The Intelligent Shooter: Training for Smart Self Defense with Erick Gelhaus

"Restraint is a skill—it's just as important to decide when not to act as it is to act decisively." Episode Summary In this episode of The Gun Experiment, we sit down with Erick Gelhaus, a highly experienced firearms instructor with a career spanning the U.S. Army, law enforcement, and the civilian sector. We dig into everything from the evolution of use-of-force thinking, the realities of law enforcement scrutiny, decision-making under stress, and the complexities of training with shotguns and pistol-mounted optics. We also discuss responsible off-body carry, the importance of de-escalation, and why judgment and restraint are core skills for both professionals and everyday gun owners. I share my own dry fire journey, Keith gets fired up about shotguns, and together we pull out valuable, street-applicable wisdom from Erick's decades of experience. If you’re looking to refine your mindset, boost your training, and become a more responsible gun owner, this episode is for you.  Call to Action 1. Join our mailing list: Thegunexperiment.com 2. Subscribe and leave us a comment on Apple or Spotify 3. Follow us on all of our social media: Instagram Youtube 4. Grab some cool TGE merch 5. Ask us anything at [email protected] 6. Be sure to support the sponsors of the show. They’re a big part of making the show possible. Show Sponsors Big thanks to OnSight Firearms Training. If you want top-tier instruction, skill-building courses, and access to some of the best guest instructors in the country, check them out at OFTLLC.US Key Takeaways Use of Force is Nuanced: It's not just about skill—judgment, legal knowledge, and communication with the public are equally vital. Erick’s experience in the military, law enforcement, and as an instructor shaped his holistic approach. Dry Fire and Regular Practice: Training consistently—even just 10 minutes a day—yields better reaction times and smoother draws. Red Dots and Optics: Erick shares actionable tips for faster dot acquisition, including practicing the draw in reverse and learning to accept imperfection for practical shooting. Decision-Making Drills: Incorporating judgment and visual processing into range training is challenging but essential. It’s not just about shooting fast, but making the right call under pressure. Shotgun Wisdom: The shotgun is still a powerful home defense tool—if you know your pattern, ammo, and manipulations. It’s the thinking person’s weapon, and training matters more than the platform. Off-Body Carry Reality: Sometimes, off-body carry is the only practical option, especially for women or in certain lifestyle scenarios. Training for it responsibly is far better than avoiding carry altogether. Law Enforcement Scrutiny: Public perceptions, social media, and political narratives have made police work more challenging. Transparent communication and understanding human factors are key for both officers and civilians. Restraint and De-Escalation: Restraint is not weakness; it’s a hard-earned skill. If you don’t fully understand a situation, disengage if possible. Avoiding situations is the ultimate win in self-defense.   Guest Information Name: Erick Gelhaus Company: Cougar Mountain Solutions Website: cougarmountainsolutions.com Instagram: @cougar_mountain_solutions Editor/Writer: American Cop Upcoming Classes: June 22-28, 2026 (PA, NY, MA) with OnSight Firearms Training Specialties: Use-of-force instruction, red dot pistol curriculum, law enforcement training, civilian firearm education Keywords firearms training, use of force, law enforcement, concealed carry, off-body carry, red dot pistol, judgmental shooting, de-escalation, self-defense, shotgun training, Cougar Mountain Solutions, OnSight Firearms Training, Erick Gelhaus, civilian firearms instruction, decision making in self defense, gun safety, dry fire practice, pistol mounted optics, gun rights, home defense, legal considerations in self-defense, American Cop For more resources and to join the conversation, follow us on Instagram and YouTube. See you next Tuesday for another episode of The Gun Experiment!