N.R.A. Certified Basic Pistol Course
This course also meets the training requirements for the Ohio concealed handgun license (CHL)
Individualized, Small Group Training
L.B. GROTTE, N.R.A. CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORThis course will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary for safe handing and use of a pistol, which includes both revolvers and semi-automatic handguns.
In the present era, even for those who have not determined to carry a handgun for self defense, a citizen may encounter a handgun under many different circumstances. Feeling comfortable when safely handling and unloading a handgun is a very important skill for every parent and adult.
Handgun skills can be utilized in many target sports and for hunting, as well as for defense of self and family.
To maintain liberty and freedom, the lawful use of handguns and rifles was considered so essential to citizens at the founding of the United States that it was listed second only to the right of free speech in the Bill of Rights.
This N.R.A. certified course will introduce the student to all of the uses and limitations of this tool.
Personal and Family Defense is Your Responsiblity
There are many things that a person can do to improve their own safety and that of their family short of using a handgun.
However, it is clear that it is unrealistic to expect the police to respond quickly enough to prevent a crime from occurring.
Career predators have demonstrated that they will attack police without hesitation, so even the physical presence of armed law enforcement or security personnel is no guarantee of safety.
Even under the best of circumstance, it may take many minutes for the police to respond to a call.
It only takes seconds for most violent attacks to occur, and in that brief period, serious and even fatal injuries may be inflicted. Failing to respond to an attack on yourself or your family for even these few seconds may result in serious injury or death.
There may also be more than one criminal. Increasingly, individuals and families must respond to multiple attackers, who are often well armed and have no reservations about using deadly force against you.
Developing skill with handguns will provide an option which allows the victim of a violent attack to equalize the odds, increasing the chance of avoiding injury and surviving.
Even for those who do not wish to carry a gun, possessing the knowledge of safe gun handling will also allow a victim to utilize a handgun that they are able to take away from a predator or knock out of their hands.
In addition, understanding the function of handguns will allow a victim to keep the assailant's gun from working, which also reduces the chance of being shot.
Keeping Your Children Safe
Feeling comfortable when safely handling and unloading a handgun is a very important skill for every parent and adult.
When children are not trained appropriately, ignorant curiosity can result in tragedy. Yet, if every child knew and applied the three basic rules of gun safety, there would be none of this sort of gun-related injuries.
Successfully completing this training will enable you to teach your children how to avoid all handgun related "accidents". This is as essential as teaching your children how to use a fire extinguisher or how to swim.
Even if your house is empty of all guns, you child may encounter a handgun in another child's house, or in some other location.
Learning to shoot can also be an enjoyable and useful hobby for children. The mythology that children and guns are incompatible is a rather recent creation of fearful and ignorant politicians and their mainstream media footpads. Many Olympic and national champions had their start by training in competitive shooting at a young age.
Instead of Hollywood mythology and hyper violent movies and video games, a diet of responsibility and discipline will lead to better character in America's youth.
Predators Seek a Victim, Not an Opponent
Criminals look for qualities in their victims that will improve their opportunity to attack and escape unchallenged. They prefer those who appear less capable to fight back or resist, as well as those who can be easily ambushed because they are distracted.
FBI studies indicate that when police themselves are attacked by violent felons, they use the same method of evaluation: they look for policemen who seem less fit and more passive.
For a variety of reasons, the number of experienced predators in society is on the increase. Most are not intimidated by the prison system or fear arrest, as they have successfully obtained probation, parole, or early release.
Hyperviolent gang members and other criminals who are taking both prescription drugs and drugs of abuse have contributed to an increasing number of extremely vicious and heartless atrocities.
Even a trained martial artist would have considerable difficulty overcoming more than one strong, young, and experienced attacker.
If there are several attackers, and some are armed with knives or bats or guns, the need for a force equalizer becomes more apparent.
Skill with a handgun has been termed "the martial art for the 21st century", precisely because it provides an option for a person alone, or anyone who may appear to be an easy target by virtue of being young, old, female, injured, or frail.
Certain Occupations and Hobbies at Special Risk
If you handle money or pharmaceuticals, have valuable inventory at your place of business, work odd hours or alone, or travel through rough neighborhoods, you may be at extra risk for attack.
Parks and forests have also provided opportunities for criminals to victimize hikers, birdwatchers, campers, or vacationers who are unlikely to be armed, and in locations far from law enforcement.
A Customized and Individualized Training Experience
This course is designed for a group of five to 10 individuals, with a goal of addressing the subject matter of the NRA Basic Pistol course and the requirements of the State of Ohio thoroughly and in depth.
Classroom time will require ten hours and is usually scheduled over one or two days, according to the needs and interests of the participants. The classroom portion of the course will be held in Lyndhurst, Ohio.
Under certain circumstances, special schedules and locations can be accomodated. Please call for more information.
Once theoretical and classroom goals have been met, at least 2 hours of live fire practice at a safe and clean private range will reinforce good handgun safety habits and lay the foundation for future practice.
You Do Not Need to Own a Handgun to Participate in this Course.
We will have several types and sizes of pistol available for participants to evaluate and use in both the classroom and range.
If you already have a handgun that you would like to use, you are welcome to bring it to the class. Please notify us in advance of the type of pistol
that you plan to bring. All handguns are subject to inspection and approval by the instructor before they can be used in class.
If you would like to use your own handgun in the range portion of the class, you will need at least 65 rounds of the correct size of ammunition.
Safety Considerations
You will need to purchase hearing protection and eye protection for use while shooting. We recommend earmuff style hearing protection for the best comfort.
Earmuffs which have electronic amplification are also recommended. Call if you have any questions about protective gear.
Additional Information
In addition to the basic pistol text and information provided by the National Rifle Association for this course, participants will be provided with the NRA Home Firearm Safety text, a booklet provided by the Ohio Attorney General on the legal use of force and the concealed carry law, and a copy of the Ohio Guide to Firearm Laws by Ken Hansen, attorney at law.
Students younger than 18 must also have a parent or guardian attend the class; please call if this is your situation.
Students will be tested both in the classroom and on the range to the National Rifle Association standards. Each student will receive a National Rifle Association certificate upon completion, as well as documentation necessary to apply for your concealed handgun license.
Costs and Scheduling
Classes are customized to the needs of the individual group while still covering all of the information required by the National Rifle Association and the Attorney General of the State of Ohio. A minimum of five students and a maximum of 10 is recommended. There are advantages to having same-sex classes, but this is not a requirement.
The cost of the course, including all materials, is $165.00 per person. You may pay by check or you may call 440-461-7488 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays from 1:30 pm to 7:00 pm to provide us with your credit card number. There is a 3% charge for credit card payments. Your charge will appear on your credit card statement as "Acupuncture Associates". Checks should be made out to "L.B. Grotte", and mailed to 5399 Mayfield Road, Lyndhurst, Ohio 44124.
Call Us for More Information
Our office hours are Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 1:30 pm to 7:00 pm and our phone number is 440-461-7488. You may call 24 hours and leave a message when we are not in the office. You are calling a medical office, as the instructor is a physician. Because of the demands of practice, it may not be possible to answer the phone even when we are in the office during regular work hours, so please leave a message if you should connect with our answering machine, or try again later. We will call you back when it is possible if you leave a phone number with your message.
Important Notice: If you have been convicted of a felony or are not permitted to touch a firearm by judgment of a court, you may not participate in this course!