I've had a surprising number of people I know approach me at my cigar club, before and after the SB shooting incident, asking me to consider training them and their wives with their first handguns (bought for family/home protection).
I was talking to a good friend of mine a couple nights ago, another retired LE firearms trainer and armorer, who has been doing some hunter safety ed classes as a new hobby. He said he's been asked by increasingly more people to train them (and their families) with handguns from a personal defense (not hunting or target shooting) perspective.
He and are going to talk some more after the holidays about maybe creating an incorporated entity (to help shield against vicarious liability), and perhaps offer some different levels of CCW & LE-type training, being very selective in accepting students. We have a wide range of LE experience, training and knowledge that might be helpful to pass along.
Not just LE firearms training in shooting, but also insight into tactics, skillsets, mindset and understanding what NOT to do in different situations, since we're able to reference many things gathered over a couple career's worth (approx 60+ years) of experiences.
Lots of things to consider, though, and it's not something we have any desire to rush into without taking prudent steps to make sure we're protected. Time to look into some legal advice, other organizations and the experiences of some long time trainers (outside dedicated LE training). Wanting to share knowledge and experience with other carefully vetted folks is one thing, but creating needless exposure to unnecessary risk when it comes to our pensions, properties and the future well being of our families is quite another thing.
Naturally, among the guys who have recently approached me, not only have the usual "what if's?" regarding home invasion robberies been asked, but a number of questions about what they ought to do if caught in public at a SB-type terrorist event, or if fleeing terrorists are stopped in front of their homes during a LE pursuit.
I've been trying to explain the way CA law works for use of force, including deadly force, in defense of themselves and any innocent 3rd persons (whether family, friends or strangers). Unsurprisingly, most of them didn't have any idea of how the laws work, and would really benefit from learning about the laws involved every bit as much as learning about safely handling, operating and shooting a firearm. (More so, actually, as even though a gun may be possessed, it's not the 'answer' in real life anywhere nearly as often as some folks might wish to think.)
Anyway ...
My point relevant to the thread topic is that it's going to be difficult to try and hypothetically formulate some realistic and practical preparation if someone is lacking at least a minimum level of current knowledge and realistic training in the subject.
Without at least some accurate knowledge and good quality training, it may come down to someone ending up relying on rumor, guesswork, luck and the unknown quality of 'second hand' info gleaned from friends, people in gun stores or within any of the overwhelming montage of opinions to be found online.
Serious about learning how to lawfully, appropriately and effectively protect yourself and loved ones? Think about finding some training. It's becoming mind-boggling to see the number of training classes being advertised at all of the gun stores I've visited in recent months.
Of course, just like it's been with seeking out martial arts or self defense training, it comes down to a 'buyer beware' situation where it may benefit the prospective student to not only consider what it is he/she wants to learn, and needs to learn, but to carefully try and assess the abilities and background of the trainers being considered. Making an informed decision means trying to become sufficiently informed enough to make the decision.
