Author: Brian C. Smith
Photos by: Brian C. Smith Jr.
IALEFI Control #19-24
I acquired my first firearms instructor certification in 1986, from the National Rifle Association’s Law Enforcement Activities Division. During that time, I was primarily instructing private security personnel from a number of agencies and police department qualifications. Ironically, when police personnel reported to the range for departmental qualifications, they had the basic shooting and safety skill ingrained in them from the police academy.
In this scenario of dealing with the police personnel, I was among my brothers and sisters of the badge. Some things were just taken for granted and needed to not to be mentioned or repeated regarding firearms handling or range etiquette. We had all attended the same basic police academy and shared the same experiences on the range during basic training by those crusty hardcore academy instructors. In our social gatherings, if any of the academy instructor’s names were mentioned everybody had a story or experience they wanted to share with the group for a good laugh.
Approximately 14 years ago we initiated a program to teach defensive handgun tactics to civilians. These classes were also incorporated to included concealed carry classes when the law came into effect in Illinois back in 2014. I then realized I must to take the time to explain every detail of instructions. Initially, instructing civilians was a challenge for me as a firearms instructor, but later became a rewarding experience. Many of the civilian students that enrolled in my classes had no prior firearms experience.
In conversation with these students prior to the start of class, many of the students would confess that they had never touched a firearm and expressed their fears. We also witnessed several students looking at the firearm as if it was a snake in the box as the class began. However, at the end of the course, 95% of the civilian students that completed the sessions were confident, relaxed, and even inquired about retail gun dealer locations in the area to purchase their own weapon.
When discussing principles of point shooting or immediate response to a threat in the civilian classes, I would make a comment, “…when punching the handgun out in front with both arms locked out and both eyes opened. The sights of the handgun will automatically position in front of the dominant eye.” Students in the class would look at me as if I was speaking a foreign language. Picture me standing at the head of the class as I observed students with tensed wrinkled foreheads along with that confused look, while they are mentally processing the picture in their minds.
Therefore, we determined a brief demonstration would be necessary to ensure they understand the basics principle of point shooting. The class would practice this exercise with their empty hands then with an unloaded pistol to acquire a full understanding before we moved to our next evolution of training. In my infant years of instructing I was guilty in assuming the rule of thumb would be all right hand shooters are right eye dominant. We experienced many cross eye dominant shooters in our classes. We then realized there are exceptions to the rule. To assist the class in achieving a full understanding we introduce two simple drills the shooters practiced prior to live fire. They can make their own determination of which is their dominant eye for shooting.
Note: This illustration is an example of determining the “Right Eye Dominant” shooter. The left eye dominant would be just the opposite in the same exercise.
The Hand Triangle
Photo #1
The hands are met together at the thumbs and index fingers to form the triangle pattern and positioned close to the face. Both eyes of the shooter are open and peering through the triangle at the target.
Note: Estimated distance from the target shown is about 25 feet or more.
Photo #2
The shooter extends the triangle pattern out at arm’s length with both eyes remaining open. The shooter is then prompted to close the left eye. If the target remains in the same focal spot, then the shooter is right eye dominant.
Photo #3
When the “right eye dominant” shooter closes the right eye, the triangle pattern appears to move to the right of the stationary target. Remember the left eye dominant shooter would be just the opposite.
Thumb Technique
Photo #4
With both eyes open, extend arm out in front with the thumb covering the target. The thumb will appear transparent over the target. The shooter is prompt to close the left eye. If the thumb remains stationary and covers the target, then the shooter is right eye dominant.
Photo #5
Open both eyes, then close the right eye and the target appears to move the left of the thumb. Just the opposite for the left eye dominant shooter.
About the Author: Brian C. Smith is a 41 year veteran in law enforcement. He is a certified firearms instructor in various weapon disciplines by the NRA, Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, and the Illinois Department of Professional Regulations. He was appointed a NRA Firearms Training Counselor in 2012. Brian is freelance writer and named “Trainer of the Year” by three nationally recognized training associations. Brian currently serves as President of the American Federation of Police, Vice-President of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, and on the Board of Directors for the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors.
