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Multi-State Concealed Weapons Course

Would you like to be able to carry a concealed weapon in more than 30 states? Our course meets or exceeds the training requirements to do just that! We offer the convenience of one-stop shopping for New Mexico, Florida, Colorado, Wyoming and many other states' CCW permits by providing everything you need to get those permits for right here on-site. Not only will you receive top-notch, certified professional training but we also provide free, in-house fingerprinting and Notary service for our students.

Our Multi-State CCW class contains crucial information about firearms laws, the use of lethal force, situational awareness, resolving disputes, civil and criminal consequences of a shooting and some information on courtroom procedures. An in-depth discussion of standard safety procedures is certainly included as well as some additional safety concerns for those that carry a handgun on a regular basis. We also provide an extensive, in-depth review of weapons, holsters and ammunition during the class to help you choose a weapon and the means of carrying and concealing it.

While all the information above is certainly essential, we are also concerned about your survival, so the basic mechanics of the gunfight will also be addressed in the Multi-State CCW class. The presentation of the weapon, accurate delivery of shots, clearing malfunctions, ammunition management and securing your immediate environment is every bit as important as the liabilities of the shooting.

This course is 16 hours long and is offered both on weekends and evenings to meet just about any work or school schedule.

Required items: Safe and serviceable handgun of at least .32 caliber and 50 rounds of commercial, new ammunition. If you want to qualify with both a semi-auto and a revolver, you will need to bring 25 rounds of ammo for your second gun. Derringers, mini-revolvers, single-shots and anything made by Bryco(Jimenez), Raven, Lorcin or Jennings are specifically disallowed!!

You will also need a strong-side, hip holster w/belt, that will safely carry your weapon. Shoulder holsters, cross draws, fanny packs or gun purses will not be allowed. The best holster for you and your needs is a personal decision and there are dozens of choices. This class will help you make the proper decision on a means of concealment so that you don't spend a lot of money on something that you're not happy with.

Other equipment requirements below.

Cost ... $150.00

All personal defense classes including Multi-State CCW, PDH, MPR, PRS and Applied Dynamic Responses include discussion time not only on the individual weapons systems but on situational awareness, justification of the use of lethal force, civil and criminal liabilities and more.

CCW  REFRESHER

New Mexico law requires that you take a 2-hour refresher class, 2years after the issue date of your license. All that is required is a safety briefing, a review and update of laws and shooting a passing on the range. This is not a class for changing calibers, action types, renewal, etc. Refresher students will receive date and time along with instructions at the time of sign-up. Refreshers will shoot at the same time a regularly scheduled class shoots. If you want or need to shoot at another time, there will be an additional fee.

 Cost...$35.00              Unscheduled (Private) class... $75.00

  CCW RENEWAL 

Cost...$50.00              Unscheduled (Private) class... $100.00

 ATTENTION! 

As of 13 March 2009, the requirement to use a centerfire caliber of at least .380 for ALL, defensive handgun classes will be temporarity lifted (except the CCW class) due to continued ammunition shortages. QUALITY rimfire handguns will be allowed but all other requirements will remain the same. Training with .22 handguns is infinitely better that not training at all and in some ways can be even better due to the greatly reduced recoil and muzzle blast of the rimfire cartridge.  We would like to see you use your carry caliber for at least part of the class but it will not be mandatory.

The rifle classes already allow rimfires so nothing will change there.

 DEFENSIVE FIREARMS CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

DEFENSIVE HANDGUN SKILL BUILDER

The DH Skill Builder is a 1-day class that is perfect for the beginner or as a refresher for returning students. SAFE and proper handling techniques and procedures including the presentation, reloads, and malfunction clearing and more will be thoroughly covered and you will learn to shoot both quickly and accurately from 3 to 10 yards. Equipment requirements are the same for this class as all the Defensive Handgun classes. 200 rounds of new, commercial ammunition will be needed.

