As we wind down and settle in for the New Year, we reflect on our year and refine our goals for the following year. At the beginning of the year, we focus on ourselves and our personal growth. We make weight loss goals, financial goals, and personal growth goals. As the year progresses, other needs seep in - family, work, and repairing the AC unit because the Las Vegas summers abuse them. Priorities become reassigned and oftentimes what began as a tier-one priority is pushed down our list of things to accomplish for ourselves. Adding to that, December introduces a surge of emotions. From shopping and planning meals to stringing holiday lights and decorating, the holidays bring unique but routine stress each year. My point is, January makes an excellent month to prioritize a new skill - specifically in self-defense. With 2023 around the corner, what are some goals or skills you would like to focus on for yourself?
The Course & The Instructor
If you’ve considered obtaining your CCW in the past, or have become interested in exploring the possibility, Self Reliance Training, LLC is an excellent place to start. With a range of affordable course options and support to help you begin your journey as a CCW holder, Self Reliance Training, LLC aims to meet you at your comfort level by providing structured classroom learning with hands-on range time, private courses for 2-10 people, defensive pistol courses, and one-on-one private range instruction.
Kirk Heller established Self Reliance Training, LLC in 2021 to fill a need in the Las Vegas Valley. Kirk believes in a person’s ability to rely on themselves - hence his brand, Self Reliance Training, LLC . His first-person approach to education surpasses the boring outlined material provided by other organizations by seeking to emphasize assertiveness and confidence in his students. While his classroom instruction remains timely and organized, you can bet the instruction you will receive will be delivered in a conversational, but direct manner. In that, you could argue that Self Reliance Training, LLC began 10+ years ago when Kirk first became immersed in the firearms industry. He dedicated himself to learning the industry, and our laws; developing the expertise needed to demonstrate and lead a course in realistic self-defense. Kirk believes you should practice what you preach, and leads by example each and every day.
Why It Is Important to be Self Reliant
As of this writing, aggravated assault makes up 66.5% of violent crimes committed in the Las Vegas Valley. Our population has grown just shy of 20,000 new residents since 2020 leading to congestion on our roads and increased foot traffic in shopping centers. While this is great for our economy, it could also mean an increase in crime. Nationwide, “violent crime has climbed by 12 percent in U.S. cities, while property crime has declined by 33 percent since 2010. Robbery rates fell in the average U.S. city by 23 percent, while murder, rape, and aggravated assault all climbed by 25 percent or more.” As a whole, CCW holders positively impact their community, decreasing crime. In fact, a study conducted by the FBI revealed that a 5% reduction in murder, rape, and aggravated assault followed in states that issued CCW permits.
Sadly, the US has seen an increase in mass shootings since 1966. In fact, since 2011, the US has seen 160 mass shootings, resulting in 3,590 victims - combining both injured and deceased persons. 25% of those incidents happened within a school setting while almost 30% happened on the job, like on November 22, 2022, a manager in Chesapeake, VA opened fire on his co-workers, killing 6 innocent people who merely showed up to work. Whereas, in July 2022, a CCW holder came to the rescue when a shooter opened fire in a mall in Indiana. The shooter was armed with two rifles, a handgun, and more than 100 rounds of ammo when he shot and killed 3 victims and injured 2 more. Fortunately, 22-year-old Elisjsha Dicken was prepared and equipped with not only the knowledge to handle the situation, but the confidence to perform under pressure. Within 15 seconds of the assailant beginning their attack, he fatally shot the gunman, striking him with 8 of his 10 shots at a distance between 40-50 yards, putting an end to the horrific scene and preventing the loss of many other lives.
Being Proactive and Taking Action
Reading and processing statistics like this could invoke fear, making you feel helpless and uncertain about what’s to come, but you have options. Adding home security systems to your home could bring some peace of mind, just as carrying pepper spray or a taser might, but would you feel confident in your ability to defend yourself with those items if you had to? Investing in your ability to take care of yourself and better your chance of walking away is what we aim to do here at Self Reliance Training, LLC. Our mission is to equip you with the knowledge and skills to prepare you for that fight or flight moment - when you feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and your senses drown out the noise surrounding you.
Not only will you be investing your time in developing a defensive tactic, but you will invariably educate those around you and bring positive awareness to gun ownership. Your friends and family will be more informed, decreasing the likelihood of the unfortunate, curiosity-driven risks we sometimes hear about in the news. You may unknowingly inspire one of your friends to join a class and invest in their own level of protection, thereby making the area you live in a little safer. CCW holders have a different mentality about gun ownership because they understand a level of respect is required when owning and carrying a weapon, so they set time aside to learn, understand, train, and practice; whereas those who commit violent crimes succumb to the emotional wave they’re currently experiencing.
Whether you embark on your own self-defense journey in January or plan to set time aside within the coming months when your schedule permits, we hope to see you in one of our classes in 2023. Becoming the person you can rely on takes commitment and accountability, and it begins with education. Stay safe out there.
Comentários