TYB: Armed Response DVD Series
As a staunch supporter of the 2nd Amendment I've repeated the statement that gun control should be a matter of education not legislation. While I am not in favor of gun control laws I do believe that civilian concealed carry permit holders should be required to meet a higher minimum standard of education and skill with their weapon. A side belief of that is that I think all of us who carry sidearms should continually update our knowledge and skill base to stay "fresh". The Armed Response DVD series offers not only good knowledge but also information about drills and other practical considerations that concern all who carry a handgun.
It's widely recognized among firearms instructors that the training most licensed civilian gun-toters get is minimal at best. Some states mandate minimum levels of training for a CCW permit while others expect a bit more. Heck, in the true anti-gun states just to BUY a handgun requires training. I personally believe that education is good and legislation is usually counter-productive so I find myself appreciating almost any kind of training option that gets presented PROVIDED it comes from a valid source. Armed Response Training is such a source.
There are three DVDs in the series. I will review the contents of each.
The first, Fundamentals of Defensive Shooting, is where everyone should start. After all, it's fundamentals. The DVD has over 2.5 hours of material on it and covers the following topics:
- The Reality of gun safety on the street
- Operational fundamentals of handguns
- Reloading semi-automatics and revolvers
- Magazine management
- Carry positions
- Alternative carry options
- The tactical draw
- Malfunction clearing skills
- Sighted and non-sighted firing
- One-handed manipulations and shooting
- Combat accuracy
- Stopping power
That list is straight off the back cover of the DVD and, yes, each topic is covered (and then some). I'd like to note that some of those topics are common to basic (fundamental) handgun training. Those topics would include Operation, Reloading and Malfunction clearing. Other topics included here aren't usually found in a "fundamental" program and speak to how thorough this set of training DVDs is. Such topics as Magazine management, carry positions and options, sighted vs. non-sighted firing, combat accuracy and stopping power are relatively unique as part of a structured program of instruction. That the DVD opens with a discussion about "the reality of gun safety on the street" speaks to the depth of information the creators attempt to share.
The second DVD, Dynamic Drills for Defensive Shooting, continues to build upon what was learned with the first DVD. Again, where many training programs stop with the basics of handling, care, transport, etc., this second DVD goes into escalated skill levels. More than 30 drills are detailed to help the basic shooter increase their skills to the point where they could realistically expect to not simply freak out when presented with a lethal encounter. Some of the topics / drills covered include:
- Speed shooting
- Back-up weapons (how many programs cover a second gun?)
- Moving and shooting
- One-handed drills
- Judgmental shooting
- Close quarters engagements
- Use of cover
- Engaging targets from your car
If a person actually watches those two DVDs and PRACTICES what is contained therein they would have gone a long way toward becoming properly skilled to use a handgun for self-defense. Yes, I know that's probably an arguable statement. Truth be told, I don't think many CCW holders (and I could be very wrong) pursue near enough training. If they attend a one-day basic course they've probably done the average. If they attend an advanced course then they are probably in the minority of civilian gun carriers. To watch just these first two DVDs, and then practice everything contained therein would take WEEKS. And we're not done yet...
We come to the third DVD, Tactics and Techniques for Defensive Shooting. This DVD covers the training area where most programs probably fall short: the actual, daily, operational considerations of real life encounters. Some of the topics covered are:
- Survival priorities
- avoidance / de-escalation of situations
- reactionary gap
- multiple adversaries
- defense in various places: car, home, work, etc
- holding a person at gunpoint
If you take a look at those topics it's easy to see that the third DVD ventures into training territory that includes a great deal of philosophical debate and personal outlook. The difference between the first two DVDs and the third one is the difference between objective and subjective. Practical skills are relatively objective. They are mastered are they aren't. They can be practiced over and over toward mastery but, ultimately, they are repetitive. You do the same thing over and over again attempting to improve your performance with each repetition. The third DVD takes you into scenario territory where the weapon carrier needs to take everything else learned, other knowledged, abstract information, and use the benefit of the experience of others, to make emergency decisions on the appropriate course of action and use of force. As the DVD back label says it, "Armed Response is not about gun shooting, it's about gun fighting!"
Each of these DVDs can be purchased for $34.95 at the Armed Response Training online store. Or, the three-DVD set can be purchased for $84.95. To evaluate the value of the DVD to the buying dollar let's consider something. The first DVD is the functional equivalent of a basic handgun training program minus the range time; that the shooter has to get on his (or her) own. A basic handgun program can cost anywhere from $200 to $500 depending on the company providing it and how much equipment / ammo you have to take. The first DVD, at $34.95, essentially replaces the classroom time. The 2nd DVD is an advanced class which can run you anywhere from $400 to $1000. Again, the range time is obviously missing from the DVDs, but the shooter can go out and do that as his schedule permits. And finally, the 3rd DVD is the functional equivalent of a force-on-force advanced shooting program that would usually span several days and cost $700+ easily.
Aside from the obvious and unavoidable lack of a personal AT HAND instructor, the DVDs offer all of the classroom training you could get in those far more expensive programs. Even if you purchase them individually you're getting a heck of a training savings. By purchasing them as a set you increase your savings... and, ultimately, your knowledge and skills. Who can comlain about that?
Stay Safe!

Lt. Frank Borelli (ret), Editorial Director | Editorial Director
Lt. Frank Borelli is the Editorial Director for the Officer Media Group. Frank brings 20+ years of writing and editing experience in addition to 40 years of law enforcement operations, administration and training experience to the team.
Frank has had numerous books published which are available on Amazon.com, BarnesAndNoble.com, and other major retail outlets.
If you have any comments or questions, you can contact him via email at [email protected].