PERSONAL DEFENSE HANDGUN 

You have no control over WHEN, HOW or WHERE you may be attacked or how many assailants may be involved so, DON’T BE A STATISTIC! When you have completed our Personal Defense Handgun program, your accuracy and gun handling skills will be substantially improved and you will better understand the necessity of making quick, sound, tactical decisions. 

PDH is a 2-day class that is designed for both the beginner and the experienced shooter. This class will help to form that good, solid foundation on which to continue to build your defensive handgunning skill. The first day will begin with an in-depth discussion of the shooting fundamentals and how to achieve excellent accuracy. You’ll then move into loading and unloading, recoil management , trigger-control and accuracy drills and progress into presentation from the holster, reloads, malfunction clearing and much, much more including failure-to-stop drills.

You’ll be shooting from distances of 3 to 25 yards and be safely presenting your weapon from the holster AND firing multiple, well-placed rounds faster than you would have ever thought possible. Your presentation speed, accuracy and weapon-handling skills will be significantly improved by day’s end.

The 2nd day will include advanced trigger control and accuracy drills that can improve even the most experienced shooter's accuracy on single, multiple and distant targets. This class will begin with teaching you to shoot very well and with a degree of precision and then start moving "outside of the box" and get further away from the "range mentality" that shooters develop under the strict, regimented range procedures that are firmly engrained in most recreational/competition shooting. Rapidly acquiring your targets and making the intellectual decision whether or not to shoot can be more important than the shooting itself. Room entry and clearing and other basic tactics will help you to secure your home and protect your loved ones when help may not be immediately available. The intensity and repetition involved in this class will help you to start building the muscle memory that is so crucial to your performance under stress. Remember that YOU are ultimately responsible for your own security!

During breaks and at lunch we will conduct lethal force and situational awareness lectures relevant to personal defense.

Required equipment:

Semi-automatic handgun, .380 or larger OR a double-action revolver, .38 Special or larger. Derringers, mini-revolvers, single-shots and anything made by High Point, Bryco(Jimenez), Raven, Lorcin or Jennings are specifically disallowed!! Others may be prohibited at our discretion.

At least 3 magazines, speed-loaders or speed-strips that fit your weapon and a suitable, single or double magazine carrier.

750 rounds of commercial, new FMJ ammunition. No reloads or plated bullets!

A quality, strong-side, hip holster w/belt, that is made for your weapon. Shoulder holsters, cross draws, fanny packs or gun purses will not be allowed.

Comfortable clothing and shoes.

 *****  Cost ...... $425.00  ****

This is a moderately intense class. Temperatures may go from one extreme to the other so bring any additional items of personal comfort that you may need such as a jacket or raincoat, sunscreen, lawn chair, etc. It would also be to your benefit to take notes during the lectures.

You will need to bring a lunch and/or snacks. We will take numerous breaks and stop for 1 hour for lunch but you will be required to remain on the range until the class is over. No exceptions except in case of emergency

This class is a pre-requisite to PDH II.  As of 15 Sept 2008, DH I and II have been combined into a 2-day class. This makes it less expensive and more efficient for the students.

PERSONAL DEFENSE HANDGUN II  

PDH II will refine the defensive handgun skills that you acquired in PDH I to a level that you hadn’t thought possible. Your increased speed, accuracy and weapons handling will be obvious to your friends and your total confidence and awareness will be apparent to those that would do you harm.

The things that you learned in PDH I and much more will be done faster and at a longer distance, all from a concealed holster. Accuracy drills will be conducted out to 100 yards – YES! 100 yards, accurately, with a handgun. You will learn how and when to quickly and safely employ a number of new shooting positions and we’ll take room clearing to the next higher level. We'll be moving further "outside the box" with unconventional shooting positions and rapid decision making. There will also be some force-on-force drills conducted in our portable shoot-house.

This is a 2-day class that will include a night-shoot. A 2-hour rest break will be afforded in the late afternoon to rest and get a bite to eat, then, as the light starts to fail, shooting will continue and low-light techniques will taught and employed for at least 3 more hours. The exact completion time of the night-shoot will be dependent on the season.

