How often should I train?

      Any learned skill is perishable. The only way to maintain that skill is through practice. So, how often should you practice. That depends, most of us aren't professional shooters. Most of us need to be proficient enough to defend ourselves and our families. There are specific skills each person needs to hone in order to be proficient in self defense. 
      The first of those skills is being able to hit what we aim at, that calls for practice. the majority of self defense events occur within 15 yards, often closer.  With that in mind, the majority of a person's training should occur between 3 yards to fifteen yards. An individual needs to be able to present the weapon, under any conditions, and successfully engage a threat and disable the threat at those distances. this requires several tasks done in quick succession.
      The first task is the presentation. A person should be able to draw the pistol from concealment within 2 seconds and accurately engage the threat. 
       The second task is to acquire the threat  and engage it as to eliminate the threat.
       The third task is to insure that all threats have been eliminated. 
       Finally, the last task is to secure your own weapon and notify the authorities.
All that sounds pretty simple, and it is; if you are prepared and that is why training and practice is essential for your safety. Failure to train is actually planning to fail. 
      Once most people have learned the basics of pistol safety and operation, the learning and honing of of self defense techniques is not complicated. regular practice of once a week should be sufficient to maintain your skills with confidence. We aren't training to be spec-ops operators or ninjas, we train to be prepared.   So, set time aside each week to practice the three tasks of defending yourself; learn quick presentation, quickly acquire the target and neutralize it, then insure no further threats exist.