From the Instructors

Firearms in the home carry a unique dual responsibility: the duty to protect loved ones and the obligation to prevent harm through negligence. For many families, guns are owned for lawful purposes such as self-defense, hunting, or sport. Regardless of intent, safe handling and secure storage are essential, especially when children, visitors, or unfamiliar individuals may be present.   This article explores responsible gun safety in the home, with attention to families, children, guests, and the balance between secure storage and rapid access in an emergency.  At its core, gun safety begins with your mindset. Firearms are not ordinary household items; they are tools capable of causing irreversible harm if mishandled. Responsible ownership means acknowledging that safety measures are not optional or excessive; they are essential. Key principles include:   • Treating every firearm as if it were loaded   • Keeping the finger off the trigger until rea...

  When people imagine a home invasion, many envision themselves moving through the house with a firearm, confronting an  intruder  and regaining control. Movies and television often frame this moment as decisive and heroic. In real life, however,  attempting  to “clear” your home alone is one of the most dangerous decisions a civilian can make.   Firearms instructors, law enforcement professionals, and self‑defense experts consistently  advise  a different approach: secure yourself and your loved ones in one location, call for help, and avoid confrontation whenever possible. The reasons are grounded in physiology, psychology, and hard‑earned experience.   Clearing a home assumes near‑perfect conditions: the ability to  identify  threats instantly,  maintain  awareness in every direction, and make flawless decisions under extreme stress.  Those  conditions rarely exist.   Under fear and adrenaline, the human ...