"Seasoned Citizen" Courses

[Bruce in WV]

There's a discussion on GD describing a well-known range testing the market to see if older folks want to get trained.

I think it's an untapped market. One thing you hear over and over is "get training". OK - who's going to provide that training - at least these folks are stepping up.

Baby Boomers have time and money - some of them even know a little about shooting wars - but they aren't all able to move as quickly as the younger crowd or use movement, cover (etc.) the same way they used to. They still want to survive and have a chance, so training to develop skills with the new generation of weapons and tactics is probably a good idea.

I only know of one trainer who specializes in this market, so I wonder if its truly an untapped market, or just a supposition on my part that classes would fill up if offered and taught by somebody with serious instructional skills and a positive mindset. Putting together the syllabus for a class full of older students might be full of big challenges - its hard to find folks who can get past snickering and truly work with the strengths and limitations of that community.

I'd love to be wrong about this and have a bunch of trainers chime in and describe the classes they offer right now that include this community. I know I'd sign up for one in the mid-Atlantic.

[tyrebitr]

I would also be interested. Located in middle NC.

[Bruce in WV]

There’s a new blog post (with voluminous comments) about dealing with arthritis as a shooter, one of the bigger topics of any “seasoned citizen” training course. Mas Ayoob hosts the blog; the comments come from his former students and readers, a mixed bag of experienced and inexperienced folks.

https://www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/...d-the-shooter/

[Ron3]

I never thought about that. It's a great idea.

Perhaps for widows, people with new age-related disabilities, and just retired people who have decided they want to get and learn to use a gun.

There are elderly people who can't rack a slide or pull a DA trigger, but they can cock a hammer, aim and pull a trigger on a .38 or .22. So be it.

I definitely see a market for this.

[Bruce in WV]

Here are more topics for training related to reduced physical abilities and appropriate response based on a disparity of force line of reasoning and other issues related to ageing. I’m not advertising for these folks, but their short videos make sense and seem to be the only game in town. If anybody has other resources to offer, let’s share, please, because I’m not getting any younger!

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/youre-old-just-fight/

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/old-age-treachery/

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/senior-sense/

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/sel...s-older-folks/

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/rul...-golden-years/

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/fig...-a-wheelchair/

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/old-man-gun/

[Gunnar da Wolf]

My last gig was doing backgrounds for CCW permits in WV. Some older applicants would try like Hell to find an alternative to the intense training requirements here in the Mountain State. (Tongue firmly in cheek, It’s not hard, there are no technical requirements, and the training isn’t time intensive or expensive)
Older folks can be adverse to being trained. I helped teach some free classes thru the department and you are looking at an audience that thinks they “been there, done that”. Plus what you are proposing is way beyond the CCW requirements. Now a few students at the carbine class I attended at PFT several years ago were in the 60+ year age, but they were the exceptions.

IMHO Marketing this to your target audience will be the biggest problem. If the school can find a “hook” to bring the older citizens in it would help. I’m thinking a bus trip to some resort, golf, fishing, touring, meals etc. Some activity that gives the student a package when not training or for a spouse for when the shooter is in class.

It’s a great idea. I hope someone sorts it out.

[SeriousStudent]

Interesting idea, I think it has merit.

I make a point of taking a Texas License To Carry, formerly Concealed Hangun License class every 18 months. This is so I have a documented class and examination after every legislative session.

For the last 7-8 years, the majority of the people in the class have been 55+ years of age.

So I do think there is a market.

[Bruce in WV]

Here’s another from Mas on topic: https://armedcitizensnetwork.org/tra...ite-challenges

A relevant article referenced in Mas’ discussion: http://aware.org/legal-articles/8-co...-lisa-j-steele

[Ruark]

The main issue I have, at 67, is vision. I wear bifocals, like many people my age. The "far" lenses provide good distance vision, but the rear sight is fuzzy. The "near" lenses produce a sharp rear sight, but the distance picture is fuzzy. A red dot somewhat solves the problem, but I can't afford a red dot for every single gun I own. Same goes for laser pointers. I'm not sure what the solution is. I have become quite adept at point-shooting, out of necessity. Just a data point.

[26 Inf]

The main issue I have, at 67, is vision. I wear bifocals, like many people my age. The "far" lenses provide good distance vision, but the rear sight is fuzzy. The "near" lenses produce a sharp rear sight, but the distance picture is fuzzy. A red dot somewhat solves the problem, but I can't afford a red dot for every single gun I own. Same goes for laser pointers. I'm not sure what the solution is. I have become quite adept at point-shooting, out of necessity. Just a data point.

I need glasses to read due to presbyopia. I've had cataract surgery at a fairly young age due to prescription steriods. My far vision is just a shade under 20/20 in my left eye and a shade over in my right. I get two prescriptions - one for daily wear and one with the left lens corrected for 'reading' the front sight at 36 inches. I have two sets of Oakley's with the prescription in the left lens for shooting and general wear. Most of the time I don't realize I have them on.

My daily wear glasses are transition bifocal, and I shoot in them enough to get the head tilt thing right.

That works for my particular circumstance, it may not yours.