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CCW/CPL Class Notification E-List |
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CCW/CPL Class Student Testimonials |
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| The Following Are On File In Our Office: |
"Rick, Sorry that it has taken me so long to thank you. Although the class alone can't protect me or
my family from danger, it has improved our ability to defend ourselves. The techniques and information that
we covered in the class have taught me to be more aware and prepared period. I am more confident and
comfortable when I leave home, knowing that I'm better prepared to address potentially dangerous
confrontational situations. Once again thank you and I look forward to Session II (Personal Protection
Outside The Home Course)."
- Mr. A. L. Odell III, Auto Industry Employee, Southfield, Oakland County,
Michigan 48075 |
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"Rick, I really enjoyed your CCW Class and found it to be very informative. Having an attorney come in to
speak about various laws and priviledges with the permit was very helpful. I would have enjoyed more shooting
time at the range. Good class, very efficient, and informative. I will be sure to pass along your name to
anyone considering their CCW."
- Mr. B. C. Jaussi, Novi, Oakland County, Michigan 48575 |
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"Hello Rick. Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Just to let you know, I've got my CCW license and I
bought a 9mm S+W (M&P) semi-automatic. I had intentions of getting a revolver, but after seeing and shooting
your semi-automatic, I changed my mind. As for your class, I found that you were not only knowledgeable but you
were also enthusiastic. What really impressed me was the fact that when we went to the gun range, I was a little
short on money, you were kind enough to let me use your gun. This is what convinced me to buy a 9mm. I appreciate
your help and I would (and do) recommend your class to anyone wanting to get their permit. Thank you."
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Mr. C. W. Miller, Retiree, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan 48219 |
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"Rick Ector's firearm safety class provides a comprehensive introduction to the possession and use of
firearms for personal defense. The knowledge gained in this class is invaluable to both novices and
experienced firearm owners. Mr. Ector's sincere presentation of the materials is insightful and serves as a
reminder of the care and safety which must be exercised when using firearms. The course is taught in a
comfortable environment which is not intimidating to the first-time gun user. Any gun owner can benefit from
taking this course."
- Mr. J. Boyer, Attorney At Law, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan 48207 |
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"Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit CCW class provided an excellent introduction to understanding personal
firearm basics, personal safety best practices, ccw application procedural instructions, and legal
implications with firearm ownership. Rick Ector and his assistant kept the class interesting with sharing
personal experiences, demonstrating basic firearm techniques, discussing legal matters with a lawyer, and
concluding with an exciting practice session at the firing range. Whether or not you pursue a CCW
application, this class is certainly a memorable one."
- Mr. N. Franklin, Automotive Engineer,
Rochester Hills, Oakland County, Michigan 48309 |
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“Rick, it’s been a while since I took your course, but I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the
experience. When I signed up, I had no idea of what to expect, but I found a warm and fun environment to
learn the ins and outs of obtaining my CCW. There was a lot of information put out that day, and because
there were so many real life examples, rather than just throwing out facts, I have been able to retain a lot.
It’s funny how much my awareness of my environment has improved. I notice things I did not see before taking
the class, and I feel I am better prepared to protect myself and my family. Thanks for the training and let
me know when you plan to expand your training program. Regards,
- Mr. J. Grady, Network
Engineer, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan 48206 |
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"Rick Ector, you are a very funny man but very knowledgeable in the firearms department: 'It is not a
bullet; it is called a round of ammunition!' 'Do not call it a weapon; it is a gun!' '8-1/2 x 11 center
mass - it is going to be on the test!' I had a great time in the class. The eight hours really went quick.
Keep up the good work, Rick!"
- Ms. D. R. Lambert, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan 48224 |
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“Hello Rick, I apologize for the delay. I truly enjoyed your class! You did not only inform me about
guns and gun safety but also about general safety rules on how to stay alert! I wish we would have had more
time at the gun range. Having never even touched a gun, I was initially unaware on how to load the
ammunition (I felt like a girl! LOL) Also, I believe we shot between 30-60 rounds. I wish we could have
spent more time learning how to load the ammunition into the magazine. Also, I wished we could have spent an
additional 60-90 minutes at the gun range. Or maybe just another 4 hour class on ‘How to load the gun’ and an
additional 2 hrs at the range. Thank you and I hope all is well.”
- Ms. L. Johnson, Business Owner,
Southfield, Oakland County, Michigan 48037 |
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“Rick, prior to taking your class, my thought process was to arm and protect myself in this violent
world in which we live in. You have taught me that owning and carrying a firearm also brings much more
responsibility. This decision was not taken lightly and forced me to research firearms, perfecting the fit
(size does matter), practice handling a firearm, loading and unloading the magazine, in addition to
understanding the regulations and laws associated with owning and carrying a firearm. I just wanted to thank
you and your associates with all the valuable information required to obtain a CCW license.”
