New member in Chattanooga

[Cruel Hand Luke]

Hey guys.

My name is Randy Harris. I am a staff instructor for Suarez International and state certified ccw instructor at Sportsman's Supply in Chattanooga. I shoot IDPA, 3 gun, Cowboy action, Subgun, and about any kind of "action shooting" match I can find in this area.

I work for a shooting sports wholesaler and spend most of my free time reading history,biographies,lifting weights and training in knife, gun, stick and combatives and hanging out with my wife. I have trained with Gabe Suarez, Southnarc and Paul Gomez, Tom Givens, Tom Sotis, Marc Denny,Ian Mcdevitt (medic skills class) , Henk Iverson and William Aprill.

I look forward to hanging out here and keeping up with what is going on around the state. Glad to be here!

[Guest GlocKingTN]

Welcome to the site! Hope you enjoy!

[TNG23C]

Hello from down the road in Jasper!

[Guest Voodoo_1]

Welcome Randy!

With your extensive training with some well renowned people, I look forward to reading your post.

[saintsfanbrian]

Welcome to the boards. Hope you enjoy your stay. Please give us your expert advice whenever possible.

[Marswolf]

Welcome to the forums!

[tnroadrunner]

Welcome Randy. I get Gabe's newsletters and updates.

[TGO David]

Welcome Randy!

With your extensive training with some well renowned people, I look forward to reading your post.

Glad to have you here with us, Randy.

[Guest Phantom6]

Welcome to the forums from just up the pike a way in Oak Ridge.

[Guest Old Chief]

Welcome to the forum Randy.

[Cruel Hand Luke]

Thanks guys!

I don't really know how "expert" my opinions are, but I'm not bashful about sharing them.

[molonlabetn]

Hello Randy.

Welcome to the fray!

How long have you been associated with Suarez, if you don't mind me asking?

[Guest triggertime]

Welcome Randy, glad to see you here!

[Cruel Hand Luke]

Hello Randy.

Welcome to the fray!

How long have you been associated with Suarez, if you don't mind me asking?

Since 2005.

Gabe was just beginning to expand the operation and I talked to him about it. He told me to come to his Ultimate Combat Skills Week class in Atlanta and after the class he said, "You're in if you want in".

I had been teaching CCW classes for better part of 10 years, but really didn't feel that was enough to be teaching folks about interpersonal conflict. I took a "medical care under fire" course and all the gun knife and stick stuff I could fit in and Tom Givens's instructor development course (I did 13 classes in 13 months at one point) all so I would be able to better help the students understand how things all fit together in context. I don't teach people how to win IDPA matches (though I can if that is what interests them) I teach them to win fights.

The person is the weapon, the gun is just an efficient accessory. But still just an accessory. And there are circumstances related to distance where the gun is NOT the best choice. That is how I see it anyways. Mindset then tactics then skill THEN equipment. But know how to use all the equipment-empty hands,stick,knife,pistol ,rifle, shotgun,(SMG,belt fed MG:devil:) and even improvised weapons. Just because I can't carry a weapon into somewhere doesn't mean I am totally unarmed. It is the Warrior mindset, not the shooter mindset.A warrior will fight with any tool he can lay hands on. A shooter only learns the gun......

Probably a longer answer than you were looking for, but I'm feeling long winded today:D.

[Guest mrnord]

Wecome, Have fun, we look forward to your sage advise and experience

Carl

[Marswolf]

Hey Randy, what did you do in the military?

[Cruel Hand Luke]

Two semesters of ROTC:D. Just kidding.

I never served in the military.

[Marswolf]

OK Randy. Thanks. Thought you might have been a combat vet.