1. Introduction and Safety

• Course Objectives:
• Understanding the course structure and expectations.
• Defining the goals of personal protection outside the home.
• Firearm Safety Rules:
• Fundamental safety rules: Always treat every firearm as if it is loaded, keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot, never point the firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy, and be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
• Safe handling and storage of firearms: Safe direction, proper grip, trigger discipline, and storing firearms securely using safes or lockboxes.
• Range Safety and Procedures:
• Overview of range commands and procedures: Commands like “Load,” “Fire,” “Cease Fire,” “Unload,” etc.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) and its importance: Use of eye protection, ear protection, and appropriate clothing.

2. Defensive Shooting Fundamentals

• Shooting Basics:
• Stance: Isosceles, Weaver, and modified stances.
• Grip: Proper grip techniques to control recoil.
• Sight alignment and sight picture: Focusing on the front sight.
• Trigger control and follow-through: Smooth trigger pull and maintaining sight picture after the shot.
• Drawing from Concealment:
• Techniques for safely drawing a firearm from various concealment methods: Appendix carry, strong side carry, and shoulder holster.
• Practice with different types of holsters and carry positions.
• Shooting Drills:
• Dry fire and live fire exercises to reinforce shooting fundamentals.
• Target acquisition and accuracy drills.

3. Situational Awareness and Threat Assessment

• Understanding Threat Levels:
• Identifying potential threats and assessing risk levels.
• Developing a mindset of awareness and vigilance: OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act).
• Conflict Avoidance:
• Techniques for de-escalating potential confrontations.
• Recognizing and avoiding dangerous situations.
• Cover and Concealment:
• Utilizing environmental features for protection.
• Differentiating between cover and concealment.

4. Legal Considerations

• Understanding the Law:
• Federal, state, and local laws regarding concealed carry.
• Legal implications of using deadly force.
• Self-Defense and the Law:
• Justifiable use of force and the concept of reasonable belief.
• Legal aftermath of a self-defense incident: Reporting to law enforcement, retaining an attorney, and understanding the legal process.
• Interacting with Law Enforcement:
• Proper conduct when interacting with police officers after a self-defense incident.
• Importance of clear and concise communication.

5. Defensive Shooting Techniques

• Tactical Movement:
• Moving to and shooting from various positions.
• Techniques for shooting while on the move.
• Use of Cover:
• Engaging targets from behind cover.
• Techniques for shooting around barriers.
• Multiple Targets:
• Engaging multiple attackers efficiently.
• Target transition drills.

6. Advanced Defensive Skills

• Low-Light Shooting:
• Techniques for shooting in low-light conditions.
• Use of flashlights and night sights.
• Malfunction Drills:
• Identifying and clearing firearm malfunctions.
• Immediate action drills for common malfunctions.
• Retention and Disarming:
• Techniques for retaining your firearm during a struggle.
• Disarming an attacker armed with a firearm.

7. Scenarios and Practical Exercises

• Scenario-Based Training:
• Realistic scenarios to practice defensive skills.
• Decision-making under stress.
• Simulated Attacks:
• Force-on-force training using simulation firearms.
• Practicing responses to various attack scenarios.
• Home Practice and Dry Fire Drills:
• Developing a routine for regular practice.
• Safe dry fire exercises to improve skills.

8. Recommended Defensive Shooting Drills

• Draw and Fire Drill:
• Objective: Practice drawing your firearm from the holster and firing accurately under time pressure.
• Procedure: Start with the firearm holstered and hands in a neutral position. On the start signal, draw the firearm and fire one or two shots at a target. Repeat the drill, gradually increasing speed while maintaining accuracy.
• Failure to Stop Drill (Mozambique Drill):
• Objective: Practice quickly neutralizing a threat with shots to the body and head.
• Procedure: Start with the firearm holstered or in a low ready position. On the start signal, draw and fire two shots to the center mass of the target, then one precise shot to the head.
• Shooting on the Move:
• Objective: Improve your ability to engage targets while moving.
• Procedure: Set up a target at a safe distance. Start moving laterally, forward, or backward while drawing your firearm. Engage the target with controlled pairs while maintaining movement.
• Cover and Concealment Drill:
• Objective: Practice using cover and concealment effectively while engaging targets.
• Procedure: Set up barriers or objects to simulate cover and concealment. Start behind cover with the firearm holstered or in a low ready position. Engage targets from behind cover, minimizing exposure.
• Reloading Drill:
• Objective: Improve your ability to perform fast and efficient reloads under stress.
• Procedure: Start with the firearm loaded and a spare magazine in your magazine pouch. Engage a target until the firearm runs empty. Perform a speed reload and re-engage the target.
• Malfunction Clearing Drill:
• Objective: Practice identifying and clearing common firearm malfunctions quickly.
• Procedure: Set up dummy rounds in your magazine to induce malfunctions. Engage a target until a malfunction occurs. Perform immediate action drills to clear the malfunction and re-engage the target.

9. Course Review and Certification

• Review of Key Concepts:
• Recap of all major topics covered in the course.
• Addressing any questions or concerns.
• Final Assessment:
• Practical shooting test to demonstrate proficiency.
• Written exam on legal and safety knowledge.
• Certification:
• Issuance of Stop the Threat certification upon successful completion of the course.
• Discussion of continued education and practice.

Materials Needed

• Firearm and Ammunition: Appropriate for personal defense.
• Holster and Concealment Garments: To practice drawing from concealment.
• Protective Gear: Eye and ear protection for range activities.
• Course Handouts: Provided by Stop the Threat, including safety guidelines, legal information, and shooting drills.

Conclusion

The Stop the Threat Firearms Training course equips individuals with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to protect themselves and their loved ones in real-world situations. Through a combination of classroom instruction, practical exercises, and scenario-based training, participants will develop a comprehensive understanding of defensive firearm use outside the home.

Appendix

Range Commands

• Load: Prepare the firearm for shooting.
• Fire: Engage the target.
• Cease Fire: Stop all shooting immediately.
• Unload: Make the firearm safe by removing ammunition.
• Make Safe: Ensure the firearm is unloaded and safe to handle.

Legal Resources

• Federal Laws: Overview of relevant federal firearms laws.
• State Laws: Specific concealed carry and self-defense laws for the state.
• Local Ordinances: Any additional local regulations that may apply.

Additional Drills and Exercises

• Dry Fire Drills: Safe practices for dry firing at home.
• Range Exercises: Additional drills to practice at the range.
• Decision-Making Scenarios: Exercises to improve decision-making under stress.

Recommended Reading

• “In the Gravest Extreme” by Massad Ayoob
• “The Law of Self Defense” by Andrew Branca
• “Principles of Personal Defense” by Jeff Cooper
• “Florida Firearms Law, Use & Ownership” (Tenth Edition) by Jon H. Gutmacher, Esq.
• “The NRA Guide to the Basics of Personal Protection Outside the Home”

Resources

• Stop the Threat Website: www.stopthethreat.ai
• NRA Training Resources: www.nra.org
• Florida Department of Law Enforcement: www.fdle.state.fl.us
• FBI: www.fbi.gov

Department of Homeland Security: www.dhs.gov