- Ms. T.
Clifton, Harper Woods, Wayne County, Michigan 48225 |
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"I appreciate the realness of the seriousness in obtaining a CCW/CPL. The class was informative,
especially the lawyer and how the both of you agreed and disagreed on handling certain situations. However, I
wished we could have practiced even longer at the range. I am going to recommend you and your class, for
first-hand knowledge, to anyone who didn't have a clue, such as myself. Thank you!!!"
- Ms. A.
Gilliard-Garner, RN, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan 48235 |
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“This class is highly recommended. If you want to know the advantages and benefits of concealed carry and
of firearm ownership, this class is for you. You may go in a skeptic, but you will come out a
believer.”
- Mr. N. Hardeman, Business Owner, Canton, Wayne County, Michigan 48188 |
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“Rick, I think that the Personal Protection Class was great. I also believe having the attorney present
for questions was also great. I would recommend this class to anyone who is interested in a personal
protection firearm class.”
- Mr. E. Jackson, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan 48235 |
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"As an attorney and just as a regular citizen of Michigan, I cannot say enough good things about Rick's Firearm Academy.
Rick Ector and his other instructors provided excellent training and instruction and managed to make a normally dry subject interesting and
entertaining. They were patient, knowledgeable, skilled, and talented in communicating important information about gun safety, personal
protection, and security. I learned a lot from Rick Ector and his staff. The info is extremely useful to my every day life, as I try to protect
myself. I was so impressed with Rick and his staff that I intend to take more courses from Rick's Firearm Academy. I am very lucky to have
learned about Rick's Firearm Academy, which should be a must for all Michigan residents. Rick Ector and his staff know their stuff and turned
a day of training and instruction on rules - regarding firearm safety and concealed pistol licenses - into an interesting experience that
benefited me and my safety. I will take the valuable information they imparted to me into my everyday life as I try to make myself more secure
from crime and threats. Well, worth the money. In fact, it's a bargain."
- Ms. D. Schlussel, Attorney-At-Law,
Southfield, Oakland County, Michigan 48034 |
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"Hello Rick, I just wanted to inform you how insightful your CPL class was. Not only did you and Damian educate me better on the usage of
a firearm but you also helped me with being aware of my surroundings and how I am approached by strangers as well. I am in the sales and
marketing profession for an aluminum manufacturer. I am often in rural and industrial areas and I am much more comfortable after taking your
class. I now have better firearm knowledge, know the difference of taking cover, and have knowledge of when it is illegal to shoot when you
have been victimized. I have recommended your class to most of my friends who have an interest; some have handled firearms, but they will
find that they too need to take your class. I have every intention to stay in contact for additional training and updates. Thanks again.
Regards,"
- Mr. M. Jackson, Sales and Marketing Executive, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan 48206 |
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"Hey! I just wanted to let u know that I really enjoyed your class and since then I've referred a few of my co-workers to participate just
this past month and they also enjoyed themselves and learned a whole about carrying a concealed weapon. Expect more of my coworkers to take
the class. On behalf of me and Wayne County Roads keep up the Great Work!!! :-))"
- Ms. D. Montgomery, Detroit, Wayne
County, Michigan 48235 |
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"Rick, your CCW class was great. I have the knowledge of how to use a firearm safely without harming myself or others. Since I attended
your class (July 12, 08) I have told a lot of my female friends and co-workers about the importance of obtaining a CCW for personal protection
due to the rough times we are living in. Since July, I have had four female friends, who have been robbed at gun point. Luckily, none of them
were injured during the attacks. I will tell any female to get a CCW - it's bad, times are hard, and if you're out late live or live alone,
you need that extra protection for peace of mind."
- Ms. J. Burse, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan 48213 |
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How To Choose A Michigan Firearms Instructor - By Rick Ector |
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| How To Choose A Michigan Firearms Instructor |
| The selection of a firearms instructor is an important decision. It is definitely a task that shouldn't be
made lightly or conducted in haphazard fashion. If a student chooses poorly, he could find himself receiving far less than he may have originally
bargained for in the process. A bad choice could have a student receiving not only bad or incomplete information that could lead to criminal charges,
but a poor choice could also lead to the student being on the wrong side of a civil liability lawsuit, and the student could suffer unnecessary harm due
to his inaction during a violent encounter.
