Gear and Ammunition Requirements
What you need to bring:
Eye Protection - needs to wrap around enough to protect from objects flying in from the sides.
Ear Protection - preferably the electronic variety that muffles loud sounds but amplifies voices.
Hat - something with a bill or brim above your face. This helps keep shrapnel or spent brass from falling down behind your glasses.
Water bottle - we'll have water jugs you can use to refill.
Food - this class lasts all day. There will be a lunch break, but we currently don't provide food services. So bring a lunch and enough snacks to stay happy!
For the Handgun Class:
Handgun - semi-automatic or double action revolver. No single action revolvers. The trigger pull weight must be at least 4 pounds.
Magazines - bring at least 2 but we recommend 3 or more magazines for semi-autos. If you're bringing a revolver, speedloaders or moon clips are recommended.
Holster - either inside the waistband (IWB) or outside the waistband (OWB,) but needs to be on your firing side hip. (No appendix, crossdraw or thigh holsters.) When holstered, the gun should be pointing straight down at the ground (not at the feet of the person behind you.)
A slight cant, sometimes referred to as an FBI cant or approximately 15 degrees, is fine. The holster should fit well enough to hold the gun securely while still allowing it to be drawn without having to yank on it. The holster must be rigid enough that it won't collapse when the gun is removed. This is important so that the gun can be put back into the holster smoothly and with the use of only one hand. The holster must completely cover and protect the trigger when the gun is holstered. We do not allow holsters that have the button that you have to push with your trigger finger in order to get the gun out. Other retention devices are fine. Just the trigger finger button is the problem. These holsters have a bad track record for being a contributing factor to people accidentally shooting themselves in the leg while drawing.
Magazine/speedloader pouches are recommended but not required, as you can use your pockets instead. However they are convenient for ammo management on the range and more efficient for reloading exercises.
Belt - needs to be sturdy enough to bear the weight of your gun in the holster. Also, make sure your pants/shorts actually have belt loops to hold the belt in place.
Concealment garment - we will be practicing getting your gun out of the holster while the holster is concealed under a garment of some sort. It could be a vest, jacket, sweatshirt, unbuttoned shirt or even an untucked tee shirt.
Ammunition - For the 1-Day class, bring 200 rounds of factory new ammo (no reloaded ammo.) For the 2-Day class, bring 400 rounds.
If you don't already have a gun and all the necessary gear, you can borrow ours. We can provide the eye protection, electronic ear protection, handgun, 3 magazines, holster, belt, and magazine pouches. We have 9mm guns and .22LR guns. Just contact us through the "Contact Us" page.
For the Rifle Class:
Rifle - Any rifle is welcome, but the curriculum is geared towards the AR-15. Minimum 4lb trigger.
Sights - Your choice what to use, but sights are required! We will be doing a lot of shooting inside 50yds, so if you're using a scope you will want something with low power (3x or lower recommended.)
Sling - You must have a sling! Tactical slings and traditional slings are both welcome.
Magazines - You can do this class with two magazines, but three or more are highly recommended.
Magazine pouch - these are good for keeping a magazine handy on your belt, but it is not required as long as you have pockets that will work instead.
Knee pads and elbow pads - We will be practicing kneeling and prone in this class. Pads are not required but are recommended for your comfort.
Ammunition - Ammunition requirement is 160 rounds. (No tracers, armor piercing, "green tip", steel core, or bi-metallic bullets. If a magnet sticks to the bullet (the actual projectile,) it is a no go.
For the Shotgun Class:
Shotgun - Any shotgun is welcome, but the curriculum is geared towards pump guns and semi-autos with tubular magazines. Minimum 4lb trigger.
Sights - Your choice - bead, irons, or an optic.
Sling - You must have a sling! Tactical slings and traditional slings are both welcome.
Shell Carrier - Not required, but recommended. Side saddles are good, or the speed strippers that go on your belt. Additionally, a dump pouch on your belt can hold a lot of shells and is convenient, or you can just fill up your pockets.
Ammunition - Ammunition requirement is 150 rounds of birdshot, 30 rounds of buckshot, and 20 slugs. Steel ammo is not allowed. If there is a picture of a duck or goose on the box it is probably steel. If a magnet sticks to the shotgun shell (projectile end) it is a no go.
The Four Universal Firearm Safety Rules
- Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.
- Never point a gun at anything you are not willing to shoot.
- Keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.
- Be sure of your target, and what is in line with your target.
Read the Waiver
DUTY TO DEFEND FIREARMS TRAINING WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY
I, __________________________________________ [Participant's Full Name], voluntarily participate in the Duty to Defend firearms training program. I understand that this training involves the use of firearms and live ammunition, which may be hazardous. In consideration of participating, I agree to the following:
1. Assumption of Risk:
I acknowledge the inherent risks associated with using firearms and assume full responsibility for any potential hazards, including but not limited to the risk of injury or death.
2. Compliance with Safety Rules:
I agree to follow all safety rules and instructions provided by Duty to Defend.
3. Release of Liability:
I, on behalf of myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless Duty to Defend, its owners, instructors, employees, and representatives, from any and all claims, demands, actions, or causes of action arising out of or in connection with my participation in the firearm training program, including but not limited to any injuries, damages, or losses, whether direct or indirect, foreseen or unforeseen, that I may sustain as a result of participating in the training.
4. Indemnification:
I will indemnify and hold Duty to Defend harmless from any liabilities or expenses resulting from my participation.
5. Medical Treatment:
I authorize Duty to Defend to seek necessary medical treatment in case of an emergency.
6. Media Consent:
I grant Duty to Defend the right to use photographs or videos taken during the training for promotional purposes.
By signing below, I confirm that I have read and understood this waiver and release of liability.
Participant's Full Name: ______________________________________________________
Participant's Signature: _______________________________________________________
Date: ______________________
Parent/Legal Guardian (if participant is under 18 years old):
Printed Name: _______________________________________________________
Signature: __________________________________________________________
Date: ______________________
Dry Practice Rules
1. Unload your gun. Make sure the chamber is empty and the magazine well is empty. Remove all ammunition and magazines including from your pockets and magazine pouches and place them somewhere outside of your designated dry practice area. Preferably put them in a different room.
2. Set up a temporary target. This could be as simple as a post it note or a piece of paper taped to the wall, or it could be the same paper target you like to use on the range. The main thing is that it is something you will put away when you are done. Do not use a permanent fixture such as a light switch, or a TV, or a picture or mirror mounted on the wall. Also be mindful of where you place the target. Ideally, use a wall that would stop a round if you did have a negligent discharge, such as a basement wall or a wall made of concrete. If that isn’t possible, at least use a wall where the trajectory of a round going through the wall would not cause injury or property damage to others. Note: standard drywall walls and exterior siding will not stop a bullet. A bullet can travel through several walls and still severely injure or kill someone.
3. Unload again! Before you start dry practice just do another chamber check and magazine check to make sure your gun is completely unloaded.
4.Remember, practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. If you are sloppy in your practice, you are actually training yourself to be sloppy when it counts.
5. If you get distracted during dry practice, for example if you are interrupted by somebody or a phone call, or knock on the door, immediately stop your dry practice session. When you are ready to resume, start the process over from the beginning.
6. When you are done with dry practice, say out loud, “I am done with dry practice.” Put your target away and if you decide later that you want to do some more dry practice go back to step 1 and start the entire process over again.