Gun safety teacher shoots student

[200Apples]

I seriously mean no offense to anybody here but I have to suspect that the age of the instructor, 73, was a likely factor.

Seriously?

:banghead:

I "seriously" mean no offense to you, young man; but you don't know what you're talking about. 73 is not old. 85 is. Hee!

The instructor obviously had become quite! cavalier with his gun-handling and with his teaching methods. Sounds to me like something a younger, inexperienced guy might do.



I concur: thank goodness no one was killed.

 

[Lj1941]

AGE

Several years ago I took an NRA Basic pistol class because I wanted to.The instructors forbid anyone at all bringing their own ammo to the class.I took them at their word and left everything guns and ammo at home. It is a good rule and the use of plainly marked DUMMY cartridges will suffice for any demonstration.I am in the age group of the gentleman in the case being discussed and agree that age alone should not be the determining factor. The main reason I took the course was my age coupled with my state having zero requirements for a carry permit.

 

[BigRugerLover]

Water pistol

When I take a first time shooter to the range, we start working with a bright pink water pistol. If they happen to sweep someone with the muzzle or pull the trigger when they shouldn't, then no harm can possibly be done (no, it doesn't even have water in it).

When we move to the real guns, they are pointed down range either on the bench or in the hand, and never handled by the student in any other way.

This seems like a good method for the most basic instruction - like the blue guns, but cheaper.

 

[throdgrain]

I'm sure the BBC revelled in publishing this story

 

[lloveless]

silicosys wrote"I appreciate the mantra "always loaded"....works as a general rule for ignorant people who are not experienced with firearm". Thanks a lot!
The instructor was familiar with firearms, and needed to have heeded that Mantra. You all get your panty's in a wad over semantics. Are you guys a bunch of preachers or lawyers Give it rest. the facts speak for themselves. I too am eternally grateful no one was killed.
ll

 

[JustinJ]

Several years ago I took an NRA Basic pistol class because I wanted to.The instructors forbid anyone at all bringing their own ammo to the class.I took them at their word and left everything guns and ammo at home. It is a good rule and the use of plainly marked DUMMY cartridges will suffice for any demonstration.I am in the age group of the gentleman in the case being discussed and agree that age alone should not be the determining factor. The main reason I took the course was my age coupled with my state having zero requirements for a carry permit.

Please note I said that I "suspect" age was a factor. Obviously, the decline in cognitive abilities for one person at 73 isn't the same for all but it seems like a very plausible contributing factor in this case. That, coupled with the fact that many people like to deny that aging has affected them, makes me have to wonder what role it played. A poor memory could certainly lead one to forget that he did not actually clear a gun, for example.

 

[Robert]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=472825

Just because someone, even an instructor, does something stupid does not mean it is a topic for THR. Too much speculation and veering too near ageism for me.