When evaluating a firearms instruction provider, the very first thing that you want to check is their credentials to teach the class you are interested
in taking. In Michigan, the only persons that are authorized to teach the Basic Pistol Safety Training Class are either persons that have been
authorized by the state (i.e. Michigan Coalition Of Law Enforcement Standards) or individuals that have been certified by either a national or state
firearms training organization (e.g National Rifle Association).
In any case, all authorized training providers should have in their possession firearms training credentials from their parent organization that
corroborates their authorization to instruct. Do not be afraid to ask to see it. If they are qualified, they will proudly display it to you. However, if
they come up with excuses as to why don't have any training credentials you can be sure that you are talking to an unqualified firearms training provider.
After you have verified that the firearms instructor is duly certified by an appropriate firearms training authority, the next thing that you want to
check is the agenda of the class that they are presenting to you to attend as a prerequisite for getting your Concealed Pistol License (CPL).
The state of Michigan statute is very clear as to what a bona fide Basic Pistol Safety Training Class must cover. In short, the following
items must be covered: safe storage of firearms, shooting positions, firearms law, ammunition knowledge, avoiding criminal attacks, and controlling
violent encounters. If you are considering a class being promoted by a National Rifle Association Certified Firearms Instructor, you want to be sure
that it is the "Personal Protection In The Home Class."
There are several unethical firearms instructors in the greater Detroit-area intentionally teaching the wrong classes to students who desire to get
a Concealed Pistol License (CPL). In most cases, these rogue instructors are fraudulently promoting the "Basic Pistol Class" as a Basic
Pistol Safety Training Class. The "Basic Pistol Class" has a lot of good quality information in it. However, it does not meet the state of
Michigan's explicit training standards for a CPL.
Teaching the Basic Pistol Safety Training Class "the right way" involves having a qualified legal authority present to teach firearms law. As
you can imagine, a lawyer's time can be costly. Thus, the scam artists in the firearms training field simply opt to not cover it all. They would rather
pocket a couple extra hundred dollars per class and short-change their students.
Carrying a concealed firearm without proper legal training is not advised and is an accident "waiting to happen." Firearms are the most heavily
regulated items in our society. Thus, it is very easy to run afoul of the law. A Concealed Pistol Licensee may face criminal charges if he acts
inapropriately with a gun. There is no such "animal" as common sense gun law. The law is very clear as to what is lawful. Not knowing the law is no
excuse for breaking it.
Furthermore, if a Concealed Pistol Licensee shoots someone outside of the confines of lethal force/self-defense law, not only could he face murder
charges but he may also face a civil liability lawsuit from the injured party or the injured party's estate. Furthermore, a Concealed Pistol Licensee
might also be injured from an attacker because the licensee did not act for fear of acting unlawfully. For all of the above reasons, it is imperative
that someone, who desires to get a CPL, actually takes the correct class.
Moreover, when evaluating a firearms training service you should also research their credentials. Some instructors only have training credentials to
teach the CPL Class. Other instructors have every possible certification available. Obviously, the more certifications that an instructor has in his
training background the more likely it is that he can deliver outstanding value to his students. Instructors of this caliber can deliver more info from
related firearms courses and more clearly illustrate complex topics.
The level of professionalism of the firearms training service should also be evaluated. You want to know how long this service has been operating;
brand new and unproven instructors deliver questionable value. When entrusting your firearms training to a service provider you want to know how well
he has trained others in the past. You should check out their web site and see whether there are any testimonials from satisfied customers, any helpful
articles he may have written, and any objective evidence of training ability - such as photos and videos.
Further evidence of an instructor's committment to being a competent authority in his field would include memberships to various gun rights
organizations: National Rifle Association, Michigan Gun Owners, Michigan Coalition of Responsible Owners, and etc. An instructor who belongs to several
gun rights groups is keeping abreast of the latest developments with regards to gun policy at the local, county, state, and federal levels of our
government and can keep you informed.
Other items that would be helpful to know about your firearms training provider is the level of support that they can provide to you after the class.
Does the company offer an alumni newsletter or other means of contact to keep in touch? Can you call them when a unique situation develops and you need
advice? Are they available to help you consider firearms and accessories purchasing decisions? Fly-by-night operators in the firearms training field
quickly forget you when the class is over.
In summary, before you consider signing up with a firearms training provider for CPL training, you need to do your research. There are many scam
artists - credentialed and uncredentialed - that are short-changing their students by not teaching them the law.
