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  About Us

"You don't get to pick where you're going to need your gun. Someone else picks where you're going to need your gun. And they will typically only inform you at the last minute." --Tom Givens

"They didn't kill me and I hadn't run out of ammo." - Lance Thomas on why he fought an armed robber after being shot.

"If you don't think the 9mm is effective, then let me shoot at you." --

 Robert E. Wilson Jr.

"Try finding a guy who's been in a gunfight and who carries less ammunition after  the gunfight than he did before--you won't." -- James Yeager

     Facts:

• Some people may not like guns however, I have never had anyone tell me, that they wish they did not have a gun in a violent encounter where their life or the lives of their loved ones were at stake and could have been taken by some stranger.

• Traditional range training can get you "KILLED".

• The easy part was buying the gun. But are you really sure you know how to use it if someone were shooting back at you?

• You must execute the fundamentals on demand, and under any conditions. 

• In a fight for your life, you will wish you had some training.

• Training is survival, inadequate training builds false confidence

      and unrealistic expectations.  

• People are far more concerned with what caliber they are carrying and choice of cartridge. Its mindset, marksmanship, and tactics that win gunfights, not having a larger caliber and the lastest wonder bullet in your gun.

• You must hit your intented target with every round you fire, thus allowing you to neutralize the threat and to reduce your liability!

• Not hitting your target does not solve you're immediate problem and puts innocent people at risk.

   

• Carrying a gun takes commitment, a lot of commitment. You need to learn about firearms, learn to shoot, understand and practice gun safety, learn tactics, comprehend legal issues, practice, clean and store the gun, adjust how you dress, and perhaps even change your life style and attitude.

Why train with me, I know what works, and what will not work. I teach based on hard won personal experince. I have drawn my weapon and fired on hostile adversaries, I am a advanced shooter but would not expect to take home any trophies from any competition. I have been trained by some of the best in the business and my whole concept in training is for the fight period.

I have the knowledge, experience, and ability as a shooter and trainer to analyze your performance and clearly communicate how to improve your ability. I will impart the knowledge and provide the tools that will allow you to maximize your time and resources in pursuit of higher skill. 

I am 100% fad-free in my approach. My curriculum evolves as operational requirements do. I rely on tactical lessons learned as a basis for evolution, not competitive events because your life is not a game.

A student leaves my course with a disciplined mind, the ability to think critically and to quickly assess and respond to a threatening situation.

Our Business

Goal: To enable the averge person to stop adversarial combatants with a handgun while under duress with speed and accuracy.

I bring to you 31yrs of defensive pistol shooting experience.

I have taught defensive pistol techniques in the Atlanta, metro area since 1994. To date, 17 private citizen students and 13 law enforcement officers have been involved in shootings and everyone of them has won.

No other shooting school in the Atlanta, metro area or all of Georgia,  has such a solid record of preparing private citizens or law enforcement officers for the realities of the streets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why should I carry a gun.

A. It is my opinion carrying a weapon is just like having insurance or a fire extinguisher for your home or car.

It, is a bad day if you have to use it however, it is a good thing to have if you need it.      

Q. With your expertise why are you not charging more for your classes.

A. I get asked that question a lot so here goes.

From having been a victim of crime I feel that the law abiding citizen has the need to learn to be able to protect themselves from the criminal element. 

I like what I am doing and I try to keep the fees in a reasonable range so that people can afford the training.

I do not rely on what I make here to pay my bills. I have a job which pays me very well.

Q. What is the focus of your training.

A. I teach proven techniques and   methodologies that have a street proven track record, that I know will work to keep you and your family alive in a modern urban environment.

If you have a firearm and all you are concerned with is just shooting at paper on the square range or some cans in your back yard, then this class is not for you.

I take a person and show them how to employ their weapon in a real world situation.

Fundamentals are taught in the beginning because they always apply, and must be executed under any situation. Unlike the bulls eye shooter, you must deliver the fundamentals faster because you are in a fight for life, not for points.

Q. What is your clientele like.

A. My clientele range from individuals who have never held a gun in their life, to individuals who have been shooting most of their lives and have never had formal training.

Some shooters have good fundamentals but no technique or tactics.

There are students who have indoor   range training embedded in their minds and bodies but have never progressed beyond that.

Q.Why are there people who have firearms and don't get training?  

A. Some people feel that they do not need it, or they do not have the time or the money, a lot of people do not want to be embarrassed.  

Most rely on a friend or a significant other who is or was in the military or a police officer, or just someone who goes to the range and shoots.

That just does not mean that they can teach you how to be a fighter with a firearm.

A lot of people think that they are going to rise to the occasion. No, they will default to the level of training that they have mastered.

FYI. If you carry a gun, you should realize that one day someone may force you to shoot them. You need decide a course of action long before you are faced with that situation.

Don’t be polite, don’t let people get close to you. It might get you killed. Criminals take advantage of our disposition to polite behavior. If you don’t feel right about someone or a situation, say so and take a fighting posture. Let the opposition know without doubt you are the Butcher not the Cow.

