KRAUTGUNNER ,
Thanks for the heads-up.
I corrected my "slip" ...
Okiecruffler ,
Glad your wife is done with the stand-up comedian, although I doubt someone like that would ever get the hint that nobody is laughing.
I'm appalled to read the comments made by the attorney. Not surprised, I suppose, all things considered with the comments made by the other simpleton ... but appalled, nonetheless.
Does that range actually KNOW what these people are saying? Does the range need the money that badly? I'd drive quite a ways to patronize another range if they're aware and unconcerned. Firearms, and less sense than God gave a goose, are a BAD combination ...
I've mentioned before that I assist with a significant majority of the CCW classes at my agency, either running the range portion, and/or filling in as the classroom instructor if the head instructor is unavailable. I've got to say, that if I ever said even a pale reflection of some of the things I've read in your postings, I'd be assigned out counting chicken droppings somewhere ... and checking for the white spots.
There's no excuse for rudeness, clearly inappropriate comments ... ("because you don't have a penis we have to make up for it somewhere." ?!?!
) , and personal bias in these sort of things. We've had women ask these very reasonable sorts of questions, and it's very easy to explain how a male attacker, possibly possessed of overwhelmingly greater strength, might easily pose a greater threat of imminent risk of serious bodily injury or death to a less strong female, than another male of more equal physical stature, under some circumstances. This naturally starts the questions about similar circumstances involving older people attacked by younger, etc., etc. In other words, it starts the class THINKING about some of the information being presented, especially regarding the basic laws governing the lawful use of deadly force, and the conditions which MUST exist before the use of deadly force might be considered reasonable and lawful. The classroom is an ideal place to ask these sorts of questions ... although we always emphasize that seeking legal advice from a practicing attorney might be a very preferable and wise thing to consider.
A problem with someone's choice of a .22 to bring to the class?
Granted, I've seen far more .22's repeatedly malfunction during these classes than I've seen complete the classes without malfunctions, but for the most part the majority of the malfunctions could reasonably be attributed to either cheap, less-than-top-quality ammunition, or "less-than-optimum" owner maintenance ... both of which are fairly easy situations to help someone learn about properly resolving without being rude and unprofessional. I've seen some outstanding marksmanship with a couple of older .22 pistols, too ...
Okay, I DID politely question someone's selection of a .22 SHORT for a defensive handgun, once ... but I was polite, and genuinely curious about his reasons. His choice, not mine ... and that's something both of us can live with, so to speak, right?
I've very politely and respectfully ... NOT snide, condescending or in a derogatory manner ... asked folks if they're aware of the potential functioning problems with using .22's for lawful defensive purposes because of the variable quality of some ammunition ... and stressed the importance of using the best quality .22 ammunition they could find, and to shoot enough of it to become confident it will offer the optimum functioning in THEIR guns.
For my part, I want folks to get the most out of our classes ... feel they're being treated in a respectful manner by folks whose wages are paid from taxes ... and have an opportunity to demonstrate their reasonable proficiency on a range where they not only feel safe, and can easily understand what I expect of them during the course of fire, but feel respected and fairly treated, as well. I also enjoy it when they stop to shake my hand on the way out and tell me they enjoyed the experience. (Okay, so I REALLY try to make groups of people with loaded guns feel at ease and non-threatened. I admit it.
)
My dad was born in Oklahoma ... and he taught me to be polite around armed folks ... and not poke sticks at idiots. It doesn't make them any smarter, and might make them a damned bit more annoying ...
Feel a little sympathy for the range idiot. This is probably as good as it may ever get for him ... He hasn't by any chance reproduced, has he?
Just kidding ...
By the way, every so often most of the instructors, myself included, break out our personally owned .22 pistols ... mostly Rugers & a couple S&W M41's ... and practice, practice, practice.
Best regards,
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