dac1842 wrote:Liberty,
Anyone is allowed to have a weapon to proctect themselves in their own home. I do feel that if you want to carry that weapon outside of the home then i feel a degree of demonstrated proficiency with that weapon is not an infringement. The unqualified person in public with a weapon is more dangerous to everyone. I feel as handgun owners and especially those of us that carry have an obligation to ourselves and everyone else to be proficient with what we carry. I can remember when if someone wanted to be a cop, you applied, were given a badge and gun and told go forth and protect. That would never fly today.
I feel that with rights comes responsibility. Responsible gun owners and those that carry should encourage the need to be proficient. What good is someone with a new Glock or whatever and they dont have a clue how to load, unload, change mags or field strip?
All I have suggested is really simple, As a student comes into a class room, the instructor tells the student to load a mag, change a mag, show where the safety is, if applicable, and can you field strip it, chamber a dummy round, clear the dummy round. If a student can't do that refund the money and tell them to come back when they are familiar with the basic functions of a weapon.
I believe that history tends to provide support to the theory, that the more we restrict guns the more dangerous it becomes for every one. It doesn't matter our Constitution doesn't mention gun safety classes, and the ability to field strip a 1911 doesn't make anyone any safer.
My biggest problem with gun safety qualifications though come down to the arbitrariness of some of the requirements.
I know some people that are incapable of racking a handgun. They understand their limitation and will ask a trusted one to do this when required. They understand and obey the 4 rules that is the main thing.
Field stripping is absurd qualification. Most guns require the ability to rack the handgun back and the position of the slide. Various handguns requires manipulation, mechanical strength that some older people just don't have. These rules could have the effect of disarming some of the very folks that need protection the most.
Most instructors would frown on the idea of students whom they don't know bringing their guns into the class room and racking them playing with the safety, and sliding Magazines in and out in a class room full of students. It can be very difficult for the most experienced of students to exercise muzzle control in a crowded class room as suggested.
Instructors do watch their students at the range. Most instructors that I've met don't look forward to getting shot anymore than anyone else. They should pull someone off the line if there is cause, but they should also be willing to be helpful when advise is needed.
All this being said safety is in ongoing process and we should be all aware of it. The older we get and the longer we have been around guns, the more we are likely to get into bad habits and take things for granted, Funny thing is from what I can see most negligent discharges are from those who really should know better.
. A demonstrated modicum of proficiency in weapon handling should be a requirement for class AND range passage.
