The first few times I went to the range by myself, my target looked more like Swiss cheese than well placed shots. I enjoyed shooting and wanted to get good at it. So I contacted an instructor who had an Intro to Pistol class. I showed him a picture of my target and asked if he could help. The response was “Lol, maybe find a beginner class”. Needless to say intro to pistol wasn’t really an introduction.

The more I searched these “intro” classes, the more it seemed to require some intermediate skill. No one seemed interested in teaching the most basic fundamentals. I was expected to have a great deal of proficiency. I didn’t, so I decided to teach myself.

Through trial and error, with no expectations, something I didn’t expect happened, a sense of inner peace and self care. It was if pistol shooting taught me how to be gentle with myself and the learning process. Progress started to happen. Eventually, I became certified through the NRA as a Pistol Instructor, Personal Protection Inside the Home, Personal Protection Outside the Home, as well as a DOJ Certified CCW Instructor.

I want everyone to learn in that environment. No prior knowledge required, No pressure. This is the core of Baseline Defense.

— Joe