What to look for in a Women's Concealed Carry Course
What to look for in a Women's Concealed Carry Course
style="font-size: 20px; text-align: center;">Apr 23, 2020 8:30:00 AMA concealed carry training course is something that a lot of people have to take before getting their permit. Getting training is a good thing, of course, especially to enhance your skill set when it comes to armed self-defense or indeed any skill.
While gun mastery has always been left for the men, there has been a significant rise in the interest of women's concealed carry. In fact, some classes have been specifically developed to help women learn how to carry and use concealed firearms effectively.
Any woman who's interested in gun mastery should know what to look out for in a gun ownership course. The type of course that an individual chooses largely depends on their skill level and the type of training they look to achieve.
There are, however, several standard features that make a women's gun training course worth investing in.
Not all classes are the same, in terms of quality and content. Some choose to focus on theory with very little fieldwork and vice versa. It is important to find a course that strikes the right balance, arming you with the right information while giving you the hands-on skills to defend yourself in case of an attack.
But with that said, there are certain things you want to look for in any women's concealed carry course.
Focus On Gun Safety
Understanding the rules of gun safety is important to the gun holder and the general public. The concealed carry class you choose should focus on personal safety as well as provide training on the safe and effective use of your weapon.
Every weapons course should introduce the students to the National Rifle Association's three rules of gun safety and how to follow them in emergency situations. These rules are:
- Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction
- Always keep the finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot
- Always keep your firearm unloaded until it is ready for use.
Your preferred concealed carry course should also arm you with strategies to avoid danger, self-defense using your weapon, and safe gun storage.
Education On State Laws
If you have decided to purchase a gun for self-defense, then you should take the time to understand federal and local legislation regarding the use of deadly force. Before you are licensed to operate your weapon in an area, you should have a concrete understanding of the laws that dictate gun ownership and armed defense in your area.
Your course should include both statutory and case laws regarding what constitutes lawful self-defense.
The course should also include a discussion on the steps you should take after the defensive shooting. Your trainer should let you know how to act within the letter and spirit of self-defense laws, as it is your responsibility to do so.
Range Time
Gun mastery takes muscle memory and practice, so a women's concealed carry course should include sufficient range time to give students hands-on experience and confidence.
When it comes to weapons training, your instructor should take you through the various gun handling techniques. Live fire training gives you the confidence to work with a loaded gun, even in emergencies.
Some of the topics to be covered during live-fire training include quick & safe reloading, how to shoot at moving targets, drawing from a concealed carry purse, one-handed shooting, and defense against multiple targets. Your course should also include dry fire training to help with pulling the trigger and defensive shooting drills to simulate real-world emergencies.
Is There A Concealed Carry Course Certification?
There isn't a central body or recognized prime authority when it comes to concealed carry courses. However, there are a few organizations that set some expectations:
The US Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) and the National Rifle Association (NRA) offer training and certifications to firearms instructors. These associations operate nationwide networks of certified instructors.
The USCCA and NRA also have a database of trained and certified instructors and can help you locate the most suitable training course within your zip code. These bodies are responsible for coming up with the curriculum and guidelines for firearms training courses. Therefore, NRA and USCCA certified instructors would deliver standard content that is informed by the prevailing laws and years of experience in gun handling.
When Your Course Is For Getting A Concealed Carry Permit
Your greatest goal when joining a women's concealed carry course is to get your concealed carry permit. Your instructor should give you a certificate as proof you attended class, which paves the way for licensing.
Usually, you apply for a concealed carry license in the state within which you attend your course. Even with a state license, there are places you may not be allowed to carry your weapon. Reciprocity, meaning states recognizing other states' concealed carry permits, helps you know which states beyond your issuing state can validate your concealed carry license.
You want to get the greatest amount of freedom possible to carry. Therefore, you may want to take a concealed carry course that gets you a non-resident permit in a state with wide reciprocity as well as your state permit.
Once you have decided to carry a firearm, you should commit to continuous training. As with any skill, practice makes perfect, as gun handling is a skill that develops via muscle memory.
It is important to find training courses that will help you grow as a gun owner.
The features we have discussed in this article can help you select the perfect course for your gun handling needs. Even though finding the ideal CCW trainer for women isn't always easy, finding the right one can be well worth the effort.