Who is John Farnam and What is it Like to Take His Class

A Student’s Perspective

From his website http://www.defense-training.com/

John S. Farnam, president of Defensive Training International, is one of the top handgun instructors in the world. He has personally trained thousands of federal, state and local law enforcement personnel, as well as non-police, in the serious use of firearms. In addition, he has authored four books on the subject -- "The Farnam Method of Defensive Handgunning," "The Farnam Method of Defensive Shotgun and Rifle Shooting," "The Street Smart Gun Book," and "Guns & Warriors - DTI Quips Volume 1."

In June of 1996, John was selected by his peers to receive the renowned "Tactical Advocate of the Year" award from the National Tactical Association. In April of 2009, he was inducted into Black Belt Magazine's "Living Legends".

All the above is true, but I promised you the student’s perspective, my perspective as a student of the handgun and competitive shooter. To be clear, I LIKE GUNS, particularly handguns. I am older and have the time and funds to indulge my passion for the pistol. I have trained at Front Sight, with Lethal Force Institute’s Massad Ayoob and his instructors, with former SEALS, Force Recon Marines, Army Rangers, ,police, troopers, deputies and SWAT team leaders. While I am a lowly Sharpshooter in IDPA I co founded our local club with an IDPA 5 Gun Master who holds Master Status in two USPSA divisions and is nationally ranked in Revolver. I fire over 5,000 rounds a year , half of it in IDPA matches and steel shoots. I am also an NRA Certified Instructor in Pistol, Rifle and Shotgun and certified by the states of MN and Utah as a permit to carry instructor. I’m also an NRA Chief RSO and IDPA CSO, so I have trained hundreds and seen well over a 600 shooters. Bottom line, I have had some training, done some training and am a student of the handgun.

OK, now for some discussion of the Farnam experience and it is an experience. I was a student in his Basic/Intermediate Handgun class in 2007 and it was an intense experience. John served in Vietnam in combat with the USMC as a Lt, and retired from the reserves as a Major 20 years later. While he has carried a badge and was active in law enforcement for many years, these days he is a reserve deputy in Colorado and I suspect he patrols about as often as his friend Mas Ayoob does, not much.

For many, many years now he and his lovely wife Vicki have toured the US and the world preaching the gospel of preparedness and how to use a rifle, pistol and/or shotgun effectively should the need arise. They are both patient, experienced professionals who are devoted to their art. I have personally seen John go the extra mile to assure he is brief, clear and that everyone receives and understands the information necessary to shoot to the best of their ability.

The format of John’s classes is similar. They generally last 20 hours over a Saturday and Sunday, but most start with a nice dinner that takes several hours the Friday evening before the class. John often brings his wife and/or a guest instructor to assist and assure everyone gets the attention they need. Friday evening is spent talking a about the class format, answering questions and just talking guns. John is there to share with you what he knows, why he knows it and to make you think. John is unfailingly responsive and polite, but is always honest and direct.

Jon is not remotely interested in being politically correct nor does he like everyone’s guns, knives or self defense practices. If he likes something you know why, if he thinks it is junk, he calls it that and tells you whay it is. If it is new, he has generally tried it and has an opinion as he is always training and testing guns and gear. . The first day is 12 plus hours long and includes a night shoot if at all possible. Sunday is an 8 hour day, but with lunch and breaks you are on the range a lot longer. I would say there tends to be about 2 to 3 hours of formal class work with a lot of demo and then it is on the range. After John gets a basic feel free the student’s skill out of the holster and with the handgun, things are in constant motion. Steel is used whenever possible and if you are not shooting, you are reloading or working with a partner or getting a demo on the next phases.

You are loaded and ready 100% of the class, pity the shooters who goes to the line with an empty gun! Everyone gets one on one feedback and direct interaction with Jon and his instructors. John is clear, direct and demanding, you will give your best effort and receive support, unless you get stubborn or fail to display a can do attitude. John has done this for years, heard all excuses and been there, done that, when it comes to shooting. He does not miss anything and is supportive, humorous, concerned and deadly serious all at the same time.

My partner in the firearms training Jon and I were so impressed we brought Jon to the Twin Cities for Advanced Pistol and Shotgun in 2008 and it was a sellout and an amazing class. Farnam is as a Vietnam vet so he is not a young man, but he has a high energy level and is very creative. He is an avid reader and can readily quote the classics, the founding fathers of our country, FBI and AMA statistics, recite poetry and at this class he flipped the ball cap around an did a pretty good rap. While John does not actively patrol in Colorado he spends a fair amount of time in squads and has been to all our states training police, troopers and deputies. John has also consulted with the US and foreign militaries and travels internationally and has many friends serving around the world. John has done what he talks about and passionate about sharing what he has learned, often in difficult circumstances.

We brought John in for Urban Rile in 2009 and in 2010 for Basic/Intermediate Pistol. This summer he returns to the Twin Cities for his Advanced Pistol class. We have some folks signed up already and think it is one of the best ways to spend $625 on some local training. Please call Jon Thnompson at 763 263-9587 with any specific questions. This class is for experienced shooters comfortable with holster work and engaging multiple targets. As his class organizers we will assure you meet his class standards and defer any boderline issues to John Farnam.

John requires a $325 deposit within two weeks of reserving to hold your spot in the class and the final payment a month before the class. Please register on my website at http://rejfirearmstraining.com/REJ%20Web%20Class%20Registration%20PayPal.htm and mail the check payable to John's company Defense Training International or DTI to Jon Thompson at Riverside. He is handling registration and answering initial questions and qualifications for John Farnam.