Handgun Safety Training Corp.

Firearms/Defensive Tactics Training Academy

WHEN IS ENOUGH, ENOUGH
By William D. (Bill) Slater, Jr.

          When I first began my law enforcement and security career in 1981, I began by asking myself two very important questions; 1) Is this what I really wanted to do with my life, and 2) Am I willing to be dedicated enough to do whatever is necessary to be the best at my job. It wasn't too hard to answer 'yes' to either question and a twenty-year career is still going strong.
           Often times people get involved with hobbies, projects, jobs or careers without first thinking things out. Nothing in life is as simple as it seems. That is a phrase that has always flashed in my mind every time I become involved with something as simple as a project at work or deciding to broaden my career path. Words like planning, education, training and dedication must be involved in any endeavor especially when that endeavor includes instruction in firearms.
           "When is enough, enough?" A simple question with a somewhat complicated answer. Many factors have to be considered and every facet of your life is going to be involved in the answer. Remember, when you become complacent, arrogant or one of those 'you can't teach me anything or I know it all' people you will not succeed. So our first job is to continue to be open-minded and receptive to change.
           Education is a never-ending commitment to excellence that must be matched with your promise to strive to be the best at what you do. Any faltering along the way will not allow you to attain your goal. Since each of us is either a CHL instructor or a license holder, I will use these 'jobs' in my example of 'When is enough, enough?'
           For many a lot of planning went into deciding to get your instructor certificate or CHL permit. For others, there was no thought at all. Some of us achieved this right away and others took awhile to finally get it done. Each of us either went to Austin for the instructor course or sat through a permit training course. Now what?
           This is where many will 'shoot themselves in the foot' (no pun intended). As some of my past students have told me when they returned for the renewal course, "I haven't shot my gun since I took your class four years ago." An attitude that shows a total lack of dedication also is extremely careless.
           Not becoming as proficient as possible with your firearm can not only make you dangerous to those around you but can also get you seriously injured or killed. A false sense of security is no security at all.
           Since they have not shot the handgun in years, we'll assume that they haven't attended any additional firearms or tactics training courses. The CHL permit in and of itself will do absolutely nothing for you unless you build upon that training. The last time I checked, your permit will not stop a bullet.
           It is also safe to assume that they haven't realistically kept up with events around the state dealing with the use of a handgun in self-defense, violent crime trends or governments latest attempt to take away our guns and gun-rights. Current events can go a long way to educate someone who is not interested in seeing mistakes repeated and learn about changes in the law that affect their concealed-carry permit. This association (Texas Concealed Handgun Instructor Association) is an excellent example of planning, education, training and dedication to ensure that the membership (CHL instructors, permit holders and law enforcement) are supplied with the information and training opportunities to take full advantage of every lawful means to provide themselves the proper self-defense mindset.
           Now let's see what steps should have been taken (planning, education, training and dedication) to fulfill an individual's desire to attain his/her goal of being the best that they can be when it comes to concealed-carry and self-defense.
           They have decided that they are going to get their CHL permit. They call around and investigate the available instructors in the area. They decide on an instructor whose been teaching firearms and tactics since well before 1995 (the year CHL was passed in Texas) so as not to get an instructor who is in it for the short haul or in it strictly for the money.
           They prepare for class by reading the statute book that arrived in the package of material from DPS. They are thirsty for knowledge and know that 'concealed-carry' is serious business. When the class date arrives, they are prepared.
           They've passed the training course and mailed their paperwork back to DPS. Now it's time to wait or is it?
           Out at the pistol range! There is no sense in waiting for the permit in order to go shooting. They take their handgun and CHL workbook (that they got from their instructor) to the range so that they can practice the same exact course of fire. This will allow them to measure their improvement while they wait for their permit. Two trips to the range (while waiting for the permit) has made them a little more comfortable in shooting. It has also underscored the necessity of additional practice and training.
           The permit arrives! Now they're legal. Time to move on to the next step.
           Recognizing that they are not experts, they begin to research additional training opportunities. These will be far and wide. There are so many courses available that training will now become a lifetime commitment towards perfection. They look for pro-gun organizations that support their right-to-carry and right to keep and bear arms. They want to ensure that they not only have the opportunity to carry but that they are trained and prepared for what can happen.
           The scenario we've chosen and the steps that we've taken are fairly general in nature and were used to illustrate the point that a lot of thought, preparation and responsibility are necessary whenever you embark on such an important journey. It is only by developing the true self-defense mindset and reaching for your goals will the realization come to you that it is never enough. More can always be achieved and there is never enough you can do.

Copyright © 2001 William D. (Bill) Slater, Jr. This article was published in the Jan./Feb. 2001 (Vol. 5 No.1) issue of The Concealed Handgun, the official publication of the Texas Concealed Handgun Association.