Idiot at CCW course.

[cshoff]

Try teaching the classes if you want to add to your collection of "don'ts"

Like all those disclaimers on products, all my stern warnings are the result of SOMBODY actually doing it.....

Ain't that the truth. If I had a dollar for every "stupid" thing I've seen someone do in a class.....................

I had a guy in a NRA Pistol class decide he was going to go downrange and check his target.....
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.
.
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WHILE OTHER STUDENTS WERE STILL SHOOTING!!!

Luckily, one of the assistant instructors was standing next to him and grabbed him by the shirt collar as he took his first step.

You have to watch these people like a hawk!

 

[cshoff]

Hope the instructor was not NRA. If so, he should have his certification revoked. I have heard horror stories of instructors violating what they preach from the students of my classes. If a student's safety is violated, the instructor should be reported. Safety is the number one rule taught in class. If the student does not learn anything else but safety, the student will take that rule and carry it over while handling a firearm.
Nick

I couldn't agree more. I had a guy take my CCW class after having attended two other CCW courses with other instructors; one of them a NRA instructor. One of the first things I cover in my class is "Absolutely no live ammunition is allowed in the classroom!".

Immediately after I brought that up, this guys says, "I've been to two other CCW courses, one of them with a Law Enforcement instructor, the other with a NRA instructor and this is the first time I've ever heard that rule. In fact, the NRA instructor I took the course with, at one point, pulled his loaded .500 S&W magnum out of his holster to use for a demonstration!".

No doubt in my mind that the instructor who did that should lose his NRA certifications. I encouraged the student to lodge a formal complaint, but I'm not sure if he ever did.

 

[jeffrey]

At a local IDPA match last winter, a shooter (new to our club, but not a new shooter) had some mid-string malfunction, turned around with her loaded gun and swept us all with her finger in the trigger guard. I couldn't quite see whether whether her finger was actually on the trigger. Scared the living daylights out of us -- and hitting the concrete (it was an in-door match) wasn't much fun either. Funny, she hasn't been back since then -- thank goodness!

 

[Mod27]

There are a lot of numb nuts in the world. I try to very careful who I shoot or ride with.

Exactly how I look at it except, I always go shooting alone and ride my motorcycle alone.

You always have to pay attention to what whomever your with is doing, and I just do not want to deal with it when I'm doing either of those activities.

Keeping a casual eye on other shooters, (if there are any around) is something I routinely do.

 

[Krull]

Having read one too many stories like this is why I paid a bit extra for a private CCW class! was just me and the instructor and it all went fine,in fact I may have been one of his best students since I knew most everything about guns in advance.

 

[skywarrior]

When I took my CC class, there was a guy there that was really nuts. He kept telling everyone that he had no problem with killing someone. When we went to the range to qualify, he was a nutcase. Doing all kinds of bizarre stances and telling everyone how good he was. I guess if you pass the security check, you can carry but man some of these guys are really scary!

 

[Heifer]

My friend carelessly pointed a loaded gun at me, and I exclaimed to him "watch where you are pointing that thing", and he replied, "my finger was not on the trigger". I will not go shooting with him again since he does not adhere to the basic safety rules/habits.

I have a good idea where you are coming from. If a dude wants to do some dangerous and fancy moves, especially at the range while qualifying, then, in my opinion, he is not well suited to own a firearm.

 

[oldman45]

If a person wants proof of all the above, just go to any indoor range and count the bullet holes in the ceiling above the shooting positions or walls on the sides.

I worked a case three years ago and still have the photos of a scene where a man was shot virtually right between the eyes with a .44 mag by a gentleman who knew it all. It was an accident and the man lived but he has one bad looking scar that he can talk about for years to come.

 

[snowman]

Any instructor that has been teaching for a while knows what it's like to be "swept." I picked up a training tip from the NRA Instructor's newsletter many years ago that has served me well:

While it would be nice to have them, it's pretty near impossible to have a "dummy" gun of each model handgun being used by my sudents. Before allowing a newbie to handle his/her (UNloaded, of course!) handgun during the 'hands on' training, I first insert about a 30" inch length of an appropriately sized dowel rod in the barrel. It really emphasizes the direction in which the handgun is pointing and helps the trainee understand the precautions necessary.

Steve

Hey, that is a wonderful idea! I just have a question or two: How do you keep it from sliding out when the gun is tilted downward, and where can a fellow find one to fit inside a .22?(I work at a lumber yard, and 1/4" is the smallest we carry.)

