According to the FBI, 60-80% of all shootings happen in low-light environments and in at least 39% of those, lighting was cited as a critical factor. So what does that mean to you? Well, there's a high probability that if you find yourself in a deadly force situation it will be in a low-light environment. On top of that, the average self-defense shooting is 2.2 to 2.4 seconds from the time the threat is recognized and 2 to 4 rounds are exchanged.
Having your CHL is a great start to taking responsibility for your self-defense, but, the CHL training does nothing to prepare one's physical shooting skills. Ask yourself these questions:
1) Do I practice drawing from my holster from concealment, the way I'm required to carry?
2) Do I practice shooting in low-light and no artificial light environments?
3) Do I know how to positively identify the threat level in a low-light or no light environment?
For most people the answers will all be no. TV and movies give people a false sense of self-defense shooting situations. On TV they draw their gun, rack the slide and then get ready for the bad guy. That's just not reality. It's more likely you'd be walking through a parking lot or down the sidewalk and you're suddenly confronted by a violent subject. Now what? If it's a deadly force situation and you decide to act, you'll need to draw your gun from concealment. What if it's one of those 8 out of 10 situations that happen at night?
Drawing from the holster is the most dangerous act in a shooting scenario. Many people haven't trained themselves to keep their finger off the trigger until they've cleared the muzzle from their own body and limbs. Some carry their gun behind their back inverted so when they draw the muzzle is pointed right at the person drawing the gun. So between the fear and adrenaline, it's not hard for the under trained person to shoot themselves while drawing. Not to mention clearing clothing out of the way to get to the concealed handgun.
Think about it, 2.2 to 2.4 seconds from the time you realize the threat, you draw and shoot. Maybe they shoot if they're armed and it's over! If you answered no to any of the above questions you're not ready. We all hope that we won't be in one of these situations, but if you're carrying a gun it's not because you don't think it's possible, right?
Here's the good news, TCCI's police firearms instructors have been teaching self-defense shooting skills to police and civilians for 18 years.
Our Level I Defensive Handgun training prepares people with the fundamentals of stress shooting; drawing from the holster, shooting fast and accurate from the holster, malfunction clearing, reloading and more.
Our Concealment and Low Light course provides detailed instruction on drawing from concealment quickly and safely. The low light portion prepares you for shooting in those situations that are more likely to occur, during hours of darkness. These classes are fun and informative, but most of all help prepare you mentally and physically for a possible life and death situation.
If you have question about any of these classes, check them out on our website and feel free to contact me for assistance.
Phil Ryan is a licensed Texas police firearms instructor, staff police academy instructor and CHL instructor since 1995. www.txconcealedcarry.com
