Firearms and Self-Defense: Expert Insights from Trigger Talk Tuesday - April 1st, 2025

On April 1st, host Clint Gage kicked off the “Ask the Experts” broadcast with a lighthearted nod to April Fool’s Day—but quickly shifted gears to a serious topic: the surprising connection between ballet-style movement and competitive shooting success.

Clint explained that advancing through the shooting classes—from C to B to A—isn’t just about marksmanship; it’s mastering smooth, efficient footwork. He described how shooters must evolve from “tank-like” shuffles into graceful, skater-style strides that cut down wasted motion and trim precious seconds off their stage times. To illustrate, he shared the story of a young ballerina who, after years of dance training since age three, picked up pistol fundamentals over a weekend and is now gearing up to compete in her first match this month—proof that fluid movement truly transforms performance.

The show then spotlighted Green Monstah Firearms’ spring specials, including their “bloom” promotion on shotgun shells and exciting new gear from IWA International. Featured were vibrant red, blue, and green smoke grenades (with white smoke on the way) and affordable “Thunderstick” flashbangs priced under $50 each—versatile tools for personal defense and close-quarters training. Clint also introduced a semi-automatic, belt-fed AR rifle designed for fast, film-style shooting with 100-round belts that assemble in about 20 minutes and empty in seconds.

Looking ahead, Clint outlined the packed April training calendar:

• Level 2 CQB course on the 5th

• Concealed Carry classes on the 6th (still some spots available) and 19th (almost full)

• Extreme Close-Quarters Shooting on the 20th, featuring rapid drills from zero to five yards, ground recovery, barricade shooting, and over 500 rounds fired

• Vehicle-Firing course on the 26th focusing on shooting from and around cars

He also promoted the annual three-day Tactical Camp, a $299 intensive sampler offering instruction in pistol, rifle, CQB, competition shooting, shotguns, and even martial arts seminars led by longtime partners from New York, Japan, and Thailand. It’s designed to help shooters identify strengths and growth areas in a focused, immersive environment.

On the competition front, Clint reviewed the monthly match schedule—2-Gun on the first weekend, USPSA second, PCSL third, and Steel Challenge fourth (Saturdays at 10 AM, Sundays at noon). These events are open to spectators (free entry with eye and ear protection) and warmly welcome newcomers looking to get involved.

Finally, Clint touched on safety and facility updates at Shadow Hawk Defense, noting high demand for their reservation-only shooting bays. To help manage this, they’re calling for certified Range Safety Officers (training available through IWA or NRA websites) to oversee bay use. Emphasizing safety, he reminded listeners that ingrained habits like muzzle awareness, trigger discipline, and thorough gear checks are essential—even when handling firearms presumed empty—to prevent accidents.

All in all, the April 1st broadcast perfectly blended humor with expert insights, demonstrating how ballet-inspired movement, cutting-edge gear, structured training, and rigorous safety protocols come together to elevate both performance and protection in the shooting sports world.