Martial Artists Say: Parents Should Prepare Children to Deal with a Shooter at School or in Mall

Detroit, Michigan. (PRWEB) January 26, 2008 -- Guardian Martial Arts, a martial arts studio based near Detroit, Michigan, has crafted a training program designed to allow individuals to increase their odds of surviving random shootings.

Guardian Martial Arts has been in business in the Detroit area for ten years. In their studio located in Garden City, a suburb of Detroit, they normally focus on American Kenpo, Stott Pilates, pressure points, and kick boxing. However, due to the persistent occurrence of random shootings, the founders of the studio, Kelly and Shelby Perkins, realized that they had to offer a program that would give people a fighting chance in the face of a mad gunman.

Their program, called "Public Violence - Personal Self Defense" was the result.

Kelly Perkins has been involved in martial arts for 22 years. Her husband, Shelby, has been training for 10 years. Both have 3rd degree black belts in Kenpo as well as 2nd degree black belts in Kyusho Jitsu. Kelly also has a 3rd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. The Perkins have trained under influential names in martial arts. They have trained under Steve Stewart, Frank Trejo, and George Dillman, who in turn trained with the likes of Ed Parker, Bruce Lee, and Mohammed Ali.

Kelly explains the rationale for the program, "We can't change the fact that shootings are more and more common in schools and malls. What we can do is change our awareness and ability to cope with such threats when we are faced with them. The key is to plan ahead rather than wait until it's too late."

The 8 week 'active shooter' defense course begins February 5th, 2008. Topics will include environmental awareness, methods of escape and evasion, and tips on how to identify a person that might be a threat. In connection with these skills, self-defense techniques are taught as well. The course aims to empower individuals in a situation where they might otherwise feel powerless.

Shelby Perkins explains why the program is for people ages 10 and up. "Shootings are happening everywhere. The argument that we're only scaring kids when we talk about things ignores the fact that they're going to be pretty scared if something happens in their school and they don't have any ideas on how to protect themselves."

Kelly agrees, "Panic kills. Planning ahead kills panic. If parents think 10 years is too young, that's ok. Our program is for parents, too. They can come through our program and then teach their children what they think is appropriate. The news reports make it clear that college students should think about such matters, too. Our program is for everyone, including those who go to shopping malls. Why should we just be victims?"

To register for the course or learn more information, you can call Guardian Martial Arts at 734-266-5253. GMA has a webpage that has more information, as well: http://www.guardianmartialarts.com/shooter.html. To learn more about other programs available visit the main page at http://www.guardianmartialarts.com/home.html.

Media inquiries can be directed to Kelly Perkins at 734-266-5253.

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