Protect your community: enroll for gun training

Protect your community: enroll for gun training

Yes, gun training is imperative to protect communities. Among the mayhem we witnessed this past week, we saw amazing scenes of solidarity when private citizens stepped in to block entrances to shopping malls and armed themselves to form roadblocks against the vandals and looters. Many of them operated under the overwhelmed SAPS and not as vigilantes. “We cannot just allow people from nowhere to come and loot here,” said Paul Magolego, spokesperson for the Vosloorus taxi association.

The need for gun training

Heaven forbid, but if this situation should become necessary in the future, it’s essential that armed citizens should have adequate gun training.

Good gun training preserves life and family and assists in crime prevention. And by having had the foundation gun training, law-abiding citizens can overcome lawlessness. Thus they have the means to prevent the unlawful destruction of life and property – such as we’ve seen this past week.

A safe society

At Marksman’s Nest gun training is conducted in a friendly and helpful environment. All our instructors promote the values needed for a safe and self-sacrificing society. Said chief ranger Geoffrey Coetzee, “Gun training can help you overcome fear, grow in patience and think of others as you would have them think of you.”

Police and security are the ideal intermediaries, but often they may be overstretched. That’s why there are innumerable benefits to obtaining a licence to own and carry a firearm.

Defensive uses of guns

The defensive use of a firearm outweighs unlawful and violent uses. What’s more, defensive uses of firearms need not result in harm or death. This includes all types of crime: from home invasions to muggings, rape and assault. It merely gives you the option to thwart victimisation and stay safe.

Knowing you can defend yourself and your neighbours is truly empowering. Even more so when you’ve had adequate gun training in using a weapon responsibly. Geoffrey added, “Most of us fear the unknown. That’s why many people aren’t comfortable around guns. But a good way to be more comfortable around guns is to know how they work and how to handle them properly.”

The last thing we need is vigilante justice. But responsible, trained and law-abiding gun owners usually simply want to be able to defend their families and neighbourhoods.

Train to defend yourself

Train to defend yourself

“There’s no way that you’ll be able to fend off a surprise attack unless you train to defend yourself,” said veteran firearm instructor Geoffrey Coetzee. “Body alarm and stress factors will be your enemy. That’s why a professional self-defence handgun course will be a life saver. That’s how you can learn how to overcome fear paralysis and snap into action.”

Guns are effective tools for personal protection – in the right (and trained) hands. Throughout history, many a law-abiding citizen has been able to defend themselves and their families during home invasions. With appropriate training and responsible use, owning a gun is an enormous asset in terms of safeguarding your family and property.

Equal playing field

It’s true that owning a gun equalises the playing field – especially during a home invasion. With a gun in your hand, you can take back the power during conflicts with aggressors.

However, thorough training is essential. Once you understand the mechanics of gun usage, controlling your firearm becomes second nature. In addition, you’ll become au fait with all the defined safety protocols.

Don’t be an easy target

Geoffrey added, “Criminals usually prey on easy targets. Thus they hesitate to confront people who are armed and able to protect themselves. Studies  also show that burglars prefer to target homes where they believe no guns are present.”

You can count on the firearm education pros at Marksman’s Nest to instruct you in the principles of defence, the legality of self-defence, foiling surprise attacks, surviving an attack, carry conditions and know-how, overpowering single and multiple attackers and contingency planning.

Book your space today in . This is a must-do course for citizens who refuse to be victims.

Choosing a rifle

Choosing a rifle

Goodness, the excitement of choosing a rifle is like a visit to the sweet shop for kids! There’s so much choice out there in terms of design and niche types! But tips from veteran marksman and owner of Marksman’s Nest, Geoffrey Coetzee, should guide you through the process somewhat.

Precision shooting

Remember the type of rifle should be suited to its intended use. For long-range precision shooting, a well-made bolt-action rifle is perfect. Being extremely accurate, they have many configurations, but the technical specs could be quite intimidating. First decide what your price limit is, because some of these have eye-watering prices. Then determine which calibre would suit your needs.

Target rifles generally have heavy barrels and much more powerful stock. Some people like the budget rifles, which are equipped with polymer stocks and magazines, while others simply avoid these.

Many precision shooters have a penchant for chassis rifles, while others opt for traditional hunting rifles. This is basically because some shooters find a chassis rifle comfortable, but others find it a pain. However, do consider whether you prefer a detachable or fixed magazine.

In the end, it’s all up to you. The caveat is: hold the rifle (for quite a while) to determine whether you like the feel. Stock fit and balance always remain personal choices.

Hunting

When choosing a rifle, are you on the look-out for a hunting rifle? If so, the determining factor will be your choice of hunting target(s). Will you be backpack hunting? In this instance,  weight definitely is a huge determining factor.

Another consideration is barrel length, because this can affect balance. Many a hunter shuns longer barrels because of maneuverability issues. Especially so when hunting in thick bush or brush. In these instances, additional velocity really doesn’t make a difference.

Although heavy target barrels don’t heat up quickly, they’re more rigid. As such, they usually enhance accuracy.

Bolt-action rifles usually are favoured for hunting. Considerations are that they should be lightweight, accurate and reliable.

When hunting from a stand, additional rifle weight is definitely not of concern. Heftier rifles invariably settle faster. Therefore, long shots from a stand are infinitely easier.

Finally

Geoffrey has the last word, “Before choosing a rifle, do your research. And do take your time while deciding. Better yet, speak to the experts at Marksman’s Nest. We’d be able to point you in the right direction.”

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