Women's Handgun Course

[Danny Creasy]

I sent the message below a few moments ago. Your comments and suggestions will be appreciated.

****************


Carter, please forward this message to the mass mailing list of the club.

Our member, Elaine Augustine, has a dozen women requesting that the club hold a three session (classroom and range) handgun course. A Saturday afternoon schedule (sometime in the Spring) from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM seems like the appropriate time slot. Elaine believes it would be best to conduct the shooting sessions with .22 rimfire handguns.

I already administer four matches a month on Saturdays. I simply cannot take on another weekend obligation. Are there any stalwart members (out of 250!) willing to step up and provide these ladies with some basic safety and marksmanship training? I am sure Elaine will handle the communication and scheduling. We just need some very experienced shooters to plan, teach, and oversee this important community service with Elaine.

Contact me if you are interested in being a part of this course.

[e-mail]
I am also starting a thread on the board www.nasaclub.com as means to openly discuss this project.

[Danny Creasy]

First to step up to the plate. He wrote me an E-mail and I have cut and pasted it here:

In regard to your e-mail about a handgun course for women--I think it is a good idea and I would be willing to help in any way possible. I am not an NRA instructor, but I would be willing to assist in any way I can as far as bringing handguns and ammunition. If anyone is interested or qualified to head up this class, they can contact me by e-mail or phone,
446-5703.
B. L. Bridges

[Reece Stewart]

I believe we have a NRA instructor in the Club I have tried to call him but have not reached him yet, I would also be willing to help in giving a safety and marksmanship course.I will keep trying to reach this person and let you know.

[Danny Creasy]

Below is e-mail exchange with Tobey. Looking like Mr. Stewart, Mr. Robertson, and Mr. Bridges so far. Let's continue to collect responses for a day or two more. Thanks so much. Danny


have platform time teaching pistol and rifle while I was
in the Marine Corps and was a Range Master, however we were
never NRA certified because we had our own training courses.
I will be happy to help, just need more info.





>Tobey, it would be nice if at least one of the instructors
>was. But, it is not a requirement. It is not a sanctioned
>or NRA course (unless the coordinators want to make it one
>- I am sure the NRA has a canned package for just such a
>course). -------------- Original message --------------
>>Project Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:46:47 +0000
>
>Does this require our instructor to be a current NRA
>instructor?
>
>
>
>----- Original Message Follows -----
>>
>>Our member, Elaine Augustine, has a dozen women requesting
>>that the club hold a three session (classroom and range)
>>handgun course. A Saturday afternoon schedule (sometime
>>in the Spring) from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM seems like the
>>appropriate time slot. Elaine believes it would be best to
>>conduct the shooting sessions with .22 rimfire handguns.
>>
>>I already administer four matches a month on Saturdays. I
>>simply cannot take on another weekend obligation. Are
>>there any stalwart members (out of 250!) willing to step
>>up and provide these ladies with some basic safety and
>>marksmanship training? I am sure Elaine will handle the
>>communication and sche duling. We just need some very
>>experienced shooters to plan, teach, and oversee this
>>important community service with Elaine.
>>
>>Contact me if you are interested in being a part of this
>>course.
>>
>>[e-mail]
>>I am also starting a thread on the board www.nasaclub.com
>>as means to openly discuss this project.
>
>Tobey Robertson
>Administrator
>Tennessee Valley
>Juvenile Detention
>Center

Tobey Robertson
Administrator
Tennessee Valley
Juvenile Detention
Center

[Dwight Pilkilton]

IF Tobey wanted to run this class I think it would be more than adequate. Given Tobey's background , that coupled with help from say 3 other members should fill the bill with overkill.......perhaps a bad choice of words.

Dwight

[Danny Creasy]

Here are my thoughts on this and I will leave the team to it:

Don't have the "classroom" session in a classroom. We should simply close the range for the class times (notices posted well in advance - they don't need ought-sixes slamming in their ears while they are trying to learn) and let the students gather around the pic-nic tables on the pistol range. After 15 to 20 minutes of basics. Get em shootin.

