Quote:
Originally Posted by jimschlaefer
I'm a strong supporter of Constitutional Carry. As a former NRA Pistol Instructor, Bullseye competitor and USMC veteran I am also a strong proponent for those who carry to be effectively trained in laws, technique and marksmanship. Firearms are dangerous and, in untrained hands, as much of a threat to innocent bystanders as they are to a threat. Case in point: I attended a licensing class in Texas where they required a practical part of the process to be accomplished on the range in order to qualify for the permit. A young man there was literally unable to hit a man-sized target at 7 yards. That was a dangerous situation. I'm often asked for my opinion on what folks should consider for defense. My personal opinion is that those who are not willing to practice and be effective with a pistol should consider not carrying a sidearm. That's not to define the law to carry, but the individual choice to carry. High stress, high adrenaline situations are no place for "spray and pray" self defense techniques.
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Excellent points.
One thing mentioned that I think deserves more discussion is the variance in carry permit classes, state-to-state and even within a state. My wife and I were one of the first to get our permits in Minnesota nearly 20 years ago now, and the qualification class was a two-day affair: the first morning was spent discussing firearms in general, intense classroom discussion on the applicable laws, what is and what is not permitted, etc. The second day included a morning of more discussion, then an afternoon at the range where each of us demonstrated proficiency in loading, proper holstering, firing no fewer than 50 rounds from varying distances--all the hands-on stuff that goes with a permit to carry. The class was taught by an ex-cop who really knew his stuff and made sure we not only learned it but could demonstrate the knowledge when it came to actually handling the firearm. Renewals, done every five years there, were much less comprehensive, though in fairness they WERE renewal classes. Still, I felt that more emphasis on the laws, the do's and don'ts, would have been warranted. That, and each of us were only required to fire ten rounds.
Here in Florida we obtained our permits via an instructor who really knew her stuff. The advantage was that it was a class of two people, my wife and myself, so we got a lot of individualized attention and were able to ask a lot of questions. We each fired about 30 rounds, again from varying distances, discussed various situations that we might encounter, etc.
I would really question any "instructor" who only required students to fire one round as one post indicated. Such a class may fulfill the letter of the law but what can you really gain from that? Not much, I'm afraid.