Taking the wrong class can have dire circumstances: criminal charges, lawsuits, and unnecessary harm. Further, you should also evaluate a firearms
training provider's list of qualifications, affiliated firearms memberships, level of service, and support after the class is over. Only when evaluating
these items can you make an informed decision as to which company provides you with the best value. |
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| Musings of a Firearms Instructor - Part II |
Return to our Articles & Essays Page
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Registering For Our Next Michigan CCW/CPL Class Is Easy! |
Our next three "Personal Protection in the Home" (Michigan CCW/CPL) classes will be
conducted on the following dates:
- Saturday, April 4th, 2009 (Southfield Hampton Inn) - 7 Seats Left!
- Sunday, April 19th, 2009 (Southfield Hampton Inn) - 10 Seats Left!
- Saturday, May 12th, 2009 (Southfield Hampton Inn) - 12 Seats Left!
- Sunday, May 17th, 2009 (Southfield Hampton Inn) - 15 Seats Left!
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| All classes start at 8:00 a.m. sharp! |
Please note that the openings (i.e. "seats left" counts) are not made in "real time." Thus, we may have even fewer openings than
is currently listed. We strive to update our web site at least once daily.
RSVP now with your tuition investment to avoid missing out on this event!
If you require a training date further ahead than listed above, visit our 2009 Schedule Page to RSVP Now!
Our classes are usually conducted in the Oakland Conference Room at the Hampton Inn in Southfield, Michigan 48034. This hotel's address is
27500 Northwestern Highway. (Map to Hotel)
View Larger Map
Please note that unexpected and unforeseen circumstances may necessitate a change in the class's location. If an change is made, you will notified
in advance of the new venue.
The tuition investment for this training event is $170.00 - A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your seat.
Thus, you must either pay the full tuition amount or remit a deposit.
Please note that if you pay the full tuition in advance, you will receive a $20 discount. We provide this discount
to encourage students to pay in advance so that we can pre-pay expenses necessary to hold these events: hotel conference
room rental, attorney's speaking fee, official NRA program materials, refreshments, and etc.
To RSVP for our class on the date of your selection, you must choose exactly one of the following five personal
investment options:
Option 1. Remit Full Tuition Now via PayPal™
Option 2. Remit A Tuition Deposit Now via PayPal™
Option 3. Schedule An Appointment To Pay Full Tuition In Person.
Payment options 1, and 2 require you to click the PayPal™ "Buy Now" button for the class date of your choice.
Your web browser will then load a secure web page from the PayPal™ site where you will then be able to safely and
securely enter your credit card info to complete your registration.
Note: Payment options 1 and 2 do not require you to register with PayPal™ to use their secure, free, fast, and
convenient service to register for our classes. |
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| Open Enrollment Class - Saturday, April 4th, 2009 - 8:00 a.m. Start |
| Location: Southfield Hampton Inn - 27500 Northwestern Hwy. (Map to Hotel) |
| Option I |
Pay Full Tuition ($150) in Advance and Save $20!
(Total Cost: $150 + Range Expenses) |
| Option II |
Pay Tuition Deposit ($85) in Advance and Pay Balance ($85) at the Door.
(Total Cost: $170 + Range Expenses) |
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| Open Enrollment Class - Sunday, April 19th, 2009 - 8:00 a.m. Start |
| Location: Southfield Hampton Inn - 27500 Northwestern Hwy.
(Map to Hotel) |
| Option I |
Pay Full Tuition ($150) in Advance and Save $20!
(Total Cost: $150 + Range Expenses) |
| Option II |
Pay Tuition Deposit ($85) in Advance and Pay Balance ($85) at the Door.
(Total Cost: $170 + Range Expenses) |
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| Open Enrollment Class - Saturday, May 2nd, 2009 - 8:00 a.m. Start |
| Location: Southfield Hampton Inn - 27500 Northwestern Hwy. (Map to Hotel) |
| Option I |
Pay Tuition in Advance ($150) and Save $20!
(Total Cost: $150 + Range Expenses) |
| Option II |
Pay Tuition Deposit ($85) and Pay Balance ($85) at the Door.
(Total Cost: $170 + Range Expenses) |
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| Open Enrollment Class - Sunday, May 17th, 2009 - 8:00 a.m. Start |
| Location: Southfield Hampton Inn - 27500 Northwestern Hwy. (Map to Hotel) |
| Option I |
Pay Full Tuition ($150) in Advance and Save $20!
(Total Cost: $150 + Range Expenses) |
| Option II |
Pay Tuition Deposit ($85) in Advance and Pay Balance ($85) at the Door.
(Total Cost: $170 + Range Expenses) |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Registering For Our Class!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Our Class!
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If you are interested in attending any of the aforementioned classes, don't delay! They fill up fast and are limited to the first
fifteen students that have registered. So, RSVP now!
When we receive notification of your registration
from Paypal™ you'll receive a confirmation from us via email. |
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