When it comes to most officers they don't train how are they now going to teach someone else. Most are at the range practicing to qualify not training.

Q. Why do you think law enforcement officers do not train.

A. It could be a money or time factor also but for most I believe they feel that the training they recieved for their agency is enough. Could be going to the range is associated with work, instead of going out and training to be at the top of their game when it comes to technique, tactics, mindset, survival.  

FYI. I will train you as if you were going to fight another trained fighter, and I have students who are alive from what they have learned from me.  

Q. What kind of firearm should I buy?

A. You want a good quality weapon for your personal protection.

It Should be:

Reliable: Go bang every time  you pull the trigger period!                                     

Effective: A large enough caliber to do damage. For a pistol, minimum 9mm perferably +P or +P+ loadings. For a revolver .38 special +P.                                          

Portable: Because you will be wearing it. Not too big, and not too small. You also do not want to sacrifice caliber for a small primary gun.      

User-Friendly: It should be easy to operate, not a whole bunch of gagets on it.

Easy to maintain: You should be able to clean, get accessories, spare parts, and gear for your firearm. 

Q. How many rounds should it be able to fire without a malfunction?

A. It should be able to fire at least 100rds of ammunition, at one shot per second without one malfuction.

Q. What do you suggest?

A. I suggest the Glock, police departments and some federal agencies across the nation use this weapon and it has proven itself to be very reliable.

FYI. My training is to prepare you to fight with a gun, not just shoot it. The Glock is a fine weapon but please stay away for the compensated "C" models. Example G17C, G22C,  etc.   

Q. What other weapons do you suggest.

A. Other reliable weapons are the Smith and Wesson M&P, Springfield XD, Ruger SR9, Sig Sauer, FN, HK Pistols, just to name a few.

Q. What weapons should I stay away from?

A. The High Point, Raven, Jennings, Cobra, Jimenez, Bryco, Laurason, and  anything in the $90.00 to $200.00 range for personal protection is down right frightening. Stay away from cheap hand guns.

Q. What is your opinion on revolvers.

A. On revolvers, I can teach you how to reload your weapon quickly. However, I will advise you to purchase a semi-automatic because you give up ammunition capacity with a revolver. For those who are not trained properly reloading is slow and can be very difficult under stress.

FYI.I would not personally leave my house carrying revolver as my primary weapon it would be a back up gun.

A primary gun should hold at least

eight rounds.

Q.Why is that.

A. Bad guys do not fight fair. You maybe by yourself, or the person or people you may be with may not be armed, you may have to engage mulitple assailants and you will want to have the capability to do so.

Q. What caliber should I get for personal protection?

A. For semi-automatic pistols, 9mm, 357sig, .40cal, 10mm, .45 gap and .45 acp are all good service calibers.

For revolvers .38 and .44 special and .357 magnum.

My suggestions are for a revolver .38 special, .357 magnum. If you like big bullets .44 special. For a semi-auto  9mm, .40cal, .45acp with one these six calibers you will be fine.  

Q. Which caliber do you shoot?  

A. 9mm.

Q. With all of the calibers available why a 9mm. 

A. The ammunition is cheaper than your larger calibers, so this means you can train and practice more. The 9mm has low recoil when compared to other service calibers. 

Even with personal protection loads such as 9mm +P or +P+ ammunition, recoil is still moderate enough so that you can get fast follow up shots.

Q. So the 9mm is sufficient?

A. Yes, it is my professional opinon and from my personal experience, if you are looking for a caliber for your personal protection as you go about your daily business (movies, dinner, walking, jogging, shopping etc.) a 9mm will be just fine, and it is the "minimum caliber" you should carry for your personal protection.

FYI. If you do not think the 9mm is effective then let me shoot at you! When I hit you to your heart and brain and you're not dead then I will carry something larger. 

I cannot stress too heavily that the primary determinant of stopping power is BULLET PLACEMENT. A cool, deliberate marksman with a little .32 caliber pistol will beat a panicky, inaccurate man with a .357 Magnum or .45 auto every time. Whatever firearm and caliber you select, you must practice firing hundreds - thousands - of rounds in realistic defensive scenarios until you can confidently make disabling hits on your target period. 

Q. My husband carries a .45 and wants me to do the same, but it kicks to much.

A. I have often had caring spouses or a significant other buy their partner a .40 cal, .45acp, .357mag, or 357sig, only for that partner to get frustrated because of the sharp recoil, especially in a new shooter.

Put a 9mm in their hands and under the proper "INSTRUCTION" they will shoot just fine and maybe more willing to go to the range, practice and train or carry a weapon.

If a person wants to upgrade to a larger caliber after they become more familiar with the fundamentals thats a good thing but in time. 

Q. Which calibers should I avoid?

A. The .22,.25,.32,.380 caliber these bullets have stopped people from continuing an attack and have killed people however, they will not be suitable for what I will be teaching you.

