When conducting real operations or higher level training where individuals are in anything other than a static firing line, all persons must adhere to at least three of the four rules of firearms safety at all times, including accidental falls, and incorrect movement. No exceptions.
If you saw some of the weapons handling and manipulation in Boston you know that this is one of the least touched upon subjects in the shooting/LE world. It is considerably better now in the mil with the exception of pistol only work, which still trips up our soldiers who don’t use a handgun that much.
“Advanced” shooting has nothing to do with targets and timers and everything to do with decisions and tactics. Don’t invent it on the day.
-Kyle Defoor
(SEAL Assaulter & Sniper)
Kyle Defoor is one of the world’s most committed and passionate shooting instructors. Literally growing up with a gun in hand he took his talents into the military where he was combat decorated as a SEAL assaulter and sniper. Kyle helped to create and define modern training while along the way personally teaching thousands of military personal and civilians from around the globe. His shooting prowess led to appearances on multiple TV shows including Shooting Gallery, Tactical Arms, and Tactical Impact, and guest appearances on History Channel. Kyle’s outdoor athletic lifestyle includes shooting, ultra running, stand-up paddle surfing and climbing. He now serves as the brand ambassador for Mission Ready Equipment and runs his own company which offers tactical training, wilderness navigation, TV and film consulting, and motivational speaking.
Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Alias Training & Security Services. Each week Alias brings us a different Trainer and in turn they offer some words of wisdom.
Thanks to Kyle for his constructive view point and the willingness to point it out, at I believe the right time. These issues he raised are far to important not to be talked about and corrected ASAP. As a Cop and adjunct firearms instructor with the LAPD, Kyle is right. There are a lot of cops out here that want the gear, but do not take the time to continue to get better. Even with the basic fundamentals, which is the foundation for everything else. I love fellow brothers and sisters in law enforcement (both federal and municipal), but most LEO’s weapons manipulation and handling is absolutely deplorable! I have trained extensively on the east and west coasts, and this is an institutional and systemic problem, across the country. Some guys sit across the table at the hiring phase of their careers, and preach how they want to give back to their communities by serving and protecting, then become lazi and complacent. Then they habitually fail to seek out people and training, to make them the best they can be with the tools of our trade. As for the LAPD leadership, they have their heads implanted firmly in their asses, and think they’re only half pregnant, with respect to preparedness. Unfortunately, departments everywhere run by the 80%-20% model.. 20% of the LEO’s out there, do 80% of the work.
As for the LEO’s out there who take their service to the community and preparedness seriously, stay safe!
Sorry, I meant, as a Cop and adjunct firearms instructor with the LAPD, “I believe” Kyle is right.
“Brilliance in the Basics”
Oh, there’s plenty of emphasis on “safety,” unfortunately it is focused primarily on making the lawyers and insurance carriers happy, and doesn’t address the need to be extremely dangerous while being extremely safe, towards the right people, at the right time.
I’ve been given a policy to teach that is so focused on preventing negligent discharges that it makes actually using the weapon system within policy dangerous, in that the user will never get the system deployed and running fast enough to win a fight.
Two quotes come to mind after reading Kyle’s thoughts and the comments here;
‘It takes years to become a professional but only 10 minutes to dress like one’ – SGM Craig Maxim (Ret) 1st SFOD -D
‘ So safe it is unsafe ‘ – Larry Vickers