"Making hits at self defense distances" and fighting with a pistol are two totally different things.
I'd assume so. This isn't a loaded question... I'm asking because I want to know your opinion. What, in your opinion and with regards to situations civilians are likely to encounter at distances they are likely to be able to legally defend themselves at, are the main differences?
I don't get it. Why do some of the people in this thread who don't think training is important insist on saying that it costs "thousands"? It can, but it doesn't have to. Repeatedly saying that makes it seem almost as if you're trying to convince yourself, for some reason, that you can't afford professional training.
We repeatedly say this because more often than not, it does cost that much, but like you said, I'm sure there are exceptions to every rule somewhere out there. Plus, we're not just including the cost of the class itself in this figure, but also cost of ammo, travel, room and board, equipment, etc. Sure, you can take a short course or two and spend a less; however, for most complete training courses that I'm aware of, it's usually all inclusively expensive.
Some attitude of trainers is a turnoff for me. Well, be a moderator on a gun forum and you can say that about the attitude of some posters.
The idea that you proclaim that you won't benefit from training is a different one from discussing the financial practicalities or the risk of mandated training to gun rights.
So go to a different trainer.
First, I never stated that, and I do not believe anyone in the thread has stated that, training could NOT be of some use or benefit. I never "proclaimed" that I personally could not benefit from training. Some have, including myself, have questioned whether it's the end all be all that some make it out to be. As touched on in the OP, I disagree with the assumption of many but not all in the firearm community who all but make the assertion that you'll become a fumbling idiot when it comes time to defend yourself unless you take these courses. That without the course, we all will in fact crumble under pressure. As the OP put: "trend among the internet firearms community that simply buying a pistol and practicing at the range regularly is grossly negligent," and "you must spend hundreds of dollars in ammo and gear and shoot weekly or else you're nothing but a hazard to others and shouldn't even bother being armed."
As far as me being turned off by most trainers I've seen online and as well as conversed with in person, it is what it is. From my personal experience, I'm turned off by the attitudes, demeanor, and/or rhetoric most that I've come across have. That's just my personal experience for only one of the reason why I haven't taken classes locally.
Obviously and it should go without saying, but I'll say it anyway, there maybe someone somewhere that'll better suit me; however, I know of none thus far. That's my personal experience from my surroundings, and isn't meant to be offensive to those who have taken training or who are trainers..