FERNDALE VIEW: My Birthday Bang, CPL Training in Ferndale
(Sheri Kennedy, 1/25/2011)
When my husband first mentioned he was going to take a Concealed Pistol Liscense, CPL, Course, I didn’t think twice about it. When he mentioned he wanted me to take it with him….on my birthday…I asked “Why would I do that?” I was absolutely sincere. I had no real desire to take any kind of CPL course and told my husband just as much. He then asked me “Why not?” I began to reason, I don’t go anywhere except to take the children to school, I stay in my little triangular area, and I stay home for the most part. Then, as my husband started to explain those are exactly the reasons why I should be taking this class, I realized that what I would be doing for my birthday – and it didn’t include candles.
Saturday morning, January 8, we headed to Rosie O’Grady’s in Ferndale and met with Officer Jospeh Brugnoli of Ranger Firemarm Instruction, LLC and of the Ferndale Police Department. While Officer Brugnoli is a member of the FPD, the course is not at all affiliated with the FPD. Officer Brugnoli and his teaching partners, Eric and Bob, all carry a very impressive list of credentials ranging from military service to police and SWAT services. This is an all day course starting at 9:00 am with bagels, donuts, (of course) and coffee. The course work is extremely intense and filled with real life scenarios based on the vast experiences of the three instructors. We were given books and pamphlets from the National Rifle Association to help guide us through our course.
Not only were the laws associated with carrying a concealed weapon meticulously gone through, but we were give excellent tips for keeping ourselves safe. Some of the tips included knowing your surroundings, not making yourself look like a victim, and most importantly – not getting too comfortable in your comfort zone. That hit home really hard for me. There are mornings I am so into my triangular comfort zone that I don’t remember how I got from the grade school to the preschool!
From Rosie’s, we left to do our firing range time at the Ferndale Police Department’s range. We were all given clear instruction on how to handle our weapon and handle it safely at all times. We spent about 3 hours shooting in groups of 4. The scenarios, distance, and even lighting changed each time. Every scanario was meant to put us in a real life situation. There was not concern over hitting the circle in the middle of the bullseye, because, as Officer Brugnoli pointed out, the bad guy rarely wears a bullseye! Focus on center mass was our instruction. I was nervous at first but started to feel more at ease with each round. I even did my best range work when the lights were turned out. I even became quite adept at loading the Glock .40 I was given to shoot.
When all was said and done, I had shot about 50 rounds and I felt more confident than I had when I woke up that morning. I felt as if I had conquered myself. Most importantly, I felt more informed about being a responsible gun owner than I ever was before. Although I never hope to be put in such a situation, the lessons I learned that morning just may save my life one day.
Please take the time to visit Ranger Firearm Instruction LLC at http://rangerfirearminstruction.com/
or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ranger-Firearm-Instruction/125345734166113. If you have any questions about registering for the CPL course held twice monthly at Rosie O’Grady’s, please call 517-294-3580. Make sure you tell Officer Joe you read about his course on Ferndale 115!
