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Without being argumentative, let's call it a healthy exchange of viewpoints, I think assigning intent to firearms is exactly what the NRA wants avoid with Basic Pistol.

Personally, I hope that all my firearms remain firearms. I have a skeet gun that will only slay clay targets (when it and I agree, most of the time it seems we disagree on that point ).

Is a black rifle with polymer and aluminum parts any more 'evil' than an old 30-30? You and I know the answer to that. But, label it an 'assault weapon' and suddenly it's more dangerous. It's scary. It jumps out of closets and guns down innocent lambs all on its own, or so the general public should believe.

Words have weight and meaning.

In introducing new shooters to firearms, the NRA wants to keep it simple. "This is an inanimate object. It has no will, intent, or morality. Use it correctly and safely. With the proper knowledge, skills, and attitude shooting can be a fun and safe family activity."

In my classes I'll mention self defense. Many want to go on to get their LTC, or keep a gun in the home for defense. I keep it very basic. Tell them we can discuss these issues in broad generalities, but "today let's concentrate on learning how to use these things."

RossA wrote:Part of the basics is learning that a pistol is first and foremost a weapon designed to kill. That is why we reinforce safety rules so much. Separating firearms fundamentals from the primary purpose of the firearm creates a false reality.

This gets into a bit of philosophy.

A firearm is designed to send a projectile down a length of barrel at great speed. What that projectile does after it leaves the barrel is up to the intent of its handler, or their neglect.

A lamp is lamp, until it's used as a weapon.

A firearm is a firearm, until it is used as a weapon.

RossA wrote:I I also disagreed with the tremendous political correctness of the class where you were not allowed to call the gun a weapon, you could not use silhouette targets, you could not discuss self defense shooting or anything else which might make it appear that someone might actually use the gun to defend his life.

It's not "Political Correctness", it's because NRA Basic Pistol is not a Defensive Pistol class. I happen to agree with the NRA, give them a solid foundation in the basics first.

I think when you explore the options, you'll find that the NRA way offers a very comfortable ride. There are benefits to having done it since 1871.

Everything else requires some off-road rock crawling (if we can stretch the metaphor that far).

But, as you say, options are good.


IF you decide to come over to the dark side, I can point you to some excellent NRA Counselors (they teach the instructors) and you'll enjoy the process.

FYI, if you're interested in pursing the SAF courses, I just got an email today for upcoming classes at Copperas Cove, Tx, in mid-April. Unfortunately, it's not going to work with my schedule.

http://www.saftd.org

Go to the Course Schedule tab. You'll also want to take a gander at the qualifications on the Instructor Courses tab.

For my non NRA classes. I enter name, date, city, zip code, approx year of birth, and a lot of "chose not to answer" or "555-555-5555".

You need a state or national organization willing to spend the money to develop a training standard, the personnel to run it, the materials, and the resources to manage it all. Get all that done, and then you have to convince the state that it's an appropriate program.

That narrows the field considerably,

The SAF (Second Amendment Foundation) has a certification program you could always check into. You'll find it's a little more involved than the NRA program, but if you want options they exist.