FYI. From my personal experience and  students that have had to fire on someone. Not one of them ever said that they wish they had any of these small caliber guns.

However, any gun is better than no gun at all if you need to call upon it to save your life, all bullets are potentially lethal, they are just not all equal. If you shoot them with a .22 and they react like "Hey what just happened" and you can get away or they run away then thats a good thing. 

Q. Have you ever had to shoot someone? 

A. I have used a firearm several times to protect myself from the criminal element, here at home,  and out of the country, and against enemies abroad.

Q. How long have you been teaching? 

A. I have been teaching since 1994.

Q. Have any of your students been involved in a shooting? 

A. Yes, of all my students, I have 17 private citizens and 13 law enforcement officers who have had to use their weapon to protect themselves. Four of them were women. They all sucessfully won their confrontations. None were charged in criminal or civil court.

Q. How often do you train.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ_hN0qm_k0 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZkPbl2hLoA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCEFAQwTHmI

A. I am at the outdoor or indoor range at least twice a week working on various shooting drills and skills.

Q. Do you train with anyone else, and who do you train with.

A. Yes, I train with a variety of instructors through out the year to maintain discipline and stay abreast of new tactics and techniques or just running the old ones with different scenarios. My job requires that I be armed. I like to train through out the year this ensures that I, and my curriculum are current, realistic, relevant.

I perfer to train with people who are in an operational status or who have actual combat experience. I am not saying that you cannot learn from others. My experience is that other instructors do not have the fine points or level of intensity that I am looking for.

I will sum it up this way. Fighting for your life with a gun in the Walmart parking lot for example will not be your lucky day.

I bring lessons learned to my students. I do not prostitute techniques or bring  gun game scenarios or BS them about pulling that weapon and putting it into play. 

If you are in a gunfight, you might get shot. If you are shot with a handgun, you can probably function and keep fighting. Handguns are woefully underpowered, hence 80% of people shot with them survive.

Bad guys are looking for victims not fighters anything you do is a plus especially if someone is trying to abduct you. Never go anywhere with anyone your chances of getting back are slim.

You bite, scratch, cut, punch, kick, grab and twist now it is time to fight, if you don't know how its not to late let me show you.

Who am I

R. E. "9 Micky Mouse" Wilson  Jr.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyoZio2b_aQ

• USMC Veteran    
• Veteran of Beirut 1982, Grenada Invasion, and Desert Storm
• Former armed security officer
• Former Atlanta Police Officer Unit 3113 C Sector Zone 1
• Former Reserve Deputy Fulton Co. Sheriff Warrent Division       
• Former College Park Reserve Officer Tri City Narcotics
• Expert Rating International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA)
• NRA Member and Certified Pistol Instructor
• Former Body Guard
• Certified Glock Armor and firearms instructor  
• Physical Security Analyst EAS-23    

        Combative Training:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkuePHAv7BU

• Dave Castoldi's

      Streetwise Jujitsu

      1st Degree Black Belt

      #A120020406022

• Tremout School of Judo

      and Jujitsu 1st kyu

      Brown Belt

• Master Gunnery Sgt.

      Paul Johnson Karate 

      "Higichi System"

      3rd Kyu Brown Belt

• I also have over 20yrs experince combined in other martialarts disciplines

      Western Boxing

      Arnis

      Thai-Boxing

      Military Hand to Hand

      Ledrit

      Jeet Kune Do

        Firearms Training:

• British SAS, anti terrorism, and hostage rescue tactics. 

• Germanys GSG-9 Pistol and Submachine Gun shooting  
• Ken Hackathorn
• Hector Echegoyen
• Universal Tactical Academy
• Options for Personal Security
• Tactical Response
• Trident Concepts
• Tactical Firearms Academy
• US Shooting Academy
• Vickers Tactical
• Range Master
• BlackwaterUSA
• Thunderranch
• Defense Concepts of North Carolina
• Gunsite
• Combat Handgun 1-3
• Firearmz
• Defense Training International
• Sionics
• Defensive Handgun 1-2
• 4 Day Defensive Pistol
• 2 Day Advanced Tactical
• Hand Gun Master Prep
• Ardent Training Systems
• Combat Shooting and Tactics Center
• Tiger Swan
• Department of State Mobile Training Team
• Sig Sauer Academy
• Combat Hard
• Combat Speed
• Israeli Combat Shooting
• Israeli Counter Terrorist Course
• Elite Public Safety
• Confidential Source of Information
• Security in High Risk Environments Center
• Vehicle Counter Measures
• Hostile Environment Operative Course
• Todd Green Aim Fast Hit Fast 

      Advance Rating and FAST Coin  

• I have instructed hundreds of law abiding citizens as well as individual police officers, deputy sheriffs,  including swat team members and federal agents.

• I am also instrumental in helping police recruits and sworn officers who seek extra training to improve their scores to pass the Georgia semi-auto double action pistol course the first time around.

• I have been an assistant instructor in training security teams, domestic and international police officers  and corporate personal traveling to high risk areas.