02-22-2013, 02:02 PM
Sorry for the long read..
Kegs comment about "increases numbers of gun owners without training" is starting to pop up here in FL. I was at Total Wine the other day (my home away from home), and there was a good old boy with a full size M&P on his hip. I just figured he was an officer. Nope, his tight shirt wasn't long enough to cover his concealed outside the waist holster. I believe that is a misdemeanor in FL, but I wasn’t about to tell him he’s flashing his piece to a hundred-plus folks.
I took an action shooting class a few weeks back. You'd think gun safety is ingrained in you if you're thinking about running w/ a firearm, within a competitive situation. Holy Hell I was wrong... These folks watched top shot and went out and purchased a basic firearm, improper rigs, and etc.; without really being comfortable with the basics. My wife went through a CCW course and she still didn’t feel comfortable and was somewhat fearful when handling her Glock.
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On the positive side, I love seeing all the folks in FL becoming involved with the sport and preparing for any defensive needs, which may arise. So this is what I’m doing to help.
I personally know six professional women that have gone through their CCW course and/or would like a pistol. I’ve arranged a professional USPSA to spend 3 hours with them, helping them get familiar with their guns; and I loaned a few pistols to the girls that have yet to purchase a weapon.
I never let my two daughters touch a weapon until they memorized the four key gun safety rules.
Every chance I get, I take people shooting; even folks that have a pistol but don’t seem to be die-hard shooters. I took a coworker out yesterday who recently purchased his first (Glock 19). He was frustrated that my M&P Pro was hitting center at 25yr and he was lucky to hit the target. His grip was wrong (cup & saucer), plus his Glock is 1.5” shorter than my M&P. Once I got him comfortable with his hand position and grip pressure – he was as good as me. He’s hooked! We agreed to monthly business afternoon meetings of shooting and then beers. I have folks flying in from NY next week for business. They are staying an extra day to spend an afternoon shooting steel and taking my AR’s out. It’s not something they get to experience in NY. It’s pricey but I feel like every month, I’m introducing folks to the sport properly.
Lastly, I work in a firm ($15bil) with 30,000 US employees and my role allows me to interact with thousands of folks each year. My corporate profile shows my hobby, and within informal conversations shooting tends to come up. I talk about the safety and sport of the real gun culture in America.
So I guess my point in this long rant is – we may need to step up and teach people the proper sport and safety, whenever the opportunity arise and/or we need to go out of our way to make those opportunities appear.
Kegs comment about "increases numbers of gun owners without training" is starting to pop up here in FL. I was at Total Wine the other day (my home away from home), and there was a good old boy with a full size M&P on his hip. I just figured he was an officer. Nope, his tight shirt wasn't long enough to cover his concealed outside the waist holster. I believe that is a misdemeanor in FL, but I wasn’t about to tell him he’s flashing his piece to a hundred-plus folks.
I took an action shooting class a few weeks back. You'd think gun safety is ingrained in you if you're thinking about running w/ a firearm, within a competitive situation. Holy Hell I was wrong... These folks watched top shot and went out and purchased a basic firearm, improper rigs, and etc.; without really being comfortable with the basics. My wife went through a CCW course and she still didn’t feel comfortable and was somewhat fearful when handling her Glock.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the positive side, I love seeing all the folks in FL becoming involved with the sport and preparing for any defensive needs, which may arise. So this is what I’m doing to help.
I personally know six professional women that have gone through their CCW course and/or would like a pistol. I’ve arranged a professional USPSA to spend 3 hours with them, helping them get familiar with their guns; and I loaned a few pistols to the girls that have yet to purchase a weapon.
I never let my two daughters touch a weapon until they memorized the four key gun safety rules.
Every chance I get, I take people shooting; even folks that have a pistol but don’t seem to be die-hard shooters. I took a coworker out yesterday who recently purchased his first (Glock 19). He was frustrated that my M&P Pro was hitting center at 25yr and he was lucky to hit the target. His grip was wrong (cup & saucer), plus his Glock is 1.5” shorter than my M&P. Once I got him comfortable with his hand position and grip pressure – he was as good as me. He’s hooked! We agreed to monthly business afternoon meetings of shooting and then beers. I have folks flying in from NY next week for business. They are staying an extra day to spend an afternoon shooting steel and taking my AR’s out. It’s not something they get to experience in NY. It’s pricey but I feel like every month, I’m introducing folks to the sport properly.
Lastly, I work in a firm ($15bil) with 30,000 US employees and my role allows me to interact with thousands of folks each year. My corporate profile shows my hobby, and within informal conversations shooting tends to come up. I talk about the safety and sport of the real gun culture in America.
So I guess my point in this long rant is – we may need to step up and teach people the proper sport and safety, whenever the opportunity arise and/or we need to go out of our way to make those opportunities appear.