Gun chit chat again (getting a handgun)

[SCpoloRicker]

What's that supposed to mean?

Uh, what it says?

[Lohman446]

What's that supposed to mean?

While it is imperative that I be fully prepared to use my pistol should I draw it I must also be situationally aware. Meaning that I must be able to read a situation, and make a decision if it is wise to act. For instance, did you know in many robbery/hostage situations one of the "hostages" is an accomplice (sp)? An assailant within 20 feet with a knife in hand is as potentially as dangerous as an assailant with a holstered firearm. It is imperative that I have good weapon retention tactics if I do decide to employ a firearm. It is important that I understand threat escalation and deescalation. If I draw a firearm the moment an assailant no longer is presenting a grave danger of serious bodily harm / rape / or kidnapping (the three reasons I can use deadly force) I can no longer use it. So if the simple presence of the gun deescalates the situation I must be able to control it (both with physical weapon retention and tactically) until the police can take it over. It is my duty, morally and legally, to attempt to use non-fatal tactics to deescalate a threat if safely possible. On the same hand it is my duty to be prepared to use deadly force as a last resort if I chose to carry a firearm.

[Steelrat]

What's that supposed to mean?

I mean that running someone through an NRA "shoot the bullseye" course and handing them a pistol permit really doesn't do much to teach a person how to use a gun in a defensive situation.

Police firearm training is more than just shooting a silhouette. There is also lots of "shoot/no-shoot" situation training, use-of-force training, legal training, and so on. There are also standards that have to be met.

We hand out concealed carry permits, yet there is public outcry when someone uses a pistol improperly, as seems to have been the case in the linked example. If you have a permit to carry a concealed handgun, there should really be some additional training that is required.

[kruger]

If you have a permit to carry a concealed handgun, there should really be some additional training that is required.

I do not disagree with this statement. However, there should be no requirement to go thru a police handgun course either. There should be some legal reading that is required for the person to understand. Just so that they know that there are consequences to their actions. An 80 yo lady may not be able to pass a police handgun range, but she could certainly understand a knife in her face.

[Lohman446]

I do not disagree with this statement. However, there should be no requirement to go thru a police handgun course either. There should be some legal reading that is required for the person to understand. Just so that they know that there are consequences to their actions. An 80 yo lady may not be able to pass a police handgun range, but she could certainly understand a knife in her face.

In MI you are required 8 hours of training, most book a certain amount of range time. This is better than nothing, but not exactly great.

[kruger]

In Alabama, you just go the the Sheriff and pay your 15 bucks. In GA, you have to submit a "request" to the GBI, (Ga. Be. of Invest.). They do a background and if it's OK, then you get one. No other training is required.

I am one of those people that believe that people should take responsibility for their own actions. I know that not all people are like me. And, I take gun ownership very seriously. They are not toys, nor should they be taken lightly. There is a huge responsibility in gun ownership. And, with the political climate the way that it is, the more information that gun owners have, then the better for all of us in society as a whole. Now, having said all that crap, I think that it is a good idea to provide, or require that gun owners understand what their responsibilities are anytime they draw a weapon. And, the best time to see to that is when they apply or renew their permits.

[Ole Unka Phil]

We are required to train here in South Carolina. It is mostly laws and situational theory and safety with only a very small portion of it demonstration of profieciency. It however may not be enough training for some. People that can train and want to learn and consider and think things through on thier own can be fine with that and regular target practice. Those that think flippantly of it are the ones I worry about. However... I can say that MANY of the people that get Concealed Carry Permits tend to rethink their whole position on it and probably most of them are the LEAST likely to resort to using self defense. Because they have thought about it and they are more situationaly aware and tend to then avoid situations they might have to. And often are more apt to notice something odd long before they find themselves in a situation they cannot extract themselves from. At least thats what a lot of them that I know do. And its what most "Self Defense" experts teach and preach. The whole real concept behind concealed carry is to plan your life so that you will never really need to... you hope. It is an interesting result of carrying if you a responsible person. You will find yourself thinking ahead more. Planning more. Avoiding more, Driving safer, being more tolerant. Oddly enough.