Instructor - Dr. George Gaines

Course Fee - $35.00

Materials Fee - $150.00 

“Safe Pistol Handling & Defensive Shooting Tactics,” is now being taught over four (4) consecutive days.  This format more nearly resembles that used by Dr. Gaines and the late Haim Geri in training students in the Israeli Shooting Method. Geri was the chief firearms instructor at Israel’s IMI Academy for Advanced Security and Anti-Terror Training.  In Israel he trained thousands of Israeli Security Officers.  As a team in the US, Gaines and Geri trained thousands of civilians and law enforcement officers to handle firearms safely and protect themselves and innocent civilians from life-threatening attacks. We shall be prepared for the worst and pray that we will never have to use a firearm in self-defense. This course is dedicated to the late Haim Geri.  Memory eternal.

There are no special prerequisites to this class.  Previous students are encouraged to enroll and refresh their skills.  Repetition is the mother of mastery!

Although the range shooting area is covered and protects from precipitation while loading/unloading pistols, our shooting will be outdoors, so bring rain gear just in case.  No open-toed shoes or sandals are allowed.  Wear shirts with a reasonably high collar to avoid hot shell casings.  Range etiquette will be discussed during the first day’s class. There are two offerings of this class:

September 22 – 25, Monday – Thursday, 9 am to 11 am

October 13 – 16, Monday – Thursday, 9 am to 11 am

There is a third class, “Advanced Defensive Pistol Tactics,” which carries the prerequisite of having completed a previous YHC/ICL course taught by Dr. Gaines.  If you are interested in this course, go the November 3 – 6 calendars in this syllabus to read more about it.

Each course is limited to six (6) students.  The first day is an orientation meeting held in the YHC/ICL classroom, followed by three (3) successive days of outdoor range sessions.  Range sessions will be held at a nearby private range and may last a bit longer than two (2) hours, if required. Since our time at the range is reserved, no spectators are allowed on the property.

NO GUNS OR AMMO ARE ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM SESSION.  At the range, the instructor will provide students with 9mm semiautomatic pistols and ammo.  Students may bring personal pistols to the range, but it will be up to the instructor to determine if/when student guns may be used.

This course relies heavily on live demonstrations, and students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to perform same at the range.  A Gaines Tactical Training Certificate will be awarded to those who complete the course.

A fee of $150 covers the cost of materials, water, firearms use, gun cleaning, ammo, targets, and insurance. This is payable by cash/check on first day of class. Students will be asked to sign a customary release, much like that used in public/private commercial ranges. At the range, students are required to wear safety glasses and hearing protection.  Howard Light electronic headgear is what I use, and it runs around $35 to $60.  This type of gear allows you to hear range commands while cutting out the loud retort from firing.

Content outline:

Self-Defense Firearm Basics

Defensive Shooting Fundamentals

Shooting Equipment

Basic and Advanced 

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George grew up in Pensacola, Florida and has lived and worked throughout the United States and Europe.  He graduated from The University of Alabama and later earned his doctorate at the University of Georgia (1971).  His early career was spent teaching in the Louisiana State University System. 

 In 1980 he began working in the private sector in marketing research for major corporations such as Southern Company, The Gallup Organization, Research International, and IPSOS.  During this time, he served as the International Accounts Director for Pratt & Whitney, UPS, Pepsico, and later for The Coca-Cola Company. 

His last corporate assignment was Director of Consumer Insights for Outback Steakhouse International, where his duties included extensive marketing communication research in Latin America, Asia, and Europe. 

 Following his retirement in 2013, George pursues his lifelong commitment to teaching firearms safety.  He is an NRA Certified Instructor and Chief Range Safety Officer as well as a USCCA Training Counselor.  He presently is Director of Open Enrollment for the US Branch of Israel’s IMI (Israel Military Industries) Academy for Advanced Security and Anti-Terror Training.