The training class idiot - tell your story

[TEX]

I was an instructor for almost 2 years when the program first got started. At the range when I asked that sidearms be put out for inspection, one older lady pull a cheap "cocked" revolver out of here purse that had been bouncing around in there for a month or better. That was about the most disturbing and still gives the sweats a bit writing about it now. Also had one person turn way passed the 180 with a still loaded firearm, but luckily he was at the far left and only swept the side berm and my legs, but he did keep his finger off the trigger. The funny thing was that most if the big talkers did just OK on the practical, but seldom up to the quality they had bragged about.

I personally think the program should be changed to require a basic NRA safety and handgun course, or the equivalent, before taking the CHL course. I also do not think there should be any re-shoots unless it is due to equipment problems. If you can't pass the practical on the first try, then you need remedial instruction before proceeding.

You can put 15 rounds in the 8 ring, 25 rounds in the 7 ring (which is really big) from 3 and 7 yards, and then put the remaining 10 rounds at 15 yards in the dirt and still pass. If you can't do that, then you need more training and practice before carrying a pistol IMHO. Actually, I think that if you can't keep all 20 rounds at 3 yards inside the 7 ring, you should be disqualified right there.

TEX

[FightinAggieCHL]

At 3 yards, I almost brought out my knife to go H2H. It felt uncomfortable shooting the target that close. Like, it didn't even have a chance!

[KC5AV]

There were no 'idiots' in my class, but the lady on the line next to me completely missed the silhouette 8 times.

[lawrnk]

This guy was not in my class (Thank God!) but our instructor told of about a guy in an earlier class that wanted to know where he should put lights on his truck to be able to pull people over after he got his CHL!

That is really scary. Did he think he is a deputy now?

[DoubleJ]

At 3 yards, I almost brought out my knife to go H2H. It felt uncomfortable shooting the target that close. Like, it didn't even have a chance!

our instructer (jokingly) told us we could just toss the bullets from that distance

[FightinAggieCHL]

Seriously, 3 yards is a joke. Although, I suppose that 3 yards could be more difficult if someone is attacking you at that distance. Either way, I almost meleed (or whatever the past tense of "melee" might be) the target.

*edit for grammar*

[GrillKing]

I have heard, with no data to back it up, that most 'gunfights' are 10 feet or less, 3-5 seconds in length and 3-5 shots fired. Or something like that.

[KC5AV]

The statistic we were given in class was 5.5 seconds. Distance wasn't discussed.

[FightinAggieCHL]

I heard that something like 95 - 97% of gunfights were from 7 yds or less. That's an interesting statistic to note if you're ever out (or, whenever you're out) practicing on a range.

[LedJedi]

I have to say i was probably the annoying guy in the class (to no surprise to most folks here. lol). I had 7-8 situational questions that I had written down ahead of time based on what I read in the handbook prior to the class. I did wait until the class was basically over though and the instructor said "any questions?" I still think a similar situational tutorial would be a great resource here (this website) as well, I just haven't had time to really work on it.

My favorite part was when someone else asked "are you allowed to shoot someone who is stealing the radio in your car?" The instructor immediately responded with "no, no property is worth someone's life".

I thought about letting it slide for a moment, but then realized that I didn't want folks leaving the class with the wrong information. I butted in as politely as possible and tried to make it sound like I honestly didn't already know the answer and asked the instructor if it the theft occurred at night and if the property would otherwise be unrecoverable if DF was not immediately used would it qualify as DF justification? He shot me a look and said "yeah... but no property is worth a life"

I pointed out that my property is my property and is thereby an extension of my life because i had to trade time from my days to earn $$ to pay for said property. Several folks in the group verbally agreed with me and several guffawed... well you know the drill.

I've taught too many classes (academic non-gun related) myself to be comfortable letting an instructor pass off their beliefs as fact/law. That always irks me and i make major efforts not to do that as an instructor. I may share my opinion/perspective but I will always let everyone know what is just my opinion.

For the record, I apologized to the instructor after the class for being a thug and tried to make up for it by pairing myself with the guy who had obviously never shot before so I could help him.

[Photoman]

I have heard, with no data to back it up, that most 'gunfights' are 10 feet or less, 3-5 seconds in length and 3-5 shots fired. Or something like that.

Lots of interesting facts floating around out there.

This one is officer involved shootings but we can learn from it.

Right click on the link and select save. Requires Adobe PDF.

http://users.novaone.net/photoman/ois.pdf

[atxgun]

I've taught too many classes (academic non-gun related) myself to be comfortable letting an instructor pass off their beliefs as fact/law. That always irks me and i make major efforts not to do that as an instructor. I may share my opinion/perspective but I will always let everyone know what is just my opinion.

My instructor said something incorrect but it didn't really matter so I just didn't want to waste time correcting the instructor. He was saying that E=mc^2 determined the amount of energy a bullet had on impact where c = bullet velocity.

I've had a few academic courses where I corrected the instructor but have learned if you are going to do that it's best to let them know privately instead of undermining their authority in front of the class (and potentially getting on their bad side).

But yeah jedi, in your case people should know the law. After all they have signed a notarized affidavit claiming the read and knew all the laws.

[lrb111]

My favorite part was when someone else asked "are you allowed to shoot someone who is stealing the radio in your car?" The instructor immediately responded with "no, no property is worth someone's life".

I thought about letting it slide for a moment, but then realized that I didn't want folks leaving the class with the wrong information. I butted in as politely as possible and tried to make it sound like I honestly didn't already know the answer and asked the instructor if it the theft occurred at night and if the property would otherwise be unrecoverable if DF was not immediately used would it qualify as DF justification? He shot me a look and said "yeah... but no property is worth a life"

I pointed out that my property is my property and is thereby an extension of my life because i had to trade time from my days to earn $$ to pay for said property. Several folks in the group verbally agreed with me and several guffawed... well you know the drill.

I've taught too many classes (academic non-gun related) myself to be comfortable letting an instructor pass off their beliefs as fact/law. That always irks me and i make major efforts not to do that as an instructor. I may share my opinion/perspective but I will always let everyone know what is just my opinion.

For the record, I apologized to the instructor after the class for being a thug and tried to make up for it by pairing myself with the guy who had obviously never shot before so I could help him.

That exact scenario happened here about a year ago, with shots fired, The shooter was no-billed by the grand jury.

[oilman]

My instructor said something incorrect but it didn't really matter so I just didn't want to waste time correcting the instructor. He was saying that E=mc^2 determined the amount of energy a bullet had on impact where c = bullet velocity.

I didn't know bullets could travel that fast!!

[Kalrog]

I didn't know bullets could travel that fast!!

They can, but only in a vacuum.

Although that isn't really that far from kE=mv^2 so I'll give the instructor some slack. He just got his variables wrong. And who is to say that you can't reuse a variable? What would we do if N could only have 1 value ever?