in full is required upon enrollment. If it turns out there are not at least six students enrolled 20 days before the course date, the course will be cancelled and any tuition refunded. For Details, Directions, Equipment Requirements and Enrollment Materials, Visit www.fireinstitute.org or call (412) 381-8035.

“Having a gun and thinking you are armed is like buying a piano and thinking you are a musician”
------ Col. Jeff Cooper (U.S.M.C. Ret.)