Range Master Conference 2017: John Farnam “Let’s Not Shoot Ourselves”

John Farnam of Defense Training International gave a great presentation on gun accidents and safely living with guns this year at the Range Master Conference. I made it a priority to attend the old guard’s presentations (Ayoob and Farnam in particular) because I don’t want them to retire before I’m able to hear them lecture a few times.

Mr. Farnam has forgotten more about shooting and tactics than I’ll ever know. It’s a privilege to hear him speak. This topic is of great interest to me, being a protege of Claude Werner, the negative outcome guy. I’ve come to find out that Farnam got Claude thinking about this topic way back in the 90’s. So it was great hearing this material from the source.

I’ll type up my notes in shorthand bulleted form. All material is the property of Mr. Farnam, and I’m only sharing it to hopefully keep someone from negligently shooting something they don’t want to.

• We are the most likely person to hurt ourselves with our guns. Why? Because we’re there.
• Yes, guns are dangerous. Like a chainsaw. We accept that danger because it’s a useful tool.
• We need to get rid of the word ‘safety’. It’s not the word, but the implication of the word.
• “What can I do so nothing bad will ever happen to me?” What planet do you live on?
• In times of change, learners will inherit the earth. Be a learner.
• Once something is written down and canonized, it’s hard to change
• From The Walking Dead (which John doesn’t watch)
  -you KNOW how I feel about guns!!
  -guns don’t care how you feel…
• Into the ER ~75% are accidental self inflicted wounds. ~25% are suicide and attempts. and only ~1-2% are between two people on purpose.
• Risk attaches itself to guns, our job is to manage that risk. Understand that risk also attaches to NOT owning guns.
• In the end, the bacteria win anyway…
• Good tactics doesn’t mean taking NO risk, it means minimizing and taking the best risk
• There are two times we touch our guns:
  -Administratively- At least 2 times a day, It must be adequately secured 100% of the time. Don’t let your gun get into unauthorized hands. If your gun is stolen and used in a crime, you can be held liable if you failed to secure it properly.
  -Tactically- Using in defensive situation
• The best place for your gun is on you and in your direct control, and it’s also the most useful place for it to be. When it’s not on, it must be secured.
• “adequately secure” is an educated guess. John prefers to keep his pistol on the floor of the hotel room. No children in the room, and safer than on the night stand where you could paw at the trigger while half asleep. Have to evaluate your own situation.
• Industry standard for trigger weight is 5-7#
• Trigger too heavy? No practical accuracy (see NY2 12# triggers. Story: 2 cops shot 9 bystanders)
• We don’t live in a nation of laws, but a nation of agendas. What control do we have? We must work within the agendas (laws) to make the most of it.
• HOLSTERING is the MOST dangerous thing we do with our guns.
• Appendix has distinct advantages, but be very careful holstering. Bow hips forward, look muzzle into holster mouth
• Have a strong trigger finger register on the pistol frame.
• Watch for students who have sloppy fingers. Not just the trigger finger, but middle and ring fingers during holstering.
• Scenario based training has inherent safety risks, but it is so valuable that we accept those risks and try to have robust safety protocols.
• Biggest safety issue is ‘condition based gun handling’. “Oh but this gun is unloaded” (as he muzzles everyone in the room). Treating guns differently by the ostensible condition of the gun.
• Safe ranges are bullshit
• Cooper- Guns are guns, we don’t do condition based handling.
• Notes on the fundamental rules
• “All guns are always loaded” \
• Guns have to be pointed somewhere, choose the best thing to catch a bullet that’s around. Take the best risk
• “only place your finger on the trigger when you are prepared to shoot” or “Only touch the trigger when your sights are indexed on the target and you’ve made the decision to fire… right now”
• “be sure of your target…” Being SURE will never let you get anything done. You probably will point the gun at innocent people, despite your best efforts
• “The onion field shooting” 1960’s LAPD
• Deadly Sin – Relaxing too soon. End the drill on the link, come off the trigger, end ready to shoot more.
• You’re at training to fail
• Always wear glasses around guns. Story of guy who took a manually ejected unfired AK cartridge to eyeball at the end of the training day.
• What causes Negligent Discharges?
• Poor Procedures (clearing barrels… Rack charging handle, remove mag, press trigger in barrel… boom)
• Distractions and Interruptions, turn off tv, stop conversations, if you’re interrupted start from the beginning.
• Unnecessary gun handling. (instagram, anyone?)
• The implications of the hot range. Always start and finish with a loaded gun. When you leave tell me how you want your gun. Don’t let them leave with empty gun in holster or in the hand.

If you find value in my posts, please consider subscribing and sharing. And please do your Amazon shopping through our affiliate link.