First things First!

Remember the Cardinal Rules of Firearms Safety:

1. Treat every weapon as if it is loaded.
2. Keep you finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire.
3. Never allow your muzzle to cover anything you are not willing to accept the responsibility for destroying.
4. Be aware of your target and what is around it.

Now that we have the basic safety rules in place we can get to the actual clearing of the weapon.

Be mindful of the workspace.  Loading and unloading procedures occur in the workspace where we have better tactical and visual control of the weapon.

You will also notice that at no point do we clear by “firing”, that is Rule 2 -  Keep your finger off the trigger until you make are ready to fire. There is never the need to press the trigger during a clearing procedure.

Carbine clearing steps

1. With the weapon in the workspace rotate it clockwise 90 degrees to visually inspect the safety and make sure it is in the SAFE position. If the weapon is on released hammer, the weapon fired and not cycled, then on an AR style rifle the safety will not move to the SAFE position. If this is the case go ahead to the next step and continue to be mindful the weapon condition.
2. Depress the magazine release and allow the magazine to fall free of the weapon. If you have a full or partial magazine you want to maintain control of the magazine as you would during a tactical reload.
3. Maintaining the workspace rotate the weapon counterclockwise until you can clearly see the ejection port. Do not over rotate the weapon so you are staring directly at the ejection port or any brass, live or spent, may eject into your face.
4. While observing the ejection port, use your support hand pull the charging handle fully to the rear and hold.
5. At this point you should look at three spots for a live round or spent brass while looking through the ejection port:
   • observe the magazine well and make sure there is no brass or live ammunition;
   • observe the bolt and make sure there is no brass or live ammunition attached;
   • observe the chamber and make sure there is no brass or live ammunition.
6. If you are training, have your training partner verify step 5 and verbally agree by saying “clear.”
7. Release the charging handle.
8. Finally,  rotate your weapon to visually inspect the safety and make sure it is in SAFE position

If you followed these steps your weapon is now safe, but remember we ALWAYS follow the Cardinal Rules of Firearm Safety, so even after clearing your weapon continue to follow all Cardinal Rules of Firearms Safety. The life you save may be someone you care about.

Happy (and safe) shooting!

Come join Aggressive Defensive Solutions March 13-14, 2010 as we host an Intermediate Defensive Handgun Class at the U.S. Training Center in Moyock, N.C. The two day training course will focus on:

• the draw;
• multiple target management;
• adverse angle shooting;
• reload techniques;
• and behind the curve shooting.

This course is designed as a challenging, yet fun, range day to reinforce basic shooting skills and provide the basis for more advanced skill sets. Students should have a working knowledge and basic skill with their handgun. The Cardinal Rules of Firearm Safety, The Fundamentals of Marksmanship, and basic skills such as loading/unloading and the draw should be mastered before attending this training. The nature of this class is challenging though not daunting.

Required equipment for the class will include:

• Handgun
• 3 magazines (6 speed-loaders for revolvers)
• Holster
• Magazine pouches
• Eye protection (wraparound)
• Hearing protection
• 650 rounds of ammunition
• A good attitude and a willingness to learn.

The cost of this class is $300- per shooter (minimum class size 6, maximum class size 18)

Due to security requirements of U.S.T.C, all participants must preregister.

Class dates are March 13, 2010 and March 14, 2010.

Interested, want more information, or ready to reserve a spot contact us today.

Are you looking for a basic to intermediate handgun class dust of the winter chill?

Are you looking to hone your shooting skills for self defense?

Do you want to just exercise your second amendment rights?

Then come join us in March! Aggressive Defensive Solutions is hosting  a single session of our 1 Day Pistol-Craft Class for Women Only at the U.S. Training Center in Moyock, N.C. The 10 hour training course will focus on:

• weapon function;
• safe handling and Cardinal Rules of Firearm Safety;
• Fundamentals of Marksmanship;
• loading and unloading procedures;
• the draw;
• reload proceedures.

This course is designed as a challenging, yet fun, range day to learn and reinforce basic shooting skills and provide the basis for more advanced skill sets. Students with no previous experience (beginner) up to a limited working knowledge (novice) will benefit from this course. The nature of this class is challenging though not daunting.

Required equipment for the class will include (equipment available for rent):

• Handgun
• 3 magazines (6 speed-loaders for revolvers)
• Holster
• Magazine pouches
• Eye protection (wraparound)
• Hearing protection
• 400 rounds of ammunition
• A good attitude and a willingness to learn.

The cost of this class is $150- per shooter (minimum class size 6, maximum class size 18)

Due to security requirements of U.S.T.C, all participants must preregister.

Class date is March 7, 2010.

Are you looking to hone your shooting skills for self defense?

Do you want to just exercise your second amendment rights?

Then come join us September 12th or September 19th! Aggressive Defensive Solutions is hosting  two sessions of our special 1 Day Pistol-Craft Class at the U.S. Training Center in Moyock, N.C. The 10 hour training course will focus on:

• the draw;
• multiple target management;
• adverse angle shooting;
• reload techniques;
• and behind the curve shooting.

This course is designed as a challenging, yet fun, range day to reinforce basic shooting skills and provide the basis for more advanced skill sets. Students should have a working knowledge and basic skill with their handgun. The Cardinal Rules of Firearm Safety, The Fundamentals of Marksmanship, and basic skills such as loading/unloading and the draw should be mastered before attending this training. The nature of this class is challenging though not daunting.

Required equipment for the class will include:

• Handgun
• 3 magazines (6 speed-loaders for revolvers)
• Holster
• Magazine pouches
• Eye protection (wraparound)
• Hearing protection
• 400 rounds of ammunition
• A good attitude and a willingness to learn.

The cost of this class is $130- per shooter (minimum class size 6, maximum class size 18)

Due to security requirements of U.S.T.C, all participants must preregister to gain access to U.S.T.C.

Class dates are Sept 12, 2009 and Sept 19, 2009.

Interested, want more information, or ready to reserve a spot contact us today. or download the flyer

1. Treat EVERY weapon as if it were loaded. ” Unloaded” weapons “accidentally” shoot most people. Go figure…
2. Keep your finger off of the trigger until you are ready to fire. Most weapons do not fire unless the trigger is manipulated…
3. Never allow the muzzle to cover anything that YOU are not willing to accept responsibility for DESTROYING. Do not point the gun at something unless you should shoot it…
4. Be sure of your target, what is in front of it, behind it or around it. If you shoot at a target while someone is in front of it all parties involved will have a bad day…