With more than 150 photos to enhance understanding, this volume is a comprehensive manual on how to teach law enforcement the proper use of firearms. Employing a succinct, practical approach, the author focuses on fundamentals, combining defensive tactics with savvy garnered from years of experience. Cognizant of the funding involved with tactical firearm training, the book also discusses ways to maximize training on a shoestring budget. Additional coverage includes an insightful profile of the fighting mind and other officer issues, such as long hours, use-of-force investigations, and the loss of a colleague.

Dedication

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

Author

1  Burning Powder: Philosophy and Values

   Safety

   Philosophy

   Guns and Teaching

   Military Years

   Entry-Level Police

2  Badges and Bullets

   pre-Police Gunfire

   Modern Technique

   Sights

   Allow the Gun to Fire

   The Combat Triad

   Stress Complications

3  Stress-Reinforced Technique

   Human Stress Response

   Operating System

   Symptoms

   Mastery

   Instinct

   Alternative Sighting Methods

4  Issues of Teaching and Learning for Adults

   Learning Styles, Teaching Styles

   G.I. Beans

   Methods 101

   Drill

   The Way of the Gun

   "Why?"

   Good Times

   Summing Up

   Walk a Mile

   Failure

5  Safety, Part I

   Four Main Safety Rules

   Physical Safety Checks

   Safety Circle

   It's Not a "Ready" Position

   Cross-Draw Holsters Unsafe?

6  Safety, Part II

   Mat World

   Hot and Cold

   The Prime Directive

   Nonfiring Guns

   Preparation

   Inherently Dangerous Instrumentalities

7  Advanced Firearms Instruction Techniques

   High Speed...

   ...Low Drag

   Advanced Trigger Control

   Gripping Suspense

   Stance

   Sights Are Good

   Aftermath

   The Plan

   Advanced Firearms Instruction Seminar Session

8  Qualification Controversies and Courtroom

  Survival

  The Pass-Fail Issue

  The Question of Tactics

  Why Day-Shift Officers Need Dim-Light Shooting

  Why We Still Shoot at Distance

  The Best Course

9  Consolidating Force Training: Defensive Tactics

   and Firearms Instruction

   Real World

   Reasonable Responses

   UFI

   Force

   Across the Range

10  Gun Retention and Disarming

   Proxemics

   Consistent Stance

   Power Stance

   Gun Retention

   A Firearms Instructor in Defensive Tactics Land

   The Bridge

11  The Dance: Bringing the Street to the Range

   Dynamics

   Basics

   Tactical Foundation

     Problem: Decision Making

     Problem: Increasing Speed of the First Hit from the Holster

     Problem: Unconventional Positions and Cover

   Chairs

   Range World

1.2  Simulations: Lessons Learned

   Gunfight Training

   Training Safety

   The Gunsite Way

   Lessons Learned

   Equipment

   Train the Trainer

   An Alternative

   Putting It Together

   Alarm Call

   Gaming

   A Unique Environment

   Environmental Issues

   To Find Out More...

13  The Value of Repetitive Skills Practice

   Managing Training

     Problem #1: Our Aging Population

     Problem #2: Our Rookies

     Problem #3: Boundary Conditions

   Goals and Objectives

   Skills Maintenance

   What Is Training?

   Costs and Benefits

   Getting Started

14  The Weapon

   The Fighting Mind

   Back to the Beast

   Inspiration

     White

     Yellow

     Orange

     Red

   Stress Loading

15  The Best Gun (and Gear)

   Which One Is Best?

   The Best?

   Needs for Your Agency

   Environment

   Gun People

   Ammunition

   So, 9mm Is Best?

   Needs Assessment

16 The Life

   The Students

   Resentment

   Tasks

   Politics

   Success

   Investigations

   Loss

   Network

   Seminar Format

Index