@cmshoot is definitely on my recommended list of local trainers. I took an excellent rifle class with this gentleman a couple years back.
John Lovell is another great local trainer from all accounts, I plan to take at least one class with him in the near future.
My most recent class was a...
I believe many of us struggle with this. For a long time my wife was completely disinterested in self defense type activities. She always complained when I brought a rifle, ammo, medical, emergency gear, etc on vacation. I would talk to her about bad things happening locally, "hey did you see...
Totally agree man, I do my sighting in at Wilson Shoals but all my other shooting is in my backyard range. It's such a good feeling to step outside and put lead on steel.
Go take classes with folks like Tactical Response, John Lovell, @cmshoot , etc if you want training. Having your own land would only make it easier to host a trainer...hmm that's a good idea actually...
For hand to hand stuff, I've heard that BJJ is really good stuff. I've got plans to start classes somewhere in the near future.
For a shorter term class, ECQC is highly recommended: https://shivworks.com/extreme-close-quarter-concepts/
If you are only interested in learning the shooting positions and practicing your skills, pretty much any rifle with a sling will work. But prepare to be frustrated, without a mag fed semiauto you will struggle to complete shot strings in the time allotted and it's unlikely you will be able to...
This place is awesome, but we are talking big money and time commitments...at least a minor lifestyle change. I've seen a lot of the grounds while running a 5k Run and Gun there and shot out to 600 yards (and hit that steel...after many tries lol), but OP seems to be looking for a public range...
Wilson Shoals WMA is a great place that was just redone, and the only cost is a $15-20/year (Hunting/Fishing License or GORP). Red Hill Range is a great place too, I've taken an Appleseed there: https://redhillrange.com/the-range/
How about he was way off target? I hope he wasn't aiming for the leg and should have landed that shot center mass. Of course that's easier said than done when Robin Hood is running at you with a knife, he survived the encounter and that's what is important.