"Rick, Sorry that it has taken me so long to thank you. Although the class alone can't protect me or
my family from danger, it has improved our ability to defend ourselves. The techniques and information that
we covered in the class have taught me to be more aware and prepared period. I am more confident and
comfortable when I leave home, knowing that I'm better prepared to address potentially dangerous
confrontational situations. Once again thank you and I look forward to Session II (Personal Protection
Outside The Home Course)." - Mr. A. L. Odell III, Auto Industry Employee, Southfield, Oakland County,
Michigan 48075
"Hello Rick. Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Just to let you know, I've got my CCW license and
I bought a 9mm S+W (M&P) semi-automatic. I had intentions of getting a revolver, but after seeing and
shooting your semi-automatic, I changed my mind. As for your class, I found that you were not only
knowledgeable but you were also enthusiastic. What really impressed me was the fact that when we went to the
gun range, I was a little short on money, you were kind enough to let me use your gun. This is what convinced
me to buy a 9mm. I appreciate your help and I would (and do) recommend your class to anyone wanting to get
their permit. Thank you." - Mr. C. W. Miller, Retiree, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan 48219
"Rick Ector's firearm safety class provides a comprehensive introduction to the possession and use of
firearms for personal defense. The knowledge gained in this class is invaluable to both novices and
experienced firearm owners. Mr. Ector's sincere presentation of the materials is insightful and serves as a
reminder of the care and safety which must be exercised when using firearms. The course is taught in a
comfortable environment which is not intimidating to the first-time gun user. Any gun owner can benefit from
taking this course." - Mr. J. Boyer, Attorney At Law, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan 48207
"As an attorney and just as a regular citizen of Michigan, I cannot say enough good things about Rick's Firearm Academy.
Rick Ector and his other instructors provided excellent training and instruction and managed to make a normally dry subject interesting and
entertaining. They were patient, knowledgeable, skilled, and talented in communicating important information about gun safety, personal
protection, and security. I learned a lot from Rick Ector and his staff. The info is extremely useful to my every day life, as I try to protect
myself. I was so impressed with Rick and his staff that I intend to take more courses from Rick's Firearm Academy. I am very lucky to have
learned about Rick's Firearm Academy, which should be a must for all Michigan residents. Rick Ector and his staff know their stuff and turned
a day of training and instruction on rules - regarding firearm safety and concealed pistol licenses - into an interesting experience that
benefited me and my safety. I will take the valuable information they imparted to me into my everyday life as I try to make myself more secure
from crime and threats. Well, worth the money. In fact, it's a bargain." - Ms. D. Schlussel, Attorney-At-Law,
Southfield, Oakland County, Michigan 48034
"Hello Rick, I just wanted to inform you how insightful your CPL class was. Not only did you and Damian educate me better on the usage of
a firearm but you also helped me with being aware of my surroundings and how I am approached by strangers as well. I am in the sales and
marketing profession for an aluminum manufacturer. I am often in rural and industrial areas and I am much more comfortable after taking your
class. I now have better firearm knowledge, know the difference of taking cover, and have knowledge of when it is illegal to shoot when you
have been victimized. I have recommended your class to most of my friends who have an interest; some have handled firearms, but they will
find that they too need to take your class. I have every intention to stay in contact for additional training and updates. Thanks again.
Regards," - Mr. M. Jackson, Sales and Marketing Executive, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan 48206
"Hey! I just wanted to let u know that I really enjoyed your class and since then I've referred a few of my co-workers to participate just
this past month and they also enjoyed themselves and learned a whole about carrying a concealed weapon. Expect more of my coworkers to take
the class. On behalf of me and Wayne County Roads keep up the Great Work!!! :-))" - Ms. D. Montgomery, Detroit, Wayne
County, Michigan 48235
Five Fundamental Firearm Safety Rules - By Rick Ector
5 Fundamental Firearm Safety Rules
No self-respecting firearms instructor will let a student handle - let alone fire - a handgun until he has learned
and fully understood the five most fundamental firearm safety rules. These safety rules are that important. Not knowing and understanding those rules can
result in disastrous consequences.