Andy

 

[jimmyj]

I do not let anyone I don't know handle my weapon. These "Experts" will one-hand slam the cylinder back into battery because they have seen this method used on TV and Movies.
I worked part time at a Gun Shop where all the weapons had the actions locked with a plastic tie strap because of unsafe gun handling.
Jimmy

 

[customizedcreationz]

I try to very careful who I shoot

You shoot people carefully ? LOL

Sorry I had too !

 

[jmcghee]

Snowman,
I dont know how to keep the dowel form falling out. 10 seconds with a piece of sand paper will make a .22 dowel.

 

[MTKTM]

I've served as RO in a number of IPSC/USPSA matches over the years, and have also taught a number of friends/family/acquaintances some initial shooting techniques. I find from these experiences that it is a good idea to get very close to the shooter, close enough to actually grab or block the gun should it pivot. It is not at all uncommon for someone with a malfunction or a 'question' while on the firing-line to pivot around to ask for guidance, and sweep the muzzle about while doing so. If I'm close I can simply grab or block the sweep. I don't do it violently or yell, I typically have just gently blocked the arm or gun before it points at anyone and say "whoa". That seems to be a good lesson to the shooter as they are generally embarrassed and appalled at their negligence and don't do it again. If I was far away from them, which is what might seem to be prudent, I would not be able to block the sweep. As they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer!!

 

[beltron462]

If a person wants proof of all the above, just go to any indoor range and count the bullet holes in the ceiling above the shooting positions or walls on the sides.

I worked a case three years ago and still have the photos of a scene where a man was shot virtually right between the eyes with a .44 mag by a gentleman who knew it all. It was an accident and the man lived but he has one bad looking scar that he can talk about for years to come.

Yeah, the bullet holes in the walls at the ranges I go to really make me wonder. Not just a hole or two, but literally marks scattered up and down the walls, some as close as three or four feet down range. Things like this are why I go when no one else is around. You never know what kind of whackjob might show up. No offense, of course to any of you crazies out there...

 

[miles71]

I am a teacher and often see the silliness and a lack of common sense in students. I am interested in becoming a a pistol instructor and hope my teaching experience will help.

I have helped out several new shooters, my "worse" story is the time I was shooting at a local range. This range rents pistols but doesnt really give anyone a background class before they start shooting. I was about three lanes over and heard a loud BANG, looked over and didnt see a hole in their target and thought Hmmmm. I was shooting with someone and it was thier turn in the lane so I stepped back enough to see the other lanes. I looked over three lanes to see a man looking into the barrel of a revolver with his finger on the trigger!! It was the lane that shot one round with no hole. I said something to the effect of "hey, dont do that". The gentleman explained, as I took the weapon slowly from him and asked if he needed help, that he didnt think anything came out when he pulled the trigger and he had no idea what he was doing. I asked if he would like some help and he said it would be great. In about 5 minutes he was making some holes and not lookng in the barrel.

Some ranges I have been to have had little 5-10 minute videos or classes before you are allowed to shoot. They are range specific and you sit through them once. They go over basic safety amd range rules. Why dont more ranges do this? Seems like a big liability not to. Also, no range officer. budget cuts??

TD

 

[Class III]

Snowman,
I dont know how to keep the dowel form falling out. 10 seconds with a piece of sand paper will make a .22 dowel.

The way we use to teach using the dowel was to place a rubber band over the dowel, double wrapped, stick the dowel in the barrel and wrap one loop of the rubber band over the barrel and leave the other loop around the dowel.

Class III

 

[snowman]

Thanks, Class III. Very helpful.

Andy

 

[LHS]

I arrived at my parent's farm once and caught my brother's kids shooting my semi-auto .22 I left for my mom to shoot groundhogs. The youngest had it pointed at my brother with his finger on the trigger, asking "did I hit it?".
I walked over, took the gun, and locked it in my car. I told MOm that if she wanted to use it - NO kids shoot it! She agreed, and I took my brother aside, explained to him why I did what I did, and told him if he wanted me to teach his kids to shoot I would, but it would be on my terms with him not present. He has never taken me up on my offer, and it is sad as they want to learn to shoot so they can shoot with my son.

 

[LHS]

Yeah, the bullet holes in the walls at the ranges I go to really make me wonder.

I'm still trying to figure out how a light got shot at my range when it is in the celieng, behind concrete with a front angle heading down!!!

 

[Skeeziks]

I'm still trying to figure out how a light got shot at my range when it is in the celieng, behind concrete with a front angle heading down!!!

Ricochet, maybe ???