Defensive pistol instructor-IDIOT!

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Unfortunately pretty much anyone with a pulse (that may be optional) can take the (non law enforcement) NRA instructor class and pass. I roll my eyes when I see someone bragging about the fact they are an "NRA certified instructor".

Frankly it is considerably more difficult to pass a driving test in most states than the NRA instructor test. They need to make the raise the standards considerably, not to mention the prerequisits.

Some guys just think it makes them "somebody" and an "expert".

On a bright note, the NRA LE division did come out with a new instructor school called "tactical shooting instructor". The prerequisits were/are that you had to be an LE instructor in at least 2 other disciplines and the shooting standards were raised a bit. That is a step in the right direction.

Both the LE and non LE instructor certification requirements could stand to be raised considerably.

IV TROOP
 
Hmmmm

I had the opposite experience. I am an experienced shooter and I have worked jobs for years that require lethal weapons training and experience etc. So, while I may not be an expert, I would like to think I am fairly well schooled in firearms, specifically handguns. I took a friend of mine to a basica NRA pistol course so he could get his florida permit, and I figured the class would be a good basics crash course for him. I went along just for the heck of it, but I have to say I actually learned a few things here and there. Mostly little tips about this or that, but the instructors were great, and really loved what they were doing. I had a great time and got to try out some guns I hadnt fired before, like an XD, which I didnt care for, but it was nice to try.

At any rate, it was an 8 hour course with a good 3 hours of shooting, cleaning, and instruction on the range for $40.00 (including lunch) and we all had a blast, I guess I got lucky!
 
I took an NRA course a few years back and I had outstanding instructors. I also had quite a bit of experience going into the course and detected no b.s. Clearly not all instructors are equal.
As for .22s, I love em. Who doesn't? I probably wouldn't make one my first or even second choice for self defense, but is better than nothing. I surely wouldn't want to be shot by one. And of course I have read about quite a few murders commited with a .22 in the news.
Tumbling? Bouncing around? Not exiting the skull? yada, yada, yada
On the other hand, there was a sad story locally about a year and a half ago, where some guy shot himself 5 or 6 times with a .22. He finally drove to and jumped off a Mississipi river bridge to kill himself. Not to make light of such a tragedy, but man, I bet he had a major headache.
I think we should have a contest on which caliber gets the most b.s.
My vote goes #1 .223
#2 .45
Anybody else have an opinion?
 
There are good and bad instructors out there, like any other product or service in any industry. You have to shop.

Also, a good instructor doesn't necessarily have to be a top marksman. A good instructor has to be able to connect with the students. Sometimes that's more important than anything else; a lot of the information passed are just basic principles anyway, not some great esoteric concepts that only the chosen knows. There are great basketball coaches who were subpar as players, business professors who can teach bright future CEOs but couldn't balance a check book, powerlifting coaches who can develop champions but couldn't bench 300 lbs., etc.
 
I'm briefing a case right now where a guy shot and killed a woman he was trying to rape - shot her in the head with a .22 -- five times. He left her body with the pants around one ankle.

He got the death penalty, affirmed on appeal, and now his lawyers are, at public expense, trying to get post-conviction relief with 9 alleged errors. Unfortunately all of them were either uncontested at trial or rejected in the direct appeal. At this rate he might even be executed in twenty years or so...
 
Which is more difficult?

(1) Graduating from a law school and passing a bar exam or (2) becoming an "NRA certified instructor"?

I'd say No. 1 is more difficult and requires about 3 years of law school education on top of a 4-yr bachelor's degree, BUT there are plenty or moronic lawyers out there. Same for physicians, plumbers, electricians, teachers, etc.

I bet there are quiite a few "NRA certified instructors" out there who don't have sense enough to pour water out of a boot if the instructions are written on the heel. Sounds like you encountered one.

Never expect competence based on a certificate. Make them prove it.
 
Remander:

Graduating from law school and passing the bar is shockingly easy these days. As far as I can tell, almost everyone who gets into law school graduates (approx. 90% of the starting class) and almost everyone who takes the bar passes on the first try (approx. 90% of those who graduate), at least in my state. I understand most schools and states are the same way these days.

It didn't used to be like this, but they don't want to hurt anybody's feelings or adversely affect the "critical mass" of various arbitrary subdivisons of the student body whose presence is "essential to [the law school's] educational mission."
 
Graduating from law school and passing the bar is shockingly easy these days.
Click to expand...

True, though it can be a bit of a bother in Louisiana. The Louisiana exam holds the distinction of being the longest bar exam in the United States, consisting of 21 hours of examination on nine topic areas. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_Bar_Exam The pass rate is also a bit lower than most states.

Anywhooo, the point is that it is even more shockingly easy to become an "NRA certified instructor." Don't assume competence based on a mere certificate (whether it be from the NRA, a bar asssociation, plumber's union, medical school, or 4-H club).

There are plenty of "certified" idiots out there, as we all know.
 
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