Scenario Based Firearms Training:
Observe the first picture at right. It would seem that the man with the gun clearly has the advantage over the man brandishing the knife. The distance between them is about 18 feet.

But, when the knifer charges in most cases he will be able to use the knife before most people can draw and fire their gun and stop the attack. This is one type of scenario we use at RMCAT to demonstrate to people the "reactionary gap" needed in such a situation. Some advanced police firearms training also demonstrates that most people need about 23 feet to draw and fire their weapon before being killed with the knife.

Now study the last frame, the student has dropped to the ground even as he is being overrun by the assailant with the blade. This is an absolute " last ditch" technique but in this case it works. This identifies another important element about scenario based , firearms training. By using real guns and rubber bullets there is no need for any "guess work". You know if you survived the scenario or not. More importantly, your  body learns what you must do to survive such an attack in your home or on the street.  Thus, you won't have to bet your life that you will do it all right the first time out should you ever face an actual attack.

THE CRITICAL "SHOOT / DON'T SHOOT" DECISION

Could there ever be a more critical decision that you could ever have to make than whether to fire a bullet through another human being and take their life?

But if you hesitate to fire, then you, and/or a loved one might be killed . You might also be immediately disarmed if you hesitate to fire instantly as demanded.. Yet if you fire when it is not legally justified, in fact, in many states  even if you draw your gun under such circumstances you risk being charged with "felony menacing" and prison time. Either of these failures in your decision making process can mean hard prison time at worst , and/or enormous legal bills that would bankrupt many people even if you are found to be innocent of any criminal act!.

THE REALITY OF ACTUAL SHOOTING INCIDENTS  You will certainly have to make that very critical shoot/don't shoot decision under high adrenal stress with your heart pumping full blast . Please think about that, doesn't simple common sense tell you that if you are serious about self defense then you must train under that adrenal condition too? With a gun in your hand or with just your bare hands it really comes to this same simple reality.

Owning a firearm in the United States is still a Constitutionally protected right. But a reasonable person should also accept that along with that legal right also comes a personal responsibility to be trained to use that weapon properly and lawfully... And to do all that that under adrenal stress?  Good marksmanship "at the range" is not only not enough it is often not even of paramount relevance in an actual combat shooting, self defense situation. Most shootings occur at distances of less than 8 feet and very often in very low light. 

If you  ever have to use a gun on a violent criminal then it will be because they are about to take your life. Under those circumstances do you think you will be able to take your eyes off anything except that deadly threat right in front of you?. Most people won't. Their bodies just won't let them.  Hence, you may not be able to use the sights on your weapon in most real self defense situations. In the "moment of truth" most people will convulsively grip the gun & keep both eyes wide open on the enemy about to kill them. This is why you have to learn to shoot with reasonable accuracy and expedient deliberation "with both eyes wide open and gripping the gun convulsively". This  reality is a lot of what the "point shooting" techniques are all about.

MORE ON THE RMCAT FIREARMS COURSES

Effects of the Adrenal Rush  ,  Peyton's "Reality Check" monthly column  , MAGAZINE ARTICLES from Black Belt Magazine and other international publications about RMCAT's unique training