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• Excellent answers: “I was trained ata nationally known and establishedfirearms school (Gunsite, Thunder Ranch,DTI, Front Sight, and others) or by anationally-known professional trainerwho travels (Jim Cirillo, Massad Ayoob,Ken Hackathorn, and others).” Ideally,more than one name or school willbe mentioned.• Good answers: “I was trained by alocally-known instructor, and have beenteaching for more than two years,” or, “Itook instructor classes through the NRAand I work with a team.”• Bad answer: “I have never taken anyclasses, but I’ve shot a lot.”Can you give me the names andphone numbers of some formerstudents who are willing torecommend your classes? Mostreputable instructors will be happy todo that. Be brave and call those people.Ask about their experiences with theinstructor, and before you hang up, besure to ask if they have any advice foryou when you take the class.Where can I find the state lawsabout concealed carry? This one’sa sneaky question. How the instructoranswers will tell you whether he isknowledgeable about self-defense issues.He doesn’t have to have the statutenumber on the tip of his tongue, but heshould be able to tell you where to findthe actual text. If he can’t, look elsewherefor a self-defense class.Keep in mind that the answers tothese questions don’t matter nearlyas much as the “feel” you get fromthe conversation. If the class fits withinthe category you want, you hit it offwell with the instructor, and you don’tspot any red flags, chances are that youwill enjoy taking that class.A little note about class costs: Pricesfor local instruction vary wildly fromone part of the country to another. Forprofessional training from an establishedschool with a dedicated range, expectto pay upwards of $150 per day ofinstruction. Local instruction will costless than that, sometimes a lot less. Ifmoney is an issue for you, discuss thisfrankly with your prospective instructor.Some schools offer scholarship programsand some instructors (especially at thelocal level), may be willing to considera work exchange if you have skills tobarter with.If it turns out that the instructor is notoffering the type of class you are lookingfor, or isn’t the type of person you wantto work with, conclude your conversationby asking him about other instructors youmight try. Most trainers have a prettygood idea of who is offering classeswithin their general area, and will usuallybe willing to give recommendations tostudents who aren’t a good fit for theirown classes.Kathy Jackson is a freelance writer wholives with her husband and their fivechildren in Washington state. An AssistantInstructor at the Firearms Academy ofSeattle, Kathy takes special pleasure inteaching other women how to shoot.Her personal website may be found at:www.corneredcat.comSHOULD I TAKE AWOMEN-ONLY CLASS?Female students have anadditional option not open to men:They can opt to take a firearmsclass offered for women only. Willsuch a class be a good fit for you?That depends.Classes for women offer:• Friendlier, less competitive atmosphere.Women’s classes tend to bea lot of fun because the students aremore likely to feel comfortable witheach other, rather than competingwith each other.• More personalized instruction.Women’s firearms classes tendto be less crowded than the sameclasses offered in co-ed format. Thistranslates to more one-on-one timewith the instructor and more timefor questions.• Help with female-specific issues,such as how to find a holster thatworks with a woman’s body shape,or how to most safely carry ina purse.• A chance to learn how to shootwithout a well-meaning loved onepushing you along.• (Sometimes) Instruction tailoredfor verbal and visual learners, andfewer assumptions about students’mechanical knowledge.Co-ed classes offer:Two tired but happy students show off their targets at the conclusion of a class.• More choices. At all levels, it issignificantly easier to find co-edclasses than it is to find womenonlyclasses.• More classes at upper levelsof training. It isn’t too hard to findan entry level class intended forwomen only, but advanced classesfor women are rare and difficultto find.• More competitive atmosphere.This can be a good thing atintermediate and advanced levels,when increased pressure helps astudent focus. At lower levels, itcan be a distraction, sometimes asignificant one.Volume 4 - May/June 2007 www.usconcealedcarry.comConcealed Carry Magazine 23