Business : Area firearms instructor Keller offers defensive pistol class this weekend

A two-day Defensive Pistol Class will be held by Eastern Iowa Firearms Training at the Izaak Walton League Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th. It will be presented by Bill Keller. Day one is Defensive Pistol I. Classroom time covers basic weapons safety, mindset, threat evaluation, weapons manipulation including grip, sight alignment, sight picture, aimed fire, point shooting, a draw from the holster, speed reloads, tactical reloads and clearing weapons malfunctions. Range work includes basic marksmanship, aimed fire, point shooting, combat effective engagement of a threat, speed reloads, tactical reloads, clearing weapon malfunctions, use of cover, use of concealment, movement and the teaching of a broad range of shooting drills to provide you the skills to continue learning these defensive techniques. The vast majority of the day will be spent on the range and require approximately 250 rounds of ammunition. Day One is a stand-alone class and may be taken by itself. Day Two is the Defensive Pistol II class. DP I (or equivalent experience) is required to take the DP II course. It builds on your first day’s work. Range time will include similar drills but executed from cover, in many different shooting positions and will be conducted while drawing your weapon from concealment. While marksmanship will be an element of range time, the focus will be on combat effective hits on a threat while the shooter is “moving off the X”. Multiple methods will be taught that allows for more rapid alignment of your weapon with the threat. Again, the vast majority of the day will be spent on the range and will require approximately 350 rounds of ammunition. If you currently have your concealed carry permit and are looking to take your weapons handling skills to the next level, this course is for you. If you do not have your permit, the Defensive Pistol I course meets and exceeds all Iowa requirements for a concealed permit. You will require your own equipment for this course including a weapon (.38 Cal center fire or larger), holster, at least 3 magazines or speed loaders, a pair of magazine pouches or pouches for your speed loaders, sturdy pistol belt, long pants, sturdy shoes, eye and ear protection, a concealment garment and a baseball cap. Each day will run from 8 Am to approximately 5 PM. There will be a 1-hour meal break around noon. The cost of DP I is $175 plus a $20 range fee. The cost of the DP II course is also $175 plus a $20 range fee. Taken together, the cost of the 2-day DP I & DP II course is $300 plus a $20 range fee. We accept cash, check or credit cards at the course. You can sign up by calling Bill Keller at 319-640-5532 or emailing your name, address, city, state, zip, phone number, email address and age to wkeller@eiaft.com. More information is available at http://eiaft.com and various course topics can be reviewed at our blog at http://eiaft.blogspot.com. If you are dedicated to becoming a skilled shooter, our Defensive Pistol courses are a great “next step”.