This year has seen an interesting, and monumental, transition in my shooting hobby. Early this year I set out on a quest to become a certified handgun instructor.
* In February, I took NRA Basic Pistol and Personal Protection in the Home.
* In May, I became a certified NRA rifle instructor, and went on to start a successful monthly NRA Highpower Sporting Rifle / F-Class competition at my shooting club (which previously had no organized center-fire rifle events). To complement this and get the club's blessing I also became a certified Range Safety Officer.
* In July, I became a certified NRA Pistol instructor.
* In September, I got my curriculum for teaching concealed carry approved by the Illinois State Police.
* This month, I became a certified NRA Shotgun instructor.
* In December, I'm taking Chief RSO classes so I can train other RSO's at my club.
(Next year I'm planning to get NRA PPITH/PPOTH certifications.)
It's interesting, that I set out to just become a handgun instructor... but discovered along the way that I really enjoy teaching shooters, regardless of discipline!
I never thought that my shooting / gun collecting hobby would evolve in to something like this, but over the years I've accumulated a lot of information and knowledge about firearms, shooting, reloading, lethal force, and self defense. I feel obligated to pass that on to the next generation, so they can pass it on to those that follow them.
If we don't - as shooters - collectively take it upon ourselves to teach others and pass down our skills and heritage to them, eventually there won't be enough of us left to defend ourselves from the most dastardly and sneaky of foes; the only thing on the planet worse than rust, for guns... the politicians.
This is particularly true with the "zero tolerance" for even mentioning anything remotely connected to guns in our schools, and the negative media slant that is applied to firearms in the eye of the public. Within a couple generations, if *we* do not maintain our legacy, it will be lost for good!
I'd like to thank THR staff for providing such a great medium and outlet to learn about firearms without the 'ego' and foulness found on so many other firearms boards.
I'd like to thank THR members for taking time out of their lives to communally share their own knowledge and wisdom on things with the world of firearms; dispelling rumors, providing first hand experience on all sorts of subjects.
THR is truly "an encyclopedia of guns" built by the best, of the best.
We should all be proud.
* In February, I took NRA Basic Pistol and Personal Protection in the Home.
* In May, I became a certified NRA rifle instructor, and went on to start a successful monthly NRA Highpower Sporting Rifle / F-Class competition at my shooting club (which previously had no organized center-fire rifle events). To complement this and get the club's blessing I also became a certified Range Safety Officer.
* In July, I became a certified NRA Pistol instructor.
* In September, I got my curriculum for teaching concealed carry approved by the Illinois State Police.
* This month, I became a certified NRA Shotgun instructor.
* In December, I'm taking Chief RSO classes so I can train other RSO's at my club.
(Next year I'm planning to get NRA PPITH/PPOTH certifications.)
It's interesting, that I set out to just become a handgun instructor... but discovered along the way that I really enjoy teaching shooters, regardless of discipline!
I never thought that my shooting / gun collecting hobby would evolve in to something like this, but over the years I've accumulated a lot of information and knowledge about firearms, shooting, reloading, lethal force, and self defense. I feel obligated to pass that on to the next generation, so they can pass it on to those that follow them.
If we don't - as shooters - collectively take it upon ourselves to teach others and pass down our skills and heritage to them, eventually there won't be enough of us left to defend ourselves from the most dastardly and sneaky of foes; the only thing on the planet worse than rust, for guns... the politicians.
This is particularly true with the "zero tolerance" for even mentioning anything remotely connected to guns in our schools, and the negative media slant that is applied to firearms in the eye of the public. Within a couple generations, if *we* do not maintain our legacy, it will be lost for good!
I'd like to thank THR staff for providing such a great medium and outlet to learn about firearms without the 'ego' and foulness found on so many other firearms boards.
I'd like to thank THR members for taking time out of their lives to communally share their own knowledge and wisdom on things with the world of firearms; dispelling rumors, providing first hand experience on all sorts of subjects.
THR is truly "an encyclopedia of guns" built by the best, of the best.
We should all be proud.