For the firing, use the new rimfire range with its tall and sturdy benches. Have three ladies shooting in a string and have one on one direct coaching. Have at lease two rovers making sure everything behind the lines stays observant, quite, and safe. Use some members' proven .22 autos or revolvers and encourage the participants to leave their handguns at home. Put up the rimfire silhouette racks at 15 yards and shoot only rams and big chickens on the top two rows to keep the misses in the berms and out of the grass. Reactive targets are the bomb. Require eyeglasses or safety glasses and ear protection for both spectators, staff, and students and have them wear them from the point when the shooting starts to when it stops. Maybe let the gals bring their handguns and ammo to the final session and shoot IDPA cardboard targets for the "final exam".

See if Elaine and a couple of her trusted classmates can provide a cooler with bottled water.

See if the paper or a TV station will briefly cover the shooting part of one of the sessions.

[Jay Holman]

Danny,

My weekend schedule is always up in the air, but would be happy to help if able. My MK II and Single Six are available as well as a box or two of bulk ammo if needed.

Jay

[Rory Amos]

I would be willing to help, also. If available, let me know a time. I also have a Ruger single-six available to use.

Rory

[Danny Creasy]

Steve Seale writes:

This sounds like a natural for George Ellis, if he is still a member. He has taught the Lauderdale Co. Sheriff's basic and advanced pistol safety courses. They include both classroom and range components. He is an excellent instructor... has a great reputation for making people feel comfortable while getting his points across.

Steve

[Danny Creasy]

Lee Smith of the GunRunner and Pawn, LLC and a Florence Police Officer writes:

I am a NRA firearms instructor and would like to help on the project. Please call 349-7200
----- Original Message -----
From: [e-mail]
To: Jim Watson ; Richard Strickland ; Reece Stewart ; Reece Stewart ; Lee Smith ; Toby Robertson ; Dwight Pilkilton ; Randy Nash ; Dutch Maxwell ; Hal Howard ; James Day ; Jack Belew ; Carter Ledgewood
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 2:25 PM
Subject: Re: FW: Re: NASA Project


Tobey, it would be nice if at least one of the instructors was. But, it is not a requirement. It is not a sanctioned or NRA course (unless the coordinators want to make it one - I am sure the NRA has a canned package for just such a course).
-------------- Original message --------------

[Elaine Augustine]

I am so glad to see this positive response. This is something that I have been wanting to see happen for quite some time. Just let me know when and I will call those on my list and confirm numbers. I will be glad to bring an ice chest with water........whatever is needed. Thank you.

[davidking]

If you need me, let me know.

[Danny Creasy]

Al Hausmann writes:

Danny, I will be happy and available to help with Elaine Augustine' s
girls shooting on any Saturdays except April 19 Please advise on the
details. Thanks and God bless. Al Hausmann

[Danny Creasy]

Here is the deal folks. As I stated earlier, I will not be able to organize and administer this event. The E-mail and board posts indicate that the following members are interested in helping with this event:

Elaine Augustine
Bobby L. Bridges - 446-5703
Toby Robertson
George Ellis, certified NRA instructor
Lee Smith, certified NRA instructor - 349-7200
Al Hausmann
Rory Amos

and possibly
Jay Holman
Reece Stewart

1. Somebody needs to volunteer to be the team leader on this and they don't necessarily have to be the course instructor - just the administrator.

2. That individual could contact Carter Ledgewood, club secretary, to obtain phone numbers for these members.

3. Schedule a single planning meeting and get everything all lined up in one quick and decisive meeting. Delegate a lot of small things out to everyone to avoid overwhelming any one person.

4. Report the teams selected course dates to me (Danny Creasy) and I will publish them in the next newsletter, post them here on the board calendar, and put up a paper notice at the range.

5. Report any needs for access to club funds, facilities, and equipment to Dwight Pilkilton, club president.

6. Conduct course safely and successfully in the format the team has agreed upon.

[Danny Creasy]

Our club member, James Heard (381-1857), will be glad to help with this project.