America's Victory Shoot--celebrating McDonald victory with handguns and training

http://www.victoryshoot.org

Under a cloudless July sky in downtown Chicago last week, McDonald plaintiffs David and Colleen Lawson addressed the irony of Chicago's response: residents will be allowed to register guns if they train and pass safety and proficiency tests, but no ranges or gun shops will be allowed within city limits.  Having successfully demanded her right to own a firearm, Colleen told the crowd, "I want you to demand your right to train!"

Meanwhile, outside Chicago, plans are under way to offer more training opportunities to Chicago residents beginning immediately.  On August 21st and 22nd, Aurora Sportsman's Club in Waterman (about an hour and a half from downtown Chicago, roughly half an hour from the Aurora Metra station.) will host an event designed to celebrate Mayor Daley's defeat in McDonald v. Chicago with fireworks--loaded with smokeless powder in sizes like .45 acp, 9mm, .40 S&W and .357 Magnum.  Bill Carns of 2A Radio and the History Channel's "Top Shot" is bringing the event to the Chicago area, and he calls it "America's Victory Shoot."

 Carns, who may be familiar to Chicago shooters as a member of Top Shot's so-far-hapless "Red Team" on The History Channel, is an experienced firearm trainer whose resumé includes the Department of Defense and Front Sight Academy.  Carns says that Aurora Sportsmen's Club, which recently moved to a 500-acre site about an hour and a half from downtown Chicago in Waterman, was chosen precisely because it's "within commuting distance of Chicago" and represents a "solidarity movement" saying "forget you (Mayor Daley and His Aldermen)."  That's the sort of impolite, unnecessary irritation of anti-gun politicians that we here at the Chicago Gun Rights Examiner like to encourage whenever possible.

The event itself promises a hybrid experience.  Carns identifies three purposes on the agenda for the weekend:

1. Utilizing ten ranges with 25-shooter relays taking turns, Carns and his instructors will teach basic-to-intermediate practical pistol class over two days.  Students will shoot, draw, clear malfunctions, and learn about mindset and situational awareness. 
2. Sponsors and speakers will fill down time when shooters are not training, and time is also set aside for socializing with other students, instructors and speakers on the range and off.
3. Carns and his instructors will be training several local volunteer instructors, first over the two days leading up to the first day of class and then over the two-day event--including allowing the trainee instructors to teach under supervision.  The idea is that even after the weekend is over, northern Illinois will be left with more instructors who can help fill the first rush of demand when right-to-carry legislation finally makes its way to Illinois. Again, this may seem grandiose, but it's a great example of the way shooters and trainers can put metaphorical sand in Mayor Daley's proverbial bed just by enjoying their hobbies and making money at their jobs.  Carns expresses the idea with less pettiness: "We want to encourage those people who have skill on three levels--people who can shoot, can teach people to shoot, and can also teach others how to teach the skills."

The cost for the event is $295 per shooter for the weekend, which includes all instruction, events and catered lunch both days.  Shooters will be expected to provide their own handguns, ammunition (350 rounds is the recommended minimum) holster and belt, and the savvy will be sure to have a good hat and sunscreen capable of battling the August sun, plenty of water and drinks, rain gear capable of shedding the August downpours, and good, comfortable clothing.  All pistols and revolvers are welcome, but a word of caution:  your gun can't be too old, too big, too small or too pink, but an unreliable gun will ruin what should be a fun class.  The more reliable your gun is, the more you'll learn and the more fun you'll have.  The better your holster and belt work, the more you'll learn and the more fun you'll have.  The more magazines you bring for your semi-auto pistol, the more you'll learn and the more fun you'll have.  Carns promises an experience on the order of shooting at a big-name school without leaving the Chicago metro area, and luck always seems to favor the prepared when shooting lots of rounds and learning lots of ideas.

For more info: Check http://www.victoryshoot.org for details including where to go, how to register, what to bring and what to expect. You can also email info@victoryshoot.org or, if you're ready to sign up, visit http://victoryshoot.org/regform/index.php to register online.

You can also hear Carns daily on his "2A Radio" show on the Republic Broadcasting Network live at http://www.republicbroadcasting.org or in the archives at http://2aradio.com