You might convince me this is ok IF (big if) the enhanced proficiency requirement came with an enhanced list of places I could carry. Like schools.Soccerdad1995 wrote:I would be fine with an enhanced proficiency requirement (including safety) if I could trust the government to not use it in the future as a slippery slope toward limiting LTC issuance.
Overall, I'm not in favor of making it harder for anyone legally allowed to own a firearm to get a carry permit. An MS patient in a wheelchair should still be able to protect themselves safely at contact/near distance. I wouldn't be in favor of anything that would take that right away from them.
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Back on topic.... When I took my NC class the instructor was checking guns for operational condition (you'd be surprised) before heading to the range. One guy was unable to open the slide on his old-looking .32 (yes, .32) semi auto. When the instructor (Sheriff) finally levered the slide back the entire weapon was filled with pocket lint... I made sure to stand on the far end of the line from that guy, so I don't recall how well he shot.
When I took my TX class, it was just me and two retired couples. I sat in the back of the room, knowing that there'd be at least one of them that would muzzle the room. I wasn't disappointed. That guy got a gentle warning from me and I tried to help him with his poor grip. He had his support hand thumb over the top of his strong hand. I warned him that would bite him on the range.
When we got to the range I shot first. No problems. The two older guys went next. As I stood in the lobby the two older ladies were literally shaking. Turns out they had both been to the range exactly once and felt like they did ok. I reminded them that it's not a contest, just have to meet the standards, and that nobody would be judging them. That they should focus on being safe and if at any time they didn't feel safe to simply put their gun down on the counter, muzzle pointed downrange. They calmed a bit and both shot pretty well. Both passed on the first try.
The guy with the incorrect grip, however, came out of the range bleeding from the back side of his thumb. He passed, but paid in skin. Sometimes pain is the only way some folks will learn.