The equipment that is required for PDH II is the same as PDH I with the following additions:

• A quality, hand-held, tactical flashlight with extra batteries.
• Additional food for your evening meal if you want to remain on the range. You will be allowed to leave for this break.
  
• Knee and elbow pads are recommended.

You must have satisfactorily completed PDH I to attend this class!

Cost ... $495.00

MULTI-PURPOSE RIFLE SKILL BUILDER

The MPR Skill Builder is a 1-day class that is perfect for the beginner or as a refresher for returning students. SAFE and proper handling techniques and procedures including the presentation of the weapon, reloads and malfunction clearing and more will be thoroughly covered and you will learn to shoot both quickly and accurately from 5 to 50 yards. Equipment requirements are the same as for MPR. 200 rounds of new, commercial ammunition will be needed.

MULTI-PURPOSE RIFLE (MPR)

The handgun is the most popular firearm for personal defense simply because it is small and portable thus making it more practical to have on or near us at all times. Handguns that are well-suited for self-defense are dramatically inferior to just about any long-gun. Most long-guns provide power, range and accuracy that is far beyond the capabilities of the defensive handgun. The problem with many rifle classes is that you are expected to bring a battle rifle or “assault” style carbine of some description. Many of us don’t have our AK-47 or M1A slung over our shoulder when we take the kids out camping or hunting. Multi-Purpose Rifle is a 2-day class specifically designed with the average citizen with the average rifle in mind. While your fighting rifle is more than suitable for MPR, your deer gun or recreational rifle will also be adequate. Any caliber (including rimfires), any action type (including single-shots) and any sighting system (including scopes) will be welcome.

Many people will falsely proclaim that the use of lethal force at distances exceeding a few feet or yards will be labeled murder instead of self-defense. While it is true that the overwhelming majority of lethal force situations do happen at very close ranges, there is still the possibility that you may be confronted by one or more attackers armed with rifles, especially in rural areas. It is certainly possible to encounter drug dealers, fugitives, illegal aliens or terrorists in the some of the same areas that we might take our family for a weekend of camping and fishing. Is it unreasonable to assume that you may have to defend yourself if you should inadvertently cross paths with someone that is hiding from the law or protecting a "cash crop"?

When you complete Multi-Purpose Rifle, you will be able to safely, rapidly and accurately engage targets from 3 to 200 yards. We will begin with the basics and assist you in gaining the skills, speed and ability to not only shoot like you've never thought possible but to shoot on the move, engage multiple targets, reload, clear malfunctions and much, much more.

The following list of equipment is required for the Multi-Purpose Rifle class:
•    Any rifle of any caliber with sling. All action types except full-auto are accepted.
•    At least 3 magazines or stripper clips for semi-autos and a suitable carrier. Other action types will need a suitable ammo carrier other than your pockets. This can include sidesaddles, stock cuffs or belt pouches.
•    700 rounds of commercial, new, jacketed ammunition.
•    Comfortable clothing and shoes.
•    Knee and elbow pads are strongly recommended.

PERSONAL RESPONSE SHOTGUN SKILL BUILDER

The PRS Skill Builder is a 1-day class that is perfect for the beginner or as a refresher for returning students. SAFE and proper handling techniques and procedures including the presentation of the weapon, reloads and malfunction clearing and more will be thoroughly covered and you will learn to shoot both quickly and accurately from 5 to 25 yards. Equipment requirements are the same as for PRS. You will need 50 rounds of birdshot, 20 rounds of #4 or larger buckshot and 10 slugs.

PERSONAL RESPONSE SHOTGUN (PRS)

At closer range, the shotgun is an awesomely effective and intimidating weapon. The shotgun has the unique distinction of being the most versatile weapon in existence. By simply carrying different types of ammo, you can change the role of the shotgun from small game hunting to breeching doors and everything in between.

