REPORT: Tactical Pistol & Home Defense with CETTAS International/Europe

Brazil is famous for its dreamy beaches, easy lifestyle, and colorful carnival, but also notorious for the extremely high crime rate and the apparent inability of the security forces to contain it. In all major cities in the country, the vast scene of gangs and drug traffickers has maintained itself for many years through the use of extreme violence. The quick use of firearms by criminal perpetrators already occurs in "normal" crimes such as pickpocketing, break-ins, and robberies in the most ruthless form. In the first six months of this year alone, 2,723 people were murdered in Rio de Janeiro. All previous strategies, actions, and campaigns by security forces from police and military have shown no sustainable impact.

From light to heavy. Participants were gradually familiarized to shooting in the dark.

The main victim groups, mostly from the upper middle class, are desperately looking for effective ways to protect themselves and their family members from armed gangs. Therefore, more and more affected people are applying for permits to carry firearms and sensibly attending home defense courses and shooting training in addition.

Essential part: Tactical area reconnaissance and handling of danger areas such as stairwells, doors, and corridors.

CETTAS International is one of the most well-known providers for these types of courses in South America, mainly in Brazil. The seal of quality "Made in Germany" also has a good reputation here and stands for high quality. Covering an area of 10,000 m², CETTAS International offers mission-oriented training programs for law enforcement agencies, military and police officers, as well as civilians. For realistic training, there are six different shooting ranges (up to 300 m), a house combat facility with a replica of a tight and intricate favela settlement available. Additionally, there is also a tactical fitness facility, classrooms, guest rooms, and catering service. Regular trainings for various police and military units take place here. Recently, the newly built climbing and rappelling tower was put into operation.

Theory always comes before the practical part.

The former paratrooper-commando soldier/B1 Thomas Schröder had emigrated to South America in 1999 and had founded the project CETTAS International (Centro de Treinamento Tatico e Seguranca) together with Lutz Hauske the following year. The German branch (CETTAS Europe) is operated by Hauske and is considered a Center of Excellence by experts. As a former member of an anti-terrorism unit, he also brought extensive skills and knowledge with him. Both of them provided an interview to our SPARTANAT reporter Udo Lücken about the current and new "Tactical Pistol & Home Defense" course.

Lutz Hauske, CETTAS Europe, is known as a thorough, practice-oriented trainer.

SPARTANAT: An intense training for tactical home defense took place on August 19-20, 2017 at the training grounds of CETTAS Brasil. What was the content and goal of this course?

Thomas Schröder: The urgent demand of the participants was a real call for help. Gang crime in recent years has alarmingly increased. Almost everyone here has been a victim of a robbery. As a rough summary, we aimed/want the participant to be able, after the course, to handle their firearm safely under stress, work tactically effectively, and achieve a secure first-hit probability.

SPARTANAT: What distinguishes the course participants from those in/from Europe/Germany?

Thomas Schröder: For one, the participants of this course are not sport shooters. Each of them wants to further educate themselves in handling firearms for self-protection or protection of family members and property. Due to the security situation, they bring a very high level of motivation. Almost every participant or their relatives have already been victims of violent crimes.

Thomas Schröder and Lutz Hauske discussed the progress or mistakes in the group after each round.

SPARTANAT: What is the legal situation in Brazil regarding self-defense?

Thomas Schröder: The legal regulations (self-defense, emergency defense, justifying emergency, excessive emergency, emergency aid) are almost identical to German legislation. The firearms licensed for self-defense are not allowed to be carried or transported outside the residence or workplace. Training measures are in principle possible without restrictions. The use of target media of any kind, the concealed carrying of the firearm, the use of cover, shooting during day and night, and under physical stress and pressure, in other words, defensive shooting, are not restricted... only hindered by the high ammunition costs. Unfortunately, in Brazil, there are not enough serious or professional providers of training and shooting schools.

Lutz Hauske demonstrating, the course participants executing afterwards.

SPARTANAT: What types of weapons and ammunition are allowed?

Lutz Hauske: Mostly handguns from national manufacturers (Taurus, Imbel, Rossi). Almost exclusively semi-automatic pistols are used, as revolvers have lost popularity. International weapons like Glock and Heckler & Koch are rare here due to their very high prices (Cost of Glock 3500.00 €). For defense, only the legally mandated caliber 9mm Kurz (.380 ACP) is allowed, making the powerful 9x19 Para prohibited. Additionally, the state restricts the amount of ammunition for private individuals for self-defense (Registered by BP) to 50 rounds per person.

Under the diffused light, the target needed to be clearly identified before shooting, requiring a high level of concentration.

SPARTANAT: At what distances do the participants shoot and on what type of targets?

Lutz Hauske: Since most assaults take place in a house, the distances were set at 1 - 7 m, all within the context of home defense. We use various paper and metal