In fact, every single time before I conduct a firearms safety training course, I go over to Youtube and watch the video of the
DEA Agent who shot himself - both literally and figuratively - in the foot in front of a
room full of soon-to-be traumatized children. I view the video to remind myself that safety is of paramount importance.
The opening speech of the DEA Agent was hauntingly arrogant:
"Just this week, at the begining of the week, a young boy not even 16 years old was killed because he was playing with a
gun. You see, this is an unloaded gun. This is a Glock .40. This is the same gun that Too Short and all them talk about. I am the only one in this room professional
enough, that I know of to carry this Glock .40. I am the..."
If all of the fundamental firearm safety rules are followed, there is no way that anything bad can happen.
A. Always Treat A Firearm As If It Is Loaded
Every single time that you handle a firearm, you must treat it as if it is loaded - even if you "know" it is unloaded. Always take on the mindset that your gun is
always loaded. If you do this, you will treat the gun with the respect and reverence that it deserves. History has shown - including in the above video - that many
people are shot every year with "unloaded" handguns.
Further, you should never hand someone a loaded gun. The recipient may not have had any gun safety training. If you give a gun to the average person, his response
is all too predictable; he will put the trigger. What do you think will be the first thing that he will say? He'll say without hesitating, "I didn't know it was
loaded!" Surely, he had enough time to check if it was loaded but he didn't. He's an obvious amateur gun-handler.
In this situation, the gun should be opened such that a visual look at the action will clearly show that it is unloaded. When the recipient has verified that the
gun is unloaded, he should then take possession of the gun.
B. Always Keep The Firearm Pointed In A Safe Direction
If the muzzle of the gun is always pointed in a safe direction, there is no way that anyone or anything can be shot if the gun was fired. Another way of stating
this safety rule is to "Never Point It At Something That You Don't Want Destroyed."
When I conduct my firearm safety training class, I ask my class to tell me a safe direction. I always get an interesting and varied array of responses. Some people
say "up" and other people say "down." Neither answer is acceptable. The true answer, however undefinitive it may sound, is "it depends." A safe direction is based
upon where you are and who is around you. Sometimes the correct answer for a given scenario may be "up" and on others the correct answer may be "down."
C. Always Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until Ready To Shoot
The trigger finger should always be kept on the frame of the handgun - not in the trigger guard. It only takes a split-second to move your finger to the trigger
when needed. If you still watch TV, you will undoubtedly see this rule violated incessantly. The reason for this rule is very simple. It helps to eliminate the
possibility of a gun-handler from accidentally shooting a firearm.
There is no justifiable excuse for accidentally shooting someone. Besides, what friend of yours would respond to your apology favorably. The only valid
justification for shooting someone is that you meant to do so. Keep in mind that if you do intentionally shoot someone, you better have a good reason that falls
within the confines of the law.
D. Always Keep Your Firearm Unloaded Until It Is Ready For Use
A gun that is not being actively used should be unloaded. This rule has the potential for confusing many students. Sometimes, a student will ask me how he expects
to protect himself with an unloaded gun. The answer is very clear: If a gun is being used for personal protection, it should be loaded. An unloaded gun is of no
practical use when an intruder is climbing through your bedroom window at 2:00 a.m. in the morning.
With respect to guns being used for personal protection, the handgun owner must responsibly balance accessibility with keeping the gun away from unauthorized
users - children.
E. Always Be Sure Of Your Target and What Is Beyond It
Never shoot your handgun at a target until you have verified that it is a valid target. Once a gun is fired, you can't recall the bullet. Thus, if you fire upon an
improper target you will have to live with the consequences. Also, you need to know what is beyond your target because if you haven't been to the range in a while,
you might miss. If you fire your gun and miss, you are criminally and civilly liable for wherever that bullet lands. So, don't "take any shots in the dark" and
don't miss.
Firearm safety is not complicated. Actually, it is quite easy. However, it requires that a handgun handler be extremely focused when handling a handgun. If all
of the aforementioned safety rules are followed, nothing bad can happen. In fact, a few rules can be simultaneously broken and nothing catastrophic may not happen.
In the above Youtube video, several rules were broken. Do you know which ones?