There is no better survival weapon.
•    Birdshot allows you to hunt small game and birds or effectively stop intruders in the home.
•    Heavier buckshot can be used for hunting medium to large game or stopping a violent felon at longer ranges.
•    Slugs can be effective on large game or 2-legged predators beyond 100 yards, destroy heavy hinges and locks, defeat hard cover or even stop automobiles if employed skillfully.
•    Non-lethal rounds can be used for crowd control or subduing a violent felon in a congested environment.
•    There are also flares, steel flechettes, noise-making bird bombs and more.

When you complete our 2-day Personal Response Shotgun class, you will be able to safely, rapidly and accurately engage targets from 3 to 100 yards. We will assist you in gaining the skills, speed and ability to not only shoot your shotgun like you've never thought possible but to shoot on the move, engage aerial and multiple targets, reload, clear malfunctions, enter and clear buildings and much, much more.

The following list of equipment is required for the 2-day Personal Response Shotgun class:
•    Repeating shotgun of your choice with sling. All action types except full-auto are accepted.
•    Suitable carrier for ammunition. Bandoleers, belt and stock cuffs are OK.
•    150 rounds of birdshot, 50 rounds of 00 buckshot and 40 slugs.
•    Comfortable clothing and shoes.
•    Knee and elbow pads are strongly recommended.

>>> There are also a number of general safety and certified, NRA classes available. Call, write or come by for more information. <<<

Prices shown do not include tax.

Tuition and deposits are non-refundable. Money paid can be applied to other classes or class dates for up to 6 months at which time money will be forfeited. 

Private classes for 2-4 students are $350 per person per day or $200 per half-day . One-on-one training is $750 per day or $400 per half-day.

STANDARD EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

All shooting classes require the following:

• Eye protection with side-shields or wrap-around glasses
• Hearing protection
• High-necked shirts or blouses (no tank-tops or spaghetti-straps. T-shirts are fine) to reduce the chances of hot brass entering at the neck
• Brimmed cap or hat to reduce the chances of brass and debris dropping in behind glasses from the top.
• All shooting classes require commercial NEW FMJ ammunition only. No reloads and no plated bullets.  ANY ammunition manufactured by the company, American Ammunition, is specifically prohibited! We have targets and sample evidence in our classroom to support our decision on this.
• Please consider bringing other items of comfort as weather dictates like jackets, gloves, sunscreen, etc. especially to the longer classes. Shoes with closed toes are recommended.
• You may bring your own drinks, lunches and snacks as needed.
• Please bring note taking materials to all classes.

   Class dates are published here: Class Schedule

DISCLAIMER

Although the training that you receive at Southwest Shooting Authority is safe, professional and proven, we have no control over your mindset or ability to follow instructions and heed safety warnings. We will not accept any liability for any accident or injury that you may inflict upon yourself or someone else with any weapon of any description. Likewise, we will not be held responsible for any injury or death that is inflicted upon you or anyone else by another person during a self-defense scenario that may involve deadly force.

We don’t teach you to properly enter buildings and clear rooms so that you can be a hero. Room entry is VERY risky business and is best left to Law Enforcement professionals. However, there is a reason that civilians may have to use these procedures and they are dramatically different than police use. Law Enforcement primarily enter unknown areas in search of perpetrators and/or hostages and may have to go room-to-room to do so. The civilian should have only one goal in mind and that is to safely exit the building if they feel that it contains a threat and let the police do their job from there. The problem with this is that unless you can exit from the room that you are in to a safe area or outside, you may have to go past or through other rooms that may contain a threat. The ONLY reason that one would not go DIRECTLY to the nearest exit is to secure children or other family members in other parts of the home.

Please use the information that you learn in our personal defense classes responsibly and with the knowledge that if you do not practice what we teach regularly, it will not be there for you if you need it. Like any other insurance, we hope that you go the rest of your life and never need to use what we teach but if you do need it, you’re going to need it very badly.