Excuses
Not sure what’s more disturbing here, the cavalier attitude or being flat out wrong on firearms training:
Civilians taking firearms training are typically coached, as a precaution against accidental discharge, not to have a round chambered in the weapon unless they intend to fire.
However, troopers and other law enforcement officers are trained to have a round chambered even when their weapon is holstered, so they are ready to draw and fire immediately when a life-threatening situation occurs.
Are they trained to keep their booger hook off the bang switch?
February 28th, 2011 at 10:26 am
When we get New Shooters at our IDPA club (New Shooters is defined as anybody who has never shot with us before) we assign them to a Safety Officer who gives them the run down of IDPA, Range Rules, The Four Rules and checks their proficiency with a handgun. There are two types that always develop a smart mouth and say they don’t need to be checked out: NRA instructors and Cops. We usually not only run them first, but assign 2 extra safety officers to keep everybody else safe.
February 28th, 2011 at 10:45 am
If you leave it in the holster, it solves the whole problem.
February 28th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
Thanks for the link. I’ve left a phone message for the State Trooper quoted, and I’ve also sent an email. I’ve asked him if his “stuff happens” quote is accurate and in context, and if he really suggested that it would be better for civilians to carry on an empty chamber. I’ll let you know if I get a response.
February 28th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
“Are they trained to keep their booger hook off the bang switch?”
With all of the “accidental” discharges we’re endlessly hearing about, I’d say no, they arn’t.
February 28th, 2011 at 7:40 pm
Update entry here: http://ncguns.blogspot.com/2011/02/stuff-happens-part-2.html
Case of Good cop, Bad reporter.